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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!

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.

Why Should You Consider Porcelain Veneers?

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Porcelain veneers are a popular cosmetic dental procedure — and with good reason. They have many benefits and are affordable. If you have thought about getting veneers, but aren’t sure if they are right for you yet, check out these four reasons you should consider getting porcelain veneers.

They Instantly Straighten Teeth

Braces are a great way to straighten teeth, and with invisible braces like Invisalign, you don’t have to suffer the stigma of a metal mouth. However, braces do take a long time to work. If you are looking for a way to fix your mildly crooked/gapped teeth fast, consider veneers. The entire process does take a few weeks, but once you have your beautiful veneers, your teeth appear straight. Plus, because your teeth aren’t actually moving, you don’t have to worry about wearing a retainer to prevent them from becoming crooked again.

Veneers Hide Stains That Can’t Be Whitened

Everyone wants a bright white smile, and thanks to teeth whitening, you can get a beautiful smile fast. Unfortunately, not every discoloration can be whitened. While tobacco stains, food stains and drink stains usually whiten with ease, there are some stains that tooth whitening doesn’t fix well or at all, such as discoloration from too much fluoride. Luckily, you don’t have to accept these stains. Veneers sit on the front surface of your teeth, so they hide any stain. Porcelain veneers resist stains well, but if they do manage to become stained, they cannot be whitened.

They Add a Protective Layer to Teeth

Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, but that doesn’t make it impossible to destroy. Eating foods and beverages high in sugar or acids and not taking proper care of your teeth can cause enamel erosion, which exposes your teeth to decay. Enamel cannot be regrown. Once you’ve lost it, it’s gone for good. If a lot of enamel has deteriorated from your teeth, your dentist may recommend veneers to protect your teeth from decay. They won’t be able to protect the backs of your teeth or your back teeth, so porcelain crowns may be necessary in some cases.

They Fix Chips and Uneven Teeth

A last advantage of veneers is that they make your teeth look perfect. If you have chips on some of your front teeth, don’t worry, the veneer will hide it. If you have teeth that are too long, too short, oddly shaped or uneven, veneers can fix that too. The lab can design the veneer to fit your tooth while giving the appearance of an ideal tooth. Plus, because porcelain looks almost like normal tooth tissue, no one will be able to tell you have veneers.

Veneers are a great option to improve the appearance of your smile. However, keep in mind that this is a permanent decision. Once the dentist has filed your enamel down to fit the veneer, you’ll need them for life. Of course, once you see how great you look with them, you’ll want them forever. For more information about veneers, contact Landmark Dental Group today.

4 Facts About Enamel Erosion

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You take great care of your teeth because you know the risks: cavities, infection, tooth loss, etc. However, even if you do everything you should, your enamel may be eroding.

Check out these four facts about enamel erosion:

Acid Can Erode Enamel

Enamel erosion isn’t your typical dental problem. True, failure to brush and floss regularly can lead to erosion because it allows bacteria to attack your teeth, weaken enamel and lead to cavities. However, even if you take great care of your teeth, you can still suffer from weakened enamel. This is because acid is a huge culprit of eroding enamel.

So many foods and beverages contain high levels of certain acids that attack enamel. This includes soft drinks, fruit juice and wine. Plus, foods and beverages that are high in sugar and starches can erode enamel, too. Additionally, if you develop acid reflux disease from a bad diet, this too could increase the level of acid in your mouth and cause erosion.

Aggressive Brushing Can Cause Enamel Erosion, Too

Yes, it is possible to be too enthusiastic with your oral hygiene. When you eat sugary or acidic foods, you may feel the need to aggressively brush your teeth to eliminate all that plaque. Plaque, however, is easy to remove with a light touch. When you aggressively brush your teeth, you can actually damage the enamel and wear it away.

If you do brush your teeth hard right after eating foods that have a lot of acid, the risk of wearing down your enamel increases. Acidic foods and beverages soften your enamel for a while. If you roughly brush your teeth while the enamel is soft, it’s easier to scratch it away. If you do eat something high in acid, don’t brush right after. Instead, rinse your mouth with water. Brush later, and don’t be aggressive.

Changing Habits Saves Existing Enamel

To prevent further erosion, change your habits. It would be best if you cut out the acidic beverages and foods completely. However, that can be difficult; our suggestion is to try to cut back. When you do drink soda, fruit juice or wine, try to drink it through a straw or only with a full meal. When you are done, rinse your mouth with water.

If the problem is that you are brushing too hard, ask your dentist to show you how to brush properly. You can also switch to a soft-bristled brush, so even if you do brush a little harder than you should, it won’t erode as much enamel.

