People who aren’t comfortable with the way their teeth look tend to smile with their lips closed and laugh with their hand covering their mouth. Aside from causing stress, having bad teeth can also harm a person’s social and professional life, making cosmetic dental treatments a valuable option. If you’re one of the countless people who’ve run out of tricks to hide your smile, you’ll want to see a cosmetic dentist in Las Vegas today.

With a wide range of cosmetic dentistry options to choose from, the kind of smile you can be proud of is now within your reach.

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is a specialized part of the dental field that focuses on improving the appearance and function of the teeth, gums, and bite. Thanks to the modern advancements in dental technology, cosmetic dentistry options are now made accessible to the majority of those who may not have been able to afford them many years ago. Cosmetic dentistry aims to enhance the aesthetic appearance of smiles and boost self-esteem, setting it apart from general dentistry.

What Are the Different Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures?

Cosmetic dentistry is on the rise as more and more people are beginning to appreciate the importance of having a healthy and beautiful smile. You can ask your dentist to help you determine which of the following procedures will work best for improving your smile. 

Understanding the various types of cosmetic dentistry can help you make an informed decision about which procedures are right for you.

Teeth Whitening

While over-the-counter DIY teeth whitening kits are gaining huge popularity, the best way to address discolored teeth and make them a few shades lighter is by getting them professionally whitened. Aside from offering you immediate and long-lasting results, professional teeth whitening is also the safer choice.

To make the most of your whitening treatment, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss once a day, and limit your intake of foods and beverages that can leave unsightly stains on your teeth. Since smoking or chewing tobacco products can easily reverse the effects of whitening, it’s best to stay away from them.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers, including porcelain veneers, are a godsend for those who are self-conscious about their cracked, chipped, discolored, or misshapen teeth. These wafer-thin, tooth-colored shells of composite resin or porcelain materials are custom-made to cover the front surfaces of the treated teeth.

Before these are bonded to your teeth, your dentist removes a very thin layer of your enamel from them to make sure that the veneers will fit comfortably in your mouth. Once they’re securely placed, your dental veneers will dramatically improve your smile and natural tooth function.

Dental Implants

These are screw-like titanium posts that your dentist surgically positions into your jawbone underneath your gums to replace missing teeth. These implants are crafted in a dental laboratory to ensure they fit perfectly and function effectively. They’re specifically designed to support a dental prosthesis that may include a dental crown, denture, or bridge.

Since they’re made of a biocompatible material, you can be assured that your body won’t reject them. Unlike traditional dentures that slip out of place, dental implants are secure. Moreover, dental implants are known to be the gold standard of long-lasting tooth restoration because they restore your chewing power and your ability to speak clearly.

It’s important to note that dental implant procedures can vary depending on the patient’s need. For instance, you may need to undergo gum treatment or bone grafting surgery before the implants can be placed in your jaw.

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is also called a cap because it’s custom-made to strengthen and protect a damaged tooth by covering it entirely with ceramic or porcelain. They’re mostly used to treat teeth that are badly decayed, poorly shaped, chipped, or broken, ensuring they blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. You can also benefit from having dental crowns if you have large fillings or gaps between your teeth.

Dental crowns come in many types, including full porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and full resin. Full porcelain crowns create a flawless appearance because they’re specifically designed to perfectly match the color of your existing teeth. Furthermore, full porcelain crowns are the perfect choice for those sensitive to metals or those who don’t want to worry about getting their teeth stained.

Alternatively, porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns may be a bit heavier than the usual crowns due to the metal. However, they’re stronger and more long-lasting than full porcelain crowns.

If you’re looking to find a more affordable option, you’ll want to opt for a full resin tooth crown. Unfortunately, these crowns tend to crack and chip easily. Once you feel that they’re chipping, you’ll have to visit your dentist to have them replaced.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding can be the best choice for patients who have badly stained, chipped, or broken teeth, making it one of the most versatile cosmetic dental procedures available. This cosmetic dentistry procedure involves pasting a putty-like, tooth-colored material on your teeth before using laser light to seal it in place. Next, your dentist shapes and polishes it to make sure that it matches your existing teeth.

Orthodontic Cosmetic Dentistry

Orthodontic cosmetic dentistry is a specialized field that focuses on correcting misaligned teeth and bite issues, significantly enhancing both the appearance and functionality of your smile. Whether you’re dealing with crooked teeth, gaps, or bite problems, orthodontic treatments can offer a solution tailored to your needs.

One of the most common treatments in this category includes traditional braces, which use metal brackets and wires to gradually move teeth into their desired positions. For those seeking a less noticeable option, Invisalign and clear aligners are popular choices. These treatments involve a series of custom-made, nearly invisible aligners that gently shift your teeth over time.

