(217) 546-3333Cosmetic Dentistry for Seniors
November 20, 2012
Cosmetic Dentistry is for Seniors, too
It’s no secret that a glowing smile at any age is universally pleasing and with regular trips to your family dentistry office you can keep your teeth at optimum health. But, there are many more options out there for seniors to maintain and even improve their smile to a radiance of yesteryear.
Cosmetic dentistry is most commonly performed on those in their 20s-50s, but this age range is not indicative of who can have this type of dental work done. As long as you’re a healthy senior just about any cosmetic dental procedure is within your reach.
There are four popular options available to seniors:
1. Dental Veneers – These are an innovation used to bring back the color and shape of teeth. They can also help to fill unsightly gaps and cracks in teeth. The porcelain that is used in this cosmetic dentistry procedure is wafer thin, quick and easy to install and last considerably longer than any traditional teeth whitening procedure. In fact, well looked after veneers could last for 15 years.
2. Dental Implants – These are more permanent replacement teeth that look and function very naturally. They aren’t for everyone but as long as the senior is in reasonable health then this may be an option. There is oral surgery involved when the titanium implant is attached to the jawbone. Dental Implants have many benefits such as better chewing and eating and a natural-looking smile.
3. Teeth Whitening – This is a great choice for improving appearance of stained or discolored teeth. Whitening chemicals are used by the dentist to restore teeth to the more preferred white that make us appear younger.
4. Custom Dentures – If you are looking for a solution to chewing, crunching and general eating issues then asking your dentist to measure your mouth and get dentures manufactured for you is relatively easy to do. Dentures aren’t what they used to be, constantly falling out or looking so unnatural. Dentistry has come a long way since those days. Custom dentures are made to match the individual in fit, color, size and style.
If you would like to explore the full range of options open to you in Cosmetic Dentistry, whatever your age, then do not hesitate to contact the dental offices of Dr. VanderMolen at (217) 546-3333. We would love to work with you to get the beautiful smile you deserve. Click here for more information on the services available from Advanced Dental Care.
WINTER WHITE SALE
November 9, 2012
FOR A LIMITED TIME…
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR WHITENING SPECIAL !!!
ONLY $139 (regularly $300)
Includes Custom-Fitted Take Home Trays & Whitening Gel!!
Call today to schedule your appointment. Your initial visit will only take 20-30 minutes, then come back to pick up your Custom Trays in a few days.
Tell your friends & Co-workers! This special is also valid for new patients who have never been to our practice!
Get Your Smile as White as it Can Be for the Holidays!
Remember – IF YOU ARE NOT WHITENING, YOU ARE YELLOWING!
Teeth Whitening – How is it done?
January 18, 2012
Professional teeth whitening procedures easily last up to three years, depending on the lifestyle of the patient. Drinking too much coffee, tea, red wine and using tobacco products will accelerate the darkening of teeth. To prolong the effects of the teeth whitening procedure, patients are advised to cut down on snacks and drinks with high sugar levels and to use a whitening toothpaste.
Professional Bleaching
During professional bleaching hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide is used. These chemicals are used to break down and permit the oxygen to get into the enamel of the teeth. This treatment is commonly done over three to four weeks. The cosmetic dentist will make a customized mouth guard in which the bleaching chemicals will be placed and on your teeth between 30 to 60 minutes per treatment. Some treatments can be continued at home. To speed up the whitening process, some treatments are left for up to 8 hours and results are visible within seven days.
Professional Internal Bleaching
With professional internal bleaching the bleaching agent is placed inside the core of the tooth thus working from the inside out. This form of whitening can only be performed on teeth that have been root treated and no nerves or blood vessels are present. The cosmetic dentist will drill a hole into ach of the teeth and placing the bleaching agent inside every tooth and then seal it again. Approximately seven days later the bleaching agent is removed and the holes are filled with a colored filling. Because of the lack of nerves, there is no pain associated with this procedure.
Laser Whitening
During the laser whitening process, rubber protection is placed on the gums and the teeth are painted with the bleaching product. Once the teeth are painted, a laser beam is projected onto the teeth that activate the bleaching agent. This form of teeth whitening can easily whitens the teeth up to six times lighter than the normal teeth shade. It is also known that laser teeth whitening are more costly than traditional bleaching.