Enamel Cannot Be Regrown

Unfortunately, the enamel you have lost cannot be regrown. Just like you cannot re-grow a bone, the lost enamel is gone for good. If you haven’t eroded much enamel, work with your dentist to make healthy choices that can preserve what you have and prevent future erosion.

If too much enamel has been lost, your teeth could be susceptible to severe decay. In this case, your dentist may suggest treatments that could replace the enamel. The dentist can’t replace the enamel with more enamel, but treatments like dental bonding, veneers and crowns cover the tooth like enamel, blocking bacteria and acid.

Erosion of enamel can happen to anyone. Even if you take great care of your teeth, poor eating habits can be wearing down the protective barrier of your teeth. Once this is gone, it cannot be regrown, and your teeth become extremely vulnerable. For more information on tooth erosion, or if you think you may have some erosion, contact Landmark Dental Group today.

Veneers: A Second Chance at a New, Beautiful Smile

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Having a beautiful smile has become increasingly important. Unfortunately, genetics and bad oral habits can make you unhappy with your smile. Luckily, you aren’t stuck with the smile you have. Cosmetic dentistry can craft beautiful smiles, and one popular cosmetic procedure that fixes many problems is veneers. If you are curious about veneers, check out these important facts.

Veneers Can Fix Minor to Moderate Misalignment

If you have minor to moderate overlapping, gapping or other misalignment issues with your teeth, don’t assume braces are your only option. Veneers can also fix these misalignment concerns. Braces straighten your teeth by physically moving them, but veneers can make your teeth look straight. They won’t actually move, but the dentist will shape your teeth, so when the veneers are placed, your teeth will look straight. The benefit of this is that you don’t have to worry about your teeth moving to their old position, which sometimes happens with braces.

They Can Create a Flawless Finish

If your teeth have stains that are resistant to whitening, chips or cracks — or uneven in length — veneers can fix those problems too. This gives your teeth a flawless finish. The veneer sits on the surface of your teeth, so it will hide any surface defects, such as cracks. If you have teeth that are uneven in length, the veneers will also make your teeth look longer or shorter, depending on your needs. Plus, as a final benefit, porcelain veneers have the same translucent look natural teeth have, so they will look real.

They’ll Help Protect Some of Your Teeth

Your teeth are protected by enamel, but when that enamel becomes weak from bacteria and acid, it can lead to decay. Veneers are like super enamel, which make them an excellent solution if your enamel has already weakened. With veneers, the front surface of your teeth are well protected from decay. Of course, the backs of your teeth and your gum line are still susceptible to decay, and severe decay could compromise the veneers, so keep your teeth clean.

They Are Not Reversible

Veneers are a non-reversible procedure. This is because the dentist must remove a portion of the surface of your teeth to fit the veneers. If you were to have the veneers removed at some point, your tooth would be extremely prone to decay. On the bright side, however, less tooth structure must be removed to fit veneers than porcelain crowns, so there is less risk of causing damage to the pulp.

Veneers Are Best on Healthy Teeth

If you want to get veneers, it’s best if you have somewhat healthy teeth. You can have some decay and chips, but your teeth should still be strong. This is because veneers don’t strengthen teeth. If your teeth are weak, you may only be wasting your money. If you do have teeth with lots of big fillings or decay, you may want to ask your dentist about porcelain crowns. They have many of the same benefits as veneers, such as being able to give you a perfect smile, but they also strengthen teeth.

Don’t let your smile affect your confidence a moment longer. Just because you have some minor issues, it doesn’t mean you have to accept them. For more information about veneers or other cosmetic dental procedures, contact Landmark Dental Group today.

Veneers Done Right in Santa Cruz

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Thanks to all the advancements in cosmetic dentistry, just about anyone can get the flawless and gorgeous smile they have always wanted. Veneers are one popular cosmetic dental procedure that fix a variety of cosmetic problems. If you are considering dental veneers, check out these four facts to learn all about Landmark Dental veneers.

What Can Veneers Do For Your Smile?

Veneers are not the best option for correcting structural problems, such as weak teeth, but they can fix many different types of cosmetic concerns you may have.

Common flaws corrected with veneers include:

Stains/discoloration – Stains that cannot be corrected with tooth whitening procedures can be covered with veneers
Gaps/crooked teeth – Gaps and crooked teeth (minor to moderate) can be fixed without the need of braces
Chips/cracks – Small chips and cracks can also be covered with veneers to make the tooth look whole and solid
Uneven teeth – Teeth that are too long or too short can be made even with the help of veneers

What Types of Veneers Does Landmark Dental Offer?

