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Category Archives: Tooth Whitening

Increase Self Confidence With Help From Your Local General Dental Practice

Local General Dental Practice Santa Cruz

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Having a bright, beautiful smile helps you look and feel your best. There’s no single gesture or word in any language more powerful than a smile – in fact, experts believe a smile is one of the most potent ways to activate the brain’s mirror neurons, associated with empathy.

Smiling more not only makes a good impression on others, but also helps you. Science is increasingly learning that the brain is deeply keyed into the muscles of the face. Smiling can make you feel better and create a neurological “feedback loop” that leads to more happiness.

Sadly, some people don’t have the smile they want. This can make them feel shy about smiling.

Even if you work hard at maintaining your teeth, it’s still possible to run into difficulties with dental health. Although brushing is the most important thing you can do for your teeth and gums, it can’t prevent all forms of staining.

With help from a general dentist practice, you can get the smile you’ve always wanted. That will increase your confidence and help you become a more open and authentic “you.” Yes – a smile really is that important!

Here’s what you can get from your general dental practice at Landmark Dental Group:

Tooth Whitening

Many people spend lots of time and money on “over the counter” whitening solutions only to find they don’t get the results they want. OTC whitening gels are not very effective, and they can cause a burning discomfort if applied incorrectly. At Landmark Dental Group, we offer a combo of customized trays and a powerful whitening agent – much stronger than commercial ones!

Veneers

Veneers are thin shells made of porcelain or composite resin that can be placed over the visible surface of teeth. These are perfect for restoring the color and shape of teeth that are permanently damaged. Both types of veneer are made to blend in with the natural look and feel of teeth. If you choose a composite veneer, it can be placed in a single visit to your general dental practice.

Crowns

When teeth are damaged, it’s important to restore them to greater strength. Weakened teeth can cause problems for surrounding teeth and jaw health down the line, even if there is no underlying infection. Crowns reinforce damaged teeth. A crown is like a “cap” that covers the entire surface of the tooth. This returns a cracked, chipped, or weathered tooth to strength and good looks.

Bridges

Bridges help when you have consecutive missing teeth – one or several. The teeth on either side of the missing ones are reinforced with crowns, strengthening them into what’s called abutment teeth. Then, a bridge consisting of artificial teeth is inserted into the gap. Bridges can be made using gold alloy, porcelain, and various other materials.

No matter your age or dental health, it’s never too late to improve the look of your smile. As a community general dental practice, Landmark Dental Group is always here to help. Call us today!

The Benefits of Professional Tooth Whitening by a General Dental Practice

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The Benefits of Professional Tooth Whitening

Tooth whitening is one of the most popular dental cosmetic procedures around because it is affordable and effective. If you are considering whitening your teeth, you must consider professional tooth whitening at a general dental practice. Check out these four benefits of professional tooth whitening.

Professional Tooth Whitening Is the Most Effective Way to Whiten Teeth

There are many products that claim to whiten teeth, such as whitening toothpastes, whitening strips and whitening gels. Many of these can provide some results, but they are usually minimal and take a long time to work.

Professional tooth whitening uses powerful gels that whiten faster and provide better results. Typically, the whitening gel contains about 22 percent carbamide peroxide. The whitening solution in over-the-counter treatments is much lower, which is why you get poor results that take a long time to show.

It is the Safest Way to Whiten Teeth

Although whitening can cause temporary sensitivity to air and cold, the bleaching agent is safe to use, and does not dissolve tooth structure (enamel) away. The doctors will also go over directions for use.

Many Stains Can Easily Be Removed Quickly

Professional tooth whitening is great for getting rid of many different types of stains. As you age, you may notice your teeth becoming yellowish from normal use. Teeth whitening can eliminate these stains with ease. If you smoke or used to smoke and want to get rid of those brown tobacco stains, professional tooth whitening can help too.

Your diet may also cause stains to form on your teeth. Drinking coffee and red wine or eating dark-colored fruits and veggies can stain your teeth. Because these stains are organic in nature, they can be whitened with teeth bleaching.

There Is a Take-Home Treatment

While a general dental practice may offer in-office professional whitening, many offer at-home whitening, which is more affordable, and just as effective. Your dentist will work with you to create a whitening plan.

Typically, the results you can get depend on three factors. The first two are under your control: how long you wear the trays at any given time and how many days you use them. The third factor, unfortunately, is out of your control– which is how susceptible your teeth are to the whitening solution.

You don’t have to go to an expensive cosmetic dentist for a bright smile. A general dental practice in your area likely offers at-home whitening at an affordable price. For more information about teeth whitening, contact Landmark Dental Group today.

