R and R Dental Cosmetic and Family Dentistry

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Dental Articles and News and Healthy Oral Hygiene

R and R Dental is happy to share dental articles, news, and information to promote healthy oral hygiene.

Please visit R and R Dental for more Oral Health News and Dental Articles.

How Cosmetic Dentistry can help me and my smile?

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry and How Can It Improve My Smile?
Your dentist can perform a variety of cosmetic procedures to improve your smile—from subtle changes to major repairs. There are many techniques and options to treat teeth that are discolored, chipped, misshapen, or missing. Your dentist can reshape your teeth, close spaces, restore worn teeth, or alter the length of your teeth. Common procedures include teeth whitening, bonding, caps, crowns, veneers, and reshaping and contouring. The condition of your teeth and your desired result often indicate the best procedure for you.
Veneers are placed over the front teeth to change the color or shape of your teeth. Veneers are used on teeth with uneven surfaces; on teeth that are chipped, discolored, oddly shaped, unevenly spaced, or crooked; or on teeth that already have large fillings placed. Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain or plastic that are cemented over the front of your teeth. Veneers are used to treat some of the same problems that bonding is used to treat. Veneers also are an alternative to crowns.
Bonding is the use of tooth-colored material to fill in gaps or change the color of teeth. Bonding lasts several years and often requires only a single office visit. Bonding is more susceptible to staining or chipping than other forms of restoration. When teeth are chipped or slightly decayed, bonded composite resins may be the material of choice. Bonding also is used to fill small cavities, to close spaces between teeth, or to cover the entire outside surface of a tooth.
Teeth whitening is a common and popular chemical process used to lighten teeth. Some people get their teeth whitened to make stains disappear, while others just want a brighter smile. Discoloration, which occurs in the enamel, can be caused by medication, coffee, tea, and cigarettes. Discoloration also can be due to your genetic make up or simply from aging. Teeth whitening can be performed by your dentist in the office or, under dental supervision, at home.
In order to make sure your dentist is skilled in cosmetic dentistry, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) recommends that you ask your dentist for the following items before undergoing treatment:
Before and after photos: These photos will allow you to examine the results of other patients being treated by the dentist to make sure his or her work fits your dental needs.
References: References allow you to get a sense of the quality of care the dentist provides.
Proof of continuing education: Be certain that your dentist has taken continuing education courses to keep him or her up-to-date with the latest techniques in clinical cosmetic dentistry. Your dentist can answer the questions you have about the techniques used to improve your smile.

 
R and R Dental is a family-owned cosmetic dentist in New York. Visit us for more information about our cosmetic dentistry treatments or call (516) 544-0823. You can read the complete article: How Cosmetic Dentistry can help me and my smile?

Dental Implants: The replacements for missing or broken teeth

Implants: The Replacements
When people lose or break their teeth, the teeth may be replaced with implants. Implants are a good solution to tooth loss because they look and feel like natural teeth. What's involved, and what are the benefits? Read on to understand more about dental implants and if they're right for you.
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically anchored to the jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in place. One of the major benefits of implants is that they do not rely on neighboring teeth for support and they are permanent and stable. Implants are a good solution to tooth loss because they look and feel like natural teeth.

Implant material is made from different types of metallic and bone-like ceramic materials that are compatible with body tissues. Most implants are made of titanium, which bonds well with bone and is biocompatible, making it an ideal material for implants.

First, a general dentist, oral surgeon, or other specialist will perform surgery to place the implant's anchor in the jaw. The surgery can last several hours, and it may take as long as six months for the jaw bone to grow around the anchor to hold it firmly in place. Once the implant is stable and the gums have healed, the dentist or specialist makes the artificial teeth and fits them to the post portion of the anchor. Your dentist will work with you to create an implant that fits well and is comfortable and attractive.  Depending upon their training, general dentists, oral surgeons, or other specialists can place implants.

Implants are not an option for everyone. Because implants require surgery, patients must be in good health, have healthy gums, and have adequate bone structure to support the implants. While lack of adequate bone support is a limitation, additional procedures may be available to create a good implant site. People who are unable to wear dentures also may be good candidates. The success rate for implants decreases dramatically among those who suffer from chronic problems, such as clenching or bruxism, or systemic diseases, such as diabetes. Additionally, people who smoke or drink alcohol may not be good candidates. For more information, talk to your dentist at R+R Dental (516) 544-0823.

While implants are permanently fixed in the mouth, dentures are removable. A conventional removable full denture depends upon support from the bone and soft tissues rather than being solidly fixed in place; as a result, dentures may not offer as much stability as implants.

Poor oral hygiene is a main reason why some implants fail. It is important to floss and brush around implants at least twice a day. Your dentist will give you specific instructions on how to care for your new implants. Additional dental cleanings (up to four times per year) may be necessary to ensure that you retain healthy gums.

Most people adjust to implants immediately; however, some people feel slight discomfort and notice differences in chewing or speech for a short time. Patients will soon see a difference in their confidence level and enjoy their new smile.
Read more about Dental Implants: The replacements for missing and broken teeth at R and R Dental or learn about our dental implant treatments in New York.

Monday, October 8, 2012

BriteSmile Teeth Whitening

BriteSmile Teeth Whitening is an all comprehensive line of treatment and products to get you a bright, white smile in about an hour. The BriteSmile revolutionary teeth whitening technology is the latest in cosmetic dentistry. Bleaching your teeth has never been faster or easier. Of all the dental whitening treatments (laser whitening, whitening strips, whitening toothpaste, whitening gel and trays, etc.), BriteSmile offers the safest, fastest light-activated teeth whitening available. Clinical studies prove the BriteSmile professional teeth bleaching system whitens teeth by an average of 8 shades giving you a "makeover smile" that can last for as long as a year with regular maintenance. If you have sensitive teeth (or a single sensitive tooth), you'll be happy to know that BriteSmile uses a proprietary teeth bleaching gel with only 15% or 25% peroxide - only for about an hour. We activate the BriteSmile whitening gel with a safe blue light to safely and effectively accelerate the teeth whitening process. Just gel and light - and about an hour - for your brightest, healthiest smile. Only trust your nice bright smile with a BriteSmile dentist at R+R Dental! R+R Dental is a New York BriteSmile Provider that can understand and provide the treatment outcome you're looking for. Call us (516) 544-0823 for New York BriteSmile Teeth Whitening.

The natural aging process and your lifestyle (smoking or drinking coffee, tea, or wine) will stain your teeth over time. To get your white smile back to looking its best, you should choose a whitening method that:
  • Achieves the longest-lasting results
  • Gives you the most naturally brilliant and uniform look
  • Is clinically proven to be safe and effective
  • Uses a low concentration of active ingredient (hydrogen peroxide)
  • Is administered by dental professionals

The first step in the teeth whitening process is taking impressions of your teeth then fabricating hard plaster models of your teeth. From these models, we can create a custom fitting thin plastic tray that forms exactly to your tooth contours. The trays will hold the whitening gel in close proximity to your tooth surfaces and minimizes the amount of gel you will need to apply. The trays will fit onto your teeth intimately so there will be little possibility of gel excess that can cause gum irritation.

You will visit our office to assess the fit and accuracy of your trays. At this time, the doctor will discuss in detail all directions of use and home care instructions. To see results, you will usually wear your trays for 45 min per day for 2 weeks. We also prefer to take before and after photos in order to track your whitening progress and results. R+R Dental is New York's Cosmetic and Family Dentists in Long Island, New York and we welcome you and your family to visit our state-of-the-art office for a more enjoyable dental experience. Visit us to learn more about our BriteSmile Teeth Whitening dental treatments.