Orthodontic cosmetic dentistry isn’t just for kids; adults can also benefit from these treatments. Correcting misaligned teeth can boost your self-esteem and improve your overall quality of life. A well-aligned smile not only looks great but also makes it easier to chew and speak, contributing to better oral health.

Some of the key benefits of orthodontic cosmetic dentistry include the following:

• Enhanced smile appearance
• Increased confidence and self-esteem
• Improved teeth functionality
• Better oral health
• Reduced risk of tooth decay and gum disease

If you’re considering orthodontic cosmetic dentistry, it’s crucial to consult with a qualified cosmetic dentist. They can assess your teeth and recommend the best treatment plan tailored to your individual needs.

Choosing a Cosmetic Dentist

Selecting the right cosmetic dentist can feel overwhelming, but focusing on a few key factors can make the process easier. First and foremost, ensure that the cosmetic dentist you choose is highly qualified and experienced in the field. Look for someone who has completed advanced training in cosmetic dentistry and has a solid reputation in the community.

It’s also important to consider the dentist’s approach to cosmetic dentistry. A holistic approach that considers not only the appearance of your teeth but also the overall health and functionality of your mouth is ideal. This ensures that your treatment will be both aesthetically pleasing and beneficial to your oral health.

Modern technology and techniques are crucial in cosmetic dentistry. Look for a dentist who utilizes the latest advancements, such as digital imaging, 3D printing, and laser dentistry. These tools can enhance the precision and effectiveness of your treatment.

Personalized care is another essential factor. Choose a cosmetic dentist who takes the time to understand your concerns and goals, working with you to create a customized treatment plan. This individualized approach ensures that your specific needs are met and that you achieve the best possible results.

When choosing a cosmetic dentist, consider asking the following questions:

• What experience do you have in cosmetic dentistry?
• What approach do you take to cosmetic dentistry?
• What technology and techniques do you use in your practice?
• How will you work with me to create a customized treatment plan?
• What kind of follow-up care can I expect after treatment?

By considering these factors and asking the right questions, you can find a qualified and experienced cosmetic dentist who can help you achieve the smile of your dreams.

Ready to See the Best Cosmetic Dentist in Las Vegas?

Dr. Dee Dee and her team of dedicated dental care providers at Dee for Dentist in Las Vegas offer a wide range of cosmetic dental procedures. Get in touch with us today to schedule your consultation by calling (702) 586-7800 or (702) 870-3818 or filling out a contact form.

You need a full set of teeth to speak clearly, chew your food well, and flash your winning smile. If your missing teeth are beginning to affect your speaking, eating, appearance, and your overall confidence, you may want to see a prosthodontist in Las Vegas. Aside from giving you the treatment you need, you can also expect this dental specialist to give you expert advice and support.

Common Questions People Ask About Prosthodontics

What is Prosthodontics?

Prosthodontics is a branch of dentistry that’s heavily concerned with all phases of artificial replacements for teeth and other parts of your mouth.

What Exactly is a Prosthodontist?

A prosthodontist specializes in restoring missing teeth and reconstructing damaged jaw structures. To become a full-fledged prosthodontist, one has to complete an additional three years of postgraduate specialty training on top of regular dental school.

They’re the experts in fitting and maintaining permanent tooth replacement solutions that include crowns, bridges, dental implants, and dentures. Although cosmetic dentists may also know how to fit and maintain artificial teeth, prosthodontists are the only ones who have a greater focus on this specific area of dental care.

Prosthodontists also provide solutions for sleep apnea problems and snoring disorders. They also often work with a team of professionals such as general dentists, doctors, and specialists who address facial and jaw issues that result from trauma or neglect.

When Should I See a Prosthodontist?

You can expect your general dentist to refer you to a prosthodontist if you’re struggling with missing teeth or a TMD (temporomandibular disorder). You may be dealing with TMD if you experience constant pain in the ear, side of your face, neck, or shoulder. Other symptoms of TMD include stiffness or a clicking sound each time you open or close your mouth.

If you have replacements for missing teeth, you may also have to schedule regular visits to a prosthodontist to make sure that these devices remain in great shape.

Looking for the Best Prosthodontist in Las Vegas?

No matter what age you are, the dedicated team of dental experts at Dee for Dentist are ready to give you the best high-tech dentistry. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!

If you’re looking for the most discreet way to fix your crooked teeth, you’ll want to learn more about Invisalign in Las Vegas. Known to be virtually invisible, these transparent aligners are a much more appealing option than the metal and wires of traditional braces. However, since these aligners are removable, they require special care.

Your chances of getting the best possible results will largely depend on you keep your trays in pristine condition. As soon as you start your orthodontic treatment, your dental care provider will give you a list of instructions to help you breeze through the entire process until you achieve your best smile yet.

What Are the Dos and Don’ts of Invisalign Care?

