Monday, July 11, 2011

Frisco Cosmetic Dentists Give New Life to Your Smile


Your smile is the one thing you want to wear every day. With just one smile, you can instantly express pleasure, friendship, sympathy and trust. It’s probably your number one communication asset, and yet many people are embarrassed to use their smiles because their teeth have been dimmed or yellowed by stains. Countless people just like you buy home teeth whitening kits, only to be disappointed with the results. The fact is, some stains just can’t be washed or bleached away, but Frisco cosmetic dentist Dr. Peter Barnett has a solution for you.

Tooth Staining- An Overview

While there is no one “perfect white” for everyone's teeth, you do have a natural healthy tooth color underneath those stains. So how did they get so dingy?

Over time, tobacco products and chromogenic foods, such as coffee, tea and red wine will stain your teeth. The good news is that this type of simple staining responds well to professional whitening procedures, the bad news is that they will reoccur if you don’t modify your behavior. Now for some tougher characters. Medications, like tetracycline and minocycline can discolor your teeth, as can tooth decay and trauma, which cause “grayed out” areas. Your teeth will also naturally discolor with age. But unlike tobacco and food stains, these stains won’t disappear with any amount of cleaning or bleaching because they go beyond the surface of your teeth. These are deep down stains, but that’s where Dr. Peter Barnett and his team of Frisco cosmetic dentistry staff come in.

Introducing Lumineers

Like their predecessors- dental veneers- lumineers laminate your teeth with a thin porcelain shell. Because they are even thinner than veneers, the light refracting through the porcelain gives your laminated teeth the same gorgeous translucence that your naked teeth have, which means that they look even more natural than veneers. But the real innovation is the technique. Veneers require extensive tooth shaving, causing permanent damage to your teeth. In Frisco, lumineers are increasingly popular because they require only moderate etching to bond into place. Lumineers preserve more natural tooth area, and are actually reversible. For deep down stains, Dr. Peter Barnett invites you to come in and check out the possibilities offered by lumineers.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Most Popular Plano Cosmetic Dentistry Choices


Plano dentist Dr. Peter Barnett believes that all dentistry is cosmetic dentistry in that it all improves your appearance and enhances your smile. There are, however, a number of cosmetic procedures that are especially popular in Plano cosmetic dentistry offices. They include several methods of whitening teeth, veneers to help reshape your smile and invisible braces to align your teeth for a straighter, neater smile.

Plano Teeth Whitening

Whether your teeth are stained or just not quite as white as you’d like, teeth bleaching or whitening can improve your appearance and brighten your smile. Plano cosmetic dentistry offices offer both in-office and at-home teeth whitening options. In-office procedures can take a couple of hours and whiten your teeth by several shades. The procedure includes applying the bleach to your teeth in the office and activating it with a special light. For at-home whitening, the dental technician or dentist will take impressions of your teeth to create custom bleach trays for you to use at home. You’ll apply the dental bleach at home according to the dentist’s directions. Teeth whitening works best for teeth that are lightly stained or uniformly discolored.

Plano Porcelain Veneers

For teeth that require more than a slight whitening, porcelain veneers or Lumineers can cover darker stains and reshape chipped, crooked or misaligned teeth. The procedure is generally painless. It involves removing the enamel covering the tooth and etching the surface with a mild acid so that the new porcelain veneer will adhere properly. The thin veneers can be perfectly matched to the color of your teeth, making it an ideal choice if you want to fill in a gap between your teeth or alter the shape of a chipped or broken tooth. The dentist will create a custom veneer for each tooth, shaping them to fit naturally into your mouth and your smile.

Plano Invisalign

If your teeth need to be adjusted or aligned, Invisalign and invisible braces are the two most popular Plano cosmetic dentistry options. The Invialign system and similar systems use customized clear plastic dental appliances that fit over your teeth. The trays are designed to gently pull your teeth into alignment, with each tray adjusting the teeth a tiny bit more. The entire process takes six to 12 months with several fittings taking place over that time.

For more information about Plano cosmetic dentistry services, contact the Plano dental office of Dr. Peter Barnett.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Frisco Cosmetic Dentist for the Smile You’ve Always Wanted


Anyone who has doubts about the importance of a white, even smile has only to watch television for an hour to see the number of ads that offer to brighten your smile and keep your teeth looking their best. For many people, though, teeth whitening just isn’t enough. If you have crooked or missing teeth that make you hesitant to smile, a consultation with a Frisco cosmetic dentist could be the first step to the smile you’ve always wanted. Today’s technology has come a long way. From adult dentures to teeth implants, a Frisco cosmetic dentist can cover stained teeth, repair chipped teeth, straighten crooked teeth and replace missing teeth – and with the latest sedation techniques, a Frisco sedation dentist can do it without pain or anxiety.

