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A Guide to the Most Popular Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments

Rather than targeting a specific dental problem, cosmetic dentistry treatments focus on improving the overall appearance of your teeth and the surrounding areas of your mouth and jaw. These procedures can address a range of concerns you may have about your smile, including missing or crooked teeth, gaps, discoloration, and even fine lines and wrinkles on your facial skin.

Here’s a closer look at six of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments and how they can help you achieve a brighter smile.

Clear Aligners

Dental braces are a common and effective orthodontic tool for straightening crooked teeth, but some patients — particularly adults —may feel discouraged by their metallic, wiry appearance.

Luckily, clear aligners from Invisalign® and REVEAL® offer a nearly invisible, patient-controlled alternative to traditional braces. Patients receive a series of custom-fitted aligning trays that work quickly to straighten teeth without changing the day-to-day appearance of their smiles.

Clear aligners can even be temporarily removed with ease to facilitate eating, brushing, and flossing.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers have the power to completely transform your teeth and overall appearance by correcting some of the most common aesthetic imperfections, including severe stains and discoloration, unwanted gaps, crooked or misshapen teeth, and chips and other breaks. Able to last many years before needing replacement, veneers are simply thin, tooth-shaped pieces of porcelain that a dentist bonds to the surfaces of existing teeth.

Installing veneers is a quick and painless process, and your dentist will work closely with you to find an optimal shape and shade for your new teeth.

Porcelain Crowns

Unfortunately, veneers are not a viable solution for every tooth.

Severely broken, fractured, decayed, or worn-down teeth can be better corrected with porcelain crowns, which sit like caps over the entire structure of each tooth. Crowns offer the added benefit of strengthening and protecting teeth that otherwise may be susceptible to further damage and functional difficulties.

During your first appointment, your dentist will make molds of each affected tooth and give you temporary crowns to wear until your custom-made permanent crowns have been completed, a process which usually takes around two weeks.

During your second appointment, your dentist will remove the temporary crowns, clean your teeth, and install your brand-new crowns while ensuring that your spacing and bite are correct.

Porcelain Fixed Bridges

Missing teeth can negatively affect the appearance of your smile as well as your ability to speak, chew, and retain your overall facial shape. Acting as a form of an advanced crown, porcelain fixed bridges are an effective and durable solution to missing teeth.

Several varieties exist, but traditional bridges are made using two crowns that fit onto strong anchoring teeth with artificial teeth linked between them to fill in the spaces left by missing teeth.

Like crowns and veneers, porcelain fixed bridges can last many years with proper care.

Teeth Whitening

Any number of substances can stain and discolor your tooth enamel over time, from coffee and tea to tobacco smoke and red wine.

Professional teeth whitening is a safe, easy, and non-invasive way to restore your teeth to a more natural shade of white. Your dentist will fit you for a custom, clear plastic tray, which you will use to apply a special whitening solution to your teeth periodically for a couple of weeks.

Teeth whitening isn’t permanent, however, so you may need touch-ups in the future, especially if you resume activities that stain tooth enamel.

Non-surgical Injectables

In 2021 alone, nearly 2 million dermal filler procedures — using injectables — were performed in the U.S. Although not usually associated with dentistry, non-surgical injectables such as BOTOX® and JUVÉDERM® can work alongside cosmetic dentistry treatments to enhance your overall appearance and facial structure.

Our Exceptional Dental team is specially trained to provide these treatments to reduce facial wrinkles and fine lines, smooth and lift the skin, and even treat painful conditions of the face and jaw, including TMJ and migraines.

Injectables require no recovery time, and results can last from four months to a whole year.

Book an Appointment for Your Cosmetic Dentistry Treatment

Cosmetic dentistry treatments can resolve a wide variety of aesthetic and structural imperfections in your smile, enhancing your overall appearance and boosting your confidence and self-esteem.

Exceptional Dental has been providing residents of South Louisiana and the Gulf Coast with a full range of cosmetic services for more than two decades.

