Menu

Dental Care

achieve-a-beautiful-smile-with-dental-veneers

Achieve a Beautiful Smile with Dental Veneers

, , , , , , , , , ,

Everyone wants a beautiful smile. To have a beautiful smile, you need beautiful teeth. This is where dental veneers help. A dental veneer may be the reason you can have a dazzling smile. So, what is a dental veneer? Well, a dental veneer is a wafer-thin, custom-made shell of tooth colored material designed to cover the front surface of your teeth to improve their appearance.

These tooth like shells are bonded to the front of your teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length. Dental veneers are typically made from porcelain or from resin composite materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers and reflect light off of your teeth better. In this article, we’ll talk at length about dental veneers and how they can help you achieve that million-dollar smile!

Dental veneers can fix a variety of problems. Some of them are:

  • Teeth that are discolored
  • Teeth that are worn down
  • Teeth that are chipped or broken
  • Teeth that are misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped
  • Teeth with gaps between them

Dental veneers offer a minimally invasive and straightforward technique to make your smile look more bright, natural, and healthy looking. If you are self-conscious or embarrassed about your teeth, you can take advantage of a dental veneer for that beautiful smile. However, dental veneers are strictly cosmetic procedures that restore your smile but do not affect the function and strength of your teeth.

Dental veneers can restore your smile without the need for any surgical procedures. This means that you do not need to resort to expensive, time-consuming, and invasive procedures while eliminating any associated risks or pain. Your veneers will look like real teeth enamel and will mimic their shine and translucent quality. These veneers have high stain-resistant properties as stain-causing substances slide off the smooth surface of the ceramic material.

Dental veneers require some caution but are durable are durable enough to last for years. They generally last from 7 to 15 years, after which they may need to be replaced. Dental veneers do not require any special care. You should continue to follow good oral hygiene practices, including brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash as you normally would.

The dental veneer procedure can be completed in about two visits to your dentist, over the course of about six weeks. The visits are comprehensive and may require several hours of examination and tooth preparation. Your dentist will typically administer a local anesthetic to make you comfortable. Your dentist will then prepare your natural tooth by minimally shaping it with a small, handheld rotational cutting device called a bur.

If your treatment involves direct composite resin veneers, your dentist will apply the appropriately shaded composite to your teeth, shape the material, and then harden it using a high intensity light. Your dentist may also apply additional layers of composite to build the veneer so that it is the correct shape, length, and form for your smile. When all composite is placed, the veneers will be finished and polished using burs and polishers to create a dazzling smile.

If your treatment involves porcelain veneers, your dentist will make an impression of your teeth from which a mold of your mouth will be made. This impression may then be sent to a dental laboratory where the veneers will be professionally fabricated.

At Bellevue Dental Health, we specialize in dental veneers. We work with each individual patient and create top-quality veneers that will suit their mouth and teeth. You can consult us for any questions or concerns you may have regarding dental veneers. We help restore your smile with carefully crafted dental veneers. So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us and restore your million-dollar smile…today!

For more information about dental veneers, contact Dr. Libbi Finnessy of Bellevue Dental Health at 425-641-3311 or at info@bellevuedentalhealth.com.

smoking

How Smoking Effects Your Teeth

, , , , , , , , , ,

We’ve all heard about the detrimental effects of smoking on your health. However, did you know that smoking also adversely affects your oral health? Well, it’s true! Smoking causes many oral health problems and the longer you smoke the more severe these problems become.

With there being about 36 million smokers in the United States, (according to the Centers for Disease Control), this amounts to about 15% of the population. That’s a huge number of people risking their oral health by smoking. So, how exactly does smoking affect your teeth? That’s what we’ll talk about in this article…

