Tag: dentist

How Veneers Improve Confidence

Posted on by sparq

There are a million reasons that people try to hide their teeth. You might have an imperfection, like a chip or a stain on your front tooth, that is visible every time you open your mouth. Or perhaps your mouth is full of teeth that were once pearly white, before endless cups of coffee turned them into a dingy shade of tan. Maybe there’s a gap between your two front teeth that is too small for braces but large enough to make you self-conscious.

Even if your family and friends tell you not to worry about your teeth, you do. If this sounds familiar, you might want to consider dental veneers as a way of improving your self-esteem.

Dental veneers are used for a variety of dental issues. These thin pieces of porcelain are permanently cemented to your teeth and are quite strong. Here are two main reasons your dentist can use veneers to improve your smile and make you feel more confident.

Enjoy Whiter Teeth Thanks to Dental Veneers

The list of food and beverages that can stain your teeth is quite extensive—coffee, tea, soda, dark juices, red wine, berries, tomato sauce, soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar—so patients often ask their dentist about whitening their teeth. Smoking and some medications can stain your teeth, and some people are genetically predisposed to have darker enamel.

Your dentist can bleach your teeth, but that procedure will need to be repeated. Using dental veneers to whiten your teeth can be a better option since the veneers do not discolor. Once veneers are applied to your teeth, they will remain white. They also last for many years, minimizing visits to repeat whitening procedures.

Use Dental Veneers to Fix Cosmetic Flaws

Dental veneers are not a substitution for braces, however, they can be used to make crooked teeth ‘appear’ to be straight. By placing the veneer on the front of the tooth, the dentist can fill in a gap between teeth or make other aesthetic improvements.

Patients who have a chipped tooth, either from a sports injury or a fall, can have a dental veneer bonded to the tooth which can return the tooth to its original shape. Not all cosmetic issues can be corrected with veneers, but there are a number of ways veneers can improve the appearance of your teeth.

It usually only takes a few appointments to have veneers made and cemented to your teeth, so it won’t be long before you can smile with confidence!

Dr. Joey Troupe and the entire team at Polished Dental welcome the opportunity to be your dentist. We offer three offices in the Pittsburgh area and invite you to contact us at 412-281-3546 for a free cosmetic consultation to determine how veneers can restore your confidence in your smile!

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Everything You Need to Know About Dental Implants

Posted on by sparq

The American Dental Association estimates that 5 million implants are placed each year in this country. With proper care, implants can have a success rate of 98% or higher. Implants can be used to replace one tooth or, if you need to replace all your teeth, implants can be used to support a bridge or a full denture.

If you are wondering if implants are right for you, the following information can help you make an informed decision.

Understanding dental implant surgery

Before the implant can be placed in your mouth, you may need to have one or more teeth removed. Once your mouth has healed from the tooth extractions, the implant process can start.

The first step is an evaluation of your teeth and jaw. Since the implant is placed directly into your jawbone, the bone must be strong enough to support the implant. If it isn’t, your dentist will discuss options to improve the quality of bone within your jaw. Next, X-rays and 3D images will be taken to minimize complications and to maximize the precision for implant placement.

A dental implant consists of three parts; a titanium post that is placed into your jaw bone, an abutment that extends from the metal post, and an artificial tooth that is placed on the abutment. The metal post acts like the tooth’s root. To make sure the implant doesn’t move, the metal post must fuse with the bone cells in your jaw, and it can take months for the bone to heal around the implant.

Depending on your specific situation, either local anesthesia, sedation or general anesthesia will be used. Generally, this is a routine surgical procedure that takes approximately one hour (for a single implant) to complete. Patients routinely go back to work the next day with very little discomfort!

The amount of time it takes to complete dental implant surgery varies for each patient, but it’s important to understand that it takes months to complete the entire process in order to minimize complications and maximize the success rate.

Advantages of dental implants

Here are just a few of the many benefits of using dental implants to fill in your missing teeth:

  1. Dental implants prevent bone loss
  2. Dental implants prevent surrounding teeth from moving
  3. Dental implants look like natural teeth
  4. Dental implants never need to be replaced and do not get decay/cavities
  5. Dental implants improve chewing ability
  6. Dental implants increase self-confidence

Potential risks involved with dental implants

As with any type of surgery, there are potential risks, the most common being the risk which you can discuss with your dentist. Each patient’s unique medical and dental history plays a role in determining their risk profile. Most patients are good candidates for dental implants.

Insurance coverage for dental implants

All insurance plans are different. Some insurance plans cover all aspects of the implant process, including tooth extraction, while others only pay for certain parts or none at all. Check with your specific policy to learn how much your insurance plan will cover.

If you’d like to learn more, schedule an appointment online!

