Frequently Asked Questions
This section holds answers to many general dentistry questions.
1. What makes a beautiful smile?
3. How do teeth become discolored?
2. What is a veneer?
4. What is a crown?
5. What is a bridge?
6. What are white fillings?
7. What is bruxism?
What makes a beautiful smile?
Teriffic smiles have several things in common:
- The teeth are straight, not crooked.
- The teeth are evenly spaced with no gaps.
- The teeth are white, not stained.
- The top teeth show when you smile, but not the gums.
- The gumline is smooth, not uneven.
- The edges of the top teeth smoothly follow the curve of the lower lip.
All of these problems can be solved with cosmetic procedures, so even if you weren't
born with a beautiful smile, you can still have one.
How do teeth become discolored?
Over time, your teeth darken as minerals penetrate their outer enamel layer. This darkening
can be caused by foods and beverages that stain, such as coffee, colas, tea, red wine or berries.
Tobacco products, like cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco, can cause teeth to take on a
yellowish brown hue. The natural aging process can also cause your teeth to darken.
We can prescribe a home whitening system that will safely lighten these stains, giving you a
whiter, brighter smile! For more information, go to our At-Home Whitening information page.
What is a veneer?
A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain or plastic that is bonded to a tooth to improve
its color and shape. A veneer generally covers only the front and top of a tooth. Veneers
can be used to close spaces between teeth, lengthen small or misshapen teeth, or whiten
stained or dark teeth. When teeth are chipped or beginning to wear, veneers can protect
them from damage and restore their original appearance.
For more information on how we restore teeth with veneers, go to our Veneers information page.
What is a crown?
A crown is a prosthetic placed over an existing tooth to create a smoother, cleaner look
and enhance strength and durability. When a tooth is fractured, has an outdated filling,
or is severely damaged by decay, the placement of a crown may be recommended. Crowns
strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure and can improve the appearance
of your smile. Types of crowns include the full porcelain crown, the porcelain-fused-to-metal
crown and the all-metal crown.
The crown restores the appearance of your teeth and can affect the muscles in your face.
A crown will be the same size and shape as the natural tooth. As a result, it will keep your
jaw and bite aligned; it will also make sure that other teeth don't shift locations or take
on a greater share of the work of biting and chewing.
Be sure to check out our All-Porcelain Crowns information page.
What is a bridge?
When tooth loss occurs, your dentist may recommend the placement of a bridge. Designed to
replace missing teeth and support surrounding teeth, a bridge is a grouping of interconnected
crowns. Held in place by two crowns, a bridge can reduce the risk of gum disease, help correct
bite issues and even improve speech. If performed by a well-trained cosmetic dentist, bridges
are effective and durable and can last in excess of 10 years.
A tooth-colored bridge may be made of both porcelain and metal, or, thanks to newly available
technology, it may be made entirely of porcelain. For more information, visit our
All-Porcelain Bridges information page.
What are white fillings?
Until recently, silver amalgam was the material most often used to restore decayed portions
of your teeth, especially back teeth. Unfortunately, silver fillings can really darken a smile!
Dental research has resulted in the development of new tooth-colored material that are not only
durable and long lasting, but attractive as well. For more information, visit our
White Fillings information page.
What is bruxism?
Bruxism is the clenching or grinding of your teeth while you are asleep. It is not just an
annoyance; it exerts thousands of pounds of pressure on the biting surfaces of the teeth, which
can lead to jaw pain and damage to your teeth, as well as to the surrounding bone, gums and jaw
joint. For more information, visit our Bruxism information page.
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