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Laser dentistry has made general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry procedures more efficient and effective. Pain-free and anxiety-free dentistry are now possible thanks to laser technology.

The loss of teeth can be quite detrimental to good health and even to a youthful appearance, and the use of dental implants is a good solution for anyone in need of tooth replacement.

Some teeth are often too damaged to use a simple filling, and this is one of the major reasons that a crown is used instead. Additionally, crowns will be used during dental implant procedures too.

Professional teeth whitening is definitely one of the best ways to remove stains from the exterior, and even the interior, of the teeth and is one of the most frequent services provided by a cosmetic dentist.

While a set of porcelain veneers might seem like the easiest way to do a smile makeover, it is only a professional cosmetic dentist who will know if their patient is actually a good candidate for the process.

One good candidate for cosmetic dentistry is a person with composite fillings made of gold or another amalgam, and these can be easily updated with porcelain.

Are you afraid of the dentist? It turns out there are a lot of people, a lot of adults, who are more afraid of the dentist than they are of the boogey man. When you think about it, this is a very legitimate fear. After all, so many people have grown up having cavities filled and maybe even teeth pulled or worse. We tend to associate the dentist with pain and even a simple checkup can cause a lot of anxiety. Fortunately there is a way to go to the dentist without experiencing the anxiety and fear that goes with it. Really, there is! It is called pain-free dentistry and this means that you can go to the dentist and be completely unaware of what the dentist is doing. Pain free dentistry has revolutionized dental visits. There are different methods when it comes to pain free dentistry. The most traditional and least used these days involves intravenous administration of drugs. This was once used for root canals and wisdom tooth extraction. More commonly, pain free dentistry involves the administration of nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas, or administration in pill or liquid form. This is an individual decision that you can discuss with your dentist to determine what is right for you. The best part about pain free dentistry is that you won't feel anything or remember anything that happened during your appointment. Who could ask for anything more? Anyone can experience pain free dentistry. However, be sure to go over all your medical conditions and medications (if you are taking any) with your dentist before you make a decision. Then you can have the best trip to the dentist since you got your first toothbrush when you were a child. Going to the dentist can be fun again--well, at least it can be tolerable! Ask your Twin Cities dentist about pain free dentistry today.

It used to be that once you got discolored teeth, you were stuck with them. Now, however, technology has helped dentists to come up with ways to make teeth whiter in no time at all. Professional teeth whitening has become very popular in the last 10 years, and more and more, even the average dental office is offering it as an option. Manufacturers, however, have been quick to jump on the whitening bandwagon and are now offering a variety of do-it-yourself at-home kits for sale. But can at-home whitening kits really measure up to professional teeth whitening?

At-home Whitening

The first thing to know about at-home whitening kits is that they're much less expensive than professional services. The price of a professional visit will vary depending on the dentist but can run anywhere from a few hundred, to a few thousand dollars. The average price of do-it-yourself whitening kits runs anywhere from $25 to $100. While the at-home whitening kits are much less expensive, it's also generally a much longer process. The at-home kits require that the purchaser devote a fair amount of time to the project of whitening teeth, often asking them to wear a special whitening tape around their teeth for hours at a time, or asking them to mix together chemicals into a foam tooth mold and to put it on their teeth for anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour each day.

In-office Whitening

Professional teeth whitening, however, is done at the dentist's office and generally takes no longer than an hour and a half from start to finish. The procedure usually only has to be done once, as it can lighten teeth up to 10 shades in just one sitting. Both at-home whitening kits and a professional teeth whitening appointment have their pros and cons. Ultimately, it is up to the consumer to make the choice of whether they'd like to have expensive, professional results, or the inexpensive, uncertain results that are what occurs when an at-home whitening kit is used.

With celebrities and their perfect smiles appearing everywhere, including magazine covers, the big screen, television, the internet, and even on the side of buses, it is not surprising that cosmetic dentistry treatments are becoming more and more popular. Since the term cosmetic dentistry encompasses numerous dental treatments, you may be confused about not only what is available, but also which procedure is right for you. Below is a short overview of available cosmetic dentistry treatments. Teeth whitening has become one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments. There are various types of take-home teeth-whitening kits (from toothpastes to gels to strips). In-office teeth whitening, including Zoom!, BriteSmile, and Rembrandt, can be performed at your dentist's office or even in a kiosk at the mall. Porcelain veneers have been likened to fake fingernails for your teeth. These ceramic shells are attached to the front of your teeth, creating a straight and uniform smile. Porcelain dental veneers are typically used to conceal cracks, chips, and gaps in your smile. Dental bonding is a less-expensive option than porcelain veneers, but tackles the same types of dental problems. Instead of a full shell placed on a tooth, dental bonding uses a tooth-colored composite to create the perfect smile. Dental crowns are sometimes referred to as "caps." These dental restorations, which can be made of various types of metal, ceramic, or porcelain, are used to repair a badly decayed tooth. Although most cosmetic dentistry procedures are not covered by insurance and can be quite expensive, many patients interested in treatments find ways to pay for the procedures. Financing companies offer plans specifically for dental work and many cosmetic dentists have partnered with financial institutions to provide financing options directly to their patients. If you are interested in improving your smile through cosmetic dentistry, find a skilled cosmetic dentist in your area. Discuss with the dentist what you want to achieve and what your budget is. The right dentist will help you find a treatment plan that will suit your needs.

Often, our teeth lose their luster, through chipping, staining, or misalignment. If your teeth aren't looking their best, porcelain veneers are a great way to improve your smile.

What are porcelain veneers?

Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are securely bonded to the enamel on teeth. They are used only for cosmetic improvement, and provide a very realistic look and feel.

Who makes a good candidate for porcelain veneers?

For the most part, anyone with stained, chipped, or misaligned teeth who wishes to improve their appearance is a good candidate. However, porcelain veneers are not for everyone. If you have a severe misalignment or crack, suffer from gingivitis or gum disease, or habitually grind your teeth, porcelain veneers are not for you.

What is the cost of getting porcelain veneers?

They are quite costly, ranging from about $700-$1,200 per tooth. Most insurance companies will not cover the cost of cosmetic dentistry, but many offices offer financing options.

How long does the procedure take?

Usually, the entire procedure can be completed in three office visits or less, depending on the severity of your issues. The first visit will be to discuss your options and costs with your cosmetic dentist, and make a personalized plan for your teeth. The next visit will involve preparing your teeth for the veneers, and the final visit (or visits) will be the actual placement of your veneers.

How long can I expect porcelain veneers to last?

Due to the nature of porcelain, veneers made of this material are long lasting and very resistant to stain when cared for properly. In general, you can expect your veneers to last many years.

Are there any risks involved?

There are always risks with any procedure that permanently alters the foundations of your teeth. However, with porcelain veneers, the risks are few and slight. There is a risk of increased sensitivity after the procedure, usually subsiding in a few weeks. While porcelain veneers are very hardy, there is a chance that they will eventually have to be replaced due to wear, or may break in an accident, which will incur further costs. Most importantly, porcelain veneers are irreversible, so be sure that you are completely comfortable with your decision, and have weighed your benefits carefully.