Teeth whitening is the number one cosmetic dental treatment worldwide. It is a simple, safe and effective method of creating a whiter and brighter smile.
Tooth whitening enhances the brightness of natural teeth, but it’s not for everyone. Discuss it with Soft Touch Dental Care before you take action, especially if you have:
The lifespan of whitened teeth can range from 4-12 months, depending on the type of treatment used and your consumption of food and drink that can easily stain teeth (such as blueberries, coffee, and tea).
To keep your teeth their whitest without undergoing tooth whitening treatment, practice good oral hygiene.
If Dr. Galgali agrees that you are a candidate for tooth whitening, you can choose either an over-the-counter tooth whitening kit or a dentist-supervised treatment.
If using an over-the-counter whitening kit, choose one approved by the American Dental Association and follow the directions on its package. Store-bought kits require 7-30 days of consistent use for full effect. Individual results can vary.
Dentist-supervised treatments provide greater tooth whitening results faster than store-bought kits. Two types of treatment are available:
After a thorough exam of your teeth, gums, and supporting bone structure, Dr. Galgali will tell you whether tooth whitening is a safe option for your smile. If the agreed-upon treatment is an in-office, dentist-supervised treatment, your clinician will:
Your total tooth whitening treatment time is 1 hour.
Your teeth can become discolored due to drinking coffee or tea, smoking, even medications and age. In about an hour, you can erase all of this discoloration, and walk out with a whiter, brighter, and healthier looking smile.
Here whitening was successful in fixing a very dark stain on a single tooth as well as improving the overall color of the rest of the smile. In this example, whitening was used to make a great smile even more brilliant and beautiful.
Lumineers are a specific brand of dental veneers that have a different construction than other veneer styles. Traditional veneers are usually constructed from 0.5 millimeters thick. Lumineers are designed with different bonding techniques which make them stronger. The added strength enables a thinner final product which is the main selling point with Lumineers. Lumineers are able to be spread to 0.3 millimeters thick. Den Mart based in California is the creator of the Lumineers brand of dental veneers.
Lumineers are made from the same material as all other veneers. Dental veneers are made from a form of porcelain that is mixed with other materials to create a tooth-like coating that improves the appearance of the mouth. Lumineers are made from Cerinate porcelain and are usually attached with Ultra-Bond Restorative Resin Cement and Tenure adhesive glue. Cerinate porcelain is created with feldspathic porcelain mixed with leucite crystals. These materials provide a bond with the teeth that can last for twenty years or more.
The cost of Lumineers will vary by dentist, mouth preparation and how many are applied. Because less tooth preparation is used, in some cases the cost of Lumineer installation will be around ¾ of the price paid for other veneer procedures. In general the cost of Lumineers ranges from about $700 to $1100 per applied veneer. Each dentist will have a different price estimate based on the types of work necessary for each patient.
Lumineers can be installed in one of two ways. The first way is the traditional installation method. This is where a dentist will file down the existing teeth leaving gaps between the teeth so that the appearance of the Lumineers will look like the patient’s regular teeth. The second way to install Lumineers is directly over the existing teeth. This coating will leave a bump between the tops of the original teeth and the new veneers. Some dentists do not like to use this method.
The purpose of installing Lumineers rather than having another form of dental cosmetic surgery is twofold. Many people do not want to wait for the time it takes to improve their teeth using other dental methods. Other people have very bad teeth that would be almost impossible to fix any other way. Lumineers also sound better to individuals who are frightened by the idea of grinding away their natural teeth. Lumineers can provide an instantly brighter and whiter smile to almost anyone.
A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain made to fit over the front surface of a tooth to improve the appearance.
It is comparable to how a false fingernail fits over a nail. Veneers are made out of porcelain and are used mainly for aesthetic reasons. Veneers make teeth look natural and healthy, and because they are very thin and are held in place by a special strong bond (rather like super-glue) very little preparation of the tooth is needed.
Porcelain veneers can improve the colour, shape and position of teeth. A precise shade of porcelain can be chosen to give the right colour to improve a single discoloured or stained tooth or to lighten front teeth generally.
Spaces in between teeth to close gaps
Stained or discoloured teeth
Misshapen or crooked teeth
Broken or chipped teeth
Unsightly fillings
Yellow teeth by whitening them
Veneers can also be used to close small gaps, when orthodontics (braces) are not suitable. If one tooth is slightly out of position, a veneer can sometimes be fitted to bring it into line with the others.
Made popular by smile makeover shows on television, veneers can give you the smile you always dreamed of by correcting:
Usually the teeth suitable for veneers need little or no preparation of the tooth surface making it a highly conservative option to improve the appearance of your smile.
At Soft Touch Dental, we work alongside some superb dental technicians to provide you with the most natural and life-like veneers available to date.
If you are self-conscious because you have missing teeth, wear dentures that are uncomfortable, or don’t want to have good tooth structure removed to make a bridge, talk to your dentist to see if dental implants are an option for you.
Dental implants are a popular and effective way to replace missing teeth and are designed to blend in with your other teeth. They are an excellent long-term option for restoring your smile. In fact, the development and use of implants is one of the biggest advances in dentistry in the past 40 years. Dental implants are made up of titanium and other materials that are compatible with the human body. They are posts that are surgically placed in the upper or lower jaw, where they function as a sturdy anchor for replacement teeth.
Most patients find that a dental implant is secure, stable, and a good replacement for their own tooth.
First, the dentist surgically places the implant into the jawbone. Your dentist may recommend a diet of soft foods, cold foods, and warm soup during the healing process.