Schedule an appointment with us at our Long Beach, MS dental office or any of our Louisiana locations in:

  • Baton Rouge
  • Kenner
  • Marrero (Ames Blvd.)
  • Marrero (Ave. G)
  • Metairie
  • Mid-City New Orleans
  • Slidell
  • Uptown New Orleans
  • Watson

    • Bad Habits to Break After Getting Dental Implants

    Dental implants are a life-saver for people suffering from missing or damaged teeth. Chewing, eating, and smiling without difficulty become possible again. However, if you want your implants to last a lifetime, it’s crucial to develop good oral and lifestyle habits.

    If you don’t know where to start, it’s best to consult your dentist on what to do after a dental implant surgery. For the time being, here are some tips on how you can extend the lifespan of your dental implants:

    Reduce Alcohol Consumption

    After your surgery, it will take an average of six months for your jaw to heal completely. During this period, osseointegration, the process where your jaw bone fuses with the dental implants, takes place. It is recommended to refrain from drinking alcohol during this time as it can affect the healing process, and potentially lead to implant failure.

    Once the surgical site has fully healed, you can resume drinking alcohol but in moderation. Keep in mind that excess consumption can cause dry mouth that may result in gum disease and implant failure.

    Avoid Cigarette and Tobacco Use

    Whether through smoking or chewing, tobacco use can stain your natural and artificial teeth. Understandably, quitting can take time especially for long-time smokers. Don’t rush the process, and take it one day at a time. Try to build habits that can distract you from your cravings—for instance using over-the-counter nicotine patches or engaging in physical activities.

    Stick to a Soft Food Diet

    Sticky foods can displace dental implants. With that in mind, try sticking to a soft food diet especially during the recovery period. Some foods you can enjoy include scrambled eggs, yogurt, mac and cheese, and oatmeal.

    Ensure Regular Brushing and Flossing

    Dental implants should receive the same level of care as natural teeth. Be sure to brush and floss your teeth at least two times a day. This can avoid plaque buildup which results in bad breath and gum disease.

    Wear a Mouthguard When Needed

    Wearing a mouthguard adds an extra layer of protection to your dental implants. This is especially true if you are prone to teeth grinding at night. The same goes when your playing contact sports, wearing a mouthguard can prevent your implants from getting displaced or damaged.

    Say Goodbye to Missing or Damaged Teeth!

    At Exceptional Dental of LA, we customize treatment plans based on our patient’s specific needs. Schedule an appointment now to see if you qualify for dental implants. From the initial assessment to the surgery date, we’ll ensure that you are in good hands. We’ll also guide and orient you on what to do after the dental implant surgery. Reach out to us today to get started!

    The Dos and Don’ts of Dental Implant Surgery Recovery

    What you do after a dental implant surgery can greatly affect the success rate of your operation. So, be sure to follow aftercare instructions from your dental specialist to ensure a safe and speedy recovery. In the meantime, here are some dos and don’ts you need to know after the operation.

    What to Do

    • Get Enough Rest

    Resting up can assist in your body’s ability to heal. So, after your surgery, clear up your schedule, and take as much rest as you can. When lying down, keep your head elevated to ensure that blood is circulating properly. This will help prevent painful swelling and excessive bleeding.

    • Take Medications and Ice Up

    The anesthesia from the surgery will eventually wear off, and pain will start to creep in. Taking your medication as prescribed by the doctor will manage this and other post-op symptoms. If your face is swelling, place an ice pack over the area for about 30 minutes at a time in the next 18 hours after your surgery.

    • Eat Meals with Precaution

    After your operation, your doctor will place you on a liquid and soft foods diet. Your teeth and jaw will be very sensitive, so you should avoid chewing near the surgical site. Also, try to stick to nutritious and hearty meals like mashed potatoes, yogurt, and cold soups.

    What Not to Do

    • Strenuous Activities

    Too much strain on the operated area can lead to swelling and excessive bleeding. For this reason, you should hold off on doing strenuous activities like running, at least for the first few days after the surgery.

    • Consuming Hot Foods and Drinks

    In the first 24-48 hours after your surgery, avoid eating or drinking anything hot. Bleeding might still be present during this time, and consuming hot food and drinks worsens it.

    • Smoking

    Poor lifestyle habits like smoking can affect your recovery time. Cigarette smoke can damage the oral tissues and salivary glands causing mouth dryness. This may result in tooth decay and gum disease that can weaken the bones and gums supporting your dental implants.

    Your Teeth are in Good Hands!

