1. Are there any alternatives to orthodontics?

When most people think of Orthodontics (braces), we think of wires, brackets, bands, and in some cases, removable appliances that move the teeth either before, during or after using the wires and brackets. Many consumers have heard of invisible braces and invisilign, the commonly heard brand of invisible braces. There are a few other companies out there, but they all employ the same basic method of moving teeth. The basic concept is utilizing sophisticated computer programming to anticipate the carefully planned and expected movement of teeth and make numerous sets of clear retainers to each of those positions in sequence. The patient then wears each set of these pre-made retainers for 2 to 3 weeks each, thereby moving the teeth in the desired direction.

The other way to move teeth without braces is to prepare the teeth that need to be moved and have the dental lab make porcelain veneers or crowns for each tooth to its desired position, this is the most common way for someone to get a smile "makeover."


2. What is tooth jewellery?

Tooth jewelry is adding art work, precious stones, or precious metals to teeth to create some sort of "bling" when the person smiles. They are placed by the dentist and they may or may not be made with the help of a dental lab. Some are laid on top of the tooth and bonded on and some are inlayed into the prepared tooth leaving a more flush surface and are also typically bonded in.


3. What are your methods for achieving painless procedures?

The most significant thing we do to make our procedures as painless as possible is to take the time to pre-numb sensitive areas with a topical anesthetic and/or direct pressure. When we do inject the anesthetic, it' s important to go slowly and to use the narrowest needle that will do the job.

It' s also important to have a dentist who has a gentle touch and is not too rough. This is often difficult to gauge if you have always seen the same dentist, but for those who have had work performed by several, they can always pick out the doctor who has that gentle touch.


4. How will my temporaries look?

Temporaries are usually made from some kind of mold of the previous tooth. They generally look good if the doctor or assistant has chosen a reasonably good color to match the other surrounding teeth, and has duplicated the size and shape of that tooth or what it is supposed to look like when the real one is delivered. The part that makes them look really great or satisfactory is the artistic skills of the person making them.


5. What kind of questions should I ask when looking for a cosmetic dentist?

You should ask to see some of his/her cases, and to ask about their training and experience in cosmetics. Another good question is to ask about how the changes in the look of the teeth will affect their function. We never want to make teeth look good at the expense of the strength and stability of the bite or the teeth that support the new smile. If you have headaches, neck aches, jaw pain, facial pain, or signs of severe wear or notching of the teeth, then there is often some underlying problems with the original bite that could jeopardize the new smile.