DO Clean Your Aligners Every Day

Did you know that as you wear your clear aligners, plaque and bacteria can easily buildup on them? For this reason, it’s extremely important to clean your aligners on a daily basis. Make it a point to brush them at least twice a day with the use of a soft-bristled toothbrush before rinsing them with lukewarm water.

Although you may choose to use Invisalign cleaning crystals, keep in mind that you’ll only get to wear each set of aligners for about a week or two before they need to be replaced with the next set. In other words, these special cleaning products can be really nice to have, but they’re really not a necessity.

DO Brush Your Teeth After Meals

It’s important to note that without proper cleaning, your aligners will start to yellow and develop an unpleasant odor. Since your clear aligners snugly fit your teeth, they can easily trap food particles and liquids.

Unless you brush your teeth after you eat or drink, and before you put your aligners back in, you’ll likely develop tooth decay. If brushing isn’t possible, be sure to at least rinse your mouth with lukewarm water before putting the aligners back in your mouth.

DO Store Your Aligners In An Invisalign Case

You’ll only need to wear your aligners for about 20 to 22 hours each day because you’ll have to take them out when you’re eating, drinking, brushing, or flossing. Since these aligners are clear, most patients tend to forget where they’ve placed them. Typically, if their aligners don’t end up in the trash bin, they’re damaged by pets.

Aside from being required to purchase replacement aligners, losing them can also put your orthodontic treatment off track. To avoid losing your clear aligners or getting them damaged, make sure to store them in an Invisalign case each time you remove them.

DON’T Expose Your Trays to Open Air

Aside from increasing your chances of losing your clear aligners, leaving them out in the open air whenever you’re not wearing them can increase bacteria buildup. It’s best to keep your Invisalign case with you at all times.

However, if you do leave your trays out for a while, make sure to rinse them, soak them, and rinse them again before putting them back in your mouth.

DON’T Forget to Pack the Next Set of Aligners When You Travel

The last thing you want is to experience delays in your treatment. If you’re planning to go out of town for two weeks or longer, be sure to inform your orthodontist so that they can hand you your next set of aligners before you leave. You’ll also want to take your old aligners with you as a spare in case you end up losing your current trays while you’re traveling.

Additionally, make sure that you carry your clear aligners in your carry-on luggage or purse when you’re flying, just in case you lose your baggage or it gets delayed.

DON’T Expose Your Trays to Heat

Did you know your trays can easily warp if you rinse them with hot water, consume hot drinks while wearing them, or leave them in a hot car? Exposing them to heat can significantly impact the results of your treatment.

DON’T Wear Them While Eating and Drinking

With the exception of plain water, you’re supposed to take your clear aligners out when you’re eating or drinking. These orthodontic appliances are made of materials that couldn’t withstand the added pressure of chewing your food.

Furthermore, as previously mentioned, food debris and liquid tend to get trapped between the trays and your teeth. To steer clear of decay, cavities, and stains, it’s best to take your aligners out when you’re enjoying your meals.

DON’T Use Harsh Cleansers on Your Trays

Abrasive toothpaste can leave noticeable scratches on your trays. Furthermore, colored or scented soaps can cause them to discolor. To keep your aligners invisible, avoid using these cleansers.

Are You Considering Invisalign in Las Vegas?

The experienced dental care specialists at Dee for Dentist use a high-tech digital scanner and advanced virtual modeling software to design an Invisalign plan that’s perfect for you. If you want to achieve a straighter smile in as little as six months, contact our office today to book your appointment!

I can’t believe it’s already November. From here til the end of the year, it’s a sprint. Our schedule fills up with people realizing their insurance benefits are about to expire. Holiday fever kicks in with Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Even before that though, every store is already decorating for Christmas and the debate on when to start playing holiday music starts to heat up. Unfortunately, because of the craziness of the holiday season, Veteran’s Day often gets over shadowed.

Veterans are near and dear to us at Dee for Dentist. From friends that serve, to spouses, and even our very own Dr. Browne who serves in the reserves, we are all touched by those we love who volunteer to protect our great nation.

As a provider of needed health services, we are privileged to show our appreciation for our Veterans through programs like our Fills Good initiative and most recently Freedom Day. If you don’t know, for the last 2 years and every year moving forward, Dee for Dentist participates in a nationwide day of service known as Freedom Day.

Freedom Day USA is America’s Largest Military Thank You Event!  One day each year, businesses say “Thank You” by providing a token of appreciation (Free Services, Free Gifts, Special Offers and More) to Active Military and their Immediate Family and to Veterans who visit their business on event day.    This is our way of showing you how grateful we are for your service and for the sacrifices you have made for our freedom.   In fact, Freedom Day USA is a “DAY OF FREE, FOR A LIFETIME OF FREEDOM!”  – from www.freedomdayusa.org

This past October, we had the honor of treating 13 veterans with a variety of dental services. This is one of those days where we really get to enjoy doing what we do for a group of people that truly deserve it. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of the brave men and women that serve in our armed forces!

