Like everything in life, things are susceptible to wear and tear. Whether your favorite shirt gets a stain or your car’s tires need to be rotated, all things go through life’s little knocks, and it is important to make sure you take care of those things. Believe it or not, your smile is no different. A few chips here and a stain there can really start to take its toll on your smile, and you may think there is nothing you can do about it. Luckily, our doctors are able to give her patients a new smile with the help of cosmetic bonding.
Cosmetic bonding is simple yet wonderfully convenient, as it gives you the ability to have a seamless smile in nearly no time at all! Cosmetic bonding can help those who have misaligned, misshapen, chipped, cracked, or discolored teeth, making it one of the easiest and most convenient ways to transform your smile. It works by mixing a bonding liquid and a plastic resin, then placing it on your teeth. Once the bonding is set via a light, we will smooth and polish it to look like your natural tooth! At the end of the procedure, you are left with nothing but a flawless, beautiful smile!
One of the benefits to cosmetic bonding is the fact it can restore the confidence you may have lost feeling insecure about your smile. When you are not completely confident in your smile, you may find it hard to be around others or make a memorable first impression. With this effortless procedure, you will be able to be secure in the fact that your smile is perfect, and you will never second guess yourself again! If you are interested in cosmetic bonding and how we are able to help, call our office and we will be more than happy to assist you!
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.
March 8, 2014
We are excited to announce that we are hosting our Fifth Annual March Madness tournament for our current patients! It has been a hit every year, so if you have not participated in the past, we encourage you to join us this year. Here are this years prizes:
1st place: $150 Bartolotta Gift Card
2nd place: 4 Tickets to a Brewers Game (game date to be determined)
3rd place: Custom Whitening Trays and a $25 Bravo Gift Card
4th place: $25 Gift Card to Bravo
Here’s how it works: Go to http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/en/frontpage and create and account. Once you have logged in, click the “My Groups” link toward the top of the page. Type “Elmbrook Family Dental” into the search box. You can then enter the group password “TEETH” to join. Create your own bracket using your ACTUAL NAME (so we know who you are if you win!) and choose the teams you think will win. For more information, click the “How to play” link.
In order to play, your bracket must be complete by tip-off time of the first game on March 20th. You will not be able to choose your teams until the field is announced on March 16th.
The contest through ESPN is open to anyone, however you must be a current patient (seen within the last 12 months) in order to win prizes through Elmbrook Family Dental.
Good luck!!
March 2, 2014
Gum recession is exposure of the roots of the teeth that occurs as either a loss of gum tissue or when the gum tissue retracts. Many of our patients have recession to some extent. So, if you have cold sensitivity or sensitivity during cleanings, be sure to discuss the possibility that you may have gum recession.
Recession commonly comes from clenching and grinding, brushing too hard, acid reflux or a history of wearing braces. Prevention of further recession may include treatment with a night guard, a change in your brushing technique or treating acid reflux. Unfortunately, once recession occurs, your gums will not “grow” back. So, in minor cases we simply do our best to ensure that it does not get worse. In severe cases, a referral to a gum specialist may be necessary.
Not all patients who have recession experience sensitivity. If you’re one of the lucky ones who is asymptomatic, it is still important to understand that there are risks. Because the root surface is so soft, you can actually start to scrub your roots away over time! Be cautious of heavy handed brushing. The roots are then also more susceptible to decay.
If sensitivity is an issue for you, there are some options! Using a sensitive toothpaste on a daily basis can help to seal up small tubules on your roots. An in-office treatment called a fluoride varnish can also be placed after your cleanings. This varnish protects and restores roots as well as seals them away from cold sensitivity. A varnish treatment twice a year can really decrease your sensitivity! If localized areas have been worn away, your dentist may recommend placing a small white filling in that area. This can also aid in reducing sensitivity and reduce your risk of decay reaching the nerve.
We measure and monitor your recession for you on a yearly basis, so it is important for you to see us for your cleaning and check ups. Together we will work hard at keeping your smile beautiful and pain free!
February 17, 2014
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!
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