Preparing to dive into the world of cosmetic dentistry? Dr. Scotto and his team look forward to helping you get started. But there are some preparatory steps you’ll need to undertake before visiting our office. It’s important to start getting acquainted with what it is that you’d like to change about your smile prior to treatment. This will allow you to have a more detailed, informed discussion with Dr. Scotto, and will help the process result in your ideal smile. Read on for a few pointers to consider before your cosmetic consultation.

3 Things To Consider Before Beginning Cosmetic Treatment

Cosmetic dentistry isn’t just about the final result. Considering what you’d like the process to be like will help ensure it’s comfortable and satisfying. A few of the following factors are important to consider:

• Your commitment level – Commitment level means a few different things. When you receive dental treatment, you’re investing time and energy in the process. There will also be the cost to consider, as many dental insurances don’t cover cosmetic procedures. At the same time, the commitment level tends to correspond with the endurance of the work. The more involved the procedure, the longer your new smile will last.
• Your comfort with treatment – If you have dental anxiety, you may be interested in less invasive cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening or dental bonding. If you decide on more involved treatment, we will provide you with anesthesia and sedation to make your procedure both painless and anxiety-free.
• Desired results – What do you want your future smile to look like? Take some time to consider the smiles around you that you admire, as well as the things about your own smile that you find lacking. Look at photos of famous smiles, as well as the smiles belonging to your friends and family. Dr. Scotto will help you decide on which changes will look the best with your facial structure and your entire grin.

Changes Possible with A Schenectady Cosmetic Dentist

Remember that cosmetic dentistry can bring about varied, diverse transformations. The categories listed below are just some of the most common ways that patients want to alter their smiles. Find one that appeals to you to see the corresponding treatment:

Stronger Teeth

This is both a functional and an aesthetic change. Teeth with worn enamel will look older and can be yellow, as the dentin beneath the enamel shows through. Damaged teeth may have visible cracks or chips, and should be repaired to ensure the teeth have long lives ahead. You’re likely experiencing sensitivity when you eat/drink hot or cold foods/beverages. Strengthening the tooth in question will change your dental comfort and the appearance of your smile. If the weakened tooth is a front tooth, a porcelain veneer will be the best bet. If it bears stronger forces, a porcelain crown will get the job done.

Straighter Teeth

Spent years wishing your smile were a bit straighter? There are options in front of you. If your malocclusion is mild and limited to your front teeth, porcelain veneers could actually straighten them. Dr. Scotto will prepare your teeth and then fit veneers over them. Once the veneers are bonded in place, you’ll possess a straighter smile.

Longer Teeth

The forces of time can wear away your enamel and shorten your teeth. Chronic grinding speeds up this unfortunate effect. And when your teeth are lacking in length, they age your entire face. Seeking a quick fix? Dental bonding will add structure. For a more durable option, choose porcelain veneers.

Brighter Teeth

A dull smile limits you in many ways. When you posses bright teeth, your smile stands out and you feel more comfortable in social and professional situations. A whiter, more noticeable smile is only one appointment away. In-office teeth whitening will produce dramatic results. If you’re too busy for an office visit, you’re also able to whiten at home.

Has this post inspired you to make a change? Contact Dr. Robert Scotto’s office to get started.

Schenectady Cosmetic Dentist | Schenectady Cosmetic Dentistry | Schenectady Cosmetic Dental Treatment

Dentures have long been a less-than-ideal dental restoration for their lack of stability. When all of a patient’s teeth are missing, from where can a restoration draw support? The solution lies in creating new sources of security. Dental implants replace tooth roots to create new foundations for restorations, making it possible for patients to enjoy an unprecedented, natural-feeling denture.

Replacing Tooth Roots with Dental Implants in Schenectady

As we age, our teeth tend to fall into states of wear and disrepair. Damage, erosion, trauma, or infection can lead to the loss of a tooth. While it’s the portion of the tooth above the gum line that we (and others) really miss, the root of the tooth plays just as serious a role in oral function and health. Without a tooth root, that area of the mouth will begin to change; and the repercussions won’t be welcome.

Implants’ Effects on Oral Health

Dental implants help prevent your bone, bite, and neighboring teeth from deteriorating. You will enjoy health benefits you may not have expected, including:

• Preserved bone density – Strong bone supports other structures in your body. But when you lose a tooth, the bone at that site begins to resorb, or dissolve. This weakens the area and can lead to changes in your facial structure. Dental implants connect to the jaw bone and prevent resorption.
• Lowered risk of decay and gum disease – The mouth is already a welcome home for bacteria  - and some of those bacteria are important. But there are others that cause decay and gum disease. And when a tooth is missing, the gap left behind fosters bacterial growth and formation of plaque. Filling that space with an implant and a restoration will help prevent future caries and the chance of gingivitis developing.
• Maintained occlusion – Occlusion is the relationship between the upper and lower jaws. The alignment of your teeth and your jaws determine whether your occlusion is balanced and your bite is correct. When you lose a tooth, the surrounding teeth begin to shift to fill the gap. This alters your bite and can lead to serious dental problems. Filling that space with an implant will keep each tooth in its proper place.

Pairing Dental Implants with Restorations

While implants are a boon for oral health, they’re also a means of placing dental restorations while keeping the work looking and feeling natural. Implants act as a means of support for restorations that formerly drew from the strength of adjacent teeth. Rather than weakening healthy teeth and hastening their failures, implant-supported restorations thrive. Dental implants integrate with natural bone through a process known as osseointegration, allowing them to act as the sturdiest possible foundations for restorations.

Implants may be paired with any of the following to replace single or multiple teeth (listed from least to most involved):

• Dental crowns – Also known as tooth caps, crowns replace single teeth in an enviably natural-looking way. Porcelain crowns are especially aesthetic.
• Bridges – A dental bridge, like its much larger counterpart, spans a gap. Consisting of crowns on either side of a pontic (false tooth), a dental bridge is typically bonded to remaining natural teeth. Implant-supported bridges may be connected without sapping the strength of other teeth.
• Partials – Partial dentures replace spans of missing teeth by connecting to the gums or other areas of the mouth.
• Dentures – Full sets of replacement teeth, dentures are the answer for patients missing most or all of their teeth. When connected to dental implants, dentures become more natural in appearance and in feel.

Restorative dentists are experienced with both implant placement and denture fitting. Dr. Robert Scotto offers both implants and restorations to help you receive streamlined restorative treatment. Schedule a consultation to discuss whether your mouth is ready for dental implants and learn more about your personal process.