How the 1980s Changed Cosmetic Dentistry

The past few decades have significantly changed cosmetic dentistry. Advancements in medical technology have made it possible for people to keep more of their natural teeth by preventing infections and restoring ones that become damaged.  With new materials and technology, we can save teeth and transform their appearance in a way that is both natural looking and durable. 

In the past, most dentists would look at an infected tooth and pull it.  Over the years, dentists moved toward restorations but would still use a sliver amalgam crown to complete the process, especially after something like a root canal.  While ceramic has been used in dentistry for over a hundred years, it wasn’t durable enough to be a popular solution.

The 1980’s changed that and made ceramic or natural looking dentistry, mainstream.  The reason is simple; resin cement was invented.  This cement allowed cosmetic dentistry offices to bond a ceramic crown directly to a natural tooth.  This made the crown far more durable so that patients could eat like normal without worrying about damaging their crown or causing it to pop off.  This change, while seemingly simple, solved a common problem and made natural looking crowns and veneers more accessible.

This technology was also used to make a dental bridge possible. A bridge restores a missing tooth by placing a dental crown on the two teeth surrounding the missing one and using those teeth to hold a natural looking bridge in place.  Resin cement is a necessary component of this process, making a bridge a widely available solution starting in the 1990’s.

After the invention of resin cement, a lot of Hollywood stars had their teeth corrected using veneers and crowns.  Stars like Tom Cruise, used to have teeth that were misshapen, stained, irregular sizes, and crooked.  The winning smiles that you see on television now did not exist before cosmetic dentistry.  In fact, in many places throughout the world – they still don’t.  We know, however, that a beautiful smile can drastically improve a persons’ appearance, and as celebrities started using these procedures, the rest of America followed suit. People throughout the world now think of Americans as people with beautiful smiles.

In our cosmetic dentistry office, we regularly help people that want to replace their old metal crowns and fillings with natural looking ones.  We can remove an old crown that was perhaps put in place in the 80s or early 90s and replace it with a strong and durable ceramic one by using resin cement to bond it to the tooth.  Those that are looking for additional stability can also benefit from using ceramic-on-metal crowns that provide the best of both worlds.  We recommend that front teeth are covered in all-ceramic crowns for the most natural appearance.  By taking care of your crowns with a good oral hygiene routine, they can last for years and remain comfortable.  

Dental technology has continued to advance, and while the 1980’s saw a major improvement with the invention of resin cement, there are new procedures and techniques being invented today.  To learn more, call and schedule your appointment. 

What You Should Know About Teeth Brushing From Our General Dentist Office

Patients of our general dentist office often ask questions about the type of toothbrush that they should use and how to properly brush their teeth.  This is an important question to ask because if you brush your teeth, but do so incorrectly, you won’t get the best clean.  In order to make your teeth brushing time count, follow these simple steps.

Start with the right toothbrush.
The type of toothbrush you use matters a great deal.  Do not use a hard toothbrush because they are known to strip the enamel away from your teeth. Your enamel protects your teeth and prevents sensitivity.  Once it is gone, you will need a dental treatment to seal your teeth.  This is not a worthwhile risk so throw away your hard toothbrush and replace it with a soft one.  Regardless of what type of toothbrush you have, replace it every three months.  We will give you a new one when your teeth are cleaned at our general dentist office.  After three months the bristles tend to fray or split, and the brush can get dirty.  If it smells or looks funny, replace it right away because it may be full of bacteria.   

Use toothpaste.
While most people use toothpaste, few understand the difference between types and brands.  Whitening toothpaste is the rage right now, but we recommend that you use one with fluoride instead.  Fluoride is important because it can help to re-mineralize and strengthen your teeth which will in turn reduce your risk of getting cavities.  By simply using it twice a day, you can help your teeth to stay healthy without any additional work. 

Do it right.
You need to brush your teeth in a circular pattern in order to get the best possible clean without irritating your teeth.  Many people go back to front, but this can just push the bacteria and plaque from your back teeth towards your front ones.  It can also irritate your gums.  By going in a circular pattern, you can move food and bacteria from your gum line towards the center of your mouth.  This will promote better gum health overall.  If you have an electric toothbrush, it will move automatically so that you have less work to do. 

Brush often.
Carry a travel toothbrush with you and use it after each meal.  This way sugar can’t stay on your teeth and pose a cavity risk.  If you don’t have time to brush, use an antiseptic mouthwash instead.  At the very least make sure to brush your teeth every night before bed and when you wake up in the morning.  Floss at the same time to get any food particles out of hard to reach spaces.

As a general dentist, we can help you to stay in good oral health by cleaning your teeth twice a year.  This way we can remove bacteria and plaque that didn't come off while brushing at home.  Working together we can keep your teeth and gums healthy.