Tag Archive for: Cosmetic

Restore your Smile with Porcelain Veneers

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If you are unhappy about the appearance of your smile, then you may want to consider porcelain veneers. This dental cosmetic procedure helps to enhance the appearance of one’s smile by restoring the appearance of a tooth or multiple teeth due to various reasons. Porcelain veneers are custom built to be placed over the teeth to correct errors in one’s smile such as crooked teeth, worn tooth enamel, cracks or chips in the teeth, an uneven alignment of the teeth and spaces between the teeth. Porcelain veneers look so natural, no one would ever suspect that your teeth are not all natural.

Imperfections in the teeth are caused by several factors. Genetics often play a big role in one’s dental development. A tooth imperfection that many people inherit is abnormal spaces or gaps between one’s teeth. Generally these spaces between the teeth only expand over time. With porcelain veneers, these gaps can be safely covered up. Also, over time or due to childhood illness, the protective enamel which covers one’s teeth often wears away making teeth rather weak and discolored. Many people are unhappy to see their once white teeth become yellowed. Once again, porcelain veneers are able to mask the discoloration of teeth that is often associated with genetic predisposition, childhood illness, aging, smoking, caffeine consumption, certain medications and more.

Another imperfection that porcelain veneers can cover is uneven teeth. Uneven teeth normally come as a result of unhealthy habits such as nightly grinding of the teeth or from every day use. Porcelain veneers can be placed over these teeth in order to restore perfect, evenly shaped teeth.

In general, there are two types of veneers; porcelain veneers and composite resin veneers. Porcelain veneers are often more expensive than the composite resin veneers but they are worth the cost. Both types of veneers look and feel natural but porcelain veneers are generally preferred due to their identical appearance. Another reason for the cost difference is that porcelain veneers must be constructed in a dental laboratory by a dental technician while the composite resin veneers can be made locally in one’s dentist’s office. Porcelain veneers are also known to last longer.

The dental process for placing porcelain veneers onto a tooth can be a very simple procedure. However, the cases may vary. Generally, due to the thinness of the porcelain veneer, the base tooth will need little to no reshaping in order for the veneer to fit snugly on the tooth without disturbing the bite of a person. The porcelain veneer is then bonded to the tooth and it only takes a matter of minutes for the bonding resin to dry.

Porcelain veneers are a great way to fix minor imperfections and to protect your teeth. Although the procedure of veneers can be replaced by other smaller dental procedures, if you are looking to improve your smile permanently and to protect your teeth over a long period of time, porcelain veneers will do the trick!

Dr. Kelaher

Dental Implants – One of the Best Fixes for Tooth Loss

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Losing teeth is part of life. Tooth loss occurs for a variety of reasons ranging from accidental tooth loss from an accident to severe oral problems such as tooth decay, congenital defects, mouth trauma, root canal failure, gum disease of periodontitis or the simple collapse of tooth structure from use. Fortunately, there is a dental procedure which can help cover up these tooth loss issues to avoid low self esteem and embarrassment; dental implants. Dental implants are an excellent way to fix a flawed smile. Dental implants have high success rate, making this one of the best procedures to have done whether for cosmetic or medical purposes.

The dental implants’ procedure is rather simple. Generally, a titanium screw is placed into a small hole which has been created in the site where the tooth is missing. This screw is used in order to connect the jaw to the implant. Once the screw is in place, to avoid infection and to allow for osseo integration to occur, a protective layering is placed on top of the implant and screw. Once the site heals and osseo integration has occurred this protective layering is removed and then a temporary crown is used to replace the protective layering. The healing process may take anywhere from three to six months. The gum will naturally mold itself around the temporary crown. The final step in the dental implants’ procedure is to replace the temporary crown with a permanent crown.

