SUPERGUIDE AESTHETICS IN DENTISTRY

Transcription

1 W NE! u yo w. ng o hi kn yt o er d t Ev ee n SUPERGUIDE AESTHETICS IN DENTISTRY

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Your guide to a great smile ABOUT US 1 The Aesthetics in Dentistry Vision GENERAL DENTISTRY 2 How to maintain healthy gums, teeth and prevent dental problems COSMETIC DENTISTRY 4 How to improve the aesthetic beauty and function of your entire mouth CROWNS, BONDING & VENEERS 5 What are they and why would I need them? SMILE MAKEOVER 6 Creating a treatment plan that will improve your smile DENTAL IMPLANTS 7 What is the difference between the various kinds of implants and when would I need them? COMPLETION & FOLLOW UP 9 What to do once your treatment is complete and how to maintain that beautiful smile *Please note: All photos are actual patients of Dr. Jordan Soll

3 ABOUT US At Aesthetics in Dentistry, Dr. Jordan Soll and his team of dental professionals offer general dental services with an emphasis on general dentistry, implant and cosmetic dentistry. We take a special interest in appearance related procedures and provide quality personalized dental care at our mid-town Toronto office. Our commitment is to improve patient health, appearance, self-confidence and transform their quality of life by offering the highest quality dental healthcare possible in a friendly, respectful and comfortable atmosphere. We partner with each patient, personalizing their care and educating them to maximize overall health and wellness. We treat our patients with clinical excellence and caring communicative attention. Our SuperGuide is dedicated to creating a new paradigm of dentistry that promotes awareness and patients making informed decisions about their oral health needs. We genuinely hope this SuperGuide is a resource you will find both useful and interesting and helpful to you in learning more about our practice, dental conditions and treatments, dental recommendations, and more. Please browse through our SuperGuide and be sure to give us a call if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment. We are always thrilled to have patient suggestions, as well as potential patient inquiries, and encourage you to Contact Us, or Request an Appointment. Our website is here to serve you with an extension of care, and we look forward to providing you with a wealth of information about dentistry, and our practice in particular. Our goal is to be the most patient-focused, service-led dental practice in Toronto. A warm welcome to you from our staff, we look forward to caring for you and your family! Sincerely, Dr. Jordan Soll 1

4 GENERAL DENTISTRY How to maintain healthy gums and teeth and prevent problems What s the best way to keep my teeth clean? Regular brushing and flossing is the basis of good dental hygiene. Brushing should be done several times a day, preferably after each meal, though flossing can be done just at bedtime. Use only a soft toothbrush. See your dental hygienist at least every 6 months. However, due to certain gum conditions some individuals may require a more frequent cleaning schedule. Brushing and flossing, if done faithfully, will remove most plaque, (that sticky film that continuously forms over our teeth) but any that remains will harden into tartar, which cannot be brushed off. The hygienist will remove it, along with accumulated stains from coffee, soda, tea, tobacco and red wine (the most common staining culprits). What causes gum disease? Most often, it is poor dental hygiene. When the teeth and gums are not kept clean enough, plaque builds up. Plaque holds bacteria. At some point, the bacteria gets in between the teeth and the gums and causes an infection. As the infection progresses, pockets form, resulting in spaces between the teeth and gums. Now there is an established cycle which is hard to break. Bacteria create pockets. The pockets hold bacteria, which multiply and enlarge the pockets, enabling more bacteria to dwell there. The resulting infection, known as gingivitis, is the early stage of gum disease. You ll notice it because the gums become red and swollen and may bleed while brushing or flossing. Regular visits with your hygienist combined with impeccable home care breaks this cycle and creates an environment for healthy gums. What causes orthodontic problems? Crooked teeth can result from: Heredity Improper development of both the upper and lower jaws Thumb-sucking Premature loss of baby teeth or permanent teeth Consequently the teeth may grow in too crowded, in the wrong orientation, or in the wrong position. These factors can also lead to bite problems, known as malocclusion. Early diagnosis and treatment by a specialist in orthodontics will result in a beautiful smile. 2

