Best Carlsbad Dentist Blog

If you are one of the many people in the world whose smile could use a facelift, cosmetic dental surgery could be exactly the solution you need.  Since this type of practice encompasses a vast array of procedures from simple tooth whitening to gum lifts and tooth sculpting, it pays to have an idea of the type of smile you have in mind before visiting any type of cosmetic dental practice in particular.  

It should be noted here that venues for cosmetic dental surgery are not the type of practices to visit if you have broken, decayed, or missing teeth.  Traditional dental practices are typically geared towards fixing these types of problems, so bear this in mind going forward.  Overall, a good rule of thumb is this: If your dental problem impairs or threatens to impair the everyday function of your teeth, (e.g. missing or rotting teeth that can impair chewing or speaking,) a traditional dental practice should be your first stop.  However, if you are simply looking for a more attractive smile for an otherwise fairly healthy set of teeth, cosmetic dentistry should be your first choice.

For example, if your teeth are uneven, cosmetic dental surgery can be performed to improve the appearance of your smile quickly and easily, without invasive, expensive, and unattractive braces.  Depending on the extent of the unevenness, your cosmetic dentist of choice may opt for either a dental bonding procedure or the implementation of porcelain veneers.  Dental bonding involves applying a hard compound to the teeth in question, followed by sculpting that compound into the desired shape.  This is followed by polishing the compound in question in order to make the end result indistinguishable from surrounding teeth, and can often be completed in one office visit.

However, if your teeth present a more frequent pattern of unevenness or other cosmetic flaws, porcelain veneers are likely to be the solution that most cosmetic dental surgery practices will suggest.  These veneers are custom-made for your mouth, and can be used to disguise gaps or extensive discoloration with ease.  These veneers are then bonded to the surface of your existing teeth in order to give your smile a more attractive, symmetrical appearance.  

Another type of cosmetic dental surgery that is less well-known would be the gum lift, briefly mentioned above.  There are many people out there with teeth that are disproportionately smaller than their gum line might otherwise suggest, and many people erroneously believe that there is no viable way to fix this issue.  Again, this is where a cosmetic dental surgeon can help, although it should be noted that gum lifts are generally more invasive and labor-intensive than any of the other procedures listed above.  A gum lift involves shaping the tissue -- and often bone -- to the desired appearance, thus making the smile of the wearer far more symmetrical and attractive than they otherwise may have thought possible.  Indeed, cosmetic dental surgery can potentially improve your confidence and quality of life considerably! 

Photo credit: [F]oxyMoron

A smile worth being proud of is important to many people, but when seeking it out with the help of general cosmetic dentistry, few know what to look for. Choosing the wrong dentist or failing to ask the right questions can open a patient up to significant physical and financial pain. Fortunately, many of the most common problems can be easily avoided when a patient knows what to avoid.

Life happens and sometimes it can be a painful process. Whether it is a broken leg due to a skiing accident at Breckenridge or having a surfing accident on a beach in Carlsbad, one rarely gets through life without some part of the body getting busted up. Yet while broken bones can be easily mended, a lost tooth used to be accompanied by dental bridges or dentures.

TV shows and movies imply going to the dentist is one step closer to the Inquisition. Sadly this impression causes real problems with almost 75% of adults reporting mild to severe fear of going to the dentist. Younger children have an even higher rate of fear due their lack of experience with the process.

With summer just around the corner, you've been working out and preparing for swimsuit season as you prepare to work on your tan at the beach,  but what about your teeth? Are they in good shape?

Other than getting your teeth cleaned and cavities filled, many American’s consider dental cosmetic treatments an elective to preventative care and daily maintenance. But there are many reasons why the dental cosmetic treatment industry is a rapidly growing field and why these treatments are needed.

Prevention is worth a pound of cure
General dentistry is all about preventive care and teaching you how to care for your teeth. As a child we usually do not appreciate this but one’s primary dentist is helping keep your teeth fit for life. They do this by teaching you (or at least trying to) how to brush properly and the importance of flossing. Your annual check-ups is the mechanism dentists use to prevent small issues from becoming costly problems later.

A beautiful, even smile can be one of your most valuable professional assets. Straight, white teeth project a confident image to both strangers and potential employers. If you are looking to maintain the appearance of your smile, avoid piercing your tongue. After reading about all the disasters that can occur with tongue piercings gone wrong, you'll be sure to avoid adopting this dental disaster.

• Tongue piercings can make you look older by causing your gums to recede. The phrase "long in the tooth" is often applied to people of a certain age, as chances for acquiring receded, diseased gums increase with age. Tongue piercings, particularly when they sport a longer barbell, can cause irreparable damage to the gums which can leave you looking permanently older each time you smile.
• Confident, clear speech can lead to better success in the workplace and on first dates. Why jeopardize your intelligent syntax with tongue piercings gone wrong? A significant amount of individuals who pierce their tongues develop a speech impediment that can leave them sounding unintelligent or unprofessional. Keep your confident, clear speech for best success in work and love by avoiding a tongue piercing completely.
• While excessive drooling is normal for young babies or certain breeds of canines, it isn't attractive or healthy for adults to leave a sticky trail behind them. Some individuals with pierced tongues can develop a habit of excessive salivation. No one wants to be known among friends and coworkers by their excessive drool. 
• Even the most careful wearers of the tongue piercing trend can't avoid accidentally making contact their teeth with the jewelry. Accidentally clamping down on the jewelry while chewing, drinking or smoking is a normal occurrence for individuals with pierced tongues. Biting the metal jewelry leads to unsightly chips or damage to the teeth. Avoid excess dental bills or a broken smile by skipping over this dental disaster completely.
• While for some dieters, being incapable of tasting food may sound like a dream come true, in practice severe nerve damage to the tongue is no picnic. Certain individuals experience permanent nerve damage after piercing their tongues. A lifetime of being unable to taste your favorite foods and beverages could be miserable. Severe nerve damage that permanently impairs or completely destroys the taste buds is among the worst side effects of tongue piercings gone wrong. 

Tongue piercings gone wrong can cause a myriad of other issues, including bad breath, dangerous infections and even permanent changes in teeth alignment. Keep your confident, gorgeous smile and your reputation intact by avoiding this dangerous trend. 

Photo credit: TazeBeth

Carlsbad, California is a picturesque beachside town north of San Diego. Residents enjoy a mild year round climate and a variety of exciting activities, but a self-conscious smile can be an unwelcome barrier to the fun. Patients who are suffering with a smile that's lacking can take advantage of a variety of common cosmetic procedures to improve their appearance.