  • Smoking puts you at greater risk for oral cancer: Smoking or chewing tobacco can cause cancers of your mouth, tongue, lips, gums, and throat. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, about 50,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with oral cancer every year. An estimated 80% of them are smokers. If you are a smoker as well as a heavy drinker, your risk for oral cancer substantially increases. I screen all of my patients at their dental appointments for oral cancer. It often begins as a white or red patch in the mouth and is not symptomatic. It later can be accompanied by difficulty chewing or swallowing, numbness in the jaw, and pain in the ear. If you have these symptoms for more than two weeks, visit your dentist, as the earlier oral cancer is detected, the more effective will its treatment be.
  • Smoking puts you at greater risk for gum disease: Smoking adversely affects your gums in two ways. If you smoke you are more likely to produce more bacterial plaque in your mouth, which puts your gums under steady attack. Second, smokers have lower oxygen levels in their blood, therefore delaying healing. This means that when your gums become infected, your body is less likely to be able to deal with it. Gum disease progresses at a very rapid rate in people who smoke. Losing teeth is a very real consequence in people who are heavy smokers.
  • Smoking puts you at greater risk for cavities: Due to the plaque and gum problems caused by smoking, smokers are at higher risk for tooth decay. If you smoke, you’re putting your mouth at risk for cavities three times more than non-smokers.
  • Smoking puts you at greater risk for bad breath: Smokers have a greater incidence of halitosis or bad breath. This is because about 4000 chemicals pass through your oral cavity every time you smoke. Many of these end up collecting on the surfaces inside your mouth. Smoking also contributes to bad breath by drying out your mouth. This can trigger gum infection and can irritate your sinuses, resulting in post-nasal drip.
  • Smoking puts you at greater risk for stained teeth: Smokers typically have stained teeth, with unattractive yellow stains that tar and nicotine leave on your teeth. Over time, this discoloration can leak into tiny cracks in your tooth enamel, leading to permanent discoloration and staining.
  • Smoking puts you at greater risk for delayed healing: Smoking results in the increased possibility of tooth extraction and oral surgery. However, at the same time, it results in delayed healing and slows your body’s ability to recover from these procedures. It also lowers the rate of successful dental implant procedures. The more you smoke, the more vulnerable you are to developing further complications.
  • Smoking puts you at greater risk for altered taste and smell: Smoking results in an altered sense of taste and smell. This interferes with your enjoyment of food and is also likely to make you add more salt or sugar to your food to make the taste stronger. Research shows that about one in five smokers have a less precise sense of taste and smell. However, this can be reversed if you stop smoking.

So, now you know how smoking can adversely affect your teeth. At Bellevue Dental Health we can help you manage the effects of smoking on your teeth. We work individually with each patient and take a detailed patient history to determine what treatment options each patient has.

If you are a smoker be sure to have regular dental care and a regular exam. As always, we are here to help at Bellevue Dental Health!

For more information about a dental consultation and different dental procedures,
contact Dr. Libby Finnessy of Bellevue Dental Health at 425-641-3311 or at info@bellevuedentalhealth.com.

dental-phobics-ways-ease-dental-fears

Dental Phobics: Ways To Ease Your Dental Fears

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Do you avoid going to the dentist until you absolutely have to? Do you tense at the thought of a cleaning appointment? Do you experience intense fear when in the dentist’s chair? If you’ve answered “Yes” to these questions, you are a dental phobic and let me try to help you.

Dental phobia is more common that you think. In fact, it is one of the top 10 fears that people experience. Some studies have concluded that 75 percent of people experience at least a little fear regarding dental visits and that 10 to 15 percent experience intense fear that prevents them from seeking dental treatment. Also, about 8% of Americans avoid dentists all together due to fear.

There are various reasons that patients can suffer from dental phobia. These could range from a bad dental experience you may have had as a child to a pre-existing anxiety disorder. It could also be due to a feeling of lack of control or a biological mechanism. The latter is because our ancestors had a deep-seated desire to protect their noses and mouths, as this helped them survive predators. We have evolved since then, but we still have that deep-seated desire to protect our mouths and noses.

So, what can be done about the dental phobia? Well, there are certain tried and trusted techniques that can help you cope with your fear. That’s what we’ll talk about in this article…