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How to Prepare for the Dentist with an Autistic Child

Posted on by sparq

If your child has autism, you know any new experience you expose them to has a greater chance of being successful if you take the time to prepare them. The first visit to the dentist cannot be stressful because if it is, your child could become anxious before future dentist appointments. With regular dental checkups being so important to your child’s overall health, we recommend taking steps to make sure it goes smoothly.

In honor of World Autism Awareness Day, we’ve put together five helpful tips to make sure your autistic child has an enjoyable trip to the dentist.

Find a dentist comfortable with children on the autism spectrum

Before you make an appointment, ask questions such as:

  1. Do you work with special needs children?
  2. Can I or should I stay in the room during the entire exam?
  3. How do you deal with the child’s anxiety?
  4. What do you do if the child’s behavior makes the exam difficult?

You might want to make an appointment to ask these questions in person so you can watch how the dentist responds to your questions. Be sure to let the dentist know the time of day that works best for your child.

Does your autistic child hate specific flavors?

If the answer is yes, ask if you can bring the toothpaste your child uses at home. A dental practice that understands how to work with children on the autism spectrum will understand the importance of making accommodations like this.

Do bright lights or loud noises bother your autistic child?

Children on the autism spectrum can often be extremely sensitive to their environment. You know your child best. If you know that he or she is sensitive to light, bring sunglasses. If noise bothers them, bring earplugs.

Teach your child what to expect

Many aspects of a dental exam contain things that your child might have never experienced before. Show your child how to sit with legs straight and hands on their stomach. Have your child practice opening their mouth wide and keeping it open. Count each tooth and introduce a power toothbrush so your child understands how a power brush feels. Also, practice spitting into the sink.

You can purchase a dental mirror and rubber-tipped gum massager at your local pharmacy – this can be helpful to get your child comfortable with the tools used at the dentist. When you make an appointment to interview the dentist, ask if they can give you dental bite wings so your child can practice biting on them. This will help your child know what to expect if X-Rays are taken.

Create a picture book for your child

To help your child visualize the entire experience, take photos of the parking lot, front door, waiting room and examination room of the dentist office. Reviewing the book often will help your child feel comfortable the day of the exam.

Dr. Joey Troupe and the entire team at Polished Dental welcome the opportunity to be your dentist. We offer three offices in the Pittsburgh area and invite you to contact us at 412-281-3546.

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What to Look for in a Pittsburgh Dentist

Posted on by sparq

Whether you are new to Pittsburgh or have lived here your entire life, when you need to find a dentist there are a few key points you should consider. Obviously, you want a professional who is board certified. But, there is more to finding a good dentist than just the certification. Take the time to ask the following questions, and you’ll find a Pittsburgh dentist you can trust.

What are all of the services that you offer?

Many people seek a dentist for a routine cleaning, and while dental cleanings play a vital role in your overall health, you never know when you might need oral surgery or restorative dental care. Simply biting on an almond or a piece of ice can crack a tooth. If possible, check the background of the dentist before you make an appointment. Has he or she had advanced training in cosmetic reconstruction, extraction of third molars (also called wisdom teeth), placing and restoring implants and other complex dental therapies? If yes, you can relax knowing the dentist can help you today and in the future with modern, state-of-the-art dental care.

Is the dentist near me?

It makes sense to find a dentist in Pittsburgh that’s close to your home or office, but what happens if you move? If your dentist has two or more locations, it can save you the hassle of looking for a new dentist when you get a new job or move to a new home or apartment. Plus, if you do have an emergency, you might have the option of being seen by your regular dentist in a different location.

How does the dentist handle emergencies?

There is nothing worse than being in excruciating pain and having to wait a few days to see the dentist. Unfortunately, accidents are a part of life. Does the dentist offer Saturday hours? Do they leave openings in their schedules to squeeze in same-day emergency appointments? Do your research on this now, not while you are in pain.

Do they take your insurance or offer a payment plan?

Call the dental practice and ask if they are in-network with your specific type of dental insurance and if the answer is yes, ask if they will file your claim for you. If you don’t have dental insurance, ask about payment options or patient loyalty plans. While most dentists accept major credit cards, some also offer payment plans that will allow you to finance 100 percent of the cost.

Do you have dental anxiety?

Far too many people avoid going to the dentist out of fear. This only exacerbates the problem since untreated dental issues can cause additional problems. Many Pittsburgh dentists offer anxiety-free and sedation options. You might be given a sedation pill to take before your appointment or, for more invasive procedures, you might have the option of IV sedation. You are the only one who can answer if you have dental anxiety, and you have a right to find a dentist who believes in making patients feel comfortable.

Do they treat children?

If you have children, or are thinking about starting a family one day, it makes life much more convenient if you and your children have the same dentist.

Dr. Joey Troupe and the entire team at Polished Dental welcome the opportunity to be your dentist. We have three convenient locations in the Pittsburgh area and invite you to contact us at 412-823-5252.

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Let us show you your
reason to smile :)

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