A healthy and beautiful smile can increase your confidence as well as enhance the overall function and health of your mouth. If you were not one of the few fortunate people to be born with a gorgeous smile, here is some great news for you, restorative dentistry can transform your mouth and give you the smile that you deserve.

Purpose of Restorative Dentistry:
Restorative dental procedures can fill in gaps between teeth, correct misalignment issues, repair damaged teeth, remove stains and discoloration, and enhance the overall appearance of your smile as well as the health of your teeth and gums.

Restorative Procedures:
Common procedures include tooth whitening, veneers, implants, bridges, bonding, shaping, braces, and gum surgery. Tooth whitening may be done in a dental office or at home. Options include bleach trays or laser technology. Veneers, bridges, and implants are used to fill in gaps or replace missing teeth. Veneers can also serve to cover stains and discoloration. Bonding and shaping procedures contour and repair chipped teeth. Braces, whether traditional metal styles or newer invisible types, are used to straighten crooked teeth and realign your bite. Gum surgery can lengthen teeth through the removal of gum tissue.

Cost of Restorative Dental Procedures:
While the cost of each procedure varies, some may be covered by dental insurance. Your dentist will help you work out a plan that fits within your budget and needs.

Maintaining Dental Work:
To keep your smile looking great for years to come, it is essential that you care for your teeth by developing good oral hygiene habits. Daily brushing and flossing combined with an anti-cavity, fluoride rinse will stave off harmful bacteria-causing plaque. Regular dental checkups are a must as well.

Prevent tooth loss, avoid further damage, and update your old dental treatments with the latest technology and best in personalized care. Restorative dentistry will not only alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by dental problems, but it can also transform your mouth, displaying the beautiful smile of your dreams. Visit your dentist to formulate a treatment plan that enhances beauty and improves the long-term health of your entire mouth.

Tags: chesapeake, Cranham Smiles, Dental Bridges, Dental Crowns, norfolk, Restorative Dentistry, virginia

It is not uncommon for an event in life to leave you with a large gap between your teeth. Sometimes the gap is the result of a tooth that was knocked out in an accident. Others may be embarrassed by misshapen teeth. Teeth can lose conventional shape after a fall where the tooth is cracked. It is necessary for some to get rid of the gaps in their teeth because they can be embarrassing. Closing the gap, through a process in which porcelain veneers are used, can significantly improve self-esteem and happiness.

Porcelain veneers are shells used to cover the teeth to close gaps or hide teeth that might be considered unsightly. Veneers are meant to look like natural teeth with real enamel, so people will be unable to tell that you have them. The process of installing veneers takes just three visits to the dental office. Initially the dentist will examine the teeth and discuss the plan of action with the patient. Next is an appointment that generally takes two hours. This is the appointment in which the mouth is prepared for installation. Enamel is removed from the existing teeth and a temporary cover may be provided. Sometimes dentists will provide anesthesia for the patient but is not absolutely necessary. After an impression of the teeth is taken, a technician will sculpt the veneers. This may take up to three weeks. The final appointment takes less than two hours and the veneers are bonded to the existing teeth. The dentist will take great measures to ensure that the color of the veneers matches the color of the teeth.

After getting veneers some people express sensitivity to hot and cold foods. Still, veneers are worth the cost for many dental patients. Veneers can improve the appearance of the teeth by closing any gaps. Many people express an improvement in self-esteem after replacing teeth with veneers.

Tags: Cranham Smiles, Dental Bridges, Dental Crowns, Large Gap in Teeth, Norfolk Dentist, Porcelain Veneers, virginia

If you’ve had fillings put in in the past, you may have gotten the silver amalgam fillings of days gone by. However, there are more comfortable and attractive options on the market today. Luckily, Cranham Smiles can help.

Today, composite resin fillings are taking the place of amalgam fillings. The resin fillings are less noticeable and more comfortable and durable than their silver counterparts, and since they’re tooth-colored, people won’t even notice you’ve had dental work done. And if your silver fillings are starting to fall out, you’ll definitely need a replacement.

If you notice that you have mouth pain, you may need fillings for the first time. If plaque builds up on teeth, acid will deteriorate the tooth and cause decay. This can be painful and should be treated quickly before the problem progresses. Resin fillings are the way to go, especially considering that metal fillings can actually deteriorate over time. When this happens, bacteria gets through little openings in the filling, causing more tooth problems. Also, the mercury in amalgam fillings can stain your teeth and gums.

