Is It Too Late to Save my Smile?

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It’s never too late to save your smile. Your dentist in Woodbury, MN has a range of options to repair or replace damaged or missing teeth. Even a lifetime of neglect is fixable with the right dental care. Schedule an appointment today to find out what can be done to restore your smile to its intended brilliance.

Simple Options for Smile Repair

Smile repair options range from easy to complex, depending upon the shape and appearance of your teeth, jaw, and gums. Some procedures are more simple and others. They include the following.

Teeth Whitening

If your teeth and oral health are in relatively good condition, a simple tooth whitening might be all that’s needed to bring back the sparkle. Teeth Whitening uses bleach such as hydrogen peroxide to remove yellow stains from the enamel. As a result, your teeth look whiter and brighter than before.

You may need to have your teeth whitened if you drink a lot of beverages such as coffee, tea, or wine, that stain teeth over time.

Veneers

A second simple option for smile repair uses veneers, or thin shells of porcelain or composite to fix a range of unsightly tooth issues, including:

  • Cracks
  • Chips
  • Decay
  • Stains
  • Gaps

Veneers simply fit over existing damaged teeth, making them appear new again. Before fitting your new veneers, your dentist will shave down a portion of your natural tooth to allow the veneer to fit as it should.

Braces or Aligners

Braces and aligners help to straighten teeth that are crooked or unevenly spaced. They make your teeth appear more even and perfectly straight. They also eliminate unsightly gaps. Braces are typically made from metal and attach to your teeth with ceramic or metal brackets, which are then tightened periodically to move teeth into the desired position.

Aligners, alternately, are clear plastic trays that fit over your teeth. They’re less visible and do just as good a job as braces at moving teeth into position. Aligners are switched out periodically, and new trays are fitted into place. Aligners can be removed at night for sleeping and through the day for eating and cleaning.

Other procedures such as dental implants, dentures, crowns, and fillings will help to improve the appearance of your teeth, too. They also help to alleviate pain from toothaches to prevent decay and bone loss. If you’re interested in discussing your goals for smile repair with your dentist in Woodbury, MN, call Woodlane Family and Cosmetic Dentistry to schedule an appointment today.

woman smiling white teeth

Brighten Your Smile With Professional Teeth Whitening

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If you put your hand over your mouth when you smile because you’re embarrassed by stained or discolored teeth, hide no more. Teeth whitening is painless, safe, and often quick. You’ve got a few treatment procedures to choose from. Let’s learn more about what causes a dull smile and what you can do to transform it.

What causes teeth staining?

Because teeth are porous, it’s easy for them to pick up colors from the foods and beverages we consume. Here are some of the most common chief offenders.

Coffee: Dark coffee, especially when enjoyed black, can leave your teeth an unsightly shade of brown. While adding milk or cream may lessen this effect, it’s wise to rinse your mouth or brush your teeth right after your morning cup of joe.

Tea: Equally as harmful to your pearly whites are the tannins in black tea. Even white, green, and herbal teas can leave stains.

Red wine: Ever looked at your mouth after a glass of your favorite merlot or pinot? That purple hue lingers, especially if you’ve got plaque buildup on your teeth that the wine can cling to. Sip your wine with just-brushed teeth to lessen the effect. Drinking water and eating while you enjoy your wine also helps to prevent stains.

Soda: Full of enamel-damaging acid, dark-colored sodas pack twice the punch as clear choices since they stain. Plus, they’re loaded with sugar, which is also harmful to your teeth.

Blueberries and beets: Definitely at the top of the list of healthy superfoods, these highly pigmented produce offerings have potent staining power. Rather than forego their nourishing benefits, enjoy them in large quantities, but brush your teeth within an hour of eating to remove the discoloring agents.

woman smiling white teeth

What are my options for professional teeth whitening?

Depending on how quickly you’d like to brighten your smile and the budget you’re working with, we offer three great treatment choices.

1) In-office bleaching: If you’ve got 60-90 minutes to spare, we can deliver optimum teeth whitening. The dentist applies a whitening solution on the front surface of your teeth and then uses a curing light to activate it. The solution is left on your teeth for 30-60 minutes.

2) Tray whitening: This is an at-home procedure that takes a little longer but is also less costly. The dentist takes an impression of your teeth from which to create a personalized tray. You fill the tray with whitening gel, and let it go to work for about an hour a day for two weeks in the comfort of your own home.

3) Whitening strips: The most affordable option, strips are available in our office. Please be sure to consult with your dental team before purchasing over-the-counter strips. We want to be sure you’re choosing the right product for your unique needs.

Call us now to book your whitening consultation.