Tooth Bonding To Improve Your Smile

Tooth Bonding: Improve Your Smile After Whitening

Tooth bonding, also known as dental bonding, can be used to remove any gaps or imperfections in your teeth to a greatly improve your smile, particularly after a whitening treatment. Tooth bonding is a dental procedure that involves the application of a teeth-colored plastic composite to one or several teeth. It is then hardened with a ultraviolet laser light to appear indistinguishable from the actual tooth. The procedure is used to fill in wide spaces or gaps between teeth or to repair a chipped, fractured, decayed, discolored or damaged tooth. The purpose of a dental bonding is usually to fill in physical damage or structural abnormalities. Though it is usually used cosmetically, in some cases it can be used in place of a filling or to protect a receding gumline.

Keep in mind that the color of the bonding resin cannot be changed after it is finished so it should always be performed after your full whitening treatment, not before. Of course, teeth whitening is entirely independent from tooth bonding so depending on your teeth, it may not be needed at all. Bonding is an effective but simple and relatively inexpensive dental procedure that can greatly improve the attractiveness of your teeth and smile. The average cost for dental tooth bonding ranges from $300 to $600 for each tooth but can sometimes be covered by an insurance plan.

No preparation is required for dental bonding, it is usually completely painless and rarely requires anesthetics. A single tooth should take no more than a 1-hour visit (usually less) but multiple teeth bonding procedures may take several visits. When finished, a tooth bonding will generally last several years before needing repair but this also greatly depends on the specific operation and the care afterward. In some cases it can last well over a decade.

Dental Bonding vs Veneer

Dental bonding is similar to dental veneers but a veneer is often made of much stronger porcelain that can last 10-30 years. A veneer (sometimes called a dental porcelain laminate), is a much bigger operation because it is first fabricated in a dental laboratory before being bonded to the tooth whereas dental bonding is performed directly on the tooth. Also, a dental veneer is considerably more costly, usually ranging from $1000 to $2500 per tooth.

Who Is Tooth Bonding Ideal For?

Tooth bonding is particularly ideal for anyone who has a misshapen tooth or undesirable gap between one or more teeth. As stated previously, it should be performed after a whitening procedure, not before, in order to remain consistent with your teeth color. Also be aware that certain abrasives in some whitening toothpastes can damage bonding resin and veneers. These whitening toothpastes should be avoided if you have dental bonding or veneers.

As a dental procedure, bonding is considerably more expensive than any at-home teeth whitening treatments but if you have one or more significant gaps or physical imperfections in your teeth then tooth bonding may be a great solution for you.

Answers to Your Questions About Teeth Whitening Strips

Pearly white teeth are thought to add greatness to the visual appearance of the face and smile. For this reason, many choose to periodically whiten their teeth with over the counter teeth whitening products. There are several different products to choose from when it comes to whitening your teeth. One of the most common types available to use at home comes in the form of teeth whitening strips. In most cases, two forms of strips exist. Those include the strips that must be removed after the whitening session and the strips that dissolve once the whitening is complete. Both show results of whiter teeth.

There are pros and cons to using both types of teeth whitening strips. The first to be invented was the removable teeth whitening strip kit. These work because they contain a low amount of peroxide, which acts as the bleach for whitening the teeth. Whitening strips are thin and flexible and often not considered too uncomfortable to keep in your mouth. There are strips for the upper and lower teeth. They stick to your teeth for a specified amount of time (typically one hour) and then are removed. The process is carried out each day for three to seven days (depending on the brand you choose). Most whitening strips claim to improve the whiteness of your teeth up to three shades whiter.

Dissolvable teeth whitening strips were invented later after consumers wanted an even easier and more convenient way to whiten teeth with a busy life schedule. These strips do not need to be removed after the whitening is complete. They are also quicker to use than the other strips. Most strips of this type dissolve within ten minutes of application.

The whitening power of the dissolvable strip is released as the strip begins to dissolve in your mouth. This method is quicker and easier to use in locations other than the home, such as in the car or at the office. Many of the strips also claim to leave your mouth and breath feeling and smelling fresh.

While whitening strips do show results of cleaner and whiter teeth, they have their negative sides too. The strips can only whiten the areas that they can touch. Therefore, they are very limited when it comes to reaching between teeth and in any cracks or crevices in the teeth. These areas may continue to look dark after the whitening with strips. Strips may also cause irritation to the gums. People with sensitive gums and teeth should use caution when applying teeth whitening strips.