Beyond Whiter Teeth -- What a Frisco Cosmetic Dentist Can Do For You

Crooked teeth affect more than the way people see you. When your teeth don’t meet properly, you may suffer from jaw pain, headaches and other symptoms caused by misaligned teeth and a bad bite. Adult invisible braces, such as Invisalign braces, can pull your teeth back into alignment without the discomfort associated with metal braces.

In addition to marring your smile, a chipped tooth is an avenue for bacteria that causes tooth decay. Porcelain veneers, ceramic veneers and Lumineers – ultralight porcelain veneers that fit over your natural teeth – can cover the chip and restore your tooth to its natural appearance. A Frisco cosmetic dentist who is trained in fitting and applying veneers can create an entirely new smile that fits your face and enhances your appearance.

A missing tooth affects your smile and can impact your health. When you lose a tooth, your remaining teeth shift position in your mouth to fill the gap. The displacement can cause misalignments that result in headaches and even neck and shoulder pain. Traditional cosmetic dentists replace missing or broken teeth with a dental bridge, crowns or dentures, but there’s a better way for many people – teeth implants. A dental implant provides a post for a permanent replacement tooth that looks, feels and works just like your missing tooth.

If your teeth are causing you embarrassment or pain, you don’t have to just live with it. Contact a Frisco cosmetic dentist to discuss your dental restoration and cosmetic dental options today.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

How to Choose a Plano Dentist for Veneers


If you live in the Frisco area, a Plano dentist is your best option to take care of your cosmetic dentistry needs. With the number of Plano cosmetic dentist offices, choosing the right dentist to improve your smile’s appearance can be confusing. If you’ve decide that you’d like veneers to brighten and reshape your smile, these considerations can help you choose the right Plano or Frisco cosmetic dentist.

Start with Your General Dentist

Ask your regular dentist for recommendations. If he doesn’t do tooth veneers, ask him to recommend the cosmetic dentist he’d choose if he were having his teeth done. Ask him, as well, if he thinks you’re a good candidate for tooth veneers. Even dentists who don’t specialize usually understand the procedure and give you important information that will help you choose the right cosmetic dentist.

Ask About the Procedures Offered

Ask the cosmetic dentist what types of tooth veneers he offers and which is most appropriate for you. He should be able to communicate clearly the advantages and disadvantages of each type of veneer, and why you may or may not be an appropriate candidate for them. Be wary if the dentist automatically recommends the most expensive option and can’t explain to you why other options aren’t appropriate for your teeth.

Talk About Any Arrangements for Your Comfort

What sort of pain relief does the dentist offer? What types of medication and other relaxation techniques will he use?

Ask to See Before and After Photos of the Dentist’s Work

Before and after photos will help you judge the quality of the dentist’s work. Most cosmetic dentists will have a folio available for you to look at so you can judge his work for yourself.

Discuss the Costs Before Committing to Any Work

Make sure that you get a full estimate of the costs before you make a commitment. Your dentist should present you with a detailed estimate that includes any additional costs for lab work, consultation and anesthesia fees so that you can make a fully informed decision.

Is the Office Nearby

A local cosmetic dentist makes your experience much more convenient. Dental veneers generally require more than one visit, so if you live in the Plano or Frisco area, a Frisco cosmetic dentist is your most convenient option.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Plano Dentist Can Help Eliminate Headaches and Other Pain


Do you have frequent headaches, earaches, dizziness or sleep problems? The problem might be all in your head – or more specifically, in your teeth. TMJ disorders – problems with the temperomandibular joint – can cause any of those symptoms, along with many other symptoms that appear to be neurological or muscular in origin. If you live in Plano, TMJ dentistry by a certified Plano neuromuscular dentist could hold the key to relief.

What Is TMJ Dentistry?

The temperomandibular joints connect your jawbone to your skull. They are the most-used joints in your entire body – you use them when you smile, when you talk, when you frown, when you chew – in short, every time you use your mouth, you use your TMJ. Your teeth help keep those joints properly aligned. When your teeth are misaligned, worn down or otherwise compromised, it may lead to TMJ pain or more serious problems with the joint. Dentists who are trained to diagnose and treat neuromuscular dental problems can identify dental problems that may be cause your pain and treat the dental issues in a variety of ways.

What Treatments are Available to Alleviate TMJ Disorders?