Tooth problems sometimes go beyond needing a simple filling, though. Large cavities often need a bit more work, and a porcelain inlay will cover the entire surface of the tooth. Some people may even need a dental crown that covers the entire tooth if the tooth is weak and breaking.

Cranham Smiles’ Cosmetic Dentistry of Norfolk has specialists who perform basic, general dentistry; cosmetic dentistry; advanced, restorative dentistry; and treatment of bite problems. And since a gorgeous smile can’t be the one and only outcome of a visit to the dentist, the staff at Cranham Smiles will make sure that your teeth are healthy and strong underneath their outward beauty. Plus, you’ll be able to see the projected outcome of your procedure before you have any work done, thanks to the office’s digital imaging technology.

Visit CranhamSmiles.com for more information. You can find out about the staff, treatments and technology at Cranham Smiles, sign up for dental training, find a seminar, see before and after procedures, and read patient testimonials on their website.

Tags: chesapeake, Composite Resin Fillings, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Crowns, Dentist, virginia

When you brush or floss your teeth, it is not normal to see blood or experience pain or tenderness in your gums. Bleeding or sore gums are often the first signs of a mild form of gum disease known as gingivitis. Puffiness or redness of the gums may also be noticed. Healthy gums are pink and firm, never swollen, red or tender.

A more advanced type of gum disease, known as periodontal disease, can cause constant bad breath, loose teeth and gums that pull away from the teeth. Many people think that gum disease happens only to the elderly. Teenagers can also get this problem if their teeth do not receive proper care. If you notice any of these signs, it is very important to see your dentist as soon as possible. When left untreated, this condition can advance to a very serious problem, even to the point of having teeth fall out.

Gum disease is an infection caused by plaque buildup. Plaque is a sticky, unseen layer of bacteria that naturally forms on gums and teeth. When left unchecked, the toxins that these germs create will harm gums. If plaque is not removed, it will eventually become hard. Hard and crusty plaque is called tartar which will begin to damage the gum tissue and cause them to bleed and pull away. This is why brushing, flossing and regular maintenance by your dentist is so important.

The good news is that once there is gum disease, it can be treated by a dentist and continue to be treated by you with regular maintenance at home. Home-care includes daily brushing and flossing, along with stopping other things that contribute to gum disease, like smoking and sugary foods.

Even better news is that gum disease can be prevented with a daily routine on your own along with visits to your dentist at least twice a year. Your dentist will be able to remove any plaque and tartar that you may be missing at home. Committing yourself to preventable maintenance will keep gum disease from having any chance of becoming a health problem.

Tags: Bleeding Gums, Gum Disease, Oral Health, Sore Gums

Many people who have teeth problems, such as broken or missing teeth, go about their day to day lives always feeling self conscious about their smile. It’s hard to laugh or smile for pictures when all the attention is focused around one’s mouth. To help this problem, dental implants are a very popular solution. Dental implants are long lasting and look very natural, and are often preferred over other types of prosthetic solutions because they look and feel more like normal teeth than other options usually do.

Dental implants are made of titanium and one or moor dental implants are placed in the mouth depending on the number of missing teeth. After the implant is in place, the root bonds to the implant, and a foundation for a crown or prosthetic is in place. By using this method, a patient’s mouth will once again have the look of a full set of teeth, which will help the person feel more confident about their appearance, and less self conscious. In addition, having dental implants help get rid of possible bone deterioration that often is a side effect of having missing teeth.

Anyone suffering with a broken, chipped, or missing tooth or even several teeth should strongly consider dental implants as a practical solution to gain back the confidence that they had before they had tooth problems. For anyone looking for a solution that allows for a healthy smile that appears natural and looks great, dental implants are certainly a great option. Dental implants involve going through two different procedures, and the entire process frequently takes six to eight months to complete. In less than a year, a person can go from having multiple chipped and broken teeth in his or her mouth to having a full set of teeth once again, and no one will be able to tell the difference. Dental implants are a great, natural looking way to show off one’s smile once again.

