Did you know that the shape, shade, length and spacing of your teeth could significantly affect your smile? And our smiles can greatly affect our self-esteem and confidence. Common conditions that impact negatively on your smile include broken, cracked or worn teeth, discolored teeth, missing teeth, crooked teeth, decayed teeth, gaps between your teeth and/or “gummy smiles.” The good news is that with modern technology and improved materials, these situations can be dramatically changed to create natural looking and long-lasting beautiful smiles. Each patient and each specific circumstance must be evaluated on its own merits. Factors such as occlusion [bite], oral habits, available space, health of the gum tissue, severity of the problem and patient expectation must be taken into consideration while planning your cosmetic makeover. Depending on the situation, there are a variety of choices that all result in excellent esthetic outcomes. For whiter natural teeth, in-office or at-home bleaching [whitening] techniques are available. Repairing teeth or closing spaces may be accomplished with tooth-colored composite resin bonding, porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns. These procedures vary in time and cost and have differences in longevity and appearance. If you’re not satisfied with your smile or want to learn if you’re a good candidate for any of these remarkable techniques, call our office for a cosmetic consultation.
Cosmetic Dentistry – Which Procedure Is Right For You?
posted in: Teeth Whitening, Tucson cosmetic dentistry
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Modern dentistry has come a long way. Today there are numerous ways to improve and enhance your smile. To begin, a professional cleaning in your dental office can eliminate stains and brighten your teeth.
To achieve the smile you have always dreamed about there are many more options available with your professional Tucson dentist.
Whitening
This procedure lightens or whitens stained or discolored teeth without and work done to change the shape or placement of the teeth in your mouth. Best results are usually attained in the dental office but there are take-home kits that are available.
Veneers
Veneers are thin, porcelain laminates can be bonded to the front teeth. This procedure closes gaps and/or changes the size, shape and color of your teeth.
Bonding
This procedure is used to fill spaces between teeth or to repair chips and alter tooth shape. Composite material is bonded to your tooth and then shaped by your dentist and polished to best function and look.
Fillings & Inlays
Are you tired of your unsightly silver fillings? This is your answer. Your dentist will replace your silver/mercury amalgam fillings with a composite material that matches your tooth color. Besides being color matched, porcelain inlays save more tooth structure than fillings.
Bridges or Implants
Your dentist uses bridges or implants to fill a space where teeth are missing. There is newer technology available that uses a titanium implant in the jawbone to support artificial teeth.
Porcelain Crowns
If you have badly damaged or decayed teeth then a procelain crown is your answer. Your dentist will remove the the damage and decay and cement in a toothlike cap that is optimally matched to your tooth color.
Orthodontics
This includes the varied procedures used to realign your teeth and change your bite to enhance both your smile and your overall oral health.
Confused as to where to begin?
The first step is to talk things over with your dentist. Talk candidly about your concerns and your overall goals. Simple problems are often quickly and easily resolved.
Ideally you will receive a full evaluation and diagnosis from your dentist. She can then discuss options in detail with you. Advantages and disadvantages of each procedure will be discussed and a treatment plan constructed.
Make sure you talk about cost and see if your insurance plan covers procedures you are considering.
At Home Teeth Whitening – Is It Right For You?
posted in: Teeth Whitening
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There are many factors that stain your teeth and cause them to lose their brilliance. These factors include age, genetic makeup, plaque, antibiotics, consumption of certain unhealthy foods and smoking. Dull, yellow or stained teeth give a poor impression of one’s personality. Because of thi,s teeth whitening techniques as growing in popularity.
Teeth whitening techniques are a form of cosmetic dentistry and are also known as dental bleaching.
Many people try to avoid trips to their dentist because of oh….so many reasons 🙂 and instead try to use at home whitening techniques. The best natural way to enhance the color and brilliance of your teeth is to eat fresh fruits as much as possible. Another tip is to spread pressed strawberries on your teeth and leave the paste on for several minutes. After which brush and floss your teeth as you normally would.
Another tip is to mix some salt with lemon juice and then spread this mixture on your teeth for several minutes and then rinse and brush as usual.
These at home remedies will have a short term effect at best but are generally safe (take care if you have allergies).
In order to remove stains and to see immediate and stronger effects, some like to use hydrogen peroxide or baking soda. Be careful though. Hydrogen peroxide is a highly reactive chemicals so proceed carefully as it can do more damage than good if improperly used.
Commercial teeth whitening products include whitening strips, whitening gels, applications using trays and even teeth whitening pens. Although the whitening strips are the cheapest among these above mentioned techniques but the gel trays have better longer lasting effects compared to the other two techniques.
Before using any technique to whiten your teeth, make sure of two things first is that you consult your dentist. While taking into consideration your health condition, medication that you are taking or if you are using any dentures or fillings your dentist can suggest the best remedy for you. Secondly follow the instructions carefully given for the use of any commercial teeth whitening products.
Arizona Dental Medicine offers professional “take home teeth whitening” products and an in-office procedure using Zoom!. If you are considering any kind of teeth whitening procedure call Dr. Riley for a no-obligation consultation. She’ll help you determine the best options for your specific goals. Call today..520-297-9069
Cosmetic Dentistry – More Than Just A Pretty Smile
posted in: Teeth Whitening, Tucson cosmetic dentistry
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Modern cosmetic dentistry offers many ways to enhance your smile. Often times teeth whitening is the first thing that pops into 
people’s minds when thinking or talking about cosmetic dentistry.
However there are numerous procedures available to help beautify your smile. These include veneers, bonding to fill spaces or repair chips, fillings and inlays, bridges or implants, porcelain crowns and orthodontics or teeth realignment.
A bright, beautiful smile is important. Studies have conclusively shown that a great smile not only makes you have more self-confidence but other people feel that you are more attractive, intelligent and successful.
Yes, creating a beautiful smile with cosmetic dentistry can be a positive life changing experience. But there are more things to consider besides aesthetics. You also want your “smile” to function properly. Malocclusion (bad bite) is many times the main contributing factor towards needing cosmetic dentistry.
Correcting your bite as part of any dental treatment plan is paramount towards insuring proper jaw function as well as the longevity and durability of your cosmetic procedures.
Restoring or realigning your bite and a cosmetic procedure together will most likely require a more complex treatment plan. This could include major reconstruction of your teeth, orthodontics or even both.
Proper correction of your smile and your bite will depend on many factors that your dentist will evaluate and consider. Many times these factors are signs and symptoms of underlying problems with the way that your teeth fit together. Your dentist must conduct a thorough evaluation of your dental history, examine your mouth thoroughly and carefully and may even perform one or more tests.
It is of vital importance that your dentist determine the status of your occlusion (bite) before designing and going forward with a treatment plan.
For best results you and your dentist should consider tooth shade (color) as well as tooth width and length. Your treatment plan may also include non-tooth concerns about the appearance of your gums and lips. These will be taken under consideration in the overall creation and implementation of your treatment plan.
For example, if too much gum shows in your smile, a simple process called crown lengthening may be used. Bonding or reconstruction procedures can make the lips more full and minimize the appearance of wrinkles.
Begin by discussing your concerns and overall goals with your dentist. Simple problems or procedures can most often be quickly resolved. If more comprehensive work is needed your dentist will schedule a full evaluation and diagnosis.
Ready to get started creating a beautiful, functional and healthy smile? Call Dr. Riley today – 520-297-9069. General dentistry with a cosmetic flair!