5 GENERAL DENTISTRY What are wisdom teeth and why are they so often removed? Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to develop and the last to appear as we reach maturity. Sometimes they don t appear, but become impacted under the gum. This occurs because our jawbones have a finite amount of space for teeth, and since wisdom teeth are the last to erupt, there might not be enough space left for them. When there is a space problem resulting in poor alignment or impaction, it is usually best to remove the wisdom teeth, preventing future problems that could include infection in the jaw or premature loss of the healthy teeth ahead of the wisdom teeth. EXPERT TIP How can I deal with continual bad breath? By practicing good dental hygiene: Brush after eating, and floss daily. Bad breath is the odour of certain sulphur compounds which are created by bacteria in the mouth. Brushing and flossing will remove bacteria. However the mouth is never entirely free of all bacteria and left to themselves, bacteria will multiply. That s why we must brush and floss often. Include your tongue when you brush, especially the back area where a mucus layer develops that hides bacteria. If you have a dry mouth, consult a dentist on how to increase the saliva flow. Adequate saliva benefits us by cleaning the mouth, removing particles which can create odour. Keep your teeth clean Regular brushing and flossing is the basis of good dental hygiene. Keep your smile at its best by visiting your dentist regularly as recommended. 3

6 COSMETIC DENTISTRY How to improve the aesthetic beauty and function of your entire mouth What is cosmetic dentistry and how does it apply to me? Cosmetic dentistry is a discipline that is finely balanced between science and art form, involving the aesthetic beauty and function of your entire mouth, including the promotion of excellent oral health. Cosmetic dentistry began to emerge as a sub specialty of general dentistry in the middle 1980 s as the foundation of today s concepts on whitening, bonding and smile design. All of the techniques that are employed today are due to the knowledge that was assembled and articulated in the mid 80 s in this realm of dentistry. As such, a Cosmetic Dentist is a general practitioner who has a special interest in appearance related procedures. It is through his continuous education and teaching that enables him/her to deliver the highest quality of aesthetically pleasing dentistry possible to his patients. Cosmetic Dentistry is more than just the restoration and improvement of the look of your smile. Enhancing your smile through cosmetic dental procedures can open doors for patients-personally and professionally. A Cosmetic Dentist uses only the most current techniques and procedures combined with state-of-the-art equipment to create a long lasting beautiful smile for his/her patients. Whether you are considering changing the appearance of one tooth or creating an entirely new smile, Cosmetic Dentists and their team have the knowledge and skill to help you achieve the smile you want, tailored to fit your unique needs. 4

7 CROWNS, BONDING & VENEERS What is the difference and when would I need them? What is a crown and when would I need one? A crown, which is also referred to as a cap, is a permanent cover that your dentist makes for a heavily restored tooth or for a tooth that has had root canal treatment. Left with just a filling, this tooth may crack at some point and have to be extracted, because there isn t enough of the remaining tooth structure to support it. A crown can also be used to cover a broken tooth or to give it a new and improved appearance. A crown preserves the central part of the tooth and provides a strengthening cover and strong chewing surface. Crowns can be made of gold, porcelain, or a porcelain and metal mix. Could a crown ever fall off? Crowns are bonded to the teeth that they cover with a strong and durable cement. When done by qualified and experienced dentists, crowns are very stable. If your crown does come off you should contact your dentist immediately, before the exposed tooth suffers any further damage. What is dental bonding? This term refers both to the material used for bonding teeth, and to the procedure of bonding. Dental bonding material is a composite resin substance, made to match natural teeth. It s used: To fill cavities To close up small gaps between teeth To enlarge or modify the shape of a tooth To repair cracks or chips in a tooth How is dental bonding done? Bonding is a way of preserving as much as possible of the natural tooth, and hiding any imperfections. The tooth surface is first sculpted or buffed to better accept the bonding material, and a special liquid is applied. The bonding material is then applied and molded to the correct shape. A special light then hardens it. It is long lasting, and matches your natural tooth colour. Why are dental veneers a good choice to improve the appearance of my teeth? Made from dental porcelain, which is a glass-like substance, that simulates tooth enamel, veneers look like natural teeth with a life-like shiny gleam. If your teeth have visible defects such as cracks, chips, stains, or gaps, dental veneers can cover them. On its own, dental porcelain is brittle, but after it has been bonded to your teeth it is very strong, durable and stain resistant. Once bonded onto the teeth, veneers become part of those teeth and can be cared for in the same way as your natural teeth, by brushing and flossing daily. 5

