Cosmetic Dentistry: Tooth Whitening and Braces in Lower Sackville
Almost anyone who has permanent teeth can qualify for tooth whitening. In most cases, the natural colour of teeth falls within a range of light grayish-yellow shades. Teeth naturally darken with age, and their appearance can be affected by the accumulation of surface stains acquired from the use of tobacco products and the consumption of certain foods or drinks.
Connect with Sackville Dental Centre in Lower Sackville for cosmetic dentistry procedures like tooth whitening and braces.
Popular Treatment
Tooth whitening, or bleaching, is a procedure that lightens teeth and helps to remove stains and discoloration. Whitening is among the most popular cosmetic dental procedures because it can significantly improve the appearance of your teeth at much less cost and inconvenience than other techniques.
Teeth that are yellow respond best to bleaching. Brown or gray teeth, or teeth striped or mottled from tetracycline or too much fluoride, may not whiten evenly when bleached.
People with periodontal disease or particularly sensitive teeth may want to avoid bleaching techniques that can irritate tender gums.
Bleaching is not recommended if you have tooth-colored fillings, crowns, caps or bonding in your front teeth, as the bleach will not change the color of these materials and they will stand out in your newly whitened smile. You may want to investigate other options, like veneers or bonding, with your dentist.
Other Options
In some cases a crown or veneers are recommended to get a whiter and more appealing smile. You will need a quick consultation with the dentist to discuss if you qualify for tooth whitening, and what results to expect.
Orthodontics
Here at Sackville Dental Centre, we provide limited orthodontic services for our regular patients only. Orthodontics is a specialty field of dentistry that diagnoses, prevents and treats irregularities of the face and jaw. Treatment can correct an irregular or "bad" bite, also known as a malocclusion. There are two main ways to treat a patient.
Appliances
In addition to braces, we sometimes use special appliances (called functional appliances) to direct the growth of the jaw in young children. These appliances are rarely used in adults. That's because they are not effective after growth is complete. These are usually removable and can be taken in and out by the patient.
Orthodontic appliances also can help with procedures in other areas of dentistry. Examples include cosmetic and implant dentistry.
Braces
Braces are the most common approach. They help to move the teeth slowly by applying precise amounts of light pressure over a long period of time. This involves the use of brackets bonded on your teeth and a series of wires. You are usually seen on a monthly basis for an extended period of time.
Phases
Most orthodontic treatments occur in two phases:
