With cosmetic dentistry quickly becoming a more affordable and viable option for people everywhere, porcelain veneers are gaining in popularity.  Because of their relatively simple application and easy maintenance, veneers can give the hope of a beautiful smile to people who may not have the best dental history.

Even though many people are becoming more familiar with the final results associated with porcelain veneers, there still seems to persist a lack of knowledge concerning how porcelain veneers come about.  For a trained professional, the process of creating porcelain veneers is immensely precise.  It’s is a little more complicated than simply putting a veneer on an existing tooth because a good dentist will work to ensure the veneers perfectly match in size, color, and shape.  Though time intensive, the process of getting a veneer is relatively straightforward.

1. The tooth is trimmed.  This is done for two reasons.  First, the tooth must be trimmed so that the overlaying veneer does not stick out more than the other teeth.  This creates a more natural look and feel for the veneer.  Second, the rougher surface of the newly trimmed tooth will allow for easier bonding.
2. An impression of the tooth is made.  This simple step ensures that the dentist knows the exact dimensions that will be needed for the new veneer.
3. The veneer is temporarily placed.  This will give your dentist a chance to see how well the veneer matches the surrounding teeth.  It is applied temporarily so that the dentist can easily remove and adjust the veneer as often as is needed.
4. The veneer is bonded into place.  Once you and your dentist are pleased with the appearance of the veneer, it will permanently be bonded to your existing tooth.

While getting a veneer can be a simple process, it takes a specially trained cosmetic dentist to give you the best results.  The attention to detail displayed by The Dental Center at Easton makes us the premier cosmetic dentistry practice in Columbus, Ohio.  Call us today to set up your appointment.

No home is complete without a first aid kit.  Inside, you have all the essentials: Band-Aids, gauze, tape, antibiotic ointment, wrap, and some sort of ice pack.  This simple but useful kit plays a crucial role for any family.  It is designed to quickly and efficiently treat injuries that are bad enough to need care but do not need the immediate attention of a medical professional.

However, there is another first aid kit that every home should have.  Dental first aid kits are a necessity for homes because they provide the specialized care that is meant exclusively for oral care.

While there may be some similarities between the two kits, both should be kept fully stocked in order to take care of any emergency that may arise.

• Floss.  Whether you prefer the traditional roll of floss or the one-time-use sticks, having a handy supply of floss will help relieve much of the irritation that can be associated with eating certain foods.
• Mild pain medication.  You may use this to stop pain entirely or to make it subside until you can get proper care.  Either way, having an emergency supply of pain medication is never a bad idea.
• Wax.  Especially for people with braces or any other piece of oral equipment, wax can be placed on and around any sharp protrusion to ease pain and reduce the chance of further injury.  If you’re not sure where to get oral wax, ask your dentist where you can get your hands on it.
• Emergency ice packs.  When swelling needs to be controlled, ice packs are the quick and effective solution.  If something traumatic happens and you need to make an emergency trip to your hospital or dentist, you’ll want to use an ice pack during the trip.
• Cotton balls.  Bleeding is never wanted but when it does occur, you’ll want to be ready.  A cotton ball is typically a safe and effective way to help stop the bleeding.
• Camellia teabags.  This may sound out of place amongst medical supplies but tea has been used for centuries to help sooth oral traumas.  They can even help stop bleeding after oral surgery.
• Your dentist’s phone number.  Your dentist knows your teeth better than anyone else so who better to help during an emergency?

In the case of an emergency, there is nothing more important than your health.  A dental first aid kit is the first step to take in ensuring your oral health.  For more information on keeping your oral health in order, call us today!

It seems that everyone wants whiter teeth.  In fact, even the staff at The Dental Center wants you to have whiter teeth.  That’s because white teeth look healthier and make you feel a little better about yourself. What can be wrong with that?

Though there are a number of toothpastes on the market that claim to whiten and brighten your smile, which is not quite the reality.  The truth is that virtually every brand of toothpaste contains an abrasive formula that helps to scrub away stains.  Some brands are more abrasive than others, making them slightly more effective at removing light stains on the surface of your teeth but none of them can do the job fully.

Unfortunately, even the toughest toothpaste will be unable to remove the deep stains that tend to accumulate as we age.  Beverages such as coffee and tea, habits such as smoking, and darkly pigmented foods like berries can darken the teeth over the course of years.  Some of our patients even have tooth discoloration as the result of a childhood illness or a tetracycline medication that was administered while the enamel was still forming.

In an effort to brighten smiles and eliminate these tough stains, many people have considered a professional bleaching product.

For most patients, bleaching works particularly well for teeth that are yellowish in tone.  Teeth that are brownish in tone also tend to respond well to whitening solutions as well.  Grayish teeth are typically more difficult to brighten, but specially formulated whitening products can dramatically improve their appearance.  Essentially, no matter the degree of tooth discoloration, there are ways to at least make your teeth a little whiter and brighter.

