A Brighter Smile For The New Year

It's amazing how times flies.  This year is almost over and it seems like it just got started.  Chanukah has passed and Christmas and the New Year are around the corner.  Do you think it's too late to bring in the new year with a whiter, brighter smile?  It's not!

If you opt for take home whitening, if you get started right away, you will have a beautiful whiter smile by New Year's Eve.  Take home whitening can be accomplished in several ways.  For younger people, whitening kits that can be purchased at the pharmacy, can usually whiten a smile satisfactorily. However, for most adults, professional whitening is needed to see a favorable result.

Professional whitening is usually accomplished in 1 - 2 weeks.  We take impressions of your teeth and from a model of your teeth that is made from the impression, we make plastic trays that fit exactly over your teeth.  With a custom fitted tray, just the right amount of whitening agent can be placed in the tray, and the whitening agent works directly on your tooth surface.  Most people start seeing an improvement in their smile in a few days, and by 10 days to two weeks, most people are happy with the whitening.

Research shows that whitening that takes place over time is the best whitening, and the results last the longest.  It may take up to 18 months before you may want a touch up.  Save your custom trays, and then all you have to do is purchase some more whitening agent, and you can whiten your teeth again.

There is a faster method for whitening your teeth called one-hour whitening.  This kind of whitening takes place in the dental office.  There is an advantage to getting a quick result, but this procedure costs more than take home whitening, uses stronger whitening agents, and requires that you sit perfectly still for an hour.  The results are not always as white as some people may like, and one-hour whitening results don't last as long as take home whitening results.  If you don't have time to wait for a take home result before a big party or upcoming event, one-hour whitening can be a "life saver" that enables you to smile with confidence and enjoy having party photos.

Whether you whiten your teeth to bring in the new year, or not, we wish you only blessings and always something to smile about.  Let us know if we can help you smile more confidently.  You can always call for a free cosmetic evaluation at 973-761-5090.  For information about whiter teeth and other dental topics visit www.DrTav.com.

Happy Holidays to all!

What Everybody Ought To Know About Porcelain Veneers

If you are unhappy with your smile for any number of reasons, you have got to know about porcelain veneers.  In two visits you can have the smile of your dreams and in most cases you may not even need any novocaine to accomplish this.  

What are porcelain veneers and how do they accomplish creating a Hollywood smile or smile makeover?  Porcelain veneers are eggshell thin pieces of porcelain that are bonded onto the outer surface of your teeth to resurface your teeth.  They can change the color, change the shape, change the size, fill in gaps, "straighten" tooth rotations, and do all of this while providing a surface that's smoother than your own tooth enamel and resistant to stain.

Porcelain veneers are usually done from start to finish in two office visits after an initial visit to analyze how your dream smile will be accomplished, and initial impressions may be taken for planning.  Sometimes we prepare a mockup of the smile changes on a dental model, and sometimes we can use photographs and show you a simulated photo of how your smile will look after you have veneers, but before you go for it.

There are varying factors that determine how much, if any, tooth structure will be removed to produce a healthy and beautiful result.  It’s important to understand how much tooth structure will be removed.  If tooth structure is removed, that is not reversible.  This factor is important because your veneers will last for many years (10-15 years is the statistical average, although we have patients who have veneers for longer than that), however, the younger you are, you should be aware that down the road you may want to replace them due to slight color changes.  If you want the option to not have to replace them, you would want to know if it’s possible to get the result you want without removing any tooth structure.  If no tooth structure is removed, the procedure is reversible.  It usually is advisable to remove some tooth structure especially at the gum line, to encourage optimum gum health, and to have the most natural looking result.

Porcelain veneers feel very smooth and feel just like your own teeth.  They require no additional care other than your routine brushing and flossing.  It’s advisable not to eat ice or bite into bones with your veneers.  Interestingly enough, the strength of the porcelain over the front of your teeth actually strengthens your teeth.

The process is simple, the results are life changing.  If you’ve been unhappy with your smile, what are you waiting for?

For information about other dental topics visit www.TavorminaDentistry.com or call us for a complimentary cosmetic evaluation at 973-761-5090.

Get Rid of Crooked Teeth Once and For All

Do you dislike your smile because of crooked teeth?  Have you put up with feeling self-conscious when you smile or do you hold yourself back from smiling?  Do you cover your mouth when you smile?  Won’t you let now be the time you say, “I deserve a beautiful smile!?” 

There are several ways you may go about getting the straight teeth you desire.  Many people are stopped because as adults they don’t want to be caught dead wearing orthodontic wires or brackets on their teeth.  Wearing conventional braces like these can be psychologically uncomfortable for many people, but there are other avenues.

There are various types of invisible braces available that can handle most cases of crooked teeth.  An evaluation is performed and can determine if you are a candidate for invisible braces.  We use ClearCorrect invisible braces at Tavormina Dentistry because there is more flexibility using this system.  The flexibility of when to receive the next set of tooth repositioners enables us to take into consideration each patient’s compliance with the system, and make adjustments to the patient’s program on an individual basis when compliance is somewhat of an issue.

Very thin clear appliances are worn over your teeth and these can barely be seen, without focused scrutiny.  Every few weeks a new set is received, and your teeth are moved gradually, without the embarrassment of wearing conventional braces.  If for some reason you are not a candidate for invisible braces, you can opt for conventional orthodontic tooth movement.

Another approach involves the use of cosmetic dentistry to change the appearance of your teeth by resurfacing them with dental veneers.  The most beautiful, natural looking, and long lasting veneers are porcelain veneers.  Dental veneers can change the color, size, shape, and apparent position of the teeth.  Hand sculpted bonding is often less of a financial investment, but the hand sculpted bonded materials stain and wear.  Porcelain veneers actually strengthen the teeth and provide a tooth surface that’s even smoother than enamel.

Let’s explore more information about porcelain veneers in our next post.  In the meantime, please visit DrTav.com for other dental information, or call us at 973-761-5090.  We’ll be happy to answer your questions or schedule a free consultation for you.