Before I close, I wanted to share our appreciation to some special people that helped make Freedom Day happen. Thank you to the doctors and staff at the VA, especially Dr. Mylene Vicuna for sending veterans our way. Thank you to Bob Martin from Veterans Care Charity for spreading the word as well. Thank you to Tyler, Drew, & the entire Patterson Las Vegas team for donating their time and dental supplies. Thank you to Bobby from Kerr for stopping by with equipment and materials as well. Finally, thank you to our good friend Rene over at Halal Guys Las Vegas for keeping us fueled for the day.

If you’ve ever complained about Las Vegas not having any culture, then you’ve never been to First Friday Downtown Las Vegas. The streets around the Art District are filled with live music, food trucks, and vendors showcasing everything from handcrafted art to cannabis tea. As if that wasn’t enough here’s another reason, my sister-in-law Jeanette Montero has her art displayed once again at the Arts Factory in Downtown Las Vegas.

I’ve bragged about my sister-in-law many times. You’ve seen her art all over Dee for Dentist. Most recently she just returned from Cincinnati attending the Art Comes Alive Awards Ceremony, an “international fine-art contest and exhibit that awards the best emerging and professional artists.” Awards from this contest include gallery contracts, publishing contracts, solo shows, publicity, and cash prizes.

As if that wasn’t enough, we’re so excited that she’s finally got her online store up and running at www.jeanettemontero.com. Prints of her pieces, like the ones above, can now be purchased in a multitude of sizes and mediums. Even cooler, on her website she’s using augmented reality so you can see what her art will look like right on your walls. Tech savvy runs in the family!

You don’t have to wait for the next First Friday to check out her work, you can also follow her art exploits on Instagram: @jcm.art

Congrats again Jeanette. We’re so proud of you!!!

Read More:

FREEDOM DAY

 

It’s unbelievable that as we remember the horrific events of 9/11, we are faced with another tragedy that is once again affecting our nation. Though 9/11 and it’s aftermath affected everyone in the country, the effects of Hurricane Harvey & Irma seem to be touching people on a more direct and personal level. And as expected, as Americans we are once again rising to the occasion.

Mike, Suzanne, and I recently returned from a conference in Scottsdale, Arizona where a significant contingent of attendees from Florida, Texas, and Georgia were unable to attend at the last minute. Though the conference was a blast, you could feel the concern as updates on affected colleagues were constantly given during meal breaks. As the conference progressed, it became obvious that some people were going to be stranded in Scottsdale because airports were shut down. While on one hand we thought it was fortunate that those people would avoid the incoming devastation first hand, I can’t even imagine the feeling those same people had of being unable to help their loved ones who were desperately trying to escape the eye of the storm. Attendees, strangers and friends, banded together and covered the expenses for rooms, meals, and more for those that couldn’t make it home. It went so far as members offering up their homes across the country for those that needed a place to stay. What an amazing thing to witness first hand.

On the home front, before we left for the conference the team had approached us about foregoing this quarter’s Fills Good contest and instead donating the funds to a non-profit that would help victims of the storms. While our rules explicitly state that Fills Good donations only be made to local non-profits, this change was a no-brainer and I applaud my team for being the ones to step up and make the suggestion.

As such we have donated $1500 to TEXSAR: Texas Search and Rescue. Per their website:

TEXSAR: Texas Search and Rescue has been a significant leader in disaster response and recovery in the great state of Texas for more than a decade. TEXSAR serves all citizens of Texas and deploys at the request of local and state law enforcement, fire service and emergency management agencies, the Office of the Governor, and relief organizations.

Though based in Texas, TEXSAR has already deployed members and resources to Florida as well. The individual members that make up the rescue teams are all volunteers and pay for training for themselves as part of their own membership dues. Donations to TEXAR go directly to support rescue operations as listed on their donation page:

• $25 provides Flagging/Trail Marking Tape
• $50 provides one Water Rescue Throw Bag
• $100 provides one K9 Safety Light Dog Collar
• $250 provides 1/2 hour of Helicopter Search Time
• $1,000 provides one Transport Litter
• $2,500 provides one Inflatable Rescue Boat

For those of your that are not familiar with our Fills Good program, the money that is raised to make our quarterly donation comes from the cash portions patients pay whenever they get fillings at Dee for Dentist. So know that while you may not like getting those fillings, when you do, you are helping someone in need.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected and those who have started to rebuild. In the meantime, there are thousands of organizations looking to help victims of Hurricane Harvey & Irma, and not all of them are asking for money. Sometimes all they need is your time and/or talent so don’t be afraid to step up.

To donate to TEXSAR, click HERE