Metro Dentist

Invisalign

Invisalign Clear Braces allow a patient to straighten their smile without wearing braces. Using a series of clear plastic aligners, a patient can improve, straighten and reduce crowding without having to resort to traditional braces that involve brackets and wires. Invisalign positioners are virtually invisible! This new technology has revolutionized the straightening of teeth and made the process more acceptable to adults. No longer do most patients need to be self conscious while they undergoing orthodontic treatment. If you are interested in finding out whether Invisalign is right for you why not schedule a consultation with one of our participating Metro Dentists offering Invisalign.

Dental Insurance Basics 

Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) Insurance

This is typically the least expensive way to go for the consumer. Most dental services are provided by dentists who will  provide specific treatements and services at no charge (some services may require a co-payment.) 

Indemnity Insurance

This plan typically allows the consumer to go to the dentist of their choice. They generally pay a portion of the dentist's fee or a set dollar amount. The Dentist then will submit the invoice for payment. The payment may be made to the insured member or directly to the dentist. You will need to pay the difference between the full charge for the service provided and the amount paid by the insurance.

Preferred provider organization (PPO) Insurance

This is typically less expensive than the Indemnity Insurance. This type of insurance tries to take advantage of the benefits of  the HMO by providing a network of dentist to chose from or you can decide to go to a dentist of your choice outside of the network. When you seek treatment from dentists outside of the PPOyou are will pay higher deductibles and/or co-payments.

Cosmetics Problems - Enhancing your smile

C.  Cosmetics Problems - I don’t like my smile

People often feel their smiles have room for improvement. Their cosmetic problems often fall into some a small number of categories.  See which of the numbers below fits your complaint and then see what can be done about it.

1.My teeth are too dark or yellow

2. My teeth are crowded

3 .my teeth are worn making my smile look tired

4. My teeth have spaces between them

5, I don’t like my silver fillings

6. my teeth look uneven

1.       My teeth are too dark or yellow.

Many smiles can be brightened by whitening procedures. These can be done at home or at the dentist.  Using peroxide based formulations smiles can be made many shades brighter and these refreshed smiles can make their owners look both younger and more attractive.

Some patients also can solve this problem with porcelain veneers that can brighten even the most stubbornly discolored smiles. This method is especially good for teeth that have mottled enamel or display a yellow color and excessive incisal wear.

2.       My teeth are crowded .

Problem Smiles with crowded teeth can often be fixed with orthodontic tooth movement.  This treatment is not just for kids! Invisalign clear braces are a very popular and relatively affordable way of straightening out smiles! Often crowding or poor tooth alignments can be fixed in less than 6 months of treatment.  Since the aligners used are clear, no esthetic hardship will be suffered while undergoing this treatment.

For those who need ‘instant gratification’, porcelain veneer s can also be used to treat poor alignment of teeth and a new smile can often be achieved in a month or less.

3.       My teeth are worn making my smile look tired.

Porcelain  Veneers are a great way of restoring the edges of worn anterior teeth.  At the same time they can correct minor crowding problems and brighten a smile. Often  6 to 10 veneers need to be done to achieve the best result and their relatively high cost can be an issue for some patients.

4.       My teeth have spaces between them.

Spaces between teeth can be treated a number of different ways depending on a patients budget and the size of the spaces. For small space simple bonding or porcelain veneers can be great ways to eliminate unwanted spaces. Simple bonding involves adding some composite material to the sides of teeth to close diastemas. If it is used properly simple bonding can enhance smiles with minor spaces and looks natural.

For some smiles with multiple spaces between teeth either porcelain veneers or orthodontic tooth movements may be a better treatment modality.   If you like the appearance of your teeth but just want your spaces to disappear orthodontic tooth movement probably is the best alternative since it leaves your teeth in their natural state and if a retainer is used, the results can last a lifetime.

5.       I don’t like my silver fillings.

Lots of patients don’t like their silver fillings.  Some do not like the way they look and some have doubts about their safety.  Often times silver fillings can be replaced with good looking tooth colored restorative materials.  If fillings are small silver restorations can be replaced with bonded composite fillings. If the silver fillings being replaced are large often a tooth colored onlay or crown may be recommended.

      

6.      My teeth look uneven.

When the edges of the anterior teeth do not line up often patients describe this as uneven. This problem can be addressed in a number of ways including simple bonded additions, porcelain veneers or orthodontic tooth movement. Usually a consultation with an experienced cosmetic dentist is needed to determine which option is best for you. 

Dental Tips of the Week

Dental headaches

Tension headaches, Migraines and TMJ Face Pain caused by Excessive Teeth Clenching or Grinding

1. I wake up in the night or in the morning with headaches 
2. I wake in the morning with a sore jaw
3. I have late afternoon headaches
4. I get migraines
5. I have face pain and was told it is called TMJ.
6. I grind my teeth and:
     a. I broke a tooth
     b. My teeth are wearing down and/or chipping
     c. My partner wakes at night from the sound of my grinding 

Excessive and prolonged teeth clenching or grinding is a major factor in causing head pain.  Because of this the muscles in the head, neck and shoulders become distorted from excessive clenching pressure, the nerve bundles in the muscles react by causing pain.  A wonderful solution to resolving this is with a small, comfortable FDA approved dental device called the NTI that is worn at night.  The design of the NTI dramatically decreases clenching and or the damage from grinding.  Visit www.headachehelper.com for a fuller explanation.

Dental Hygiene

Second Opinion - Dentist

Also many consultations are about a particular type of treatment. If for example your consultation is about a possible root canal , an endodontist would be a good dentist to see. If your problem is a gum problem than a periodontist would be a an appropriate choice. If your wisdom teeth are bothering you why not go to an Oral Surgeon?