The veneers themselves are thin shells that serve as a cover for your teeth masking any imperfections. The shells are bonded to your natural teeth using dental cement. Veneers usually consist of composite resin, ceramics, or porcelain.

Look:

Before attaching a veneer to a tooth, your dentist will remove a small portion of the enamel to make room for the veneer. Once the bond has time to set, your veneers will function just like your natural teeth. There are no complex cleaning procedures when it comes to veneers, just take care of them the same way you take care of your natural teeth and avoid doing things that can damage them.

What to expect during the veneers process

Getting veneers is a straightforward process. It typically involves multiple visits to the dentist even though a dentist can complete it in one visit with the right equipment. The first thing your dentist will do is measure the dimensions of the teeth you want to cover with veneers. The dentist will then send those dimensions to a lab where professionals manufacture the veneers.

When your veneers are ready, the dentist will call you in for your second visit. During this appointment, your dentist will remove a small portion of the tooth’s enamel to make way for veneers. The dentist will typically give local anesthesia to dull any sensations during the procedure.

Next, your dentist will prepare the veneer and the tooth for bonding with dental cement. A special light will then help permanently secure the bond.

It is not uncommon to be sensitive to hot and cold items soon after getting veneers. This sensitivity typically lasts only a few days. Your dentist might require a third visit about a month from the date of installing your veneer to evaluate the condition.

Why choose Veneers?

Veneers can help address a wide range of dental issues, such as masking stains, discoloration, gaps, and poorly shaped teeth. After installing the veneers, you immediately get a set of perfect teeth that look just like your natural teeth.

Since veneers typically consist of ceramics, composite resin, or porcelain, they will not stain easily over time like regular teeth. You still need to take proper care of them like you would your natural teeth though since there are other health issues that can affect your veneers like tooth decay and gum disease.

Think you’re a good candidate for veneers? Schedule an appointment with a dentist so that you can be evaluated. With veneers, you can have a perfect smile with only a few visits to the dentist.

So…

For more information or to schedule an appointment with A Place To Smile, request an appointment in our Mapleton dental office or call us at (801) 489-6811.

Contact Us Today

Does your child need to see a dentist?

With a proper oral hygiene routine, your child’s teeth should stay clean and healthy. That said, you still need a dentist to ensure their teeth grow properly and to identify other concerns.

If your child needs to see a dentist, please call our office to learn about our services. (801) 489-6811

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Why you should consider straightening your teeth:

If you are in your retirement years, there is still hope for you to improve your smile. With the increase in available dental care, many people are reaching retirement with all of their teeth naturally healthy and intact. This point is, you do not need to look for dentures like your parents did.

Instead, you need to look for ways to improve your smile. After all, you have the time, and you have the money, and you are likely to be flashing that smile for years to come. You might as well like what you see when you look in the mirror.

Invisalign® is Ideal for Retirees

No one likes change.  It does not matter whether you are five years old or 65, change is something that most people prefer to avoid. Thus, many adults are leery about the idea of straightening their teeth with the possibility of having to change their routine. This is one of the reasons why we believe you will prefer treating your teeth using clear aligners. The changes that you make are so incredibly minor that it is far easier to live with the decision to do so.

We know that when you wear braces, it is going to require you to clean your teeth differently on a daily basis. You will be spending more time in the bathroom brushing and flossing with a special pick and flossing tools. This is simply unavoidable since food will become trapped between your brackets and wires. At the same time, your appearance is going to look different so that represents change, and what you eat also may need to have some adjustments.

So…

For many adults, it is simply too much change to deal with at one time.  Enter: CLEAR ALIGNERS.

When you straighten your teeth using the Invisalign® clear aligners many of the same inconveniences no longer apply. The aligners are fully removable. They are designed to come out when you eat which means that you can continue to enjoy your favorite meals without restrictions.

