DaVinci Porcelain Laminate Veneers, or simply “veneers”, are custom-made porcelain wafers that the dentist places over the fronts of the teeth to enhance their appearance and also to repair damage. Veneers can dramatically change a person’s smile and help improve their self-confidence. In the 1920’s and 30’s, actors, actresses and other performers would often go to the extreme measure of having their teeth extracted and dentures (false teeth) made to improve their smile. Fortunately, this radical procedure has given way to veneers, a far more conservative approach. Veneers are what give many Hollywood movie stars that dazzling smile we see on the silver screen.

Veneers can be used to improve a wide variety of cosmetic dental problems. They can whiten stained or discolored smiles, close gaps between teeth, “correct” a crooked smile without the need for braces, repair chips and imperfections, and create a more attractive or youthful looking smile. The procedure usually involves removing only a thin amount of the outermost layer of the tooth, called the enamel. The dentist then takes molds (impressions) of the mouth. Temporary veneers are then placed for the patient to wear while the permanent veneers are being made. The procedure usually takes between one and a half and two hours. Next, the laboratory carefully crafts the porcelain into veneers. In about two weeks, the veneers are ready for the dentist to fasten to the fronts of the teeth. This process improves your smiles appearance.

Invisalign

Dr Hamblin has been providing clear braces in Sandy Utah for 20 years. Invisalign are transparent aligners that adjust teeth the same as wire braces would. This orthodontic device is practically invisible! The process of the invisalign treatment involves scanning a mold of the patients teeth onto a computer to make a computerized model. The computer then creates multiple stages of how your teeth currently are to the desired state you wish your teeth to be. Each stage of the invisalign process is made in to individual molds which you switch out every few weeks as they shift to straighten your teeth. Invisalign right here in Sandy, Utah and Salt Lake City. Fees for Invisalign generally run a little higher than for traditional braces, but for a limited time, our fees for clear braces is $4200 all inclusive. call today for details or to see if you are a good candidate for clear braces.

Gum-lifts (gingivectomy) involve the removal of gum to make the teeth appear longer, and the gum-line even. People who have excess gum covering the front teeth and an upper lip that comes up high when they smile are often self-conscious about their “gummy” smile. An uneven gum-line can make the teeth appear to have different lengths, which takes away from the appearance of an attractive smile.

To correct these problems, the dentist numbs the area and removes the excess gum. The patient is instructed to use an antiseptic mouth rinse such as Peridex on a Q-tip and apply upward pressure on the gums as they heal. The procedure is not painful, but some mild discomfort can be expected a day or two after the procedure. The gum is not damaged due to the procedure as long as the dentist has experience, and removes the proper amount. The procedure can usually be completed in about 30 minutes. Gum-lifts generally cost about $500 to $875 per arch. When I do a veneer case, I often include a gum-lift, if needed, at no extra cost.

Aesthetic dentistry is a crucial part of an Extreme Makeover. Improving your smile can be one of the easiest ways to improve your appearance. A great smile not only looks great but also makes you feel confident. Hold a mirror to your face and smile. What do you notice? In considering cosmetic dentistry it is important to look at three things: bite, gums, and teeth. Aesthetic dentistry can improve and maintain your bite. Think about your gums. Are they healthy, well-colored, and adequately frame your teeth? Also, look at your teeth. Do you have fillings? Are your teeth discolored from coffee or smoking? Are your teeth poorly shaped with chips and cracks?

Extreme Makeover Dentist Options

Extreme Makeover Dentist Dr Hamblin may target your bite, gums, and teeth to not only improve the look of your smile but also help to maintain your teeth and gums. Cosmetic dentistry may use bonding to restore the shape and size of your teeth. Gum reshaping can help to reframe your teeth. Chips and cracks can be erased with filling and reshaping the teeth. Those stains can also be erased and your teeth given a refreshed pearly white color!
You have several options in choosing different procedures from full-mouth reconstruction to smaller procedures targeted on specific problems like tooth discoloring. Look at the procedures available and determine what kind of smile you wish to have.
Technology can help you to choose what cosmetic dentistry you are looking for. Digital cameras and computer imaging can allow you to visually see the effect of the procedures you are considering. A picture of your existing smile is taken and then placed on the computer monitor. A program then simulates different procedures, altering your smile with reshaping and reconstruction. Using the computer in such a way, allows you to design your smile and get an idea of the outcome of cosmetic dentistry procedures.

Extreme Makeover Dentist – Procedures
A common problem among those considering cosmetic dentistry is stains on the teeth. The simplest and least expensive way to brighten the color of your teeth is through Teeth Whitening or Teeth Bleaching. When done well, teeth whitening can last for five years if the patient avoids things that overly stain teeth such as coffee and smoking. Touch-ups to teeth whitening are recommended.
Often from common wear and tear, teeth have chips and cracks. Cosmetic dentistry can easily fix these common problems and not only enhance your smile but ensure your teeth stay healthy.

Bonding is a procedure in cosmetic dentistry that is used to fix chips or fill gaps. Bonding is achieved by applying a type of thin white-colored plastic to the outside of the teeth. As technology has advanced, there are now more options than simple bonding.