Looking for a Dentist Near You? Get 2017 Started Off Right With a High-Quality Santa Cruz Dentist

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Get 2017 Started off Right with a High-Quality Santa Cruz Dentist Near You

With the new year here, it’s time to start thinking about your smile. If you’ve been neglecting your teeth, it’s time to make the resolution to get back to taking care of them. Start by finding a high-quality Santa Cruz dentist near you.

Check out what they can do for you:

Keep Your Teeth Clean and Healthy

What’s the most basic thing a Santa Cruz dentist can do for you? The answer is simple: keep your teeth clean and healthy. Regular check-ups and cleanings are a must for good oral hygiene.

And, if you’re in need of extra special care, Landmark Dental Group also offers root scaling and planing for people with gingivitis or deep pockets that hide tartar and plaque. Everyone needs to come to the dentist at least twice a year for preventative care even if you don’t have a problem. It’s the best way to stop problems before they start.

Get Your Whole Family Treated

As a family dentist office, Landmark Dental makes treating your whole family easy because they see anyone at any age. If you have a child whose first tooth just emerged, they invite you to bring your child for their first exam. You’ll learn how best to care for your child’s teeth. If you have a geriatric parent, bring them by. Older patients often have many problems such as dry mouth, gum disease, etc., that need specialized attention.

Fix Problems That Arise

Of course, even with good preventative care, problems may arise. A little too much sugar could lead to a cavity, and a lot of sugar could lead to a big crack. Your Santa Cruz dentist is there to help with fillings, crowns and extractions. They even offer tooth-colored fillings. So if you need a filling or have metal fillings, you can have them replaced with white fillings that look like natural teeth. Everyone will think you’ve never had a cavity on your life!

Get a Complete Smile

It’s so common to have one or two missing teeth, especially if you are older. This can sometimes be embarrassing, but Landmark Dental Group has you covered. They offer three different ways to replace missing teeth: dentures, dental bridges and dental implants.

Dental implants are the most durable way to replace missing teeth, but they are expensive. Whatever your budget and preferences, you’ll find a way to get the complete smile you desire.

Perfect Your Smile

So many things affect the beauty of your smile: discoloration, genetics, poor oral hygiene, etc. In the past, you pretty much had to live with an imperfect smile. However, today, there are many ways a Santa Cruz dentist can give you a breathtaking smile. Some services include teeth whitening, veneers and crowns. These are all great ways to make your smile look brighter, healthier and younger.

Stay Calm and Relaxed

Too many people have anxiety about going to the dentist, and in the past, there may have been reason, but today, going to the dentist is painless. Of course, that doesn’t always stop your anxiety. So, if you need a way to relax in the chair, choose sedation. You can choose from inhalation sedation, oral sedation and IV conscious sedation. All of them make you feel so relaxed you may fall asleep. Plus, they have some amnesiac qualities, so you won’t remember much of your visit — making it less scary to go to the dentist in the future.

Don’t neglect your mouth a moment longer. You want to be proactive with your smile, so serious problems don’t arise. For more information, contact Landmark Dental Group.

Santa Cruz Dentist: 4 Facts You Need to Know About Teeth Whitening

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4 Facts You Need to Know About Teeth Whitening

Cosmetic dentistry is constantly growing, but teeth whitening is still one of the most popular procedures. Teeth whitening uses a brightening gel that removes organic stains from coffee, wine, tobacco and other stain-causing foods and drinks. If you want to see your teeth become shades whiter, check out these four facts you need to know about teeth whitening treatment from Landmark Dental Group in Santa Cruz.

You Can Effectively Whiten Your Teeth at Home

You don’t have to sit in the dentist chair to get whiter teeth. While a lot of the over-the-counter whitening products don’t work as well as in-office whitening, there is an at-home treatment that does. At Landmark Dental Group, you’ll get custom trays made to fit your exact bite. At home, you fill these trays with the whitening gel and wear them to reach your desired shade. The process takes longer than in-office whitening, but it is cheaper, as effective and convenient because you can do it on your schedule.

How Long You Wear the Trays Matters

Your results depend on how long you actually wear the trays. This includes how long you wear the trays each day and how many days you wear the trays. If you only wear them for a short period of time, your results won’t be great. With Landmark Dental Group’s teeth-whitening trays, you can wear the trays up to two times a day for 45 minutes or less. Your dentist will work with you to determine how long you should wear the trays to reach your desired results quickly.

