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Traditional metal braces were once the primary treatment for crooked teeth that need alignment. Today, however, patients can choose to straighten their teeth with the revolutionary Invisalign® clear braces system.

What is Invisalign®?

The Invisalign® system utilizes a series of clear plastic aligners to move the teeth into the desired positions, creating a straight, attractive smile. This treatment is highly customized and effective. Many adults who wish to achieve straighter teeth, but who do not want to deal with the hassles associated with traditional metal braces, find that the Invisalign® system is an ideal treatment alternative. The aligners are discreet, comfortable, and removable.

What are the benefits?

There are several advantages to using Invisalign® when compared to metal braces. The most obvious benefit is the discreet nature of the treatment. Because the aligners are made of a clear plastic which fits snugly over your teeth, no one will be able to tell you are wearing them. Additionally, most patients find that the aligners are much more comfortable than the wires and brackets necessary for traditional orthodontic treatment. Finally, because the aligners can be removed for cleaning, the Invisalign® system makes it easier to maintain proper oral hygiene throughout your treatment.

How do I start using Invisalign®?

The first step in the Invisalign® treatment is visiting a dentist with experience using the Invisalign® system. The dentist will evaluate your needs and help determine if you are a candidate for this type of orthodontic treatment. If you are a candidate, the dentist will work with you to develop a treatment plan that meets your individual dental health needs and goals. Impressions will be taken to facilitate the creation of the aligners. Once the aligners are developed, you will begin the process of straightening your teeth.

For more information about the Invisalign® system, contact our cosmetic dentistry center in Philadelphia today to schedule a consultation.

 

Many people are apprehensive about going to the dentist. Some are so scared of the dentist’s chair that they avoid going, even if the pain of a tooth is unbearable. The solution for those with dental phobia is sedation dentistry. This is the practice of sedating someone so that proper dental care can be administered. Some people need sedation for routine dental exams and cleanings, while others require it for more involved procedures like dental implants.

Candidates for Sedation Dentistry

If you think you are a good candidate for sedation dentistry, talk to your dentist to see what can be done. You will need to discuss any allergies you have that you are aware of, and if you have ever been sedated before. Often, sedation can be used for any procedure that requires an extensive amount of work, as many patients have trouble sitting still for hours at a time, but it is particularly useful for patients who suffer from any level of dental phobia. There may be an extra cost associated with using sedation, but for many, the small increase in price is more than worth it.

Dental Sedation Options

Sedation can be administered in several different ways. Oral sedatives are administered via a small pill that is typically taken about an hour prior to the patient's appointment. Sedation can also be administered via I.V. for procedures where deep sedation is required. Both methods are safe and effective, but you will need someone to accompany you to and from your appointment with these options. Alternatively, nitrous oxide sedation allows the sedative to be administered via inhalation. This option produces a very mild sedative effect that wears of quickly, so most patients are able to drive themselves home after their appointments. For more information about sedation dentistry and how this treatment option may help you, contact a dentist to schedule a consultation.

 

Cosmetic dentistry includes a wide range of procedures that can completely transform your smile. If you are dissatisfied with the appearance of your teeth due to misalignment, discoloration, chips, cracks, or other concerns, speak to a cosmetic dentist about your treatment options.

Initial Evaluation

Before you sign up for a procedure, your dentist will perform a full dental exam to determine the status of your teeth and to help access your needs. In most cases, you will have a choice between several different procedures that will help to accomplish the same goal. You will also be given a wide range of total costs so that you can be matched up with the procedure that best fits your budget.

Treatment Planning

Based on your individual goals and needs, your dentist may recommend one or more procedures. If discoloration is a concern, tooth whitening may be a good choice. Patients with misalignment may be good candidates for Invisalign®, while those who are concerned about both discoloration and misalignment may be interested in exploring porcelain veneers. Before proceeding with any cosmetic treatments, however, your dentist will first want to address any underlying dental health issues to ensure the best possible results.

Treatment Results

Cosmetic dentistry helps patients achieve dramatic smile makeovers that are both attractive and natural-looking. Regardless of which procedure you choose, your dentist will ensure that the final results complement your facial structure and blend seamlessly with your surrounding teeth. Cosmetic dentistry has seen incredible technological breakthroughs in recent years, and many people continue to benefit from these advancements. If you are interested in improving your smile with cosmetic dentistry, contact a cosmetic dentist today to schedule a consultation.

Invisalign® has been developed as an option for teeth straightening without many of the drawbacks associated with traditional braces. Invisalign® uses a series of clear plastic trays that slightly move your teeth with every phase of treatment.

Convenient Straightening

Most people won't even realize that a patient is wearing Invisalign® because the discreet aligners are made of a clear material and don’t inhibit speaking or eating. The aligners can also be removed and brushed to ensure a hygienic treatment, and patients can continue brushing and flossing their teeth normally, too.