If your favorite meal happens to involve steak, you can take out your aligners and eat your steak without worrying about it becoming trapped in between your brackets and wires. After eating, you need to brush your teeth and put your aligners back in to keep the process going.

It is that easy.

When it comes to cleaning your teeth, your routine will also stay the same. You can use your same type of toothbrush and floss and the only difference is that you’ll need to also clean your aligners by following our instructions. This additional step only takes a minute so you truly will not experience any inconvenience when it comes to your healthcare routine.

To find out if Invisalign® is right for you, call and schedule an Invisalign consultation with our office.

Request a dental appointment here: http://www.aplacetosmile.net or call A Place To Smile at (801) 489-6811 for an appointment in our Mapleton dental office.

Contact Us Today

Does your child need to see a dentist?

With a proper oral hygiene routine, your child’s teeth should stay clean and healthy. That said, you still need a dentist to ensure their teeth grow properly and to identify other concerns.

If your child needs to see a dentist, please call our office to learn about our services. (801) 489-6811

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Laser dentistry for regular treatment

Today, thanks in part to laser dentistry, treatments like root canal therapy are relatively pain-free. It is a much more pleasant experience with laser dentistry. In fact, because of the success of laser dentistry, the laser is now in a variety of regular treatment and maintenance plans.  For example, we now use laser dentistry on a regular basis for tooth decay removal.

The laser can remove the decay from the tooth and also help prepare the tooth for a filling. The dental laser eliminates the need for the use of a drill, effectively removing the decay. We can then proceed directly to the filling because the laser simultaneously prepares the tooth.

Gum treatments

There are also significant advances is in the area of gum treatment due to dental lasers. If a patient finds that their gums are receding from the teeth, leaving a toothy smile and the possibility of exposing the root, laser technology can reshape the gum tissue. This treatment will give the patient a more attractive smile and healthier teeth.

A laser dentist never has to use a scalpel, because the precision-guided laser can do all of the work of shaping and sculpting the gums.  There is an additional benefit, in that the laser will also kill any underlying decay so that once the gum treatment is complete the chances of the gum disease reoccurring are greatly diminished.

Soft tissue and enamel

Depending on the type of treatment necessary, we can adjust the power and magnification of the laser to perform multiple tasks. A dental laser can gently cut to the soft tissue, for example in gum sculpting, but can also be used to cut through the enamel in order to remove decay and prepare a tooth for a filling. This versatility makes the laser a valuable tool during dental treatments.

When working with a laser dentist, patients find that the pain they experience both before and after a procedure is less than what they feel during traditional procedures. They find that their recovery times are also shortened. Additionally, patients have the benefit of lessened anxiety, reduced bleeding and swelling during the procedure, and the benefit of more natural enamel being preserved thanks to the use of laser technology.

The LANAP protocol is the only laser gum disease treatment FDA cleared for True Regeneration. Simply put, the LANAP protocol can re-grow the tissues and bone lost to gum disease. In comparison to traditional osseous surgery, patients say the LANAP protocol is:

• Less painful
• Less post-op sensitivity
• Less gum loss (gum recession)
• Very little downtime after treatment

LANAP PROTOCOL EXPLAINED

Gently and effectively clear away the bacteria causing gum disease with laser energy. A laser fiber the width of three human hairs just might be the magic wand as it targets disease but leaves healthy tissue intact.

Laser Assisted Regeneration (LAR)

An FDA-cleared laser treatment called the LANAP protocol offers a less painful, more successful treatment alternative to conventional surgery. LANAP=LAR is the only scientifically, research-proven methodology that results in true periodontal regeneration, new bone growth and gum tissue reattachment. LANAP and LAR are accomplished with the PerioLase MVP-7. It is a free-running, variable pulsed Nd:YAG laser.