  1. Involve your dentist: The most important solution is to choose a dentist is who will listen to your fears then talk to them about a strategy to overcome it. They need to know that you suffer from dental phobia so that they can work with you to help you overcome your fear. We, at Bellevue Dental Health, listen to our patients who are dental phobic and ensure that we talk to them in detail about the treatment needed and do not rush them in any way. Visit us here.
  2. Acknowledge that you suffer from dental phobia: This is the first step on the way to overcoming your fear. You need to accept that you are afraid of dentists but acknowledge that there are friendly dentists that can help you!
  3. Seek professional help if you need it: If you have a mild anxiety disorder you can cope with it yourself. However, if you suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), you need professional help. This is especially the case if you are having dental implants, oral surgery or a more extensive dental treatment plan.
  4. Seek distraction when in the dentist’s chair: I have found that when I have patients listen to their favorite music while in the dentist’s chair or watch TV in the office, the distraction makes a huge difference. Try anything that will take your mind off the procedure.
  5. Try breathing and relaxation techniques: Doctors recommend relaxation techniques, such as controlled breathing, which means taking a long breath, holding it, and then releasing it very slowly. This will slow your heartbeat and relax your muscles. You can also try progressive muscle relaxation, which involves tensing and relaxing different muscle groups in turn.
  6. Review with your dentist which sedatives are available and appropriate: The vast majority of patients I see with dental phobias do well with some TLC. However, for those that don’t, we can use other methods such as nitrous oxide, oral sedatives, or even intravenous sedation (with a specialist).
  7. Bring a family member or friend with you: Most patients go to dental appointments alone. However, if you bring a family member or friend with you, they can help distract you away from your fears. Knowing that someone is there waiting for you can help you cope with your dental phobia better.
  8. Use noise-cancelling headphones: With these headphones, you can cancel out all the noise in the dentist’s office that can cause anxiety. This can include the sound of a drill or any other instruments. This will help you in relaxing that tad bit more and help ease your fear.
  9. Visit a psychologist: If you still cannot overcome your dental phobia with these simple techniques, you may need to see a psychologist. The latter will provide specialized treatment and intervention to help you cope with your dental phobia.

 

So, now you know how to deal with dental phobia. It’s helpful to remember that you are not the only one suffering from dental phobia. There are many like you out there. So, do recognize that fact and work with your dentist to overcome your fear…Here’s to comfortable and fear-free dental visits!

For more information on dental phobia and how it can be overcome, contact Dr. Libby Finnessy of Bellevue Dental Health at 425-641-3311 or at info@bellevuedentalhealth.com.

emergency606-606x220

What to do if you have a dental emergency

, , , , , ,

If you’ve suffered from a dental emergency, you know how frightening and debilitating it can be. I have received many calls from concerned patients that are unsure what to do after a trauma. So this is a good time to address how dentists manage a weekend or evening call after a tooth breaks, cracks, becomes loose, or is knocked out completely or even develops into a painful toothache with swelling.

As always, prevention is best. You can prevent some traumatic sports injuries by wearing a mouthguard to stop your teeth from being dislodged or broken. You should also avoid any hard foods, like ice and popcorn, that may result in your teeth cracking or breaking. However, despite these precautions, if you suffer from a dental emergency, you should see your dentist soon and not wait for pain.

There are certain dental emergencies that require you to go to a hospital for treatment. These include: jaw fractures; jaw dislocations; serious lacerations of the soft tissues of the face and mouth, and an abscess or infection that is very swollen or that is impacting breathing or swallowing, especially if you have serious medical conditions.

If you suffer from a dental emergency on a weekend or after your dentist’s office hours, it is OK to contact your dentist at their emergency phone number. It is best to get some advice from an expert and not wait for things to get worse. Sadly, I have seen many patients come to me after “toughing it out” then it is too late to save the tooth or they need a root canal. Your dentist wants to help, so they have an emergency phone number for this very reason.

In this article, I will review some common dental emergencies and what they mean…

  1. Toothache: While this may also be due to “sensitive teeth”, you know it’s an emergency when the pain suddenly increases in magnitude and frequency. This means that you have a potential tooth problem, such as a cavity, crack or abscess. Also, the pain increases after being provoked by touch, temperature or chewing. This is the most common call that dentists receive on the weekend.
  2. Loose teeth: If you were struck by an object, fell, or bit on a hard food you could have injured the tooth and its surrounding ligaments. Even if your teeth are loose but not painful, it could mean a tooth injury or localized infection. If the loose tooth is accompanied by red and bleeding gums, it could indicate advanced gum disease. If left untreated, it could result in heart disease and other medical problems.
  3. Swollen jaw or mouth: Swelling along the jaw and mouth could be caused from a swollen lymph node or tooth infection. If you are in severe pain, it’s a dental crisis and you should consult us immediately. If it’s just tender, you can wait and watch to see if it subsides. Lymph nodes develop swelling and pain due to disease (even a cold or flu) or infection. They should not cause swelling that is noticeable in the mirror, that is an abscess.
  4. Numbness or a total lack of sensation: This could mean that the infection has progressed so far that you have an abscess close to the nerve and you may need a root canal. This could also be caused by other diseases in the jaw. Sudden onset of numbness deserves a call to the dentist.
  5. Metallic or bitter taste in the mouth: This could be due to a broken filling. It is very important to get a broken filling treated promptly, otherwise it could turn into a bigger problem that would need a crown or root canal.
  6. Jaw pain: While this could be due to various reasons, ranging from a broken tooth to arthritis, and from stress to joint pain, it is important to rule out a cracked or infected tooth. You should consult us ASAP, as we can identify the source of the pain and treat it.
  7. Persistent headaches: If your headache coincides with a toothache, they may be related, as the nerves to both regions originate from the same location in your brain. Do not disregard your headaches, particularly chronic headaches without the advice of your doctor and dentist.
  8. A mouth or lip laceration: When you have a deep cut in the mouth or crosses the pink portion of your lip across to the skin, this needs to be evaluated. If this is deep, continues to ooze, and potentially can leave a scar, it should be evaluated. If there is a laceration within the lip/mouth that is not deep and stops bleeding on its own, then just use lots of ice. Lacerations around the mouth are common and tend to swell after 1-2 days so be prepared with ice afterwards. Again, if in doubt you should head to the ER or call me.