As previously mentioned, there is a high success rate that is associated with dental implants. The major reason why an implant may fail is due to the osseo integration process. Osseo integration is the process where the jaw bone and the dental implant root naturally bond by the dental implant being lodged into the jawbone. Dental implants are desirable compared to other dental procedures in the case of tooth loss because they are highly durable and look like natural teeth. Other advantages associated with dental implants include being immune to cavities. However, this does not mean that a patient who has dental implants can ignore his or her oral hygiene. Dental implant patients are still susceptible to peri implantitis or periodontitis which can be painful and lead to more serious dental problems.

Many people opt for dental implants over other types of dental procedures to replace teeth. Many dental implant procedures will be covered by one’s dental insurance, at least partially under the right circumstances. However, if the procedure is done for only cosmetic purposes then one will most likely have to pay the cost of the procedure. There are many financial plans that are available for these dental implant patients.

If you are looking for a solution to your dental tooth loss problems, then dental implants may be the right option for you. A dentist will have to approve you as a candidate, but once approved, dental implants will give you back your confidence and let your pearly whites shine.

Dr. Kelaher

Sticking with One Dentist: Why loyalty can translate into better dental care.

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While every dentist wants patients to remain loyal and give them repeat business, it is often the patient who benefits the most from sticking with the same dentist over a long period of time. But most people don’t realize the important value of keeping the same dentist, and many of us jump around from one to another based on how close we live or work to their office, how much they charge for cleaning our teeth, or other reasons that may not be as important as our overall health. Once you find a good dentist, try to keep that doctor as your personal or family dentist for as long as possible, because the more your dentist gets to know you the more beneficial the relationship becomes.

Until you dentist knows your full dental history and has time to watch how your teeth or gums might develop, he or she is not as well equipped to recommend particular procedures, remedies, and maintenance tips. Some people have thin enamel, for example, and can benefit from a change in their diet or a different type of toothpaste. Others have receding gums. Dentists can measure the extent of the change over time and determine the best plan of action to prevent tooth and gum problems. Having a dentist who knows you and knows exactly what to watch for and observe each time you visit for a checkup means that you will get more personalized care and attention.

Of course even a brand new dentist who has never seen you before can use X-rays, a comprehensive dental exam, and a little bit of probing around and investigating inside your mouth to learn a huge amount of information about your dental health. But switching to a new dentist usually means that the same kind of thorough examination needs to be repeated, whereas a dentist who knows you will have detailed records and a file with your whole dental history. That saves time, money, and stress because you know that your dentist is well informed and aware of any potential problems you might have. He or she will also know if you have any special considerations such as fears about certain procedures, unwanted reactions to medicines, or your schedule. Some people travel frequently for work, for instance, and having a dentist who has been with you for a long time enables him or her to schedule appointments that suit your travel plans.

Keeping the same dentist also allows you the flexibility to plan procedures such as replacements of old fillings, repairs to damaged teeth, or cosmetic procedures like tooth whitening. Instead of taking any appointment whenever the dentist happens to have an opening among his or her regular patients, you can get preferential scheduling and can spread out the timing of dental visits to help you keep dental costs within your annual budget.

The best dentists often get so busy and popular that they no longer accept new patients, which is another big reason to stay with a good dentist. Once you have become a regular patient, in other words, there are a variety of benefits that come from the relationship – and all of them translate into better health care for you.

Cosmetic Dentistry and Your Self Esteem

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Many people go to the dentist to have some kind of cosmetic dentistry procedure or cosmetic dental surgery done, primarily because they want to get their teeth straightened or whitened or have a similar outcome. They basically want to have a better looking smile and teeth that sparkle more. But later on – long after the cosmetic results are theirs and the physical process of changing the appearance of their mouth is over with – most patients who have undergone successful cosmetic dentistry reveal that they also gain the powerful benefit of improved self esteem.

That’s because generally speaking when we look better – and we know that we look better – we feel better about ourselves. We have a greater sense of personal empowerment and confidence because rather than being shy about our outward appearance we want to celebrate it as one of our best assets. This is especially true when it involves cosmetic dentistry, because people often judge one another – whether it is something we should do or not – based on the first impression they have. And a beautiful smile makes a strong and appealing impression that is almost a contagious force or a magnet to draw people in and make them more comfortable and interested.