The 7 variable pulse durations can be thought of as “different lasers” in one device as they have discrete and discriminating tissue interactions. The LANAP=LAR treatment is one of the most successful protocols in treating gum disease since it can target the source of the inflammation without hurting or remove any healthy gum tissue, slow or stop attachment loss, decrease pocket depth and allow the body to recover from the chronic infection without the need for scalpel or sutures.

For more laser dentistry information or to schedule an appointment with A Place To Smile, request an appointment in our Mapleton dental office here: http://www.aplacetosmile.net. Or call us at (801) 489-6811.

Contact Us Today

Does your child need to see a dentist?

With a proper oral hygiene routine, your child’s teeth should stay clean and healthy. That said, you still need a dentist to ensure their teeth grow properly and to identify other concerns.

If your child needs to see a dentist, please call our office to learn about our services. (801) 489-6811

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Triclosan Might be in Your Oral Hygiene Product

Triclosan is an antibacterial composite in cleaners, soaps, body washes and oral hygiene products of all sorts. While triclosan combats gingivitis, some people argue it might have negative health ramifications. There is some evidence triclosan can alter liver health. Others argue this antibacterial composite might disturb thyroid function.

Most Oral Hygiene Products Have Abrasives

Abrasives help remove stains from the teeth. The initial abrasives were quite rough in texture. Today’s abrasives are comparably gentle. They primarily consist of hydrated aluminum oxides, dehydrated silica gel and calcium carbonate.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Also known as SLS, sodium lauryl sulfate is in many oral hygiene products. Consisting of palm kernel oil and coconut oil, SLS sometimes faces critiques for its byproduct made during the manufacturing process.

Polyethylene Glycol

Polyethylene glycol, known as PEG, is an organic alcohol used in the form of a humectant in oral hygiene products. Its purpose is to retain moisture and serve as a formula stabilizer. However, there is a downside to PEG in that it might contribute to the generation of unhealthy levels of a harmful agent known as dioxin.

Titanium Dioxide is Used to Whiten the Teeth

Some oral hygiene products contain titanium dioxide. This is an inorganic compound that provides the beautiful white hue the eyes are immediately drawn to.

Most Oral Hygiene Products are Flavored

The abrasives, fluoride and other ingredients in common oral hygiene products clean, beautify and safeguard the teeth. However, these ingredients are not inherently pleasing to the taste buds. Flavoring ingredients are added to toothpaste to enhance the taste. Examples of such flavoring ingredients include sorbitol and saccharin. Thankfully, the vast majority of oral hygiene products do not contain sugar so they are unlikely to cause tooth decay.

In some cases, artificial sweeteners are added to bolster flavor or mask the taste of a particular ingredient. Also known as sugar substitutes, these sweeteners certainly make products taste that better. However, the artificial sweeteners have the potential to damage the body in ways scientists do not yet understand. When in doubt, it is always best to take the natural route.

Take a Look at the Ingredients

Take a close look at the small print on the next oral hygiene product you pick up at the store. Give it a thorough read and you will likely find some of the ingredients detailed in this article. Compare and contrast the ingredients of different products to determine which are the most natural, which have the ingredients least likely to cause harm and so on.

Once you understand what you are putting in your mouth, you will have a heightened awareness of the healing process taking place in your mouth and feel that much better about the ingredients in question.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with A Place To Smile, request an appointment in our Mapleton dental office here: https://www.aplacetosmile.net. Or call us at (801) 489-6811.

Contact Us Today

Does your child need to see a dentist?

With a proper oral hygiene routine, your child’s teeth should stay clean and healthy. That said, you still need a dentist to ensure their teeth grow properly and to identify other concerns.

If your child needs to see a dentist, please call our office to learn about our services. (801) 489-6811

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Are you deciding on getting an oral procedure done at the dentist but have a substantial amount of anxiety about what may occur? If this sounds like you, you may want to talk to your dentist about dental sedation. Dental sedation can make the process of going to the dentist’s office comfortable and anxiety-free.

