Posts Tagged “Orthodontist”
Cosmetic Dentistry Is More Than Celebrity Makeovers
It is easy to get caught up in the negative publicity that some cosmetic medical procedures generate and tar the whole industry with it. Cosmetic treatments often have the same blanket generalisation applied to them as being unnecessary, or only for the incredibly vain, and this has extended at times in to the world of cosmetic dentistry through their increased exposure from extreme makeover reality TV programs.
Whatever your opinion of the people featured on those programs or the celebrities who (allegedly) spend more time under the knife than not, it is important not to forget the serious medical benefits that recent advances in the science have brought to thousands of people worldwide. There are many people who, through no fault of their own, develop a teeth or jaw alignment which is not only unattractive to look at, but actually affects their eating, breathing and general health. These issues go far beyond the mere aesthetics of the mouth and the changes provided by orthodontists have far reaching and life changing implications for the individual. Especially in the case of long term sufferers of TMJ pain.
It is also important that if you suffer with your teeth, perhaps from a misaligned bite or just the lack of confidence from a wonky smile, you shouldn’t be put off doing something about it just because of what you fear people might think about you. Your happiness and health should never be allowed to suffer due to the prejudices of others.
Posted in: Cosmetic Dentistry, Orthodontists, TMJ Pain
Tags: Cosmetic Dentistry, Orthodontist, TMJ Pain
| April 16, 2010 at 10:11 am | No comment
Orthodontists Bearing Their Teeth At TV Show
Dentists have recently condemned the hit American TV Show ‘Ugly Betty’ for its negative portrayal of dental braces. In the show the lead character wears a pair of ‘train track’ wire braces. Orthodontics experts are worried that this could discourage people who need braces, as they may associate the unsightly train track style with orthodontic work. However, it is very rare for adults to be fitted with this style of braces and on the odd occasion when they are they are usually only ever required to wear them for a maximum of two years. The fact that braces are associated with ‘ugliness’, as portrayed in the program, has orthodontists worried about people avoiding having the treatment, when they may desperately need it.
However, if you’re one of these people who need corrective work done to their teeth, but are turned off by the idea of wearing braces then you should consult your orthodontist. They’ll be able to offer you a range of alternative treatments, and if it turns out that you are required to wear braces then it’s pretty unlikely you’ll have to wear the train track style wire braces. Modern braces are much more discrete and if some cosmetic dentistry experts are even able to offer their clients alternative corrective treatments that are just as effective as braces, but barely noticeable.
At the end of the day, you shouldn’t be worried about wearing braces as although popular TV shows may portray them as being typically unsightly, the fact is that most people probably won’t even notice you’re wearing them.
Posted in: Cosmetic Dentistry, Orthodontics, Orthodontists, braces
Tags: braces, Cosmetic Dentistry, Orthodontics, Orthodontist
| March 25, 2010 at 4:03 pm | No comment
Effortless Beauty
Right, with Christmas gone and daylight lasting fractionally longer each day, winter is on the out. Yes, there’s still snow on the ground and it’s too cold to go out in less than three layers or even go out at all, but remember how Christmas came around faster this year? Well, summer will too. It won’t be long before magazines will be running those articles about getting your body in shape for the summer weather and beach time. You’ve got six months, probably less, and they’ll be urging you to start exercising now, to start dieting (a standard New Year’s Resolution anyway) and to consider a wide range of skin products designed to “improve” your general glow from your face to your feet.
Before After
But there are still six months till summer, no matter how quickly they may pass by: the weather is still too cold to go on a diet or go for a run in the park and actually enjoy it, and as for those skin products, anything that even remotely implies a tan in January will draw ridicule, and deservedly so.
But where can you start? Well, there’s always cosmetic dentistry. A stunning, bronzed beach body might impress from afar, but the effect can be offset—nay, completely undone!—by a shabby smile. And, as your face is the only part of you on display at this cold time of year, a knock of confidence in that direction can ruin your enthusiasm to get down to your preparations for summer health. Ask your orthodontist about any cosmetic dentistry options applicable to yourself, from teeth whitening to the correction of crooked teeth, and try building up the summer image immediately. Remember, a beautiful smile doesn’t have to wait until summer to be shown off…
Posted in: Cosmetic Dentistry, Orthodontist, Teeth Whitening
Tags: Cosmetic Dentistry, Crooked Teeth, Orthodontist
| January 29, 2010 at 3:12 pm | No comment
Check Your Bite
Misaligned or uneven teeth can cause bite problems in people of all ages. The misalignment of teeth is called malocclusion, and can be caused by myriad factors including habits, accidents or just the way they have grown. It can also be a side effect of other dental treatments earlier in the patient’s life, but thankfully all types of malocclusion are treatable.
Before After
A common complaint following restorative dental work on a crown or filling is that it is too high or thick. This can lead to pain not just in that particular tooth but also complaints from pain in facial muscles being asked to work in an unfamiliar manner. Continued malocclusion can even lead to more serious problems such as TMJ pain.
If you are concerned that you may have bite problems then you should speak to a dentist or orthodontist as soon as possible. If the problem is more an aesthetic one then it may be best to seek the advice of a dedicated cosmetic dentist to make sure you receive the most relevant and up to date information as possible. These people will be able to diagnose exactly what they think may be causing the discomfort or pain and advise the most appropriate course of treatment or therapy. Remember that not all the treatments that you have read about may be suitable for you personally, but if you attend your consultations with an open mind then you will be able to make an informed decision with your dentist on the best course of action to take.
Posted in: Bite Problems, cosmetic dentist
Tags: Bite Problems, cosmetic dentist, Malocclusion, Orthodontist, TMJ Pain
| January 8, 2010 at 11:22 am | 1 comment
Counting the Cost
As we grow older, minor issues with the alignment of our teeth or bite can manifest themselves as serious problems, some causing discomfort, others leading to serious infection or damage to surrounding teeth and tissues. However, if you were to speak to most adults with slightly misaligned teeth, the vast majority would not put getting them fixed very highly on their list of priorities for the week, month or even year, even once made aware of the risks to their oral health that they are taking.
Part of the reason for this is the perceived cost of serious orthodontic work, as although a sick man will put no price on regaining his health, an otherwise healthy person with a busy lifestyle and multiple financial commitments will find it hard to justify the outlay on fixing a problem they consider to have not happened yet. The good news is that the vast majority of cosmetic dentists offer some kind of payment plans for large treatments, often at 0% interest. This of course takes a large lump sum that many people may struggle to find in one go and turns it in to little more than another phone bill each month – well worth your future dental health.
Another turn-off for a lot of people is the effect they fear having a mouth full of wires will have on their personal relationships, both at work and in their social lives. What they don’t realise is just how far cosmetic dentistry has come in recent years, and how inconspicuous modern orthodontic treatments can be. One such treatment is known as Invisalign, which involves the wearing of clear aligners that you remove for eating and teeth cleaning. Invisalign aligners are different to the “train-track” braces of old, not only because they can barely be seen when worn, but also because they require no permanent fixings within the mouth, making them significantly more comfortable to wear. We will cover these kinds of braces in more detail in another blog, but if you have been put off orthodontics in the past then it would be well worth your time to revisit the subject with an orthodontist and see what new treatments may be available to you.
Posted in: Orthodontics, Orthodontist
Tags: cosmetic dentist, Invisalign, Orthodontics, Orthodontist
| December 17, 2009 at 9:31 am | 4 comments