Tags: Broken Teeth, cosmetic dentist, Cranham Smiles, Dental Crowns, Dental Implants, Missing Teeth, Porcelain Veneers

You may have come across somebody on the street with exceptionally white teeth; perhaps a friend or member of your family recently had a whitening procedure done and told you about it, piquing your interest. If you are thinking about getting your teeth bleached, but are not sure about benefits, the below information may help.

1. Painless Procedure at Dentist’s Office

If you choose to get your teeth whitened, there is no reason to spend days before your dentist appointment worrying. You do not have to subject yourself to getting any kind of substance placed in your mouth to numb the gums; you do not have to feel scared that something will go wrong or you will not be able to drive. There is no pain, and you can go right home without the need to mentally prepare or ask a loved one along to provide support.

2. Improved Self-Esteem

Many people do not hold themselves in high regard. It could be that they are not happy with the tone of their skin, or they may believe that they do not have any talents. Some people are very unhappy with their teeth; in this, teeth whitening can help. When you have your teeth bleached, you will no longer be afraid to smile for pictures or laugh at a joke. You will be and feel less limited, and people will be able to tell that you carry new confidence and a brighter smile.

3. Teeth Will Look Better

Stained, dull teeth will no longer lack in brightness and personality. If you get your teeth whitened, your teeth will look better. People that see you on the street will notice that you are satisfied with who you are. You can know that you will look good in pictures, and that you will receive compliments. Teeth whitening does not get rid of serious teeth issues such as gum disease. However, it can bleach stains. Should the stains be deep, it could take a few trips to the dentist’s office before it is completely handled. You can keep your teeth white afterward by eating good food and brushing regularly.

Tags: chesapeake, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dull Teeth, Stained Teeth, Teeth Whitening, virginia, Whiten your teeth

It is not uncommon for adults and children alike to fear trips to the dentist. The sound of a dental drill is enough to send many people into a panic. Fortunately, dentistry is an ever-evolving field, and technological advances are continually improving the experience of visiting the dentist.

Two of the most promising dental technologies in use today are the hard tissue laser and the soft tissue laser. Lasers are devices that produce concentrated beams of monochromatic light. These beams can be strong enough to cut through a wide range of matter. Lasers are being used across the field of medicine to perform tasks previously performed by surgical cutting implements such as scalpels.

The hard tissue laser, as the name implies, is used on hard tissues. In dentistry, this type of laser can be used on teeth in place of the traditional dental drill. The hard tissue laser is often much less painful than the traditional approach, which leads to a decrease in the need for anesthetics. Hard tissue lasers also create an ideal bonding surface in preparation for new fillings. Perhaps the biggest advantage of hard tissue lasers is that they possess none of the negative associations that many patients have towards dental drills. Furthermore, procedures carried out with hard tissue lasers often take less time to perform than procedures carried out with older techniques.

The soft tissue laser works on soft tissues such as the gums. In treating advanced periodontal disease, the soft tissue laser provides a minimally invasive alternative to older surgical approaches. Soft tissue lasers can cut diseased tissue away with much less bleeding than other techniques. The soft tissue laser also helps prevent infection because the laser beam disinfects the areas it touches. When dentists employ soft tissue lasers they need to give their patients much less anesthetic. In some cases, no anesthetic at all is required.

Tags: cosmetic dentist, Cosmetic Dentistry, Cranham Smiles, Dental Technology, Hard Tissue Laser, norfolk, Soft Tissue Laser, virginia, Williamsburg

Having your teeth whitened can make you look younger and feel more confident every time you smile. A quick consultation with your dentist can help you determine whether or not teeth whitening is the best answer for your discolored or stained teeth.

Over-the-counter tooth whiteners advertise that they can create whiter teeth quickly and easily. The truth is that whitening strips, toothpaste, and gels whiten your teeth very slowly and cannot provide the same quality of brightness that you would experience from having your teeth whitened by a professional dentist. Some over-the-counter products actually contain chemicals that can cause damage to your teeth and gums. If you are really interested in having your teeth whitened, it is best to visit a dentist and have the procedure done by a professional. Otherwise you may be throwing your money away on products that don’t whiten properly or are bad for your oral health.