Essentially, dental sedation is ideal for patients that may have a fear of the dentist (including the associated sounds and smells), for those that have sensitive teeth, an overreactive gag reflex or have a complex dental issue that may require an extensive period of time. Before undergoing a procedure at the dentist’s office, here are a few questions that you should have answered about dental sedation.

#1 – Is Dental Sedation Right for Me?

During your consultation, we will help you review your available options for dental sedation. This should take into account your age, health, the cause of your anxiety (i.e. childhood fears, past trauma), what particularly worries you about the procedure, physical discomforts, potential drug interactions and anything else that you may have in mind.

We understand the importance of professional dental care while being sensitive to your concerns. We will carefully explain how dental sedation can help you overcome these problems.

#2 – Which Type of Dental Sedation is Right for Me?

You should know that there is not just one catch-all type of dental sedation for every client. Asking your dentist/oral surgeon about which type of dental sedation they use can help you decide. For instance, some offices only offer IV sedation and nitrous oxide—for those that are afraid of needles, this can be a deal-breaker.

Other dental practices may offer other solutions, like oral sedation in pill form, where you may not feel a thing (or remember a thing, for that matter) during the operation. Additionally, the nature of your dental procedure may require general anesthesia, which requires an anesthesiologist to monitor your heart rate and life support functions while you are completely asleep.

#3 – What are the Side Effects or Risks?

It is important to understand that dental procedures have come a long way in recent years. Today’s dental sedation techniques are safer and more effective than even a decade ago. However, you should still make it a priority to discuss all the possible side effects with us during a consultation.

This way, we can review your medical history and weigh the pros and cons of each method. While no medical procedure is ever 100 percent safe, you should know that dental sedation requires a close monitoring of your vital signs, especially during general anesthesia. We will review all common complications that come with each type of dental sedation during the consultation.

For instance, while nitrous oxide is the safest method of dental sedation, it can deplete your body’s level of B12. Similarly, if you have issues with healing and bruising, your dentist/oral surgeon should recommend other methods of dental sedation—or rule out your candidacy for the procedure entirely.

Call (801) 489-6811 today to reach us.

Contact Us Today

Does your child need to see a dentist?

With a proper oral hygiene routine, your child’s teeth should stay clean and healthy. That said, you still need a dentist to ensure their teeth grow properly and to identify other concerns.

If your child needs to see a dentist, please call our office to learn about our services. (801) 489-6811

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Cosmetic dentistry is one of the most popular sectors of the dental world. There are many options in the dentistry world regarding cosmetic dentistry and a lot of trends that come in and out of style. Currently the most popular are teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, tooth crowning, composite Bonding and full mouth reconstruction.

Each kind of cosmetic dentistry treatment has its own level of dedication ranging from something as simple as dental strips to something as complicated as having a lot of teeth removed.

Teeth whitening

The easiest form of cosmetic dentistry is teeth whitening. While there are so many teeth whitening options, a lot of people buy whitening strips at a local drug store or grocery store. Due to this, people attempt to whiten their teeth without professional guidance. In order to acquire the best results, people will better benefit from products or services at our office.

Store-bought products will only lighten the teeth a shade or two. Some methods are using a soft toothbrush, flossing regularly be aware of foods and habits that can contribute to staining faster like smoking and drinking wine.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are another option if you want to totally revamp your teeth. It is a step up from teeth whitening but it is still not as invasive as having actual work done. Porcelain veneers are like getting all new teeth without the pain. Veneers snap or glue onto the already existing teeth and are totally undetectable. It can be offered in any range from one tooth to all of them.

Tooth crowning

Tooth crowning involves permanent changes within the mouth to keep a tooth from deteriorating or crumbling. Crowning is usually for the molars and for teeth that are not visible when someone smiles. In fact, dental crowns are much more difficult to notice than they were in the past.

Composite bonding

Composite bonding is another fun cosmetic dental procedure. Bonding uses resin to change the shade of the teeth, help with discoloration, fill in large cracks or fill large spaces between teeth.  The resin can also stop the rot and keep the teeth strong.

