TREATMENT OPTIONS
On This Page: Whitening | Orthodontics | Bonding and Veneers | Restorations
Cosmetic Dentistry

Whitening
Teeth naturally become darker with age. Food and drink can also affect tooth color. Professional cleanings help keep them white, but a safe bleaching process works even better to remove stains.

Chairside bleaching is done in the dental office and takes about 30 to 60 minutes. An oxidizing agent is "painted" onto the teeth and a special light is used at five-minute intervals to help activate the agent. Nightguard bleaching is done at home using a custom-made mouthguard and bleaching gel the dentist provides. The two are worn together for up to two hours daily or at night for about two weeks. Some toothpastes formulated to remove stains also may be effective.

Whiteners may not brighten teeth that have a yellow, brown or gray hue. Whitening will not affect tooth-colored fillings on front teeth. In this case, porcelain veneers or dental bonding should be considered. People with gum recession and certain dental conditions may not be good candidates for nightguard bleaching. Neither method is recommended for habitual tobacco and alcohol users.

Orthodontics
Today's advancements in dentistry offer many exciting ways to keep patients grinning from ear to ear. Adults and children with crooked teeth, crowded teeth and bite problems can take advantage of braces or (orthodontics). Braces create pressure that shift teeth and jaws into new positions. The benefits of orthodontics usually are satisfying but go beyond appearance. Crooked teeth can be hard to clean, creating a greater chance for gum disease to occur. Braces come in several styles, and treatment can be as short as 20 months. Some orthodontists have computer imaging that can show patients (before treatment begins) how braces will affect their appearance.

Bonding and Veneers
Bonding is one technique that enhances teeth without braces or surgery. This method rebuilds small surface areas of chipped, cracked, discolored or slightly crooked teeth by covering them with a plastic resin. The procedure is painless and usually takes only one office visit.

Other options for less-than-perfect teeth are laminates or veneers. These are thin shells that slip over the front of the teeth. These custom made covers actually are an impression of the natural teeth that have been slightly shaped by the dentist. The veneers are cemented in place and usually require just two office visits. There usually is no discomfort. With the same care as natural teeth, bonding and veneers deliver a great-looking smile that lasts up to 10 years.

Restorations
Cavities form after plaque bacteria use sugar and starch to break down enamel. Left untreated, cavities become larger and cause several ugly and painful problems. Dental fillings (restorations) are used to prevent tooth decay from worsening.

Amalgam fillings are a safe, affordable and durable material used to restore teeth that have cavities. Amalgam contains a mixture of metals such as silver, copper and tin. A small amount of mercury chemically binds these components into a hard, stable yet safe substance that has been used for more than 150 years to help millions of Americans.

Amalgam has an indisputable safety record and has been extensively reviewed. The U.S. Public Health Service issued a report in 1993 stating there is no health reason not to use amalgam, except in the extremely rare case of the patient who is allergic to a component of amalgam.

This supports the findings of the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health Technology Assessment Conference and the National Institutes of Dental Research, that dental amalgam is a safe and effective restorative material. In addition, in 1991, Consumer Reports noted that "given their solid track record...amalgam fillings are still your best bet." In 150 years of use, dental literature has documented only 100 cases of allergic reactions to amalgam.

dalat, Dilantin and radiation treatment all can cause dental health problems.

Prescription medicines can cause gum swelling; overgrowth or inflammation; dry mouth; excess plaque; and fungal infection. Many cause or enhance dry-mouth, which can increase the rate of root-surface decay and periodontal (gum) infection.

Here are some tips to follow and some questions to ask your dentist or physician when being prescribed medication. This information will help either doctor select the safest and most effective method of treatment.