When you are insecure about your smile, you may find it difficult have positive overall self-esteem. Many people consider a smile a first impression, and when you are not one hundred percent sure of your smile, it can really affect the way you look at yourself. Though many people are less than proud of their smile for many reasons, they may not think there is much they can do to rectify the situation. Lucky, our capable and experienced doctors offer their patients the smile makeover they need with the help of porcelain veneers.
Porcelain veneers are a wonderful option for those who want to change their smile. Because it is a simple cosmetic procedure, it is becoming one of the most popular ways for people to revolutionize their smile in very little time. The process of porcelain veneers begins with a consultation with Dr. Brunner, Dr. Taibl, or Dr. Tack. There, they will be able to fully assess your smile in its current state, as well as ask you about your long term goals regarding your smile. You will also be able to bring up any questions or concerns you may have with the procedure.
If you are considered to be a candidate for porcelain veneers, we will create a custom set of veneers to match your smile exactly. Your natural tooth is prepared by removing a small bit of enamel, as to make room for your new smile. Once the teeth are prepared, your veneers are applied to your smile, and made permanent with dental resin cement. In as little as two appointments, your smile is able to be transformed from dull to dazzling.
Porcelain veneers are a wonderful opportunity to give back the confidence you may have lost being embarrassed by your smile. You can start to have the confidence to join your friends in a laugh, meet new people, and make that memorable first impression you have always wanted. If you’re interested in how we can help change your smile for the better, make an appointment with our amazing doctors, and we will be more than happy to help!
February 8, 2014
By now, most of society is aware that use of tobacco has many negative side effects, but have you considered its effects on your teeth and oral health? The most apparent side effect is dry mouth. Smoke inhalation causes salivary ducts and the tissue in your mouth to be dry and sticky. It can even change the consistency of your saliva! Lack of a little quality spit puts you at a higher risk for build up and decay.
It has also been shown that smoking is related to the failure of dental implants. Some oral surgeons may even recommend and patient try to quit smoking before implant placement in order to ensure the best results possible.
Smoking also causes vasoconstriction. This is the narrowing or shrinking of blood vessels which results in less blood flow to the tissues in your mouth such as your gums. A lack of blood flow means it is harder to get an inflammatory response in your gums. Think that it might not be so bad if your gums don’t get inflamed? Think again! Without inflammation, white blood cells cannot function to remove bacteria and control infections like periodontal infection. A healthy blood flow really does help aid in healing.
Using a smokeless tobacco? You’re at a much higher risk to develop oral cancer. If you’re not ready to quit, just be sure that you move your “chew” to a different place in your mouth each use. This will allow some time for your tissue to regenerate.
Quitting use of tobacco is a very personal decision. Be sure that when you decide to quit, you are the one deciding and that you’re ready for the commitment it takes. Your dental staff is trained to help you with this when you are ready!
January 29, 2014
Many people have mentioned lately that their employers are no longer providing dental insurance. With these comments in mind, we’d like to share a few things with you that may help as your start your search for privately purchased dental insurance.
Many companies offer insurance you can purchase directly rather than through an employer. When you call to discuss available benefits, it is important to weigh the cost of what you will pay for monthly coverage versus paying for care out of pocket. For instance, would your monthly payment cost more than your routine cleaning, exam and x-rays? Are you a higher risk patient needing fillings, crowns or other dental work? If you pay more for your benefits than you receive in services, consider paying out of pocket and receiving a discount for doing so instead. Our practice does offer a discount for those who pay out of pocket. Other important question to ask the insurance agent is if there are waiting periods on the plan. A waiting period is generally a 6 month to 1 year time in which you pay monthly for your benefits, but receive coverage only on cleanings, exams and x-rays until that waiting period is over. During this time frame, fillings, root canals or crowns may not be covered, yet your monthly payment remains the same.
