Are Whitening Toothpastes Safe for Cosmetically Altered Teeth?

Toothpaste on BrushIn our last blog, we discussed proper oral hygiene for people with cosmetic dental work. In the annals of history, people did not have access to mass-marketed dental products. They creatively gnawed on sticks in order to fray the edges into a sort of natural toothbrush. Naturally, even with shorter life spans, most people in those days were not able to keep all of their teeth for their entire lives. Fortunately, we now have great modern toothbrushes in every shape, size, strength, and color. Of course, you can scrub all you want with a naked toothbrush, but that will not clean your teeth nearly as well as when you introduce the brush bristles to a nice dollop of dentifrice, AKA toothpaste. Your Schaumburg cosmetic dentist, Dr. Brent Engelberg, will warn you against the over-abrasiveness of sometimes tempting whitening toothpastes.

So Many Toothpaste Options

Have you taken the time to count your toothpaste options at any supermarket or drugstore? Probably not. However, it would not be (more…)

Palatine Cosmetic Dentist Offers Oral Hygiene Tips for Cosmetic Dental Work

FlosserIf you undergo cosmetic dental work, there is no better time to ensure that your at-home dental self-care habits are up to par. The basics are simple: brushing and flossing. However, many people don’t realize that they should floss before brushing their teeth. This way, the debris that is dislodged won’t remain in your mouth. For something like oral hygiene which should be practiced at least twice-a-day, many people need a brush up to ensure that they’re using the right tools in the right ways. Palatine cosmetic dentist, Dr. Brent Engelberg, will offer you more tips on keeping teeth clean, whether they are natural, or cosmetically attained.

Flossing Your Teeth

So you think you know how to floss? Well, you may be right on, but many people don’t know the ins and outs of proper and effective flossing. It’s important that you have awareness of the fact that your teeth are curved so that you make full contact between the floss and surfaces of your teeth. For this reason, while floss threaders are better than no flossing at all, they will not allow you to curve the flossing material sufficiently. To remove plaque and food particles with floss, do not simply push floss straight down to the gumline. Guide floss between teeth to remove debris, and follow up with a good tooth brushing.

Brushing Your Teeth

Two times each day is the minimum amount that you should brush your teeth. Even better would be after every meal. Your Palatine cosmetic dentist recommends a soft bristled toothbrush.  The technique that is best for your teeth is called the “Modified Bass (more…)

Porcelain Veneers in Buffalo Grove with Cosmetic Dentist

Photo of woman with Porcelain veneers Some cultures don’t give smiles as freely as we do here in the United States. In fact, there are countries that have (and some that still do) depicted the American smile as insincere. Because we live here, we know that most of our smiles are as natural as the air we breathe. While we may plaster a fake one on for a photo we’re not thrilled about taking, or when meeting up with someone we’re not the biggest fan of, by and large, we feel our smiles from the heart. Unless, that is, you are ashamed of the way your teeth look. Fortunately, there is a variety of different cosmetic dental procedures that can improve the appearance of your teeth. Your Buffalo Grove cosmetic dentist will explain that one of the most popular is porcelain dental veneers, and with good reason.

Natural-Looking Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are thin shells of tooth-colored material that are customized to fit your teeth. Using top-of-the-line dental adhesive, they are attached to the surfaces of your most visible teeth to attain a flawless appearance. The procedure can cover up just about any dental flaw, as long as there’s ample tooth structure for the veneer to adhere to. Porcelain is a terrific material for this cosmetic effort because of the tooth-like translucence it provides. When you rely on an experienced dentist that has a great relationship with a well-versed ceramist, you can expect your veneers to appear like the natural smile you always wished you had been born with.

Porcelain Veneer Procedure

The procedure might begin with removal of a scant amount of tooth enamel from the front of teeth. Why would your Buffalo Grove cosmetic dentist remove part of the protective surfaces of your teeth? In order for veneers to look natural, there needs to be enough room for them. There also needs to be a surface prepared that will respond well to the dental bonding agent so your veneers remain secure for years to come. However, some people are candidates for no-prep veneers. Dr. Engelberg will make a recommendation when you consult with him. Next, impressions are sent to the ceramist who will create your customized veneers. Porcelain veneers can be shaped to your desired look. When the finished product has been achieved, you can brush and floss just as always. However, your smile will feel like a brand new experience. (more…)

Wheeling Cosmetic Dentist “Bonds” with Your Teeth

White Teeth CoupleWhen it comes to cosmetic dentistry, there are definitely stars of the show (veneers, teeth whitening, dental bonding) and there are supporting players. One example would be adhesives. You don’t see them. You don’t think about them. But whether you are having a restorative procedure such a crown, or a cosmetic treatment like porcelain veneers, without adhesive, you would not have long-lasting and strong dental work. One of the first bonding systems failed because it reacted to saliva and therefore wouldn’t last. Over the years, it has been back to the drawing board for many researchers and inventors to come up with the best biocompatible, but long-lasting adhesive options. Your Wheeling cosmetic dentist , Dr. Brent Engelberg, will give you a little more history about dental adhesives over the years.

Early Bonding Attempts

In the late 1970’s, an ionic bond to calcium in the tooth was discovered.  This provided hope for a better and stronger adhesive possibility. Unfortunately, the water within the dentin of teeth and saliva still resulted in degrading the adhesive and weakening the bond. At this time, dentists were not removing what is known as a “smear layer.” This is defined as the organic debris that results from preparing a tooth for a dental procedure. The smear layer was clearly affecting the reliability of adhesives. So, the next generation of bonding materials included acid etching of dentin to remove this debris. A stronger adhesion was achieved, but many dentists felt that acid etching was counter-productive to dental health. (more…)