Many people are unhappy with their smile. They may have a smile they consider too toothy, or one that is too gummy. Maybe they have some chipped or missing teeth, a gap, stains, or other features that they do not like and consider drawbacks. Some people are born with crooked teeth or so-called buck teeth, other people have had dental health problems that led to decay, and then are those of us who have been in an accident or similar unexpected event and had our teeth, gums, or mouth hurt or damaged.

Cosmetic dentistry has a remedy for all of those problems, and those who undergo successful cosmetic dentistry not only see a new smile in the mirror but they enjoy the pleasure and self esteem that comes from knowing that they look their very best – both to other people and to themselves. So there is really no reason to go through life with lower self esteem or a lack of self confidence and inferior feelings of self worth, if the cause of those unwanted assessments of ourselves is rooted in the look of our teeth. Physical attributes related to dentistry can be changed, and they can be permanently improved. With better looks and more self esteem come more positive emotions, and psychologists and medical doctors alike tell us that a positive and optimistic state of mind is one of the main contributors to better overall health and wellness.

So if you are not happy with your smile for some reason, consult your dentist. He or she can talk to you about various cosmetic dentistry options that range from do-it-yourself treatments like mild tooth whitening to more complex and sophisticated cosmetic procedures involving cosmetic dental surgery. Whatever the goal, he or she can show you alternatives that are sure to make you smile – and love your smile in the same way that those around you will.

Dr. Kelaher

One Visit Crowns, Inlays and Onlays

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One thing that all of us share in common these days is our lack of free time to take off from work and other obligations in order to do things like keep our dental appointments. But fortunately dental technology has kept pace with the times, and now many forward-thinking dentists and leading edge dental offices have the capability of one-visit crown or inlay procedures. These kinds of processes used to take several steps that had to be scheduled out over multiple visits, and that cost more time, money, and hassle.

Typically a crown, inlay, or onlay will be recommended by your dentist when she or he believes that a cavity filling or similar repair to a damaged tooth is not going to be sufficient. When a tooth is chipped or cracked, for example, the portion of strong healthy tooth left over may be too small to ensure a tight fit of a filler material. Or if a cavity is too large and extends across enough of the tooth – or perhaps an old filling that is really big is getting replaced – then the dentist may suggest capping the whole area with a crown. That can help to ensure that the repair lasts longer, does not work loose and fall out, and that once the remedy is completed the repair looks attractive in a cosmetic sense.

Whatever the reason for doing this kind of dental procedure is – and regardless of how it started and what the desired outcome may be – it is always a rather complicated and involved process. There are several critical steps involved, and that is why conventional methods of doing this kind of inlay or crown can take several days or weeks spread across a few visits to the dentist. The new one-day procedures, however, combine state of the art technology like computer measurements and imaging with medical robotics to eliminate most of those unwanted delays.

In order to ensure that the new onlay or crown is a perfect fit, it has to be sculpted exactly to the dimensions of the part of the tooth it will replace. The first step is extremely accurate measuring. Because high-tech imaging can reproduce this area precisely, that cuts down on time before the crown is made and also eliminates much of the extra grinding and polishing after crowns are installed. Next the actual crown has to be built using synthetic materials or substances like porcelain or gold, but many advanced dental practices have robotic machines to do this while you wait. By making hundreds of precision cuts, the machine – which is computer run – can carve a crown within an hour or two.

Last but not least you get back in the dentist’s chair and the new crown or inlay is cemented into place, polished for a great fit, and then checked for stability. You can leave the office the same day with a completely new crown after just one visit. Of course you will probably want to schedule this kind of half-day dental visit ahead of time, so it is a good idea to make those plans during your routine visits when the dentist first discovers that you have a need for crowns and discusses your options with you.

Dr. Kelaher

Highland Dental Group
100 Highland Avenue, Suite 103
Salem, MA 01970

Phone: (978) 740-5135

Office Hours

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  • Tuesday 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
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  • Thursday 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Friday 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed

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