8 SMILE MAKEOVER Creating a treatment plan that will improve your smile I keep hearing about smile makeovers. What does that mean? A smile makeover is a term used for various procedures designed to enhance your smile. No two of us are alike in our dental situation. Your teeth, gums, bite, smile, and overall facial features are yours alone. When a dentist assesses your dental status to see what improvements could be made in your smile, the resulting treatment plan will be unique-an exclusive smile makeover. What procedures might be part of a smile makeover? It could include any combination of the following procedures such as: Porcelain veneers Dental bonding Orthodontic alignment Teeth whitening Crowns Dental implants Conversion of silver filings to tooth-coloured-fillings The procedures for your particular smile makeover would be determined and incorporated into a treatment plan. Then each procedure would be done in a sequential fashion for the enhancement of your teeth, gums, jaw, bite, and general facial shape. cleaning on a schedule that is right for you, you can expect to keep your smile makeover for many years to come. As with all things in life, repair and maintenance are required to support a healthy state. On average you can expect your new smile to last 5-25 years depending on the level of care you give. EXPERT TIP Should I get the flaws in my teeth corrected first, and then whiten my teeth later? No. If you plan to have any crowns, veneers, or fillings, the porcelain or bonding material would need to be matched to the colour of your natural teeth. These materials do not respond to the tooth whitening gel. Consequently, it would be best to whiten your teeth first, then your dentist can match the porcelain or bonding to that new whitened shade. How long will the smile makeover last? That will depend on how good your dental hygiene is. The dental materials used today for fillings, crowns, veneers, and bridges are vastly improved over what was used years ago. If you brush and floss conscientiously, and have a professional 6

9 DENTAL IMPLANTS What is the difference between the various kinds of implants and when would I need them? What is a dental implant? In the right circumstances it is a solution for a missing tooth. An artificial tooth can replace the missing one, but it needs to be as firmly planted in the jawbone as each of our natural teeth are. Through extensive research, dentists have determined that small titanium cylinders implanted in the jawbone can successfully act as artificial roots to support artificial teeth. When we have a missing tooth, we can run into chewing difficulties. If it is a front tooth that is missing, it can be embarrassing. Over time, the neighbouring teeth can drift from their proper positions and adversely affect your bite. The jawbone can start to shrink, which in time can change the shape of your face. Replacing that missing tooth can prevent or solve these problems. What is the dental implant procedure like? It is done with local anesthetic and, on occasion, light sedation. A specific surgical technique is used to create the correct space in the gum and bone tissue and places the implant so that it is in contact with bone. Once this procedure is complete there is a period of several months for the implant to heal with the bone. It is important to have the implant solidified before the implant is subsequently restored with the new tooth. Research has shown that the ideal healing of the implant to the bone occurs when there is no pressure over the site. Consequently, it is best not to place anything over the area during healing of the implant. Am I a candidate for a dental implant? Keeping in mind that implant roots need to be long enough to be effective and longlasting, you would need to have enough good quality bone tissue to hold the implant. To be sure if implants are right for you, your dentist can assess your general dental status, including an x-ray of the implant site, and discuss the options and sequence with you. 7

10 IMPLANT DENTISTRY How long do dental implants last? When they are done by a qualified and experienced dentist, they can last a lifetime. Once the implant is restored it must be maintained and examined on a regular basis including a yearly x-ray. How do I care for a dental implant? Diligent dental hygiene will lengthen the implant s life. Regular brushing and flossing are essential to prevent any deterioration of the bone. Bone loss around the implant, when it becomes advanced, can destroy the integrity of the implant and necessitate its removal. To help maintain the implant in a healthy environment, warm salt water rinses, on a daily basis, are recommended. EXPERT TIP Are there any other reasons to visit the dentist? Yes. You need regular check-ups, especially if you ve had some cosmetic dental work done. A thorough dentist will assess your dental status at every check-up. Check for early signs of oral cancer Check the condition of all teeth and fillings Check the fit of dentures Diagnosis and treatment options for any conditions found Answers to any of your questions 8

11 COMPLETION & FOLLOW UP What to do once your treatment is complete and how to maintain that beautiful smile I now have a mouthful of beautiful teeth! How can I best keep them in shape? Now that your new smile is complete, just like anything else that you value, you want to maintain your investment. For your restorations to get their maximum longevity it is important to practice good dental hygiene. Using a soft bristle toothbrush, brush after each meal and floss daily. Maintaining a daily oral hygiene regimen will go a long way towards removing the plaque (film that perpetually forms on the surfaces of your teeth) which contains bacteria that, if left to multiply, can be the agent of gum disease. One of the most effective ways to keep your teeth and supporting gum tissues healthy is to have a combined program of regular maintenance visits with the dental hygienist and daily home care that incorporates an electric toothbrush accompanied by a 4% fluoride tooth paste. In addition, daily warm salt water rinses help destroy the bacteria that can cause gum disease. into tartar. Once this occurs, brushing and flossing alone cannot remove it. The dental hygienist removes that hard tartar along with any stains that brushing has not removed. Finally, it includes polishing with a special paste to give your teeth clean, smooth surfaces and a new start on the next interval of daily care between visits. How often should I see my dental hygienist? Every 3-6 months is ideal, depending on whether your mouth is healthy or if gum disease is present. Even when we practice good dental hygiene it is almost impossible to remove all traces of plaque. The remaining plaque, when combined with calcium, that naturally occurs in our saliva, can harden 9