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Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures You Should Know | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

When we think about cosmetic procedures in general, many think you need to go under the knife to achieve the results you want. Yet, that is far from the case with cosmetic dentistry procedures. While it’s true there are some means of employing cosmetic changes that may require more invasive treatment, many do not. Here are some common cosmetic procedures and what you can expect from treatment.

Teeth Whitening – a common procedure for cosmetic dentists is teeth whitening. Coffee, tobacco, alcohol, predisposition, and many other things can contribute to a less-than-white smile. If over-the-counter methods haven’t quite worked to bring back your pearly whites, you may consider speaking with a cosmetic dentist for a more intense treatment.

Dental Bonding– for chipped, cracked or gapped teeth, your dentist will apply a tooth-colored resin to the chipped area. They will layer resin, utilizing a UV light to harden it as they go, in order to build back the original look of the chipped tooth or teeth.

Veneer Application – you can think of a veneer as a thin shell that fits over the surface of your existing teeth to improve the color, shape, size, or length of teeth. Veneers are made of porcelain or a resin composite and permanently bonded to the teeth.

Gum Reshaping – when your gums appear more pronounced than your teeth, or your gemlike is uneven, a cosmetic dentist may recommend gum reshaping. Essentially, a small amount of gum or bone tissue is removed or contoured to even out the appearance of your gum line or tooth ratio.

Crowns – similar to a veneer, dental crowns are a porcelain or ceramic tooth look-alike that fits over a weak or damaged tooth. Crowns are made to fully encase the tooth and can last between five to 15 years depending on how well they are cared for.

Braces – these are within the realm of cosmetic dentistry because braces shift the teeth into optimal positions for your bite and mouth size. Braces are one of the most common procedures a cosmetic dentist may perform, as tooth alignment is just as much about oral health as it is aesthetics.

If you would like more information, call Dr. Herd in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA at 949-858-5147 or visit www.gregherddds.com.

Dr. Greg J. Herd proudly serves Rancho Santa Margarita and all surrounding areas.

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Four Tips to a Brighter Smile | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

Everyone loves a professional whitening treatment. All you want to do is show off your smile! But getting treatment is just a start. It’s still important that you continue to look for ways to maintain your smile in between treatments. Here are some tips:

Use whitening toothpaste. With so many over-the-counter products available, you may want to ask your dentist to recommend you a specific type of whitening toothpaste to use at home, as well as further instructions on how to use such whitening products.

Chew gum and crunchy produce. Saliva is your mouth’s naturally means of cleaning bacteria and plaque. Chewing gum is designed to increase saliva production. Just make sure it contains xylitol. For a natural option, crunchy produce such as apples, carrots and celery can also help you keep your teeth bright and clean by helping to remove the substances that can cause stains and discoloration.

Take better care of your tooth enamel. Although considered as the hardest substance in the human body, tooth enamel cannot repair itself. If the tooth enamel has been affected by gum disease in the past, there’s no way to restore it. And if it’s weak, it’s also much more susceptible to stains. That’s why it’s important that you take good care of your tooth enamel by providing it with necessary protection with fluoride.

Drink plenty of milk. Or pretty much any other dairy product you can think of. Dairy products are high in calcium, which helps keep your teeth white and bright. Cheese can also help rid your teeth of food particles that can cause stains and discoloration.

If you would like more information on teeth whitening, call Dr. Herd in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA at 949-858-5147 or visit www.gregherddds.com.

Dr. Greg J. Herd proudly serves Rancho Santa Margarita and all surrounding areas.

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When It’s Time for a Makeover | Rancho Santa Margarita

Problems with your smile? In this superficial day and age, having crooked teeth is more of an issue than it really should be. As an adolescent, you get teased and may not get a lot of dates, so it can turn out to be a tough road to travel when compounded with the typical growing pains. As an adult, having problems with your smile has a certain stigma, but it isn’t quite as traumatizing as those adolescent years.

How do we get these pretty smiles? Having a good daily dental regime and regular checkups is the obvious start. After all, it all starts at home. Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing and a quick mouthwash rinse is a great way to keep dental issues at bay. Keeping a healthy diet free from lots of sugars and teeth-staining foods/drinks will also keep your teeth white and cavity-free. In fact, there are lots of foods that can actually help clean your teeth while you eat! Foods like apples, oranges, strawberries, broccoli, and celery naturally clean your teeth while you eat them. Dairy foods help teeth out with calcium-strengthening goodness. Can’t go wrong with that!

But what about those of us that have healthy teeth, but aren’t exactly the straightest? Or perhaps it’s more of an issue to fix your less than perfect grin. Don’t worry. No matter who is in need of a perfect set of pearly whites, there are tons of options on the market you can go with. If you are looking to complete your smile makeover, make an appointment as soon as possible to discuss a treatment plan.

If you would like more information about smile makeovers, call Dr. Greg J. Herd in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA at 949-858-5147 or visit www.gregherddds.com.

Dr. Herd proudly serves Rancho Santa Margarita and all surrounding areas.

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Dental Crowns: Are They Right for You? | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

It is always a bummer when you have a tooth break on you, whether it be an injury you suffered from or your incessant need to munch on ice, or your tooth got chipped or damaged and your dentist suggests getting a crown. Dental crowns can be both an effective and attractive option for individuals who regard their teeth to be an inhibition. But moreover, dental crowns can cover a large filling or help support a dental bridge. Need more reason? Here are some of the main advantages:

Natural looking. Both porcelain and composite dental crowns have the look and feel of natural teeth, so don’t worry about people noticing. It may be cosmetic, but no one needs to know that.

Durable. Crowns are there to last a while. In fact, they can last up to fifteen years depending on their care. Not only are they durable, but they are also stain-resistant. Porcelain is a great surface to restore teeth and not having to worry about coffee stains is a thing of the past.

Stable. Dental crowns are cemented or anchored in place, so unlike dentures, dental crowns won’t slip and slide around in your mouth. This not only keeps you from being self-conscious about your dental work, but it will prevent further infection and/or decay after the surgery.

Speech improvements. We may not automatically correlate the two, but missing teeth and dentures can affect speech. Dental crowns replace the missing teeth and do not slip around, making speech sound clearer. They fix your broken or discolored teeth, but mostly, they all lead to a more confident you.

If you would like more information about dental crowns, call Dr. Greg J. Herd in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA at 949-858-5147 or visit www.gregherddds.com.

Dr. Herd proudly serves Rancho Santa Margarita and all surrounding areas.