ARTICLE 5: Understanding Wrinkle Treatments, Non Surgical Wrinkle Treatments

Nitrous Oxide

About the City of Orange

(Return to Home Page)

Smile Makeover Mania
By Dr. Linda Niessen -- Baylor College of Dentistry

Are healthy, functional teeth more important than an attractive smile? Most dentists say yes. But cosmetic dentistry has become so popular, many patients turn to cosmetics hoping to solve all dental problems. Dr. Linda Niessen sets the record straight on smile makeovers in today?s segment of Dental Health Check.

For years, Karen Tonnesen has admired picture perfect teeth in magazine photos. She hoped cosmetic dentistry would improve her own smile. ?I don?t like my smile, never been happy with it. You know, from the tetracycline, my teeth always just looked dark to me. But I also feel my teeth stick out.?)

Karen found out her problems were more serious. She needed orthodontic braces to correct an overbite. Karen was not a good candidate for a smile makeover using cosmetic dentistry only. ?About 70 percent of the people we see can have most of their problems corrected without the need of orthodontics or oral surgery,? says Dr. Lee Fitzgerald.

You might be a candidate for a smilemakeover if you have:

* gaps between your teeth
* chipped or broken teeth
* discolored teeth , or
* existing dental work you want to improve.

You may NOT be a candidate if you have teeth alignment or jaw alignment problems. Claus Eimer was a perfect candidate for a smile makeover. But he didn?t want perfect teeth. ?My challenge I gave to Dr. Fitzgerald was don?t make it perfect, just make it natural.?Claus had a dramatic change in his smile. So did Sandra Paradise. ?It?s a confidence thing, meeting new people or in a setting have a photograph taken, and now I?ve got a great big smile along with everyone else,? Sandra said.

Even cosmetic dentistry has its limits. If you need braces or jaw surgery, no amount of cosmetic work can fix the underlying problem. You should consult an orthodontist, oral surgeon or both before making any decisions. For Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A & M System, I?m Dr. Linda Niessen.

Dr. Linda Niessen, clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and the Office of Communications and Development at Baylor College of Dentistry, hosts Dental Health Check, the only weekly dental feature shot on location in the nation.

We have the latest and the greatest Cosmetic Dental Care for you.

Statistics reveal that people place a high value on their smile.

• Virtually all adults (99.7%) believe a smile is an important social asset.
• 96% of adults believe an attractive smile makes a person more appealing to members of the opposite sex. • Three-quarters (74%) of adults feel an unattractive smile can hurt a person’s chances for career success.
• And when respondents were asked, “What would you most like to improve about your smile?” The most common response was: Whiter & Brighter Teeth.

Today's advanced techniques and materials
can make a real difference, and the skill, experience, and commitment
of our practice using a unique combination of science and artistry, can literally redesign your smile.

Orange County Orange County Dentist ca .com can now correct a wide variety of so-called "permanent" dental problems:

• Missing teeth, gaps between teeth, general bite dysfunction
• Chipped, cracked or worn teeth
• Unsightly, stained, or washed-out fillings
• Permanently stained or discolored teeth
• Crooked or crowded teeth

Initial Oral Examination Your initial oral examination includes a visual examination, charting, periodontal probing, diagnosis and treatment recommendations. We will also take x-rays, which includes the panoramic x-ray for proper diagnosis of the anterior (front) and posterior (back) teeth as well as the bite-wing x-ray series for proper diagnosis of proximal decay of posterior teeth.

Dental Implants We will work with an implant specialist to create an implant for a missing single tooth, missing multiple teeth, or replace a removable appliance.

Teeth Bleaching Our state-of-the-art, in-office Power Bleaching system will make your teeth whiter in less than 1.5 hours. Another option is our home bleaching system you take with you for results in 2 weeks. You can also consider a combination program of both systems for optimal, long-term results.

Crowns and Veneers You can have a new smile with all-porcelain crowns (empressed material) on the anterior teeth. For the posterior, we use porcelain fused to metal.

Fillings: Resin Tooth-colored fillings that are light cures to match your teeth. Amalgam: Silver-colored fillings, more durable material.

Root Canals We perform root canals on anterior, molar, and premolar teeth.

Periodontal Treatment You should have a standard cleaning at least twice a year. A periodontal treatment includes an Adult Prophy (basic cleaning). If it has been over a year since your last cleaning, possible treatment will include either Periodontal Scaling (deeper) or Root Planning and Scaling (requires anesthetic).

Mouth Guards Whether you are an athlete or casual sports participant, you should wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth. If you grind your teeth while you sleep, a bite guard will help reduce symptoms of TMJ. We custom make mouth guards in both soft and hard materials.

Removable Dental Prosthesis For missing teeth, we can make dentures or removable partials for you.

Our practice is working together to realize a shared vision of uncompromising excellence in dentistry. To fulfill this mission, we are committed to: * Listening to those we are privileged to serve. * Earn the trust and respect of patients, profession and community. * Exceed your expectations. * Ensure a creative, challenging and compassionate professional environment. * Strive for continuous improvement at all levels. Thanks for visiting us on the web and please call us any time you have a question and we will be glad to help.