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Questions to Ask During a Cosmetic Dentistry Consultation

implant-dentistry-2If you are seeking a cosmetic dentist to perform treatments or procedures to improve your smile, you will want to schedule a consultation with a potential dental professional. Making an informed choice about the doctor you choose is a vital step in ensuring the desired results.

The following is a list of questions you may want to pose during your consultation visit:

  • What types of cosmetic procedures are you trained and experienced to perform? Some dentists prefer to specialize in a smaller number of treatments, while others are trained in a broader range of cosmetic procedures. Ideally, the cosmetic dentist you choose should have experience in a range of treatments so that they can address any additional dental issues that may arise.
  • What type of treatment would you recommend for my dental issues? A good cosmetic dentist will be able to fully explain any suggested procedures, as well as their reasoning for selecting those treatments.
  • What alternatives are there to your recommendation? Your potential cosmetic dentist should be able to offer and explain other options based on your particular case.
  • Can you show me examples of your work? A good dentist will be proud to share before and after pictures of previous cases, but make sure that the photos shown are examples of that dentist’s own work. The dentist may also be able to create computer-aided images or models of your potential “after” treatment look.
  • What kind of results can I realistically expect? Your cosmetic dentist should be able to discuss the potential outcome of your procedures, including factors that may alter or vary your results.

Making the effort to thoroughly research your potential cosmetic dentist will help to guarantee a positive cosmetic dental experience. Your dental professional should be able to answer these questions to your satisfaction and make you feel comfortable with their expertise in helping you to achieve your desired smile.

Cosmetic Dentist Central Falls, RI

When Do Porcelain Veneers Require Repair or Replacement?

Porcelain Veneers RepairPorcelain dental veneers are long-lasting, and can enjoy a life of up to twenty years with the proper care. To ensure your veneers maintain their beauty and function for as long as possible, it’s important to follow a few simple guidelines:

  • Brush and floss your teeth at least twice per day.
  • Visit your dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings.
  • Wear a protective mouth guard when playing contact sports.
  • Refrain from chewing on hard items like pens, fingernails, or ice.
  • Never use your teeth as a tool to open packaging or hold objects such as hairpins.
  • Wear a night guard if you are prone to teeth grinding.

Even with diligent care, porcelain veneers will need to be replaced or repaired at some time, either from damage or years of wear. Cracked or slightly damaged veneers can be repaired with a special bonding material that is applied directly to the veneer. In most cases, your dentist should be able to repair one or two veneers rather than the entire set.

In the case of gum disease that has caused the gums to pull away from the veneer, your veneer would be removed and repositioned to close the gap at the gum line. If you suffer from more extensive gum disease, multiple veneers may need removal.

The procedure for replacing a set of porcelain veneers is essentially the same as the process of placing the original veneers. The original veneers are removed, your teeth are thoroughly cleaned and prepared, a mold will be taken of your teeth, and the new veneer will be crafted and put into place.

Schedule a consultation with Central Falls cosmetic dentist Dr. Frias to check the health of your dental veneers and recommend treatment based on their condition.

 

Dental Porcelain Veneers Central Falls, RI

Is My Family Dentist Qualified to Treat Me?

Family DentistryIf you are considering choosing a family dentist, you may be wondering what kind of qualifications that dentist will have. A family dentist has all of the same training as a “typical” dentist would have, but a family dentist uses this training to treat patients of all ages, from big to small.

Your family dentist has graduated from an ADA-accredited school, the American Dental Associations’ Commission on Dental Accreditation. Admission to these dental schools is difficult, as there is a high level of competition among applicants. Applicants must have high grades and must have completed an excellent interview. As well, the DAT, or Dental Admission Test, must be passed. Although it isn’t required that an applicant have already earned a college bachelor’s degree, many do, or earn it concurrently while attending dental school.

At dental college, two types of degrees area available: DDS, a Doctorate of Dental Surgery or DMD, a Doctorate of Dental Medicine. Both degrees are four year degrees: two years in labs and classrooms in clinical and natural science study and two years in apprenticeship with skilled, accredited dentists acquiring hands-on experience in professional dental offices.

Your family dentist may have gone directly into practice after receiving his or her degree and being licensed by a particular state, but it’s possible that his or her education continued with postdoctoral degrees that certify specialists in one of nine ADA-recognized fields, including maxillofacial surgery, periodontics and endodontics.

Good family dentists will keep abreast of the latest technologies and dental trends and will reinforce their training with continuing education classes.

If you have questions about the qualifications and certifications of Central Falls, RI family dentist Dr. Frias, just ask. Much of the information you might require can be located online. Dentists often also display certifications on the walls of their offices. Central Falls family dentist Dr. Frias is truly qualified to treat you and your family and to help you all reach your smile goals.