The treatments for pain and other issues associated with TMJ depend upon the actual cause of your problems. Those causes range from worn joint pads to crooked teeth to habitual tooth clenching and grinding. A Plano TMJ dentist can help determine what is causing your problems and recommend an appropriate treatment. Some of the most common treatments include:

• Custom mouth guards to help prevent teeth clenching and grinding
• Special exercises to help you learn to control jaw clenching and grinding
• TMJ bite therapy to help determine whether your jaw problems are caused by misaligned teeth or an uneven bite that puts pressure on the jaw muscles

Once the cause is determined, the dentist may recommend braces to help realign the teeth, dental appliances to keep you from grinding your teeth while you sleep or reconstructive dentistry to help repair broken, chipped or missing teeth that contribute to malocclusion. If you suffer from frequent headaches or myofacial pain, contact a Plano dentist who specializes in TMJ treatment.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

A Plano Dentist Can Give You The Smile Nature Didn’t


If you feel like you’ve been cheated you out of a perfect smile, don’t despair. With the technology and materials available today, a Plano dentist can give you a smile that rivals the best of even Hollywood’s smiles. Cosmetic dentistry has come far beyond the days of gold teeth and dental crowns. Today’s super-light materials allow cosmetic dentists to create veneers that are virtually indistinguishable from nature’s finest work.

Cosmetic dentists use several different techniques and products to create natural-looking teeth, including porcelain veneers, composite bonding and Lumineers. Plano cosmetic dentists will work with you to decide which smile restoring option is the best fit for your mouth, your life and your wallet. If you’re considering cosmetic dentistry, from a single tooth repair to a total smile makeover, understanding your options will help you make a decision.

Porcelain Veneers

Plano dentists that work with porcelain veneers are artists working in fine porcelain. The procedure involves making impressions of your existing teeth, then creating a thin porcelain cover that fits them precisely. The outside of the cover can be sculpted to shape your teeth into the smile you want. Veneers can close the gap between your front teeth, repair the chip you got when you fell off your bike at 10 or even out uneven sizes that make your smile look crooked. The porcelain is thin and translucent enough to look just like your own teeth – only better.

Lumineers

Lumineers are high-quality veneers crafted of ceramic porcelain that is nearly as thin and light as a contact lens. Because Lumineers are so light and easy to apply, there’s far less likelihood of damage to the sensitive tooth structure. Plano Lumineer dentists work with a specialized lab that creates the porcelain veneers based on silicone impressions of your natural teeth.

Composite Bonding

Unlike veneers, composite bonding involves applying a composite material to your tooth surface and sculpting it to shape. The dentist will first roughen the tooth surface and contour it, then apply an adhesive to your tooth. Once the composite has adhered, the dentist will sculpt it to the appropriate shape.

Whether you’re looking for a total smile makeover, or just want to improve on the smile you were born with, contact a Plano cosmetic dentistry office about the various options available to give you the smile you’ve always wanted.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Can you Afford Not to Whiten Your Teeth?


It seems that these days everyone is having their smile reconstructed, and it’s no surprise. With the culture’s focus on movie stars and their dazzling smiles, it’s no wonder that people are fascinated with straightening and whitening their teeth. After all, it’s important to feel good about yourself, and fixing your smile is one of the easiest and fastest ways to do it. By contacting a Plano cosmetic dentist you’ll soon be on your way to a winning smile. If you’ve been thinking about whitening your teeth, here are two reasons why you should get serious about it.

Your Job

Competition for jobs is at an all-time high, and only the best of the best are keeping theirs. And while it may not be fair, looks do come into play. One of the biggest signs of aging and ill-health is a mouth filled with stained teeth. The stains could be caused by nicotine, smoking or injury, but it all adds up to unattractive. If your job requires you to interact with people, then you’ll want to present your best self—and includes a mouth that is clean and white. Frisco teeth whitening provides you with an affordable, easy way to erase those stains and put your best smile forward.

Your Social Life

Not many people have forgotten the old television commercial that showed an attractive guy suddenly smile, and when his yellowed teeth were exposed, the women went running. Surprisingly, many people will make sure they wear the latest fashions, have the best haircuts and drive the best cars, but forget about the one thing that speaks most loudly about their health—their teeth. But a Plano dentist can change your smile with in-office teeth whitening, and give you the confidence you need to build a quality social life.

Your smile can either be your best asset—or your worst. But luckily, with Plano teeth whitening, you can make it into your best with very little effort or investment. It’s your life—will you smile confidently throughout it, or hide in embarrassment about your yellowed teeth?