Precious Smiles Cosmetic Dentistry Blog: 2022

Thursday, June 16, 2022

What are Dental Veneers and Are They Good For me? Miami Beach Dentist on Dental Veneers

One of the most popular cosmetic dentistry solutions are dental veneers. They are a great option for renewing your smile. They provide renewed confidence that can only come with a brand-new beautiful smile. Dental veneers can be used to fix misaligned, stained, worn down, chipped, uneven or abnormally spaced teeth. What are dental veneers? Essentially dental veneers are wafer-thin custom-made shells of porcelain or composite resin that are custom made to fit and cover the front surface of teeth to improve the appearance teeth, providing a natural, attractive look. It's like cosmetic surgery for your teeth!

How are dental veneers placed? It only takes two appointments. During the first appointment, the dentist would remove a small amount of the tooth surface to permit placement of the veneer. An impression is taken of the tooth and sent to the dental laboratory. The dental veneer is then made to fit the tooth and mouth. In the second appointment, the veneer is bonded to the tooth with resin cement.

South Beach Dentist

What are some Advantages of Dental Porcelain Veneers:

They Improve the Appearance of Your Smile fast

As mentioned, veneers are a great option for anyone with discolored, broken, misshapen or misaligned teeth. The shell of porcelain eliminates these cosmetic issues, thus resulting in a picture-perfect, yet natural-looking smile.

Less Invasive Than Crowns

Almost no grinding! With dental crowns, it requires extensive grinding to shape your natural tooth for the procedure. However, in porcelain veneer placement, it just requires very little removal of enamel. Not only is the procedure less invasive, veneers also provide a stronger bond than traditional crowns.

Dental Veneers are More Stain Resistant

Veneers are more resistant to stains when compared to a treatment like resin composites. The long-lasting solution isn’t as vulnerable to the permanent staining that traditionally comes with indulging in a daily cup of coffee or tea.

How do I clean my Dental Veneers?

Simple, you should clean them like your own teeth. Flossing once a day and brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste will help to remove food debris, plaque, and bacteria. Consult your dental professional about the oral care products they recommend to maintain the longevity of your dental veneers.

Miami Beach dentist, Dr. Mereos, and the Precious Smiles team look forward to meeting with you and developing a plan tailored to meet your individual needs. “We take pride in helping our patients achieve the best results in the least amount of time possible.”

You can make an appointment with our cosmetic dentist by calling our friendly staff at (305) 532-9114 or by visiting http://www.precioussmiles.com. Please don't hesitate to contact Precious Smiles if you have any questions about cosmetic dentistry, veneers, Invisalign, tooth whitening, or dental implants.

Precious Smiles Cosmetic Dentistry Center -Miami Beach
http://www.precioussmiles.com
Miami dentist, Miami Beach dentist
(305) 532-9114
1315 Alton Rd.
Miami Beach, Fl 33139

Dr. Mereos is a Miami dentist that serves, Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, North Miami Beach, and North Miami dentist in Miami

Thursday, June 2, 2022

Miami Beach Dentist Discusses The Different Types of Dental Crowns and Understanding Their Difference

Miami Beach Dentist on Dental Crowns

Miami Beach Dentist explains
all about dental crowns

Do you need of a dental crown? There are several reasons why your dentist may suggest this option for restoring your teeth. You may have a weak tooth due to decay or a crack. You may also have a misshapen or severely discolored teeth. Another reason is you may have a broken tooth or a severely worn tooth. Maybe your bite is off or your teeth are shifting. Whatever the case is, you must check with your dentist which type of crown they are suggesting to see if it is the best option for your smile.

But first, what is a dental crown?

A crown is like a hollow, tooth shaped “cap” which is placed over a prepared natural tooth that has been damaged or worn down. It can be made from a variety of materials, including metal or porcelain.

A dental crown is custom-made and basically a permanent restoration. After cementing the crown, it completely covers the entire visible portion of the tooth that lies at and above the gum line. Having this help restore your teeth and improve your smile.

If your dentist suggests that you need to have dental crowns, you must know what types are available. Listed below are the different options you have so you fully understand their differences and know what is the best type of dental crown for you.

All-Metal Crowns

The term “all-metal” literally means the entire crown is made out of metal. This type of dental crown can withstand extreme biting and chewing forces well. It may also last longer compared to other types in terms of wear down. Also, metal crowns rarely chip or break. It has a metallic color -- and the high price of gold or metal alloy -- is the main drawback. For out-of-sight molars, metal crowns may be a good choice.

All-Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns, sometimes called ‘all-ceramic’ crowns, are probably the most popular type of crown used nowadays. They are entirely made of porcelain material and the most natural looking option for front teeth. If you have allergies to particular metals used in other types, this is a good choice for you. One disadvantage of this type is they are not as strong as metal crowns. They wear down opposing teeth more than metal and resin crowns do. Porcelain crowns can last a long time as long as you take good care of them.

Porcelain-Fused-To-Metal Crowns

Just like porcelain crowns, porcelain fused-to-metal (PFM) is also a widely used type of dental crown.
PFM crowns are made up of two components. In its core, it is made out of metal (metal alloy). Then, it is layered over and bonded to the metal base with porcelain (which is a type of ceramic) to give the crown its tooth-like shape and color. If you were to choose this type of restoration, it will give you great esthetic look and durability because this type of restoration has been used in dentistry for over 50 years so dentists know they work well. However, if you normally clench your teeth, this type of crown may easily wear down against the opposing teeth in your mouth.

Miami Beach Dentist Dental Crowns

Stainless Steel Crowns

A stainless-steel crown is commonly used for primary (baby) teeth in children. This crown fits over a prepared primary tooth, covering it entirely and protecting it from further decay. If your child needs to have dental crown, this is probably the best choice because they require minimal dental visits to fit and cement, and are a more cost-effective option for a primary tooth that will eventually be lost anyway. But for adults, a prefabricated stainless-steel crown is mainly used as a temporary measure, to protect a tooth or filling until there is a permanent crown available.