Dental restorations on the front teeth such as bonding or tooth-colored fillings cannot be whitened with bleaching material.  The shade of these artificial materials won’t respond to bleaching.  However, they can be replaced to match the shade of your new, whiter smile.

While it is difficult to predict the final result of your teeth whitening treatment, you can be assured that there is a whitening option that is just right for you.  Luckily, The Dental Center at Easton has the experts that can determine which treatment will work best for you.  Give us a call today to learn how you can get your teeth whiter.

A missing tooth is a permanent problem that has a permanent solution with dental implants.  Patients who have missing teeth can greatly benefit from dental implants both cosmetically and functionally.

Though it is a relatively common procedure, this innovative method of tooth replacement can be implemented by only the most technically skilled dentists.

The treatment begins with a comprehensive oral exam, a full set of X-rays, and a complete review of the patient’s medical history.  Before the individual is determined to be a good candidate for dental implants, a complete review of the patient’s oral habits is taken into consideration.  The treatment plan is created to meet the specific needs of the patient and, by the end of the initial visit with cosmetic dentistry services, the patient will have a full understanding of what the treatment entails and the cost associated with it.

Patients with a long history of missing teeth or poor oral hygiene typically do not qualify for placement of implants.  Soft tissue contours and changes over time and cannot be rebuilt without extensive surgical procedures that involve modifications to the existing gingiva.  If any widespread soft tissue discrepancies are noted by the dentist, the patient will be presented with other options of tooth replacement.

After the implants have been placed and the healing process is completed, the restoration process begins.  Single crowns or bridges are fabricated to imitate the patient’s natural smile.  Porcelain restorations are placed over the implants and seamlessly blend with the existing teeth.  Fully edentulous (toothless) patients benefit from the application of dentures mimicking their natural smile line.  Dental implants serve as anchors and help with the retention of the dentures and quality of chewing and speech patterns.  Proper facial tissue support provided by superbly manufactured dentures elevates the patient’s confidence and correct how the jaw lines up.  Nothing can replace the effect a smile can have on a person but the right, competent dentist can replace and mend the teeth in a smile.

Understanding that the costs of dental implants may be of concern, The Dental Center at Easton often offers payment plans or financing options to alleviate the financial burden of this life changing treatment option.  We know that a smile is often worth more than monetary value so we are willing to work with patients to give them the best smile possible.  If you have any questions, or would like more information, please feel free to contact our Easton Town Center dental office at 614-414-0111.

There are a number of misconceptions about cosmetic dentistry floating around today.  Few people truly understand what this type of dental work is all about or what it can do for them.  By fully understanding the complexities and even the commonalities of cosmetic dentistry, you can be better equipped to decide if cosmetic dentistry could help you or a loved one.

Cosmetic dentistry in Columbus most often deals with a set of standard procedures that, when done correctly, produce absolutely stunning results.  What exactly is cosmetic dentistry, though?  This term refers to dental work that is performed to enhance the appearance and sometimes even the performance of one’s teeth.

• Veneers.  A veneer is used in cosmetic dentistry to improve the look of a tooth or to help protect the tooth.  It is basically a thin layer of a material that it attached to the tooth.
• Teeth Whitening.  Similar to dental bleaching, teeth whitening is a purely cosmetic procedure that improves the look of teeth.  Where teeth whitening brings teeth to a natural color, bleaching tends to whiten beyond the range of normal coloring.

• Bonding.  By applying a strong, durable resin to teeth, cosmetic dentists can help repair damage done to teeth.

• Dental Bridges.  A dental bridge is essentially a partial denture.  It acts in place of missing teeth to improve the cosmetic appearance and functionality of teeth.

• Dental Implants.  Dental implants are typically used in cases of dentures, bridges, or crowns.

Patients who have worn down teeth may also benefit from many types of cosmetic dentistry and can have their smiles restored through bite reclamation and other procedures.  In addition, a cosmetic dentist can also perform other restorative procedures that include tooth colored fillings and even the creation of retainers and braces to correct tooth alignment and bite.

At our Easton Town Center location, you will find an experienced staff of hygienists and dentists who can help make your smile as perfect as possible through state of the art cosmetic dentistry techniques and practices.  By coming to the friendly staff at The Dental Center at Easton, you ensure that you will receive the best in care and treatment at one of Columbus’s premier dental practices.

Many dentists claim that they are cosmetic dentists, but few are truly qualified to perform the work necessary to restore a person’s smile like the staff at The Dental Center at Easton.  If you have any questions, or would like more information, please feel free to contact our Easton Town Center dental office at 614-414-0111.