Overall, teeth whitening strips are considered an affordable and good way to white your teeth when compare to the amount of money spent on a professional teeth whitening session. Whether you choose to use strips that must be removed or dissolvable teeth whitening strips, you are sure to notice whiter teeth after completing the required amount of applications listed on the box.

Best Over the Counter Teeth Whitening - How to Get Whiter Teeth Fast and Quickly

Are you tired of being judged by your looks, instead of for what you know? Well, unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to change the fact that people will judge you by your appearance. However, you can influence whether they think you better looking by removing stains. In this article, I will give you a simple and straight forward plan to get results quickly. Yes, I know it seems shallow for people to judge you differently because your teeth are grey, yellow or brown, but that is a fact of life. Which is why you need to have the best over the counter tooth whitening available.

Not A Whole Lot Of Money Out Of Pocket

Whitening can be done for little to no money at all if you are willing to do a little work on your own. In fact even anyone can use the best over the counter tooth whitening to get some great results, if they want. Most of the best over the counter whitening use some form of trays, gels or light to get the best results. But, the best news for you is that you do not have to have a prescription or go to a dentist to get the same results others are experiencing. You just have to be willing to spend four or five bucks. 

Try The Easy Methods First

However, before you decide to go on a hunt for the best over the counter tooth whitening, why not try some simple methods first. Like eating strawberries which has been shown to improve teeth whiteness and give you whiter teeth. Even after you choose the best over the counter teeth whitening for you you must still do the simple things while using the product. Brush with a well known teeth whiteners toothpaste like ultradent or aquafresh teeth whiteners. Drink plenty of water and forget the coffee, tea and colored drinks. 

Swabs May Be Your Best Option

All in all, the best over the counter tooth whitening systems that I have seen have usually been the ones that include a swab. With the tooth whitening swab you essentially paint on the tooth whitening and then you wait as it does the teeth whitening using bleaching. So if you want to get the best results just like with cosmetic dentistry teeth whitening which promotes hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening and carbmide peroxide then grab a free trial of several of the best over the counter teeth whitening systems and try them for yourself.

Best Whitening Toothpaste - What To Look For

Why You Can't Believe Everything You Read

It seems like a simple enough question: What is the best whitening toothpaste? This is actually a somewhat difficult question to frame because there are different answers depending on what one is looking for. The manufacturers and brand advertising will often mince words because in principle, any toothpaste helps brighten your teeth with normal use so any could claim to be the "best whitening toothpaste" simply by claiming to be the best paste in general, even if it has no special additional bleaching chemicals or properties. However, as the prospective customer, this is not what we are looking for. 

Which Toothpaste Whitens Teeth The Best?

It should be clear that a toothpaste claiming to be the best, or even just a whitening toothpaste, may just be part of the advertising and nothing more. What customers would really like to know is, what is the best toothpaste to whiten teeth? To answer this question we must consider both the 'whitening factor' and the 'toothpaste factor'. In short, this product must still be an excellent toothpaste in general. The primary purpose, as a toothpaste, is always to effectively clean the teeth, while the secondary purpose is to provide additional whitener features. Unfortunately there is no single winner for this grand title. The reasons for this are as follows. First, there are two main categories of teeth whitening: stain removal and general (shade) whitening. Every toothpaste will help with both types of teeth whitening but some products are designed primarily for one or the other. When looking for your potential best whitening toothpaste, it is essential that you know what type of whitening you need. The second reason is that everyone's body, lifestyle, and teeth are different. Consequently, the causes for teeth staining or darkening will be different, as will the solutions. Even the best brands have different strengths and ultimately it may come down to trying different products to find the one that works best for you. 

However, here are a number of consistently excellent contenders:

• Opalescence Plus

• Arm & Hammer Complete Care Extra Whitening 

• Rembrandt Plus Peroxide

• Rembrandt Premium Extra Gentle 

Finding The Best Whitening Toothpaste - What to Look For?

