Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry Blog
May 14th, 2012
Metal amalgam fillings have been a longtime standard for treating cavities. But porcelain fillings continue to become an increasingly popular means for both initial cavity treatment and replacing old fillings.
Many metal fillings have historically contained mercury, and while these amalgam fillings have not been directly tied to health risks, mercury itself can be hazardous. A growing number of people who received metal fillings are choosing to upgrade them with porcelain fillings.
Porcelain fillings offer a number of benefits over amalgam fillings including:
- Porcelain fillings blend with your natural teeth
- Porcelain fillings are bonded to your tooth rather than packed, and strengthen and protect your natural tooth
- Porcelain fillings are more durable and resistant to breakage
- Porcelain fillings pose none of the potential health risks of metal fillings
Because they are tooth-colored and custom crafted to match your specific affected tooth, porcelain fillings are not visible like metal fillings. In addition to blending seamlessly with your surrounding teeth, porcelain fillings are resistant to stains and easy to maintain.
Metal fillings often require repair or replacement, while porcelain fillings can last a lifetime if you follow a good dental hygiene routine.
If you live in the Laurel, Columbia, Fulton or Silver Spring, Maryland, areas and would like to learn more about the benefits of porcelain fillings, please contact Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry to schedule your personal consultation with one of our cosmetic dentists.
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April 19th, 2012
The best way to prevent stained or otherwise discolored teeth is through a good dental hygiene routine that includes brushing your teeth at least twice daily in addition to regular check-ups and teeth cleanings with the Laurel, Maryland, dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry.
Even with good oral care, however, your teeth can become stained. Various factors including the natural aging process, lifestyle choices such as smoking, the regular consumption of dark beverages such as coffee and wine, certain medications, and physical trauma that damages a tooth’s enamel or root can all contribute to stained teeth.
There are two types of teeth stains: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic is discoloration on the surface, or external, layer of the teeth; intrinsic is staining on the interior of the teeth.
A professional teeth whitening treatment is often effective at removing extrinsic teeth stains and providing you with a noticeably brighter smile. The results of professional teeth whitening are often long-lasting and can be maintained by practicing a good daily dental hygiene regimen that includes brushing, flossing and rinsing accompanied by a healthy diet.
Depending on their severity, intrinsic teeth stains may not respond to teeth whitening. Porcelain veneers are generally better suited to covering signs of intrinsic teeth stains. Thin, wafer-like shells of porcelain that are custom made to resemble natural teeth, veneers are bonded to the surface of your teeth, hiding the stains and providing you with a vibrant, healthy looking smile.
If you live in the Laurel, Columbia, Fulton or Silver Spring, Maryland, areas and would like to learn more about your teeth whitening options, please contact Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry to schedule your personal consultation with one of our cosmetic dentists.
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April 5th, 2012
There is no shortage of over-the-counter teeth whitening products, and while they are generally safe when used as directed, many of them require long-term use to achieve noticeable results and can contribute to gum irritation and teeth sensitivity.
The Laurel, Maryland, cosmetic dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry offer professionally applied, in-office teeth whitening that minimizes the risk for discomfort and provides a visibly brighter smile in a single session.
Like any teeth whitening treatment, over-the-counter products contain bleaching agents—often hydrogen peroxide—that can cause irritation if not properly administered. Because the whitening products, including teeth whitening strips, available at retail stores also require longer term and more frequent use, there is a greater chance for the whitening agents to come in contact with your gums and lead to discomfort in your teeth.
Likewise, many consumers who purchase over-the-counter teeth whitening strips tend to use the products longer than advised and too frequently, both of which can cause pain in your gums and teeth. While these at-home products are typically harmless in moderation, there are a number of advantages to choosing a professional teeth whitening treatment over products available at retailers.
A professional teeth whitening session allows your dentist to assess your teeth and gums prior to treatment for any conditions that may preclude teeth whitening or cause discomfort. Professional teeth whitening also ensures that bleaching compounds are properly applied and do not come in contact with your gums.
If you live in the Laurel, Columbia, Fulton or Silver Spring, Maryland, areas and would like to learn more about professional teeth whitening, please contact Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry to schedule your personal consultation with one of our cosmetic dentists.
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March 22nd, 2012
The Laurel, Maryland, pediatric dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry understand that the foundation for a healthy adult smile begins in childhood.