General Dentistry Central Falls, RI

Dazzle Others with a Smile Makeover

Smile MakeoverDo you wish you had a dazzling smile, but instead are stuck with an embarrassing set of teeth? You don’t have to be trapped with a look you dislike! Smile makeovers are available to transform your smile into one you’ve always wanted.

The first step is selecting a reputable, skilled and experienced cosmetic dentist to take you through your smile makeover journey. This professional will evaluate your smile and suggest ways to repair it so that you can impress your friends and coworkers as soon as possible.

When you make your first visit to the cosmetic dentist, your mouth will be examined to determine your overall oral health. If you have any problems that should be addressed before you begin any smile makeover procedures, the dentist will either perform those or refer you to another dentist who can. It’s important to have the healthiest starting place possible for ideal smile makeover results.

Once you are approved to start your makeover, you and your dentist can decide which treatments are right for you to correct issues like teeth that are chipped, cracked, fractured, gapped, stained, misshapen, misaligned, crooked, uneven and more. You can end up with a dazzling smile through treatments like teeth whitening, veneers, implants, Invisalign braces, bonding, and others options recommended by your cosmetic dentist. Start your transformation today by scheduling an appointment!

How quickly you have your new smile depends on the type of work you have done. Some procedures are completed in just one day and others require several months of treatment. It really depends on the type of procedure and your specific oral condition. Keep the lines of communication open with your cosmetic dentist and always express your concerns and questions as you travel the road toward your new look. Before you know it, you’ll be rid of the imperfections and ready to flash your brand new smile.

Cosmetic Dentistry Central Falls, RI

Popular Choices for Teeth Whitening

Teeh WhiteningOne of the easiest and least invasive ways to improve your smile is with teeth whitening. It boosts not only your appearance but also your self-esteem. You’ll be ready to greet the world more confidently with a bright, white smile.

Even if you practice good oral hygiene like brushing and flossing, your teeth yellow with age and everyday habits. Consuming dark foods like coffee, tea, wine, colas and berries eventually make your smile yellow and dull. There are a number of popular approaches to restoring your pearly whites.

If you are looking for fast and dramatic results, professional whitening offered in an office setting is ideal. This method contains higher levels of the whitening solution, more than approved for use at home, so professionals are able to eliminate tougher stains and achieve brighter results. Often special lights are used to accelerate the process. Patients with highly sensitive teeth may not be suited for these methods due to discomfort during treatment, although precautions can be taken to lessen sensitivity. Treatment is complete in as little as one hour, although those with very severe stains might require multiple treatments for desired results.

An option for whitening at home is supervised at-home treatments. This involves wearing a customized tray that covers your teeth yet minimizes contact with your gums. A solution made up of lesser levels of peroxide than used in an office is placed inside the tray for you to wear for a period of time or overnight. Sensitive patients may be given fluoride to reduce discomfort. Supervised at-home whitening usually produces results in one to two weeks.

The least expensive option is using over-the-counter whitening products available at your local drugstore. These contain the lowest levels of peroxide, therefore requiring consistent use and patience while your teeth whiten. It can take from a few weeks up to several months to achieve results, and you’ll also need to repeat the process more often than stronger methods. Follow the directions carefully to make sure you don’t damage your teeth or gums. Trays, strips, gels and pens are common choices for at-home products to try.

Your smile can be brilliant through teeth whitening. The method is up to you.

Best Teeth Whitening in Central Falls, RI

Don’t Ignore Oral Hygiene

Dental CleaningYou brush your teeth a couple of times a day and you try to visit the dentist every year or two. Is that enough for good oral health? The answer is no. To maintain the best oral condition possible, you need to follow a more expanded dental hygiene routine and keep up with regular dental checkups. You are risking a great deal by ignoring oral hygiene.

First and foremost, brush your teeth at least twice daily using a fluoride toothpaste and floss every single day. This routine is the best way to get rid of harmful bacteria and plaque in your mouth. It helps you avoid problems like cavities and gum disease, as well as many other effects on your health.

Did you realize that your mouth is the gateway to your body? There’s a real link between oral health issues and subsequent problems that may occur in other areas of your body. If you don’t practice good dental hygiene, bacteria can build up in your mouth and lead to gum inflammation and infection. Without treatment, you may develop severe gum disease called periodontitis. It is linked to diabetes, heart disease, dementia and rheumatoid arthritis, not to mention tooth loss. Periodontitis in pregnant women is also shown to be related to premature births and low birth weight.

To avoid these types of overall health problems connected to poor oral hygiene, you already know you must practice a proper and consistent dental care routine at home. In addition, you should establish a relationship with a qualified dentist and schedule visits every six months. This is the recommendation for ideal treatment, allowing you to obtain professional teeth cleanings as well as examinations to ensure early treatment of any problems.

By implementing the right oral hygiene routine and regularly seeing Central Falls dentist Dr. Frias, you’ll have the best chances for an attractive and healthy smile. Give your mouth the attention it deserves and your whole body will benefit.

Oral Hygiene Central Falls, RI