Insurance can be confusing! So, call an insurance agent for options and details, then call our qualified front desk team to discuss any questions you may have. We are happy to help with anything that will keep you wearing a healthy smile!
January 15, 2014
For millions of people who have reservations regarding their smile can prevent them from living the way they want to. Whether it’s the color of your teeth, the misalignment, or the obvious gaps, insecurities about your smile make you cautious to laugh with your friends, smile, or even tell someone hello. A lot of people, though, are less than confident in their smile because they have teeth missing. Though there are a couple ways to handle the issue, dental implants at Elmbrook Family Dental may be a great option!
A consultation with our very experienced doctors is the first step in dental implanting. There, they will be able to get a better look at your smile and speak with you about your long term goals. Once you are considered to be a candidate, the fun begins. A metal implant, looking nearly identical to a screw, is embedded into your jaw bone. This screw-like metal implant is able to give your new teeth security and stability. Then the abutment is added, which is essentially a support system for the metal implant as well as the crown to be placed on top. After that, the tooth-resembling crown is cemented to the abutment, completing your new look!
With a nearly perfect success rate, dental implants will give you back the security may have lost. It can even improve your speech and ability to eat. Another plus with getting dental implants is the fact they look very natural. Smoothly blending in with your natural teeth, implants are a sure way for you to look AS natural as possible. Contact our office to see if you’re a candidate for dental implants, and celebrate the New Year with a new smile!
Elmbrook Family Dental is committed to providing state-of-the art dental care for you and your family from our Brookfield, WI dental office. Call us today to learn more or schedule your next appointment.
January 12, 2014
Did you know that many of you out there are not washing your hands adequately and don’t even know it? The most effective hand wash is done with warm or cold water and for a full 20 seconds. Be sure to focus on your finger tips and around your nail bed as these are great places for germs to hide. Rinse well and dry with paper towel. Use the towel to turn off the faucet in order to avoid touching a dirty handle.
Good hand washing technique is an easy and important step to avoid falling sick with the cold or flu this season. Visit the Center for Disease Control website for more information: www.cdc.gov
January 6, 2014
Since we have been in practice for so many years, we have seen and heard it all! People using their teeth for things other than biting and chewing their food. Well, we are here to clear things up. Your teeth are not meant to be used as tools. They are meant to chew and look beautiful when you smile. Many people use their teeth to open packages, tear retail tags off of clothing, and we have even heard them being used to open soda cans. Yikes! These behaviors can lead to immediate and obvious broken or chipped teeth. They can unfortunately also cause the more silent problem of micro-fractures that may not become apparent for years.
So, before you decide to chew off the tag on that new sweater you just bought, consider the risk. A scissors will do a much better job and you can keep your flawless smile!
December 13, 2013
Did you know that our office has the ability to create custom whitening trays just for you? Most patients have stain on their teeth to some extent. Stain can come from use of coffee, tea, dark soda, red wine, tobacco or even some oral hygiene products. If you have some stain on your teeth, talk with us about it at your next visit. We can help!
Our custom whitening trays are made here in the office and it is a two-step process. We will take an impression of your teeth at your first visit. We create models and your custom trays and have you come back 1-2 weeks later to have them delivered. At this second visit, we check to make sure they fit correctly, and go over instructions and tips on how to use them at home. The rest is up to you! Your trays are worn at home until the desired whiteness is achieved. The best part? Your trays will fit for many years to come so you can ‘touch up’ your smile any time you need to!
December 4, 2013
The thought that “having a cavity will always cause some sensitivity or discomfort” is a very big, bad myth. Tooth decay will not generally cause symptoms until it is advanced enough to reach the nerve. Not treating decay in the early stages will lead to much more expensive procedures like root canal therapy. That’s why early detection through regular dental exams and x-rays is so important! We can detect these cavities before they advance into the nerve and repair them with more simple, less expensive treatments.
So, before you decide to wait until it hurts, think of what it may cost you in the end. Remember: once a cavity starts, it will only continue to grow
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