Here are several points to remember when looking for the best toothpaste to whiten your teeth: 

• Know what type of whitening you need and what you want. E.g. stain removal, generally whiter shade, or maintaining your current shade from another whitening or bleaching treatment. 
• Some people are sensitive to a number of the chemicals commonly used in whitening products (or even normal toothpastes). Knowing what ingredients you sensitive to will greatly simplify your search. 
• Genuine teeth whitening toothpaste will list one or more ingredients that specifically help with whitening and/or stain removal. Some of these ingredients include: baking soda, calcium carbonate, silica, aluminum oxide, and peroxide.
• Remember the best whitening toothpaste is not just the one that makes your teeth the brightest. The 'toothpaste factor' is more important than the 'whitening factor'. You must be looking for a product that you can use long-term to maintain healthy teeth without excessive irritation. 
• Be patient. Even the strongest toothpaste is designed for long-term results so you may not notice any effects weeks or even months. If you want faster results then you will want to look into teeth whitening treatments that are stronger than toothpastes. Remember that there is no universal best toothpaste. If one product works for someone you know but not for you then try a different product, don't give up hope. However, if you are looking for a powerful tooth whitener solution, even the best whitening toothpaste is not the answer and you should consider stronger options such as strips (intermediate) or gel (most powerful).

Does Baking Soda Whiten Teeth for Sure?

Using homemade whitening paste is one of the most popular methods that people use to whiten their teeth. This is because it is rather convenient to make and spares them a whole lot of time and money from the most expensive place to have teeth bleached - the dentist's office. One of the more crucial elements of the homemade whitening paste is the baking soda. Without it, the homemade whitening paste won't really be that effective. The hot question at hand is - does baking soda whiten teeth?

Does baking soda whiten teeth? To find the answer, a close look at what baking soda (scientific name Sodium bicarbonate) is and what it does is necessary. Sodium bicarbonate is a chemical leavening agent used in baking and contrary to popular belief it is not the same as baking powder. First and foremost, sodium bicarbonate breaks up the plaque in the mouth and the teeth and it is helpful since plaque contributes to the coloring of teeth from white to yellowish. By getting into contact with water, sodium bicarbonate's properties change and in this form it works by removing stain and releasing free radicals (which penetrate the tooth enamel and crush double carbon bonds). Considering the amount of beverages that people drink other than water, as well as the amount of convenient foods consumed daily, the sodium bicarbonate is helpful to a certain extent as it is a proven cleaner.

Does baking soda whiten teeth? Yes, as the free radicals it releases clean and whiten surfaces of the teeth. Sodium bicarbonate is also strong enough to clean and whiten stains of coffee and soda. There is a catch however as these beneficial free radicals can also the damage the surfaces that are not strong enough in structure and in health. With this at hand, it is wise to be cautious as to how much baking soda is used on teeth as well as how often (or how long) it used every time. When applying sodium bicarbonate as the primary method for teeth bleaching, always consider the extent of damage it can cause on the teeth even though it is a proven cleaner and whitener on its own. It suggested to use sodium bicarbonate on a less frequent manner to whiten teeth, and then use more natural whiteners like the peels of orange (or a banana peel) on the teeth as it contains anti-oxidants that can help make the surface shinier and whiter. In short, baking soda does whiten teeth and cleans it, but it can be a damaging tool as well. It is best to be cautious and discuss sodium bicarbonate with a dentist.

Invisalign Prices - How Much Does Invisalign Cost?

Invisalign braces are a modern, invisible, removable braces system made of clear medical grade plastic. Whilst they are aesthetically superior to traditional metal braces many patients are put off by the perceived additional cost when compared to regular braces. However many dentists and orthodontists now offer Invisalign at the same or even lower cost than other orthodontic appliances.

Invisalign is offered by both dentists and orthodontist throughout the world. Orthodontists due to their superior specialist training frequently charge more than dentists whose training in orthodontic techniques may be far inferior to that of an orthodontist. Similarly as Invisalign is a relatively new system the experience levels of particular providers can vary enormously. Some providers have completed hundreds of Invisalign cases whilst others may have only have completed a handful. The Invisalign website has a ranking method based on cases completed that allows patients to search for a more or less experienced provider. Caution should be used however when using cost as a measure of experience. Some inexperienced providers have been known to charge more than more experienced doctors.

Invisalign also offers a variety of programs. Full Invisalign treatment is offered to adult patients with moderate to complex cases. Invisalign Teen is aimed at the younger market and allows for erupting teeth and lower compliance levels and Invisalign express is aimed at patients with very minor issues. Each of these programs has different levels of inclusions (i.e. the number of aligners, number of free replacements for lost aligners, number of refinements included etc.) and hence different pricing strategies. On top of this different providers include different programs within their own contracts so it can be very difficult to compare different provider's costs.