Why is my enamel going away?
Enamel Hypoplasia (EH) is a tooth enamel defect that results in a tooth or teeth having less than the normal amount of enamel. The missing enamel is usually localized, which results in small dents, grooves or pits on the outer surface of the affected tooth. This makes the tooth’s surface very rough, and the defects often stand out because they are brown or yellow in color. In extreme cases, the tooth enamel is missing entirely, causing the affected tooth to be misshapen or abnormally small.

Enamel hypoplasia is typically caused by malnutrition, illness, infection or fever during tooth formation. Some medications can also affect the teeth that were developing at the time of dosage. Environmental factors can interfere with tooth formation as well, such as being exposed to toxic chemicals at a very young age. In many cases, the exact cause of enamel hypoplasia cannot be determined.  In extreme cases, Dr. Hamblin might choose to remove the tooth affected by enamel hypoplasia and replace it with a dental implant or a bridge.

Enamel Erosion is a dental condition or result that has a seemingly infinite number of causes:

Acid producing foods, such as:

• Sugared candies
• Sour candy (often worse than sugared)
• Soft Drinks (soda pop)
• Sports Beverages
• Energy Drinks
• Energy Bars
• Lime – Lemon sucking (citrus fruits)
• Processed snacks with high sugar content
• Coffee and tea beverages flavored with sugar

Xerostomia – Reduced levels saliva-dry mouth
Diabetic medications
Post chemotherapy medications
Congenital Xerostomia
Amphetamine abuse (cotton mouth – meth mouth)
Alcohol based mouth rinses
Allergic reactions to restorative dentistry components

Unfortunately, the enamel surfaces of our teeth cannot be re-grown or replaced with fresh enamel similar to how soft tissues or bone are replaced (a graft procedure). Dr. Hamblin recommends, that at the first signs of weakening or eroding enamel, start treatment.

Enamel Rehabilitation
In situations where enamel deterioration is becoming more evident, Dr. Hamblin might discuss enamel replacement through a choice of lamination technologies (porcelain veneers) or entire tooth replacement via cemented crowns, porcelain jackets or implant supported crowns.

What are the signs of enamel erosion?

The signs of enamel erosion can vary, depending on the stage. Some signs may include:

• Sensitivity. Certain foods (sweets) and temperatures of foods (hot or cold) may cause a twinge of pain in the early stage of enamel erosion.
• Discoloration. As the enamel erodes and more dentin is exposed, the teeth may appear yellow.
• Cracks and chips. The edges of teeth become more rough, irregular, and jagged as enamel erodes.
• Severe, painful sensitivity. In later stages of enamel erosion, teeth become extremely sensitive to temperatures and sweets. You may feel a painful jolt that takes your breath away.
• Cupping. Indentations appear on the surface of the teeth.

Wear of the teeth may be due to bruxism, abrasion, and dietary erosion due to acid dissolution. In fact, wear of the occlusal surfaces has been characterized as a natural phenomenon with the continuing eruption of the posterior teeth to compensate for loss of tooth substance. Since tooth wear is in fact physical trauma to the teeth, pulpal changes occur to compensate for the loss of tooth structure

In most clinical cases, tooth wear is not due to a single cause. The wear may be related to a combination of factors including attrition, abrasion, and erosion. Attrition usually refers to loss of tooth structure due to wear. Wear can be due to parafunctional occlusal habits, such as bruxism or clenching, or due to the mastication of abrasive foods. Abrasion has been defined as loss of tooth substance due to mechanical means such as toothbrushing with an abrasive paste. Erosion differs from both attrition and abrasion in that loss of tooth structure is due to a chemical process such as acid erosion of the tooth. An example would be a patient with gastrointestinal reflux disease that has stomach acids entering the oral cavity due to acid reflux, which dissolves tooth substance.

While Dr. Hamblin considers bruxism to be the most common cause of tooth wear, with the clinical recommendation to have an oral appliance placed to minimize tooth structure loss from grinding, the diagnosis of erosion should not be ruled out. Tooth wear may be multifactoral, with some chemical erosion occurring, such as the bulimic patient who also grinds the teeth.

The more sensitive your teeth are, the more enamel is gone. Enamel erosion is caused by exposure to acids or physical friction that literally rub away your teeth’s protective covering. Although genetics can be to blame for weak enamel or conditions that exacerbate erosion — like acid reflux disease or simply having a dry mouth.

Swimming probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of dangerous activities for your tooth enamel. However, a recent study found that chlorine had damaged the teeth of 66 percent of a test group of 500 regular swimmers.  Most pools use chlorine to kill harmful bacteria in the water, but this chemical also happens to be highly acidic. In fact, not only can chlorine eat away at the enamel on your teeth, it can also temporally soften the enamel it doesn’t destroy. What this means is that besides swimming with your mouth closed, you need to make sure you avoid the toothbrush after you take a dip. Because your enamel has been softened by chlorine’s acids, you could actually tear it away if you brush your teeth immediately after leaving the pool. Therefore, Dr. Hamblin recommends you wait at least an hour before scrubbing your pearly whites .