If you are a teen or adult who has problems with your teeth, your self-esteem can really take a hit. Traditional metal braces are often recommended to straighten the teeth and correct other orthodontic issues, but you may feel too self-conscious to have a mouth full of metal for two to three years. This is where a great alternative called Invisalign comes in. What is the difference? Invisalign is a clear set of plastic aligners that are custom-made for your mouth. They can help teens to enjoy a

Veneers are one of the best ways to improve your smile. These cosmetic treatments are readily available, take only one or two appointments and can have a huge impact on the look of your teeth. Find out if veneers are right for you. Basics of Veneers Like the veneers used in fine furniture, veneers for the teeth are thin coverings used to hide what’s underneath. They come in two forms: resin composites, which are a type of moldable plastic, and porcelain shell veneers. Porcelain veneers

I recently returned from an Invisalign course in Denver, and I’m still invigorated from all the information. Two intense days of learning about the latest innovations in aligners might sound like punishment to some, but for me, it was exhilarating. I never tire of learning how to improve care for my patients. I seek out many continuing education courses throughout the year, but this one really stood out. I was lucky to attend. This wasn’t a course where you could just register, write a check, and

If you have Invisalign retainers, it’s probably very important to you to keep them clean and to take good care of them. If you are thinking about using Invisalign treatments, you might be wondering about the process of cleaning them. Either way, these are some of the basic steps that you will need to follow when taking care of Invisalign retainers. Remove and Rinse One of the great things about Invisalign retainers is the fact that they can be easily removed so that they can be

If you are an adult who needs an option for straightening your teeth, you are not alone. There are different option available to you. One of those is traditional braces, but if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of metal and wire, there are better alternatives in the form of Invisalign and Six Month Smiles. However, how do you know which of these to choose? Knowing the difference between Invisalign and Six Month Smiles can help you decide. What is Invisalign? Most people

One of today’s most common dental procedures, wisdom teeth extraction is done either in a dentist’s office or hospital. Depending upon how many of the teeth are being extracted, a dentist will give either a local or general anesthetic to control pain during the procedure. Surgery To remove the teeth, the dentist opens the gum tissue around each tooth, then removes any bone that may be covering the tooth. To finish the procedure, the dentist will then separate the tissue that connects the tooth to

With the new year upon us, many people have resolutions they want to stick to. Dental and oral health may be one of those resolutions, and one of the most important things that all people can do to improve their overall health is floss more regularly. If you have not yet started flossing every day, keep some of these reasons in mind. Brushing Is NOT Enough Studies show that people who floss more regularly enjoy a higher quality of dental health than people who just

It happens to the best of us: we’re trying to open up a food package or similar, and we have trouble doing it with our hands. If you’re like many of us, your first instinct might be to snatch it open with your teeth. Hey, it works, right? It can be common for this to be first instinct when you can’t open something, but the truth is, it’s a habit that we all really need to break. What’s the Big Deal? Your teeth are for

Dental hygienists are the backbone of any dental office and work to maintain the oral health of each patient to reduce the risk of a serious problem from occurring later in life. They routinely perform cleanings and work to educate patients on how to improve their oral care. For those who are looking to enter the profession, there are several benefits that come with choosing the career. How to become a Dental Hygienist Most people who become dental hygienists need an associates degree in dental

Meridian Dentist | Cavity Fillings What are Cavities? Cavities occur when holes are formed in the teeth due to the erosion of enamel. Enamel is the tooth’s natural protection against cavities; a hard coating on the tooth. What causes enamel to erode is the attacking nature of plaque and bacteria, as well as an excess of acid. Once the enamel is worn down to the center of the tooth, bacteria gets into the hole, causing pain in the nerves the longer the cavity is left