Even Teeth Treated With Root Canal Therapy Can Be Whitened

If you’ve had root canal therapy, don’t worry. Even though the pulp has been removed from these teeth, they can still be whitened with tooth whitening. However, veneers, bridges and fillings cannot be whitened. If you want whiter teeth but have a veneer, bridge or tooth-colored filling, talk with your dentist about having it replaced to match your new tooth color. Landmark Dental Group offers porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns and tooth-colored fillings.

It’s Best to Start With a Healthy Smile

Having a white smile is important and can give your confidence a boost, but it isn’t the only thing that matters. Before you get your teeth whitened, make sure you have a healthy smile. If you have decay, damaged teeth or gum disease, work with your dentist on having those problems treated first. While tooth whitening is completely safe, if you have damage to your teeth or gums, the gel may cause pain when applied, especially if it can reach the nerves of the tooth. Once your teeth are healthy, you can focus on creating a bright, white smile.

Tooth whitening is one of the most popular dental cosmetic procedures because it is easy, inexpensive and effective. If you are tired of dingy, stained teeth, stop hiding your smile, and start making a change. Contact Landmark Dental Group in Santa Cruz today to learn more about tooth whitening.

5 Myths About Tooth Whitening — Debunked!

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Tooth whitening is one of the most popular dental cosmetic procedures because it produces excellent results, does not harm the teeth or gums, and doesn’t cost a fortune. If you are curious about whitening your teeth, but would first like more information, see below for five myths about tooth whitening to learn the truth for yourself.

Myth #1: Tooth Whitening Is Painful

Putting a bleaching agent on your teeth may sound painful, but the process should not cause much or any discomfort at all. Placing too much of the whitening solution into the custom tray may cause some to get onto your gums, which may cause some slight discomfort. Simply removing the tray and rinsing your mouth will alleviate any discomfort from too much solution. Also, some people may experience an increase in sensitivity to things like cold and air. This typically occurs immediately following the application of the whitening agent, is only temporary and will go away with time, and often occurs in those individuals who are more sensitive to begin with. If you have sensitive teeth, rest assured — most sensitivity can be treated with a little time or a desensitizing gel or mouthwash to use after whitening.

Myth #2: Tooth Whitening Damages Enamel

One of the biggest misconceptions about tooth whitening is that it may damage your enamel. This is simply not true. The term “bleaching” can be a bit misleading. Bleach can destroy things, but the whitening solution used on your teeth is peroxide based, and it doesn’t weaken or remove your enamel. In fact, the US FDA performs rigorous testing on the bleaching agents used in teeth whitening gel to ensure that they are completely safe and won’t damage your tooth enamel.

Myth #3: At-Home Whitening Isn’t as Effective as In-Office Whitening

At-home whitening is just as effective as in-office whitening. Although in-office whitening can often have dramatic results, it is usually temporary and, in fact, most dentists will also give the patient custom trays to continue the whitening process at home for the best results. How white your teeth will become with either method depends on several factors, including how long you wear the whitening trays, the number of days you wear the trays and how well your teeth react to the whitening agents. As far as over-the-counter whitening toothpastes, rinses, and other products are concerned, they do not whiten your teeth as well (some even argue that they don’t really whiten at all and is more of a marketing ploy).

Myth #4: All Tooth Discoloration Can Be Fixed With Tooth Whitening

Regular tooth whitening is great at fixing extrinsic stains — those caused by foods, beverages, smoking and age. These stains are on the surface, where the whitening agent works. However, intrinsic stains , or those that are deeper in the tooth structure, don’t always react well to whitening. Stains from trauma that causes the dentin to darken and an overexposure to fluoride, which can cause fluorosis (white or brown spots or mottling of the teeth), are poor choices for tooth whitening. If you have these types of stains your dentist can work with you to find a solution that will give you a beautiful white smile.

Myth #5: You Only Have to Get Your Teeth Whitened Once

Actually, this myth could hold true, but only if you decide to avoid everything that can caused tooth discoloration in the first place. The results that you experience during the tooth whitening procedure are considered permanent because the bleaching agent destroys your current stains forever. They won’t suddenly come back in a few months. However, tooth whitening doesn’t make your teeth immune to stains. The more stain-causing foods and beverages you consume, the faster your teeth will develop new stains. Often, patient will need to ‘touch up’ their smile with a few weeks of teeth whitening each year.

If you’re tired of a dark and dingy smile, you don’t have to wait a moment longer. Tooth whitening is a great way to get the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. For more information about teeth whitening, contact Landmark Dental Group today.

Call Us Today! (831) 464-1372