Treatment Planning

When first undergoing teeth straightening treatment with Invisalign®, your cosmetic dentist or orthodontist will take pictures, impressions, and measurements of your teeth. Next, a series of individually designed molds are created to gradually improve the alignment of crooked teeth. These trays are each worn for 24 hours a day, except for eating and cleaning, for about two weeks. The patient then starts wearing the next mold in the series, which may contain anywhere from 18 to 30 different molds.

Effective Results

Invisalign® will straighten crooked teeth in about the same time as traditional braces, and is great for patients that don’t require bite correction or drastic movement of the teeth. The system does cost more than traditional braces, but most adult patients find the convenience and invisible option is well worth this investment. Many patients also choose to follow their Invisalign® treatment with a tooth whitening procedure to complete their smile makeover.

Traditional teeth straightening methods don’t always present the best options for treatment when it comes to personal and professional relationships. Many patients feel that metal braces distract from their smile, and Invisalign® addresses this problem. Almost anyone can use the Invisalign® system to fix crooked teeth, but only a qualified orthodontist or cosmetic dentist can determine if this is the best system for a patient.

Dental implants have proven to be a great option for many patients who need to replace missing teeth. Learn more about the dental implants procedure by reviewing the following frequently asked questions.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants consist of two parts: a small metal post that is inserted into the jawbone to serve as the "root" of the replacement tooth and a natural-looking dental crown that is affixed to the post to restore the function and appearance of the missing tooth. Dental implants are a highly effective, comfortable, and safe way to replace any missing teeth that you might have.

Who is a candidate for dental implants?

The best candidate for dental implants is a patient in good general health who has sufficient bone in the jaw to support the implant post. If necessary, bone grafting procedures may be utilized to provide additional support for the implant.

How are dental implants placed?

During the first phase of the dental implant procedure, the implant post is surgically placed in the jawbone through a small incision in the gum line. The second phase is completed several months later, allowing sufficient time for the implant post and jawbone to fuse together. During this step, the dental crown is placed onto the implant post to complete the restoration procedure.

How can I learn more?

Contact a skilled dentist to learn more about dental implants and to determine if this restorative dentistry treatment is right for you.

Porcelain veneers are wafer thin slices of porcelain that are bonded to the front surface of your teeth to improve the appearance of your smile. The porcelain veneers procedure typically requires two visits to your dentist's office to complete, but the final result is a stunning and long-lasting smile transformation.

Making Over Your Smile

Porcelain veneers address nearly any cosmetic dental issue, from crooked teeth to discolored, misshapen, or misaligned teeth. Porcelain veneers can also conceal gaps or chips to create a uniform, healthy-looking smile. Because of their versatility and effectiveness, porcelain veneers are an extremely popular cosmetic dentistry treatment that combine the effects of teeth whitening, orthodontics, cosmetic bonding, and more into one procedure.

Porcelain Veneers Procedure

The procedure to place porcelain veneers is very simple and pain-free. After removing an extremely thin layer of enamel from the front of your teeth, your dentist will take an impression that will serve as a mold from which your veneers will be fabricated in a dental lab. Temporary veneers will be placed to protect the teeth until your next visit. During the second appointment, your permanent veneers are placed.

Porcelain dental veneers are an extremely effective option for achieving a dramatic smile makeover. For more information about this or other treatments, contact our cosmetic dentist is Philadelphia today to schedule a consultation.

Want to make your smile brighter and whiter than you ever thought possible in less than an hour?  Try The Zoom!® in-office whitening system. 

How it Works

The Zoom!®  Chairside Teeth Whitening System is an all-inclusive tooth whitening system available at your dentist’s office.  The treatment uses a hydrogen peroxide whitener to brighten your smile up to 12 shades in just one short visit. When getting your teeth whitened with The Zoom!®  Whitening System, your dentist will first mix the appropriate amounts of hydrogen peroxide and a special activator and then apply the mixture directly to your teeth. Next, a specially patented light is positioned over you teeth to activate the whitener and enhance the bleaching process, giving you the whitest and brightest results.  The Zoom!®  light unit features an infrared filter to help lower the amount of heat generated at the tooth surface. This makes the entire process faster, easier, and more comfortable than similar professional whiteners.

Maintaining Your New Smile

Following your in-office teeth whitening session with Zoom!® Whitening System, you may also choose to use a tray-based whitener at home to continue the bleaching process.  This will give you better and longer-lasting results. Some patients may also wish to combine their Zoom!® whitening treatment with other cosmetic dentistry treatments for more dramatic results. Porcelain veneers, dental crowns, Invisalign® clear braces, and other options are available to help you achieve the beautiful, healthy-looking smile you've always wanted. For more information, contact our cosmetic dentist in Philadelphia today to schedule a consultation.