Dental Veneers, and More in Nashville — Frequently Asked Questions
At the Advanced Dental Health Center, we want our patients to be well informed about their dental care and smile enhancement options. We receive many questions from our patients regarding dental veneers and other options available at our Nashville practice. That is why we have provided the answers to some frequently asked questions. If you do not find the answer to your question below, feel free to contact the Advanced Dental Health Center for more information.
- What are dental veneers?
- How can I whiten my teeth?
- What are dental implants?
- What can I do to prevent dental problems?
- What is done on my first visit?
What are dental veneers?
Dental veneers are ultra-thin, semi-translucent shells of porcelain that are bonded onto your teeth. They can correct a variety of dental problems involving the front teeth, such as reducing spaces between teeth, covering broken, chipped or stained teeth, and improving the appearance of crooked or crowded teeth. They can also be used to cover stained fillings in the front teeth. Dental veneers can give you the bright, beautiful smile you desire relatively quickly. Many times, we can place your dental veneers in as little as two visits to our Nashville practice.
Dental veneers may not be an option for every patient, however. If your tooth is significantly damaged due to injury or decay, a porcelain dental crown may be a better choice for structural reasons. Dental crowns look like natural teeth, but add extra strength to a tooth that dental veneers don’t provide. Dental veneers only cover the front of a tooth and are too thin to add structural support, whereas crowns cover the entire tooth and are extremely strong.
If you are interested in dental veneers, please contact our Nashville practice for a complimentary consultation. Dr. Clayton C. Cummings and Dr. Ford Gatgens can examine your teeth to determine if dental veneers are a good option for enhancing your smile.
How can I whiten my teeth?
Today, there are many options available to brighten your smile. The most popular method involves a hydrogen peroxide solution that is applied to the teeth in custom-made trays. This method is convenient: it can be done at home at any time — day or night. Another option is in-office whitening, which can produce dramatic results in just over an hour. Our use of this amazing technology has been highlighted both nationally and locally on NewsChannel 5. We offer Zoom!® teeth whitening at our office, as well as Day White® and Nite White® take-home teeth whitening products.
Both in-office and at-home teeth whitening products work well on most discolored teeth. However, the degree to which teeth will whiten depends on the structure of the teeth and varies from patient to patient. Dark stains, which are often caused by antibiotics, are more difficult to whiten. If your teeth will not whiten well with tray or in-office whitening procedures, you might want to consider achieving a whiter appearance with a dental veneer or dental crown.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants offer our patients a modern way to restore a healthy, beautiful smile after tooth loss. They can be used to replace one tooth or several teeth, and are a permanent alternative to dental bridges and dentures. Implants look and function like natural teeth. They can help prevent the sunken appearance that is associated with missing teeth and reduce the incidence of additional tooth loss.
Implants are biocompatible titanium screws that are surgically implanted into the jawbone to act as artificial tooth roots. Replacement teeth — in the form of either a dental crown, a bridge, or a full set of dentures — are placed on the implants. Over time, the jawbone securely attaches to the implant, making it a permanent fixture in the mouth. However, the replacement teeth may need replacing after many years of wear.
What can I do to prevent dental problems?
Taking a few simple preventive measures each day can do wonders in achieving optimal dental health. Regular visits to your dentist and daily home-care practices can help keep your mouth healthy and prevent the need for expensive dental treatment.
Daily preventive procedures such as brushing and flossing remove bacteria from the mouth. If this bacteria is not removed, it will adhere to the teeth, tongue and soft tissue, and transform into plaque. If the plaque is left to mineralize, it can turn into calculus: a hard substance which can only be removed through professional dental cleaning. Good oral hygiene habits remove plaque and prevent gingivitis (bleeding gums), and periodontitis (gum disease).
Oral malodor, or bad breath, can also be controlled through a consistent oral hygiene program. We offer special fresh breath care products at our fresh breath center, right here in our office. Through regular brushing, flossing, tongue scraping, and dental hygiene appointments (dental prophylaxis), patients can minimize the accumulation of bacteria and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.
What is done on my first visit?
Your first dental visit is extremely important because it is at this appointment that the baseline of your oral health is established and a plan is created to address any treatment needs that you may have. At this first visit, we will conduct a full oral health evaluation so that we can develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
Oral Health Evaluation
We begin by taking X-rays: a panoramic X-ray to assess the condition of wisdom teeth, TMJ, and jawbones; and a full mouth series (FMX) to locate cavities, bone loss, gum disease, abscesses, and defective dental work. All of these X-rays are crucial to locating any hidden problems. Our dentists will then complete a very thorough, comprehensive oral examination to locate any of the above listed problems, as well as oral cancer or other diseases. They will also determine what type of dental cleaning is necessary to meet your individual needs. With the help of our intraoral camera, you will then be able to view your teeth — exactly as the dentist sees them.
Comprehensive Treatment Plan
We'll then explain a treatment plan including all of the available options to address the problems that were found. Teeth whitening, porcelain dental veneers, orthodontics, and dental implants may all be a part of your plan, depending on your individual dental needs. We reserve adequate time to assure that all of your questions are answered and that you fully understand the problems and the necessary treatments that we suggest. In addition to our explanations, videos may be shown to help you understand certain procedures. Most patients are amazed at the detail and time given to this first visit.
Contact Us for More Information about Dental Veneers and Other Options at Our Practice
If you have more questions about dental veneers, or any other services we offer, please contact our Nashville practice. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about your dental care and schedule an appointment for your oral health evaluation.
If you have specific questions about dental veneers, or other options at our Nashville practice, please fill out the following form to contact our practice.
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