Common Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures | Issaquah Dentist

Woman smiling with a dental mirror to reflect her beautiful smile

Cosmetic dentistry can transform the appearance of your teeth while retaining or enhancing your oral health. According to AACD.com “…cosmetic procedures can range from basic color correction to replacing missing teeth, and everything in between.” While cosmetic dentists may employ the use of anesthesia for surgical improvement, most procedures are non-invasive. Here are a few procedures cosmetic dentists perform.

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 the optimal position 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.

For more information about caring for your veneers, call Dr. Sciabica in Issaquah, WA at 425-392-3900 or visit www.issaquahdentists.com.

Dr. Frank S. Sciabica proudly serves patients from Issaquah and all surrounding areas.

Common Foods that Darken Teeth | Issaquah Dentists

If you want to keep your teeth white, brushing regularly and using a tooth-whitening toothpaste aren’t the only things you have to do. You also have to watch what you eat and drink. What does eating and drinking have to do with your teeth staying white?

What many people don’t realize is that some food and drinks have compounds in them that cause your teeth to stain. These compounds are called chromagens and they are what make some foods and beverages very colorful. Another tooth staining compound is called tannin, and this gives beverages a brown color. What’s crucial to understand is that acids in food and drink play an important role. Acids wear down the enamel on your teeth which makes it easier for the staining to occur.

What Should I Look Out For?

You can probably guess that coffee and tea contain tannins, but you may not know what other food and beverages to avoid. Colas is damaging not only because of their color, but also because of the acids in them. The combination is brutal for your teeth. While on the subject of beverages, you should also know that red wine is one of the most common tooth-staining beverages.

Yes, it tastes good, but it isn’t good if you want white teeth. Dark-colored fruit juices can also stain your teeth. Look out for grape, cranberry, and blueberry juices, particularly if you have had your teeth whitened. You may find that you just wasted your money.

When it comes to food there are many culprits out there. Tomato-based sauces, healthy though they are, will stain your teeth. Spices such as curry can stain your teeth. Soy sauce makes your Chinese food have a little extra kick, but it also kicks I the staining factor. Beetroot and most berries are also likely to stain your teeth.

Aside from rinsing your mouth after eating or drinking these substances or stimulating saliva production after eating them, your only other option is avoidance. Give us a call and we can discuss it at your next appointment.

For more information about foods that darken teeth, call Dr. Sciabica in Issaquah, WA at 425-392-3900 or visit www.issaquahdentists.com.

Dr. Frank S. Sciabica proudly serves patients from Issaquah and all surrounding areas.

How All-on-4 Implants Work When You Also Have an Arch of Original Teeth | Issaquah Dentist

If you suffer from tooth loss, you may want to consider implants as a permanent solution to restore your smile. All-on-4 implants are a great option, especially if you still have some of your original teeth. Find out if this option might be right for you.

What Are All-on-4 Dental Implants?

The All-on-4 dental implant is a minimally invasive approach to placing implants false teeth using only four implants to support an arch. You’ll be able to have a full set of teeth without the need for multiple surgeries, and the entire process may be completed in just one appointment under local anesthesia.

What if I Still Have an Arch of Natural Teeth?

All-on-4 implants are best suited for people who have lost multiple teeth. However, if you still retained some of your natural teeth, you are not out of luck. If you have an arch of original teeth – for example, you suffered tooth loss on the top of your mouth, but the bottom arch remains intact – you can simply have implants placed on the top arch.

Who Should Consider All-on-4 Dentures?

If you have lost teeth and want a permanent set of replacements, dental implants might be for you. The All-on-4 system is preferred over dentures for many people, as they are fixed into place and won’t shift or slide out.

This procedure is also ideal if you don’t have the bone density needed to support a full set of traditional dental implants. Even better, All-on-4 implants are less expensive than traditional implants, so it will be a more affordable way to restore your smile.

If you’re interested in replacing your missing teeth or wish to explore alternatives to traditional dentures, please schedule a consultation with us. We would love to help you learn more about All-on-4 dental implants.

For more information about All-on-4 implants, call Dr. Frank S. Sciabica in Issaquah, WA at 425-392-3900 or visit www.issaquahdentists.com.

Dr. Sciabica proudly serve patients from Issaquah and all surrounding areas.

Which Sports Are Known for Dental Damage? | Issaquah Dentist

It’s common knowledge that cheerleaders and gymnasts are at highest risk for back injuries, and boxers and football players are high risk for brain injuries? But which sports are infamous for dental injuries, and lead to the horrifying statistic that 5 million teeth are popped out each year?

Better Wear a Mouthguard

Dental injuries in sports are normally preventable with the right gear, but some damage can slip through. There are several sports that put you at higher risk of toothaches and jaw injuries, some which may seem surprising.

Sports with balls in play top the list, with football, basketball, tennis, and baseball on the list. It makes sense, in any game where high speed objects flying at your face, occasionally one will connect and leave the victim with a nasty welt at best and spitting out teeth at worst.

Other high-speed objects to avoid include pucks, gloves, and even bare fists, for the respective sports of hockey, boxing, and martial arts. These tend to be moving faster, and thus extra care should be taken to avoid them!

It’s not just violent, contact-oriented sports, either. Falls and collisions can occur that impact teeth if you are a marathon runner, jogger, skater, or cyclist. Dental trauma can even be caused by no-contact sports: for example, the tooth grinding stress of winning a game of chess (which the International Olympic Committee recognizes as a sport), planning out a fantasy football league, or solo activities like squash and swimming can lead to lost or damaged teeth.

If you have experienced dental trauma while exercising or participating in sports, don’t panic! In some cases, the teeth can be reimplanted and put back without lingering issue. In other cases, you’ll have a smile with character that serves as a warning for other sportsmen to follow.

In either case, the best contact sport is contacting us, so we can help you form a sporting solution to your dental needs!

For more information about dental damages from sports, call Dr. Frank S. Sciabica in Issaquah, WA at 425-392-3900 or visit www.issaquahdentists.com.

Dr. Sciabica proudly serve patients from Issaquah and all surrounding areas.