Next, the bone around the implant heals in a process called osseointegration. What makes an implant so strong is that the bone actually grows around it and holds it in place. Osseointegration means “combines with the bone” and takes time. Some patients might need to wait until the implant is completely integrated, up to several months, before replacement teeth can be attached to the implant. Other patients can have the implants and replacement teeth placed all in one visit.
Finally, it’s time for the placement of the artificial tooth/teeth. For a single tooth implant, your dentist will customize a new tooth for you, called a dental crown. The crown will be based on size, shape, color, and fit, and will be designed to blend in with your other teeth. If you are replacing more than a single tooth, custom-made bridges or dentures will be made to fit your mouth and your implants. (Note: The replacement teeth usually take some time to make. In the meantime, your dentist may give you a temporary crown, bridge, or denture to help you eat and speak normally until the permanent replacement is ready.)
If you are interested in dental implants, it’s a good idea to discuss it carefully with your dentist first. If you are in good general health this treatment may be an option for you. In fact, your health is more of a factor than your age. You may be medically evaluated by a physician before any implant surgery is scheduled. Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or leukemia, may interfere with healing after surgery. Patients with these issues may not be good candidates for implants. Using tobacco can also slow healing.
The ideal candidate for a dental implant is in good oral and general health. Adequate bone density is needed to support the implant, and the best candidates have healthy gum tissue that is free of periodontal disease.
We perform surgery to anchor the “artificial root” into your jaw bone. The procedure is performed in the dental office with local anesthesia. Medications may be prescribed for soreness.
The process can take several months to complete. After the implants are placed surgically, the healing process can take up to four months. The fitting of the replacement teeth usually takes less than two months.
It is important to floss and brush around the fixture at least twice a day. Regular scheduled cleanings in the office will help you ensure healthy gums.
Besides dentures there are two main ways to replace missing teeth. The first is dental implants and the second is by a bridge. A bridge is used to replace a gap in the smile to restore a natural, pleasing appearance. There are different types of bridge options depending on the size of gap and health of surrounding teeth.
Invisalign makes it easy to straighten your teeth without bands, brackets, or wires.
Forget everything you’ve heard about teeth straightening. Because a proven technology now exists that lets you straighten your teeth invisibly.
Invisalign is a virtually invisible solution so you can smile during as well as after treatment. In fact, virtually no one will know you’re wearing them unless you tell. By using a series of clear, removable aligners, Invisalign straightens your teeth right before your eyes. Change them about every two weeks and your teeth will move — little by little — towards the smile you have always wanted.
Invisalign is comfortable to wear and it doesn’t require you to change your busy lifestyle. You visit your doctor every month or two to check your progression and get new aligners. Average treatment time is only about a year. Because aligners are removable, you can continue to eat your favorite foods while brushing and flossing normally to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Invisalign Has Been Proven Effective In Dental Practices Worldwide.
Properly positioned teeth are easier to brush and floss than teeth that are crowded, crooked, or spaced too far apart. Properly aligned teeth can help gums “fit” more tightly around them, which may lead to better periodontal health.
With maintenance of good oral hygiene, the chances of having plaque retention, tooth decay, or periodontal (gum) disease can be reduced.
Properly aligned teeth can be less stressful on the supporting bone jaw joints.
Straightening your teeth with the virtually invisible Invisalign aligners can make you feel less self-conscious and more confident.
You can brush and floss normally, which can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Some fixed orthodontic appliances, like braces, can cause gingivitis (usually reversible once the braces are removed).
Research has shown that periodontal tissue health may improve with use of Invisalign aligners during your orthodontic treatment.
Because the aligners are removable, you don’t have to worry about what you eat.
There are no brackets or wires to clean around, as with traditional orthodontics.
Teeth that are not aligned properly in your mouth creates what dentists call “malocclusion.” Left untreated, malocclusion can lead to periodontal disease and create abnormal amounts of stress on teeth and jaws, which leads to premature wear.
Crowding: Buildup of plaques and tartar, Harbors harmful periodontal bacteria, Risk of periodontal disease, tooth, and bone loss
Spacing: Food lodges between teeth, Risk of sore, tender gums, Risk of periodontal disease
Deep Bite: Over-erupted lower front teeth that can damage the palate, Premature wear and chipping of the lower-front teeth.
CrossBite: Premature tooth wear and risk of chipped teeth, Abfraction – small notch in tooth at the gumline, Periodontal disease, tooth, and bone loss.
Excessive Overjet: Chipped or fractured front teeth, trauma to front teeth
Edge to Edge Bite: Risk of teeth chipping and breaking, Jaw joint pain, Shortened or worn down front teeth
Open Bite: Abfraction – small notch in tooth in gumline, Gum recession, loose teeth and bone loss, Excessive, premature wear on back teeth.
Snap-On Smile is a patented, easy and painless way to obtain a beautiful smile. It was invented by a dentist who realized that not everyone can afford thousands of dollars to get a Hollywood smile make-over. After years of extensive research and development, your dentist can now provide you with a Snap-On Smile that is thin and strong with the look of natural teeth. You can eat and drink with your Snap-On Smile. It’s easy to care for and can be a temporary or permanent cosmetic solution. It’s available for upper and lower teeth.
Snap-On Smile’s unique, proprietary formula of hi-tech dental resin makes it very thin yet extremely strong. It fits right over your own teeth to give you a beautiful, natural-looking smile—even if you have stains, chips, gaps or missing teeth.
And for many people, Snap-On Smile can be life-changing. It gives back the confidence to smile. Thousands of people worldwide have already experienced the unique benefits of Snap-On Smile.