Full mouth reconstruction

Full mouth reconstruction is for anyone unhappy with their overall mouth, how everything is structured or if their teeth are long gone. A full mouth reconstruction can really be anything from changing the way a person bites, uses their muscles or how their teeth look.

Acquire the perfect smile you desire

With the advancements in dental technology, it is now possible to increase the precision of cosmetic dentistry treatments with computers. There are many advancements in the last several years and the time it takes to complete a treatment is shrinking. The current trends are benefiting from 3D options.

X-Rays for analyzing teeth are more accurate, they can draft through all sides of your mouth. 3D dentistry is used to scan a patient’s mouth and create a perfect solution to any issues. The best part about cosmetic dentistry is that it is all about what the patient wants. We can tailor the treatment to look a certain way and customize it to the patient’s needs.

Request an appointment in our Springville dentist office here: https://www.aplacetosmile.net.

Contact Us Today

Does your child need to see a dentist?

With a proper oral hygiene routine, your child’s teeth should stay clean and healthy. That said, you still need a dentist to ensure their teeth grow properly and to identify other concerns.

If your child needs to see a dentist, please call our office to learn about our services. (801) 489-6811

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Tooth decay or cavities happens when bacteria accumulate in your mouth create acids that abrade your teeth. If left untreated, tooth decay may eventually worsen to infections, toothache, and possible tooth loss. The decay process starts with hidden damage to the teeth enamel and gradually eats into the internal layers of the tooth, before reaching the pulp. The teeth’s pulp is an embodiment of delicate blood vessels and nerves.

Top Causes of Tooth Decay

Poor Oral Hygiene Habits

Failure to brush and floss regularly, not cleaning your tongue correctly, and not using mouthwash all amount to poor oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene habits cause tooth decay and can be corrected through diligence. Ensure you brush your teeth at least twice daily, ideally doing it after every meal.

Improper Nutrition

Ideally, you should avoid food with high sugar content, high carbohydrate, and high acid content to avert tooth decay caused by poor nutrition. Ensure you consume only a healthy diet and avoid sugary, acidic drinks.

Inner Tooth Crevices and Enamel Problems

People with enamel issue and deep crevices are prone to tooth decay. It is very easy for bacteria and plaque to grow in those inner tooth crevices. Dental sealants help solve this problem by covering those crevices, but it is only useful when the teeth are not yet affected by decay.

Dry Mouth

Saliva is highly beneficial for inhibiting the development of plaque. People with dry mouth are more prone to dental issues and consequently tooth decay. Dry mouth may be a result of prescribed drugs, a genetic condition, or medical problems such as diabetes. The dentist can help you to deal with dry mouth to prevent further tooth decay.

Genetics

Some people have tooth decay due to genetics. Just as traits like eye color and hair can be inherited from your family, some people have issues with tooth decay because of inherited enamel issues and deep tooth crevices.

Tooth Grinding

Many people are not aware that they grind their teeth. It usually happens when people are stressed or asleep. Tooth grinding abrades the outer layer of the enamel, causing tooth decay. You can stop this activity by using “bite guard” and reducing stress.

Age

When you reach a certain age, you become more susceptible to tooth cavities. This is mostly due to medications, gum recession from aging, and poor oral hygiene.

Avoiding the Dentist

Finally, refusing to meet the dentist is a subtle invitation for future tooth decay. The dentist can help you detect the presence of plaque because it worsens into cavities. Typically, you should book an appointment with the dentist for general cleaning and assessment.

The dentist will examine your mouth for possible signs of tooth decay. If they detect any issue, a form of treatment will be quickly provided. Your dentist will also suggest preventive procedures that will help prevent future cases of tooth decay.