Another factor in the price Invisalign doctors charge is their geographic location. Many providers in major cities charge more due to their increased overheads. However due to higher levels of competition this is not always the case. Average prices in the US for Invisalign hover around the $5000 mark, however in New York City and San Francisco this figure is more in the region of $6000-$8000. It is worth comparing the cost of providers within your area rather than comparing them throughout your country. As a rule it would not be a particularly good idea to travel long distances for Invisalign treatment. Visits are required fairly regularly to pick up additional aligners and in the case of an emergency such as a lost or broken aligner the need to travel any distance would be very inconvenient.

Whilst cost is obviously an important factor for many people when choosing orthodontic treatment, where possible you should try to make your choice based on issues other than cost alone. This is particularly important with a fairly new system like Invisalign where experience levels vary so greatly between different providers. It may in many instances be worthwhile delaying treatment to give longer time to save up for a more experienced provider if it means that the final outcome will be significantly better as a result.

Best Teeth Whitening - Stains Be Gone in Days!

Best teeth whitening can take place at home, depending on the reason for the original discoloration.

Have you ever asked yourself why your teeth get stained and discolored? If so, have you wondered about the possible answers?

Discoloration of the teeth should not be disregarded, because it's actually possible to lighten them and achieve a brighter smile.

Although many things can stain or discolor teeth, the most common reasons are listed below:

• drinking coffee, tea, colas and other liquids that can stain the teeth
• heredity
• tetracycline (an antibiotic) use
• aging
• excessive use of abrasives, which can expose the teeths' dentin and cause severe discoloration
• excessive fluoride
• old fillings

Toothpastes that include whitening agents among their ingredients can minimize surface staining, which is also referred to by dental professionals as extrinsic staining. However, whitening toothpastes and professional teeth cleanings will not alter intrinsic staining of the teeth. This is the primary reason why teeth whitening or bleaching has become so popular.

Teeth whiteners are typically categorized into two groups, namely, professional whitening procedures and home-based teeth whiteners.

Professional whitening procedures are usually performed in a dentists' office and involve the use of whitening gels that are activated by light from a laser.

Home-based teeth whiteners, on the other hand, can be performed by anyone, either in between professional treatments or without any other whitening procedures. Home-based whiteners can consist of whitening kits and tray-based whitening systems, or they can be homemade treatments using culinary and medicinal ingredients.

As the name implies, home-based teeth whitening is usually performed in the home, in accordance with a schedule suggested by dentists and/or the particular products instructions.

Tray-based teeth whitening is a four-step process, as set forth below.

1. The kit will include a tray that is to be customized by the persons dentist to fit snugly over the persons teeth. An accurate fit is essential.
2. The whitening gel included in the kit is poured over the tray.
3. The gels active ingredient, carbamide peroxide, breaks down to allow oxygen to enter the teeths enamel and bleach the discolored areas.
4. The structure of the teeth is not altered in any way by this procedure. Bonding, fillings and crowns will not lighten but discolored areas on the teeth themselves will.

Some patients who are curious about tray teeth whitening techniques ask the following questions:

Is tray teeth whitening safe?

Most dental professionals agree that tray teeth whitening or bleaching is a relatively safe and easy method to lighten the teeth by two to five shades in only a few days.

How does tray whitening differ from other professional teeth whitening procedures?

Listed below are several of the professional whitening products dentists can choose from for use in their professional whitening services. The bleaching laser or light each product uses follows in parentheses.

* LaserSmile (Biolase laser)

* Rembrandt Sapphire (plasma arc light)

* LumaArch (halogen light)

* BriteSmile (gas plasma light/light emitting diode)

* Zoom! (metal halide light)

Laser whitening typically involves the application of a 35% hydrogen peroxide gel-based solution on the surface of the persons teeth. The laser or other light is then held near the person's mouth and its light activates the hydrogen peroxide. Some dentists and manufacturers claim this method is more effective than tray whitening, but no actual data supports those claims.

As a matter of fact, after a year of returning to old lifestyle habits such as smoking and drinking coffee, tea, cola, a persons teeth will be discolored once again, and the laser whitening treatment will need to be repeated. This subsequent treatment could cost $500 or more.

In contrast, once you have a custom-made tray you can follow your old habits for a year and you'll only need to do a touch-up once every three to six months. This will let you remove any new stains without costing much at all.