We believe in establishing a good oral hygiene routine at a young age, and that includes educating both parents and children on healthy dental and dietary habits. Preventive care and the early assessment of potential problems can save a mouthful of complications later.
But just when should pediatric dental care begin?
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that children first visit the dentist within six months of their first teeth erupting or no later than their first birthdays. Children’s baby teeth, also known as primary teeth, typically emerge around six months of age.
In addition to helping children transition to hard food and aid in speech development, the baby teeth are temporary placeholders for permanent teeth. Baby teeth generally begin to fall out in favor of the permanent teeth around age 6, although the permanent teeth begin to form below the gumline soon after the primary teeth blossom.
Establishing a relationship with a pediatric dentist while your child is still young—even if he or she does not show obvious signs of dental problems—can help make your child feel comfortable with the sights, sounds and sensations of dental visits and ensure a positive framework for future trips to the dentist.
If you live in the Laurel, Silver Spring, Columbia or Fulton, Maryland, areas and would like to learn more about our pediatric dentistry services, please contact Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry to schedule a personal consultation for you and your child.
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March 8th, 2012
Although porcelain veneers are an attractive and durable solution for a variety of aesthetic imperfections, it is important to have realistic expectations regarding the benefits and limitations of any cosmetic dentistry procedure.
During your porcelain veneers consultation with Maryland cosmetic dentist Dr. Daniel R. Melnick or Dr. Maurice S. Miles at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry, we will assess your smile, discuss your goals and help you determine whether porcelain veneers are the best solution for your needs.
Porcelain veneers are thin, shell-like layers of porcelain that are bonded over your natural teeth and can be used to treat conditions including:
- Stained teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Unevenly spaced teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Misshapen teeth
Each porcelain veneer is custom crafted to create a seamless smile, and the quality of bonded porcelain makes them resistant to discoloration and strong enough to maintain a functional bite.
While porcelain veneers can be used to correct a variety of cosmetic issues, they are best suited for minor to moderate flaws. If your teeth have structural damage, another treatment option may be required.
For more information about porcelain veneers, please see our Porcelain Veneers FAQ page.
If you live in the Laurel, Columbia, Fulton or Silver Spring, Maryland, areas and would like to learn if porcelain veneers may be right for you, please contact Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry to schedule your personal porcelain veneers consultation.
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February 28th, 2012
The foods and beverages we consume every day can cause teeth stains and tooth decay. While stains can be treated with teeth whitening, and certain stages of decay can be halted with dental fillings, you can prevent these stains and decay by rinsing, and then brushing, after eating.
After you eat or drink something, bacteria in your mouth feed on the debris left on your teeth. The bacteria secrete an acid, and the acid, food, bacteria, and your saliva come together to form plaque on your teeth and along the gumline. Plaque that is not removed can cause tooth decay.
The acids in certain foods and beverages – especially soda, fruit juice, and berries – may erode your tooth enamel. Weakened enamel may leave your teeth vulnerable to:
- Stains
- Decay
- Sensitivity
- Wear and fractures
For about 30 minutes after eating something acidic, your tooth enamel is especially vulnerable to abrasive forces, such as tooth brushing. After you eat, rinse your mouth with water to clear away food debris and acidic substances. Rinsing should reduce the acidic products in your mouth so that you can brush your teeth shortly after.
To learn more about teeth whitening in Laurel, Columbia, Fulton, Silver Spring and the surrounding Maryland areas, please contact the experienced dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry to schedule a consultation.
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February 24th, 2012
Most people know their dentist would disapprove of the consumption of cola and other drinks of the sugary, carbonated variety. What you may not know is exactly how these beverages can lead to stained, discolored teeth, which may require teeth whitening if you want to restore your smile’s brightness.
Soda contains phosphoric acid, which contributes to the drink’s flavor. Unfortunately, phosphoric acid has been shown to strip away enamel, your tooth’s hard, protective outer layer. When your tooth enamel is weakened, your teeth are left more vulnerable to the staining agents of soda. Enamel erosion and the plaque caused by sugary beverages can also cause tooth decay, which may need to be treated with dental fillings.
Chromogens are the substance that gives soda its color. Cola is darker than other sodas because of chromogens. As the acid in soda erodes your enamel, the chromogens in soda stain your teeth. Even light-colored sodas, like lemon-lime flavors, contain phosphoric acid. Even if these sodas do not stain teeth themselves, they weaken your enamel and make it easier for other staining agents to discolor your teeth.
