Single-Appointment Transformations

A “smile makeover” sounds like a serious overhaul. But the complexity of treatment doesn’t necessarily define a smile makeover; the results do. In fact, gaining a smile that is dramatically different from your present one can be achieved within the space of one appointment. An enduring, beautiful smile doesn’t have to come at the cost of multiple appointments, hours spent in the dental chair, and weeks spent wearing temporaries while waiting for restorations. Certain cosmetic treatments will revive your smile during just one visit to our office.

Candidates for Smile Makeovers

Being a candidate for a smile makeover is not belonging to an exclusive group. Really, anyone who isn’t completely satisfied with his or her smile is ready for a transformation. Depending on your teeth, aesthetic goals, and dental needs, we’ll determine which treatments are appropriate. Although the term “makeover” can inspire thoughts of the superficial, your new smile will be entirely functional and long lasting. It will not undermine the affected teeth – rather, many types of cosmetic work will strengthen them.

Single-Day Cosmetic Treatments

Dental Bonding

Consider fillings of old: big pieces of silver or gold that left marks on a smile. Today’s fillings are tooth-colored and blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, thanks to dental composite. Composite is a tooth-colored resin that bonds securely to teeth. It may be molded into nearly any shape, filling areas of teeth that are lacking in some way. Bonding may be used to

• Fill gaps
• Whiten
• Lengthen
• Reduce sensitivity
• Reshape
• Cover cracks or chips

…and it does so without requiring a dental lab. Dr. Scotto will select the right shade of composite, shape it, bond it to your tooth, and harden it – all chairside. You’ll enter our office with a flaw, and leave with a perfect smile.

Teeth Whitening

We’re sure you know what teeth whitening is – but you may underestimate all that it can do for your smile. Some patients initially seeking more involved cosmetic work find that whitening accomplishes the level of dramatic change for which they had hoped. With whitening’s versatility, you’re also able to experience treatment as you wish. Whether you’d like to whiten at home or in the office, your options remain open. Struggle with sensitive teeth? Modern whitening methods help to minimize twinges and produce the results you seek.

Professional whitening will brighten your smile by several shades within 1-2 hours. With home touch-ups, you’ll enjoy a whitened smile for months to come.

Cosmetic Contouring

Contouring may be the simplest of the treatments listed, but it can also carry impressive results. Rather than adding anything to your teeth (as with whitening and bonding), contouring actually removes tiny portions of your smile – to great effect. Some smiles can suffer because of a jagged or uneven smile line (the curve where your upper and lower teeth meet). Jutting canines, asymmetrical incisors, and other structural flaws will detract from your overall smile. Contouring will smooth and reshape tooth surfaces to craft your ideal smile. Better yet, it’s likely that anesthetic won’t be required. That kind of simple, painless treatment is one that we’re proud to offer our patients.

What if these treatments aren’t right for me?

While smile makeovers can’t always be simple, they will always be completely natural looking and patient-oriented. If your teeth demand more than the treatments we’ve detailed here, we will walk you through the steps of the process to ensure you’re wholly comfortable and prepared. If you’ve ever spent time feeling ashamed or unhappy due to imperfect teeth, a smile makeover is something you should consider. Take the first step by getting in touch with our Schenectady practice.

Every day, you make hundreds of decisions – some so minute that you may not realize the effects of their outcomes. What you choose to eat is a serious matter. But we live such busy lives that we often forgo thoughtful foods for whatever’s the most convenient. Your diet not only affects your overall health, but plays directly into the state of your teeth. Interested in perking up your smile? Read on for some drinks, snacks, and other foods that will help you build beautiful, decay-free teeth.

Evaluate Your Diet to Identify:

Causes of Stained Teeth

Enamel is porous, and the foods and liquids you put into your mouth will have an effect on the brightness of your teeth. Staining compounds enter enamel and darken its shade. Cutting down on consumption of the following, or finding ways to reduce their effects (like rinsing after drinking or using a straw) will help keep your teeth bright:

• Coffee
• Red wine
• Cola
• Dark fruit juices

Many of these beverages are also acidic, lowering your mouth’s pH and making it easier for decay to form.