Miami Beach Dentist on Dental Crowns

All-Resin Crowns

It is also referred to as ‘composite resin’ crowns because they are made from composite resin material. This dental crown is much cheaper than other types. However, they are more prone to fractures and wear down over time compared to porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. Just like stainless steel crown which is made to temporary protect the teeth until a permanent has been manufactured, all-resin crowns are also used as temporary crowns and can therefore be mixed in a number of shades to match the natural teeth color. And also, they are a metal-free.

Zirconia Dental Crowns

One of the newest materials being used today in dental crowns is known as Zirconia or zirconium dioxide, a white powdered ceramic material. Its ceramic properties and the fact that is milled from a single block make it a strong dental prosthetic material. In fact, its strength allows for far thinner dental crowns than those made with metals. Zirconia material offers superior strength and durability for dental crowns. It is at least three times stronger than porcelain or PFM restorations. Unlike porcelain, zirconia can withstand wear and tear without chipping, which is why zirconia restorations tolerate extreme chewing and bruxism.

So, what should you consider when getting a dental crown? Remember, you will have a crown in your mouth for many years. You want to choose long-lasting and high-quality type of dental crown. Remember that different materials will also have different dental lab cost associated with the manufacturing process and dental restoration time. Choose a material that will last a long time and will not break the budget.

If you want to schedule a consult to get the best dental crown, contact us today. Miami Beach dentist, Dr. Mereos, and the Precious Smiles team look forward to meeting with you and developing a plan tailored to meet your individual needs. “We take pride in helping our patients achieve the best results in the least amount of time possible.”

Precious Smiles Cosmetic Dentistry Center -Miami Beach
https://www.precioussmiles.com
Miami dentist, Miami Beach dentist
(305) 532-9114
1315 Alton Rd.
Miami Beach, Fl 33139
Dr. Mereos is a Miami dentist that serves, Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, North Miami Beach, and North Miami dentist in Miami

You can make an appointment with our cosmetic dentist by calling our friendly staff at (305) 532-9114 or by visiting http://www.precioussmiles.com. Please don't hesitate to contact Precious Smiles if you have any questions about cosmetic dentistry, veneers, Invisalign, tooth whitening, or dental implants.Miami Beach dentist, Dr. Mereos, and the Precious Smiles team look forward to meeting with you and developing a plan tailored to meet your individual needs. “We take pride in helping our patients achieve the best results in the least amount of time possible.”

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

The Truth About Teeth Whitening: Is It REALLY Effective?

Miami Beach teeth whitening

Have you noticed the color of your teeth starting to change? Are your teeth becoming yellow? Our teeth
may suffer from discoloration due to our lifestyle choices like having tea, coffee, red wine or tobacco. Teeth can also become dark or turn yellow naturally as we get older. You may need a professional teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a common and relatively inexpensive cosmetic dental procedure that can improve the appearance of your discolored teeth fast. This type of cosmetic dentistry can give you that extra sparkle and confidence boost, so that you keep smiling, every day. The safest and also the most effective dental whitening treatment is done in-office by a cosmetic dentist. While over-the-counter treatments can also work, they are less effective, riskier, and can cause uneven whitening.

HOW IT WORKS?

Teeth whitening involves bleaching the teeth to lighten their color. The treatment is safe, fast and effective. Professional whitening procedures use stronger chemicals that can whiten the surface of the teeth and the enamel underneath giving you better, longer lasting results than the home kits. Your teeth are semi-permeable, and the whitening treatment uses safe chemicals, such as carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide to permeate into the tooth enamel and break up stains into less concentrated colors.

CHECK YOURSELF

Before you decide to commit to a whitening session, it is recommended that you examine yourself to
see if you really need a whitening treatment. If you check your teeth and find that you have any of these problems then you may be a good candidate for a professional teeth whitening:

Darkened teeth
Age spots
Yellow or orange spots (caused by coffee, tea, or other foods, and smoking)
Grey teeth

Dental teeth whitening is not recommended for everyone, particularly if you are experiencing the following:

Overly-sensitive teeth
Gum or mouth disease (periodontal disease and/or oral cancer)
With worn tooth enamel
Tooth decay
Excessive plaque buildup
Missing teeth

If you suffer from any of these problems, please call our office to schedule an appointment to get these issues resolved first.

Miami Beach teeth whitening

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING A TEETH WHITENING?

During a teeth whitening session done in our office, we will first create molds of your top and bottom teeth. These are used to make customized trays, like a mouthguard, that fit over your teeth. Then, your we will choose the best teeth bleaching method available for your specific case.

Fast in-office power bleaching is also done in the office. We will cover your gums and then apply the bleaching agent to the teeth. After that, an ultraviolet light is shone to activate the whitening agents. This typically takes about 60 minutes, and often only requires one treatment to get great results.

Another option that we offer is a professional take home whitening kit. These include custom-made tray that can be worn comfortably while you are awake or sleeping. This tray is so thin that you should even be able to talk and work while wearing it. We can provide you with the whitening agents to whiten at home or touch up the professional whitening in the office so that the results can last longer.

Another option to extend the results of your teeth whitening is to use whitening toothpastes which contain mild abrasives which scrub the teeth removing surface stains to make them whiter. This will help you maintain your bright smile longer.

CONCLUSION

The truth is, you have so many options today with regards to in-home teeth whitening products. The way to get faster and more predictable results is to get it done by a professional. If you are not sure, you owe it to yourself to get at least a consult first. At home teeth whitening kits often cause uneven results and can even damage your teeth or make the discoloration even worse.