Ask our dentists about discolored teeth treatments, including porcelain veneers and teeth whitening. For the health of your teeth and body, you may want to consider abstaining from soda altogether. You can also refrain from drinking soda throughout the day, and instead drink the whole beverage within a half hour or so to prevent your teeth from constant acid exposure. Rinse your mouth with water after drinking soda.
If you live in Silver Spring, Fulton, Laurel, Columbia or the surrounding Maryland areas and would like to learn more about teeth whitening, please contact the experienced dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry to schedule a consultation.
Posted in Cosmetic Dentistry, Tooth Whitening | Comments Off
January 27th, 2012
Headaches. Jaw tension. Neck pain. Ringing ears.
These are merely a few of the symptoms associated with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ or TMD), a painful condition concentrated in the region where your temporomandibular joint connects your lower jaw to your skull. Because the symptoms of TMJ are shared with a number of other ailments ranging from arthritis to sinus problems, it’s important to consult with an experienced neuromuscular dentist to properly diagnose the source of your discomfort and devise a custom treatment plan to relieve your pain.
People who suffer from TMJ often experience multiple symptoms, including:
- Difficulty biting, chewing or swallowing
- Earaches
- Face, shoulder and back pain
- Jaw clicking or popping
- Jaw sticking or locking
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and fingers
In preparing for a TMJ examination with the Maryland dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry, you may want to consider the following questions:
- What symptoms do you experience?
- When did you begin experiencing these symptoms?
- Did the symptoms begin individually or at different points?
- Does a particular activity seem to trigger your discomfort?
The answers to these questions in addition to a thorough exam that includes an analysis of your bite, teeth alignment and the determination of your correct jaw position can help us accurately diagnose the cause of your discomfort and outline treatment options that will relieve your pain and leave you smiling.
For more information about TMJ/TMD treatment, please contact the Laurel, Maryland, neuromuscular dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry to schedule a consultation. We serve clients in and around Laurel, Columbia, Fulton and Silver Spring, Maryland.
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January 25th, 2012
Laser dentistry offers the ability to safely and comfortably conduct a wide range of general and cosmetic dentistry procedures.
Some dental lasers are used for diagnosing conditions such as tooth decay, while others are used in various types of dental surgery. Laser dentistry is currently used in procedures including:
- Cold sore/mouth lesion treatment
- Gum recontouring
- Gum scaling
- Oral surgery
- Plaque removal
- Root canal treatment
- Smile makeovers
- Teeth cleaning
- Tooth decay diagnosis/removal
In addition to its versatility in diagnosing and treating dental conditions, laser dentistry offers other benefits including:
- Allows faster recovery
- Eliminates the need for anesthesia in some procedures
- Eliminates the need for stitches in some procedures
- Is less invasive than many surgical options
- Leaves more healthy gum tissue and tooth structure than some surgical options
- Minimizes bleeding and swelling
- Reduces the risk of infection
- Reduces treatment time in many procedures
The Maryland laser dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry use the latest technology to provide you an array of painless, anxiety-free treatment options. For more information about laser dentistry, please visit our Laser Dentistry FAQ page.
If you would like to learn if laser dentistry can benefit you, please contact the Laurel, Maryland, cosmetic dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry to schedule a consultation. We serve clients in and around Laurel, Columbia, Fulton and Silver Spring, Maryland.
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November 22nd, 2011
When properly matched and bonded, porcelain veneers should be indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to the fronts of your teeth and are used to treat a variety of minor cosmetic imperfections including:
- Chipped teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Gap teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Short teeth
Porcelain veneers can be perfectly matched to the color and shape of your existing teeth to provide you with an attractive, natural-looking smile.
During the first of two visits necessary to craft and place your porcelain veneers, an impression will be taken of the teeth to be treated. This impression will be the foundation for your porcelain veneers, which will be custom crafted in our dental lab.
The resulting veneers can be further refined during placement to align with adjacent teeth. The porcelain can also be tinted to blend with your natural teeth and provide you with a seamless smile.
To see examples of the difference porcelain veneers can make, please see our Before & After page.
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of porcelain veneers, please contact the Laurel, Maryland, cosmetic dentists at Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry. We serve clients in and around Laurel, Columbia, Fulton and Silver Spring, Maryland.
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