    At Exceptional Dental of LA, we’ll ensure you get a safe dental implant surgery recovery. We’ll monitor your progress, schedule follow-up check-ups, and provide you with dental implant post-op instructions. Call us today or visit our nearest location to find out if you qualify for the treatment!

    Cantilever Tooth Bridge: Is it the Right Option for You?

    While a traditional dental bridge can help restore the look and functions of natural teeth, not everyone qualifies for it. Thankfully, there are other options to replace missing teeth.

    If you only have a single healthy tooth that can support prosthetic teeth, a cantilever tooth bridge might be a more suitable option for you. Be sure to consult a dentist to find out if you qualify for one. In the meantime, you can read on to learn more about the treatment.

    What is a Cantilever Dental Bridge?

    A cantilever bridge is a tooth replacement that can be made from porcelain, zirconia, or porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM). It consists of artificial teeth or pontics and a dental crown. Like other tooth bridges, it helps improve a person’s ability to bite, chew, and speak.

    How Do I Know If I’m A Good Candidate?

    Prior to the procedure, dentists will examine the structural integrity of the adjacent teeth. They’ll also check for any signs of decay or other issues that may affect the procedure. This step is crucial to ensure that the surrounding teeth are healthy enough to support the pontics in place.

    What Can I Expect During the Procedure?

    Before the treatment, the dentist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the area. And then, the adjacent tooth will be shaped to make sure the prosthetic teeth fit perfectly. This is done by removing a small portion of the enamel (the tooth’s thin outer layer).

    After that, your doctor will take impressions of your teeth and identify a suitable shade for the pontic. The results and the data collected will then be sent to a local laboratory where the artificial teeth will be created. Dental clinics that have the proper equipment may also do this in-house. While waiting for the cantilever bridge to be crafted, a temporary replacement will be given by your doctor to protect against sensitivity.

    Once the dental bridge is ready, your dentist will check if it needs to be modified. If not, your dentist will proceed to attach the pontics to the adjacent tooth using dental cement before finally polishing your teeth.

    Leave Your Teeth in Great Hands!

    At Exceptional Dental of LA, you can expect top-notch services from our dental team. We’ll assess your condition and explore different restorative treatments until we find the right fit for you. We offer a wide range of teeth replacement options like bridges, crowns, and dentures. If you have questions or concerns regarding our services, please reach out to us today!

    3 Different Types of Dental Bridges You Can Explore

    Having one or more missing teeth can make chewing food and speaking increasingly difficult. The lack of tooth structure also impacts your facial features, as it leaves the mouth and cheek area looking deflated. In some individuals, that can cause a lack of confidence.

    If missing teeth is causing you any of these problems, you can opt for a teeth replacement like a dental bridge. Just consult your dentist to find out if you qualify for the procedure. To give you an idea, we’ve listed a few types of dental bridges you can explore.

    Traditional Fixed Bridge

    Fixed bridges are one of the most popular types of dental bridges. They are typically made from ceramic or porcelain-fused-to-metal and are recommended for patients with healthy teeth on either side of the gap. The natural teeth will help support the dental bridges in place. During the procedure, your dentist will reshape the surrounding teeth to ensure the bridge fits perfectly.

    Cantilever Dental Bridge

    Unlike traditional fixed bridges, this type only uses one healthy tooth for support. It is not recommended for patients who need replacement near the back of the mouth as chewing can put too much strain on a single tooth. The adjacent tooth will undergo reshaping to ensure that the cantilever bridge is properly supported. This type of restorative dental fixture can be made from various materials like zirconia, all-metal, and porcelain-fused-to-metal.

    Maryland Dental Bridge

    Also known as resin-bonded bridges, Maryland bridges are for patients with missing teeth in the front of their mouth. They are typically made of different materials like porcelain and porcelain-fused-to-metal. A porcelain or metal band is used to attach the dental fixture to the backs of the adjacent teeth.

    Restore the Beauty and Function of Your Teeth Today!

    At Exceptional Dental of LA, we offer quality dental bridges that will serve you for years to come. We will help you find one that best fits your case and walk you through the entire process. Aside from dental bridges, we also offer other tooth replacement options like crowns and dentures. Call us today to schedule a consultation!

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