Dr. Quinones shares some insight on how cosmetic dentistry can vary per patient, and how much it can improve not only your smile but your self confidence as well!
What services can Progressive Dental offer to make my smile better?
Besides whitening, other cosmetic dental procedures we provide are veneers, bonding, implants, orthodontics and reshaping of the gums with a laser. With bonding, a direct tooth colored material is added to fill in chips or gaps. Veneers are thin porcelain laminates that are bonded to your teeth to change the shape or color of them. Plastic surgery of the gums is performed with laser to make the teeth appear more even. Each procedure has its advantages and contraindications and we explain everything extensively so you can choose what’s best for you.
What are the benefits of cosmetic dentistry?
Well, cosmetic dentistry will improve the appearance of your smile. In some cases, this improvement will also help you look younger and healthier. Discoloration and dental erosion are common effects of aging. By correcting these minor issues, we can help your smile look more vibrant and younger.
Cosmetic dentistry can also boost your self-confidence. Simple activities like meeting new people, interviewing for jobs, and attending parties may become easier due to your improved smile.
One big thing is the health benefits cosmetic dentistry brings. Cosmetic dentistry can prevent further dental damage. Teeth that are cracked, crooked, decayed, or even missing can affect your oral health. These dental problems can lead to periodontal disease, jaw pain, or even headaches (caused by an imbalanced bite). Once you get your teeth straightened, reshaped and whitened, these problems will improve and you will naturally be motivated to put an increased focus on your dental hygiene.
Another benefit is its long lasting effects. Unlike many other cosmetic procedures, dental procedures can last for many years. This is a huge benefit to patients as it limits the amount of money and time that must be committed to maintaining the procedure that has been done.
What is the difference between getting the teeth straightened with braces versus veneers?
While both can achieve similar outcomes appearance-wise, the two treatments are actually very different.
If your teeth are cracked, discolored, or only slightly spaced, veneers are a good option. Thin porcelain veneers are placed over existing teeth, which requires removing some of your enamel on the front surface of the tooth to ensure a natural look. They are preferred over bonding, which are less resistant to stains and are not as durable. An impression is taken and the color is shaded against your existing tooth to ensure a proper match. The procedure can generally be completed in three appointments.
Braces are use to straighten your teeth but also align your bite and jaw as well. By correcting your bite to a normal position, we can treat TMJ disorders. In some cases, malocclusion can lead to severe head or neck pain and braces can fix these problems. Orthodontic (braces) treatment usually takes 1 to 2 years to be completed and it is more conservative because tooth enamel doesn’t have to be removed from your teeth like with veneers.
What is the process of getting veneers?
I usually start with a consult where we would take some x-rays, impressions and oral pictures. With this information, I ask our lab to make a diagnostic wax up. The wax up would help us see how the teeth will end up looking with the veneers. After the patient sees it and accepts it, we numb the patient and start removing a small amount of tooth structure to create space for the veneers. Then we take an impression and make temporary veneers for the patient to wear while the final ones are being made by our dental laboratory. In two weeks, the patient comes back and the final porcelain veneers are tried in, adjusted and cemented as a permanent restoration.
Where are the veneers and crowns made?
One of the advantages of Progressive Dental, is that we have our own lab in Endwell. Therefore, most of the restorations are made locally by our certified technicians. This is very helpful because we can customize, do shade changes or repair restorations the same day and get a more accurate result by having the patient right there in our lab. Also, by having a local lab, we know the quality of the materials being used and the turn around time is shorter.
How can you replace a missing tooth?
Missing teeth can be replaced with implants, fixed bridges or removable bridges. Each one has it’s advantages and disadvantages. When you come for a consult, we can show the patient models of how each one works so they can make a better informed decision of what would be best for them.
Do you have a favorite patient you were able to help?
I have many stories that make my job so rewarding. I love being able to help my patients feel happy and confident when they smile. One of my most rewarding experiences was helping a lady that had generalized gray stain on her teeth due to antibiotics she was given when she was a child. For many years, she never showed her teeth when smiling because it made her very self-conscious. She finally was ready to do something and the day we cemented her final restorations and she looked at herself in the mirror, she started crying out of happiness. She was proud of showing her teeth to everyone and we knew we made a difference in her life.