Landmark Dental Group offers ceramic (porcelain) veneers and resin-based composite veneers. Ceramic veneers are the more expensive option, but they also create the best results because the porcelain used to craft them can mimic the look of real teeth, giving your veneers a translucent look. Resin-based composite veneers are made from the same material used to make tooth-colored fillings. They are less expensive, but they don’t copy the look of real teeth as well as ceramic. Resin-based composite veneers can usually be done in one visit, but ceramic veneers take longer.

Is the Process Painful?

To place the veneers, the dentist must first remove a small layer of your tooth’s enamel, but the process is not painful. As with most dental procedures, the dentist will use a local anesthetic, so you won’t feel anything. If you are nervous, ask your dentist about sedation options. Sedation options include inhalation (minimal), oral (minimal to moderate) and IV conscious sedation (moderate). For inhalation sedation, you’ll be back to normal as soon as the gas is removed, so you will not need anyone to drive you home, but for oral sedation and conscious sedation, you will want someone to bring you to the dentist and take you home.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Veneers?

Not everyone is a good candidate for dental veneers, but you are probably a good candidate if:

You are in good overall health
You have no current cavities
You don not have active gum disease
You don not grind your teeth
You have enough health tooth enamel for the procedure
You don not have severely crooked teeth
You are dedicated to good oral hygiene

If you can say yes to all these factors, and you have one or more concern that can be corrected with dental veneers, you are probably a great candidate.

Dental veneers can fix so many cosmetic dental issues, and if you are a good candidate, you should definitely consider them. Stop hiding your smile and get the one you deserve. For more information about dental veneers or other cosmetic dental procedures, contact Landmark Dental Group today.

Veneers Make Beautiful Smiles Possible!

Veneers are thin shells that are placed on the fronts of your front teeth, and they are able to correct many types of cosmetic dental problems. There are two different types of veneers: those made from ceramic and those made from a resin-based composite. If you want a more beautiful smile, it’s time to learn a bit more about veneers and how they can help!

General Advantages of All Veneers

Veneers have many advantages because they fix so many common cosmetic dental concerns. If your teeth are slightly crooked or have minor gaps, the dentist can place veneers to make your teeth look straight much faster than braces. Veneers also hide cracks, chips and misshapen teeth (including teeth that appear too small or short, etc.). For persistent stains that cannot be corrected with teeth whitening, veneers can cover them to give your teeth the shade you’ve always desired.

Advantages of Ceramic Veneers

Ceramic veneers or porcelain veneers are one option when you are considering veneers. Although the words ceramic and porcelain may sound fragile, these veneers are actually extremely durable. They’re also resistant to stains, and the dentist can pick the perfect shade to match the rest of your teeth. If the rest of your teeth are stained, however, you may want to talk to a dentist about getting them whitened before getting veneers as the veneers themselves cannot be whitened.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of ceramic veneers is how well they capture the natural look of teeth. Your natural teeth aren’t just white. They have a translucence to them, especially at the tips. Ceramic veneers have this same translucency. They look like real, natural teeth!

Advantages of Resin-Based Composite Veneers

The other option for veneers is a resin-based composite. It’s the same material the dentist uses to create tooth-colored fillings, so it is also durable. This material can also be colored to match the rest of your teeth, and while it can create a beautiful, white smile, it is more difficult to create the same translucence of ceramic.

Resin-based composite veneers can often be placed in a single visit. Ceramic veneers typically take two visits because the lab needs time to craft the ceramic veneers. With resin-based veneers, the dentist shapes the material to look like natural teeth. Another advantage of choosing resin-based composite veneers is that the cost is often slightly less than with ceramic ones.

Considerations to Recognize Before Getting Veneers

There are some facts to consider before you choose to get veneers. For starters, unlike dental crowns, veneers don’t strengthen teeth. If your teeth are weakened from large cavities, cracks or fillings, they may not be the best option. Another consideration is that to place the veneers on your teeth, the dentist must permanently alter your teeth by removing some of the outer surface. This means you’ll need to have veneers forever to protect your teeth from exposure to bacteria and plaque. This is not a reversible process. However, the amount of tooth structure removed is far less than with dental crowns.

As with any procedure, there are considerations to recognize, but the many great advantages of veneers usually outweigh them. With veneers, you can have the perfect “Hollywood” smile without much time or effort. If you’re ready to transform your smile, or if you just want more information, contact us today. We’re happy to have a conversation and walk through your options.

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