So, now you know the different symptoms and conditions of common dental emergencies. While it is easy to ignore the first symptoms or delay treatment, it’s always a good idea to get an expert opinion. Here’s to the efficacious and prompt treatment of your dental emergency.

For more information on how to treat your dental emergency, contact Dr. Libby Finnessy of Bellevue Dental Health at 425-641-3311 or at info@bellevuedentalhealth.com.

myths-and-facts-about-teeth-whitening

Myths and Facts about Teeth Whitening

, , , , ,

We all love the look of a bright, white smile. In fact, in most cultures through the ages, sparkling white teeth have been a sign of good health and prosperity. The color of your teeth can affect how you feel about yourself and how others perceive you.

However, there are several myths that exist about teeth whitening. Here we want to address some of these myths and present the truth about the whitening process.

Myth #1: Teeth whitening weakens your teeth.

Fact #1: This is untrue. Although tooth whitening can be completed with products for use at home, it is best to consult with a dental professional first. Often teeth have fillings or crowns that alter the effects of bleaching and Dr. Finnessy will determine what is best. Use of a professional product like Zoom whitening is fast, easy, and safe to your teeth and can be completed in one appointment.

Myth #2: If you have sensitive teeth you cannot undergo a teeth whitening procedure, as the sensitivity will get worse.

Fact #2: This is untrue, but again with sensitive teeth, talking with Dr. Finnessy first is even more important. She will assess the level of your sensitivity and then design a teeth whitening treatment that will reduce its impact on your sensitive teeth.

Myth #3:  You can whiten your teeth with baking soda.

Fact #3: This should be avoided as it simply does not work and moreover, will disrupt the ratio of good to bad bacteria in your mouth. Furthermore, the abrasiveness of baking soda is harmful to your teeth.

Myth #4: Teeth whitening is permanent.

Fact #4: Once you see the effect of bleaching the length of time until the staining recurs is dependent on exposure to use of these products. . After an initial treatment, patients can go in for a additional procedures every 6 months, or reuse their bleach trays every 3 months. However, exposure to coffee, smoking, red wine and some medicines may darken teeth again so the best treatment is to reduce exposure to these factors.

Myth #5: You can use whitening toothpaste, which is as effective as teeth whitening by a dentist.

Fact #5: This is simply not the case. In fact, because these toothpastes use abrasive ingredients to scrub off the stains on your teeth, they can wear away the protective layer or “pellicle” that forms over your teeth. This makes your teeth sensitive and more prone to staining in the future.

Myth #6: Teeth whitening works for everyone.

Fact #6: Teeth naturally darken with age. Some teeth become yellow, while others are gray and bleaching may not have the desired outcome. You should consult with Dr. Finnessy before beginning any teeth whitening procedure. She should be able to predict whether bleaching will deliver the results you’re looking for. In most cases, anyone with gum disease, broken or damaged teeth, restorations, exposed roots, or incomplete dental work should not attempt whitening unless these problems are first remedied.

 Myth #7: Zoom whitening can alter the structure of your teeth permanently.

Fact #7: The Zoom in-office teeth whitening procedure uses the Zoom Advanced Power Chairside Lamp. This accelerates the bleaching process by activating the Hydrogen Peroxide whitening. As the Hydrogen Peroxide is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin to bleach the stains, leaving the structure of the tooth unchanged. It is safe and quick.

There are many other questions you may have about teeth whitening. Dr. Finnessy performs Zoom whitening and other whitening procedures daily so don’t hesitate to ask her about this today. She is even offers free Zoom teeth whitening for new patients to get them excited for their new smile!

 

For more information about teeth whitening or other dental procedures,

consult Dr. Finessey at (425)641-3311 or at info@bellevuedentalhealth.com.