Causes of Tooth Decay

Acidic beverages aren’t the only cause of dental problems. Foods high in sugars or starches catalyze bacterial growth in the mouth, leading to the formation of plaque. Beware super sweet, carb-filled treats like

• Candy (especially sticky candy, which becomes easily lodged between teeth)
• Sweet baked goods
• Other treats like potato chips or soft bread

While it is important to brush your teeth after indulging, if the snack was acidic, you should wait at least 30 minutes. Because your mouth’s pH is lower, your enamel is softer and could be damaged by brushing.

Healthy Alternatives

The foods you want to embrace are ones that help to naturally clean and strengthen your teeth. This includes nutrient-filled eating options, particularly those containing phosphorous and calcium. Pick up a few of the following the next time you’re grocery shopping:

• Nuts
• Yogurt
• Cheese
• Vegetables like celery, carrots, and broccoli

Embrace a few of these tips to see a healthier, happier smile!

If you’ve decided to replace your missing teeth, you’re probably anxious to get started. We’re in the same boat – we want you to experience the joy of a newly whole smile as soon as possible. But with dental implants, there can be a few steps to take in the interim. In order to ensure that your implants succeed and the resulting smile stays with you for life, we may need to strengthen the area prior to placement. You’ll also want to talk to Dr. Scotto about your sedation options and just what the procedure will be like. Begin getting acquainted with the process by reading on for some pre-implant preparation tips!

Strengthening the Implant Site

• Bone graft – If you’ve been missing the tooth/teeth in question for an extended period, the bone in the area may have resorbed. This will leave the spot unprepared for osseointegration (the natural bonding of the implant to the bone). A bone graft will add substance to the area so that the implant will be a success.
• Periodontal treatment – Your mouth can be more likely to fall prey to periodontal disease when you’re missing teeth. If the treatment area is infected, we may provide a course of periodontal treatment to nurse it back to health.
• Antibiotic treatment – Infections at the gum line could lead to implant failure. We may prescribe you antibiotics prior to implant placement.

Getting Ready for Implant Placement

You’ll want to be prepared for the big day so that you feel at ease during the procedure. Accomplish this by discussing the following with Dr. Scotto or our staff:

1. Dental sedation – While anesthesia will be provided, anxious patients may also be interested in sedation. Talk about your options with our team.
2. Steps of the procedure – You’ll feel better if you know exactly what will happen during implant placement. We’re happy to discuss the procedure in detail.

Please contact our office with any other implant-related inquiries. We hope to help you feel confident and comfortable with the process.

2014 is a week underway… have you been keeping up with your new goals and life plans? Since some new year’s resolutions are more realistic than others, it’s important to have a few that are readily achievable. After all, we need some reassurance that we’re taking steps toward our new and improved selves! Why not incorporate your oral health into your 2014 resolutions? Taking a few small, daily steps will help you find your teeth cavity- and disease-free come your next dental exam. And a healthy smile is one of the biggest steps you can take toward bolstered health and confidence.

Oral Health Resolutions – And How You Can Achieve Them

Below, we’ve listed a few of the most common dental resolutions, paired with steps you can take to see them come true.

• Cavity-free teeth. Dental caries can cause serious damage, resulting in the need for extensive dental work and restoration. Why not keep your teeth cavity-free in the first place? Ensuring that your diet is low in sugars and starches is the first step. You should also take care to brush and floss twice daily (although you should wait about 30 minutes after eating to avoid enamel damage). The frequent cleanings will remove bacteria and food particles to keep teeth healthy.
• Whiter teeth. In-office or home teeth whitening treatments will remove internal stains from your enamel, resulting in a dazzling smile. You can avoid staining substances like coffee, black tea, red wine, and dark sauces to help prevent future stains. Careful brushing also scrubs your tooth surfaces of external discoloration.
• Stronger teeth. If you’ve struggled with sensitive teeth, you’re well aware of the twinges that can accompany daily life. Fluoride treatment or fluoridated dental products will help strengthen your enamel and protect sensitive spots.

Building Excellent Oral Health

If you have any questions about steps you can take to improve the health or appearance of your smile, please get in touch with our office!