Here’s the deal

Generally, the primary cause of tooth decay is a lack of proper oral hygiene. With excellent oral health, you will be able to avert many oral diseases.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with A Place To Smile, request an appointment in our Mapleton dental office here: https://www.aplacetosmile.net. Or call us at (801) 489-6811.

Contact Us Today

Does your child need to see a dentist?

With a proper oral hygiene routine, your child’s teeth should stay clean and healthy. That said, you still need a dentist to ensure their teeth grow properly and to identify other concerns.

If your child needs to see a dentist, please call our office to learn about our services. (801) 489-6811

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

We are committed to providing quality service to residents located In the Springville, UT area. Our website has additional information about the following topics: Dentist, Cosmetic Dentist, Family Dentist, General Dentist, Emergency Dentist, Dental Implants, Teeth Whitening, Dental Veneers, Invisalign Dentist and Dental Crowns.

Contact Us Today

Does your child need to see a dentist?

With a proper oral hygiene routine, your child’s teeth should stay clean and healthy. That said, you still need a dentist to ensure their teeth grow properly and to identify other concerns.

If your child needs to see a dentist, please call our office to learn about our services. (801) 489-6811

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

You only get one set of adult teeth, and most older folks will tell you how much those teeth are missed when they are gone.

Regular visits to the dentist are an important part of dental care, but what can you do to clean and maintain your teeth on a daily basis?

Healthy teeth that can last a lifetime

These five easy tips can improve your life, save you money and keep your teeth looking good for a long time.

1. Check your cheeks

Is there any skin on the inside of your cheeks that feels course, bumpy or tough? While it is not a great danger in itself, damaged cheek tissue may be a sign that you are grinding your teeth at night and do not even know it.

Prolonged teeth grinding can lead to damaged teeth, tooth sensitivity, headaches, infection and sleep disruption. If you believe that you are grinding your teeth, it may be wise to get a silicone mouthguard to wear at night.

2. Floss first

You have probably heard this from your dentist at least once: “You are not flossing enough.”

However, did you know that the best time to floss is right before you brush? Many people floss after brushing, in their car or after a meal, and while those are not bad ideas, they are not as effective as they could be.

Recent studies show that flossing before brushing can significantly reduce plaque and that fluoride concentrations in the mouth were noticeably higher as well!

3. Drink more water

Water is not just great for staying hydrated or helping you lose weight, but it can actually improve your teeth too!

Drinking water right after you eat helps rinse out the leftover sugar and bacteria in your mouth. Drinking water with fluoride gives your teeth a nice recharge. It also keeps your mouth from becoming too dry, which can lead to all kinds of trouble down the road.

4. Change your toothbrush

We have all been guilty of neglecting our toothbrush, but using an old toothbrush is like cleaning your dishes with a dirty sponge.

Changing out your toothbrush at least three times a year is recommended, and it would not be a bad idea to occasionally give your toothbrush a soak in alcohol or sodium peroxide.

5. Be aware of your diet

Candy, sugar and coffee can be our enemies in the fight against tooth decay, but what foods are friendly to our teeth?

It turns out that dairy, vegetables and chicken are all fairly easy on your teeth and in fact, can help increase dental hygiene. Cheese, yogurt and milk, for instance, increase the amount of saliva in your mouth, which can create an inhospitable environment for harmful bacteria.

Dairy also contains calcium and other vitamins that help replenish your teeth.

Protect your teeth with good habits

Keep all these tips in mind as you go about your daily life, and remember that none of them are particularly hard to do and are much less expensive than a root canal or an abscess removal.

And of course, make sure you schedule regular visits to the dentist to let the professionals at A Place To Smile help you keep your teeth healthy, happy and whole.

Contact Us Today

Does your child need to see a dentist?

With a proper oral hygiene routine, your child’s teeth should stay clean and healthy. That said, you still need a dentist to ensure their teeth grow properly and to identify other concerns.

If your child needs to see a dentist, please call our office to learn about our services. (801) 489-6811

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.