Not everyone wants to have their teeth whitened in a single day. It can be startling to suddenly have bright white teeth when you have lived with severe stains for years. Your dentist can provide you with tooth whitening tools that you can take home and use regularly to provide a more gradual whitening process. Custom bleach trays can be created in just a few days. You can use the trays to gradually bleach your teeth, or to touch up previous tooth whitening if it begins to get dull. If you are more interested in having your teeth whitened right away, you can undergo treatment in as little as two hours at the dentist’s office. A whitening gel is applied to the teeth and then exposed to a light that activates it and whitens your teeth quickly.

Professional teeth whitening by a licensed dentist is completely safe for you and for your teeth. Children who are under the age of 13 should avoid tooth whitening because their teeth are still forming. Pregnant or lactating women should also avoid tooth whitening procedures because the calcium in their teeth may be weakened by their pregnancy. Everyone else can approach tooth whitening as a safe and effective way to erase years of damage and staining from their teeth.

Tags: chesapeake, cosmetic dentist, Cosmetic Dentistry, Cranham Smiles, Dentist, norfolk, Teeth Whitening, virginia

A dental bridge is used to bridge the gap between missing teeth that have been lost due to injury, surgery or other means. A dental bridge is literally just what its name implies; using whole teeth as an anchor, replacement false teeth are used to fill the gap between. Many modern bridges are so well made by using advance technology, that they are permanent and indistinguishable from a person’s natural teeth.

A dental bridge is a viable option for many people who have lost teeth from any variety of reasons, but do not need a full set of dentures. The patient’s gums have to be in relatively good condition for a bridge; diseased gums may become more irritated or infected if false teeth are inserted where natural teeth are missing. The anchor teeth, too, must be firm and not in any danger of falling out, for these help support the dental bridge. There are several types of bridges available, and talking to your dentist about which options work best for your particular type of tooth loss will help you select which is most viable.

Before you have a bridge made, you will have to undergo a process in which the dentist reshapes the anchor teeth so a permanent crown can be fitted over them. You will also get a temporary bridge to wear while the new crowns are being made in a dental laboratory to help protect your gums and reshaped teeth.

The second visit will usually include making sure the teeth are ready to have the permanent bridge placed. After this is done, the dentist will fit the permanent bridge into your mouth and use a temporary tooth cement to bind it into place. The temporary cement will hold the new bridge in place firmly, but will help to ensure it fits correctly after a number of weeks. Adjustments can then be made by the dentist as needed.

Once the new bridge is fitted correctly, permanent tooth cement will be used. Afterward, the bridge cannot be removed without surgical procedure, and the replacement process is finished.

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A lot of people are not happy with their looks, and one aspect is the appearance of their smile. Teeth tend to stain and turn yellow as time goes on, and worse stains can be caused by smoking, drinking a lot of coffee or drinking dark colored soda. Some people have worse problems, such as missing front teeth or bite problems. The latter can cause jaw pain, tooth wear and even migraine headaches.

Cosmetic dentistry aims to fix all of these problems. The most basic is teeth whitening procedures. A lot of people use a whitening toothpaste, but most over the counter toothpastes will not do anything for stubborn stains. Home teeth whitening kits can also help, but the attention of a professional usually gives quicker results. Whitening treatments include laser treatment and bleaching gels. These can whiten teeth instantly, often after only a single treatment.

For misshapen or chipped teeth, or for stains that are past the point whitening can help, a dentist can provide a porcelain veneer. Veneers require three visits, the first to assess the patient’s needs, the second to abrade the enamel to take the veneer and the third to fit and bond the veneer. Veneers can be cleaned just the same as natural teeth.

Dental implants are used to permanently replace missing teeth or to secure a dental prosthetic. They are titanium posts that fit into the hole left by the missing tooth. In addition to securing a prosthetic or crown, they prevent bone loss and jaw shrinkage and help reduce the shrunken look that many denture wearers experience. Although the implant process takes an extended amount of time, with six to eight months normal between the initial surgery to fit the implants and the patient receiving their prosthetic, it seldom affects the person’s daily life.

Finally, bite problems are assessed by using a computer scan and various assessments, and then creating a custom therapy to correct the issue.

Cosmetic dentistry can change your looks and your life. If you are not happy with your smile, then there are plenty of options to improve it.

Tags: chesapeake, Cosmetic Dentistry, Cranham Smiles, norfolk, Porcelain Veneers, virginia