If you are unhappy with your smile or the way some of your teeth appear, porcelain veneers may be the solution to your concerns. They are a fast, effective, and well-proven method for cosmetically enhancing your smile -- and a secret that Hollywood and other celebrities have been taking advantage of for years. To help you determine if they are right for you, here are some questions we typically receive.

What is a veneer?

A veneer is a custom made thin "shell" or thin layer of a dental ceramic material (usually porcelain) used to replace the front, visible surface of the tooth. They are artistically and hand-crafted using a precise model of your mouth and teeth to achieve a natural look.

What can they do for me?

Veneers are the optimal choice for correcting small to medium gaps between teeth; slight rotations of teeth causing them to be misaligned; oddly shaped, chipped, or "short" teeth; as well as teeth that are discolored or unevenly colored. However, veneers have their limitations, too. They cannot correct bite issues, poor tooth position, or profile issues. It is also important to note that if you have this procedure, we will typically need to remove a small amount of enamel from your teeth to accommodate the veneer and produce dramatic improvements to your smile.

How long will they last?

While they can vary widely from person to person, porcelain veneers usually last from 7 to 20 years. Factors that impact this timeline include your oral hygiene habits, diet, lifestyle, as well as how well you protect your veneers during sleep and while playing sports.

Have more questions?

Contact Us today to discuss your questions or to schedule an appointment. You can also learn more about veneers by reading about Veneers in our Patient Education Library.

People with high dental fear have exaggerated memories of the fear and pain they feel during treatment, a study says.

Researchers at the University of West Virginia did the study. They surveyed 79 people who needed an emergency tooth extraction at the oral surgery clinic. People were asked about their fear and pain before the extraction, during it and two weeks later.

Before having the tooth pulled, highly anxious people expected to feel more pain than those with low anxiety did.

Two weeks later, everyone in the study exaggerated how much pain they had felt during treatment, even subjects who did not report that they were anxious about the treatment. That is, they recalled feeling more pain during treatment than they said they did at the time. People with high levels of dental anxiety also recalled feeling more anxious than they said they were at the time.

The authors suggest that controlling anxiety levels before treatment may be helpful. This can be done with medications or behavioral strategies.

The study appears in the December 13 issue of the Journal of Dental Research.
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Source: INTELIHEALTH

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Teeth whitening...

If you want to keep your mandible magical, there are plenty of options to keep those pearlies white.

• If your teeth are slightly discolored, you might be a good candidate for over the counter whitening products like strips or paint on materials.
• Bleaching trays, which you can get from your dentist, are an option to remove those deeper stains for whiter results. The tray holds the bleaching gel against the tooth and... It oxidizes much faster and you get a better result. Also, with some of the materials, you can see a difference in three or four days.
• There is also power or light-accelerated bleaching, sometimes referred to as laser bleaching. This is done by using light energy to accelerate the process of bleaching. This procedure is a bit more complicated and must be done in a dental office.
• And those toothpastes that claim to whiten, brighten and perk up your pucker? Beware, some of those products are not bleaching agents, they're abrasives, so they work by polishing off surface stains.

However... in answer to our question...the American Dental Association says there are no studies that have shown adverse effects from tooth whitening when properly administered, but warn that over use or abuse of any product can be harmful. The most common side effects for patients are sensitive gums.

For more information on teeth whitening from the American Dental Association click here or you can see what the ADA has to say about over the counter whitening products here.

Welcome to our "Frequently Asked Questions" series.

If you have a dental related question, please post a comment or send an email through our Contact Us form. Once again our question comes from one of our Facebook Fans.

What can you do to strengthen your teeth and gums?

Your teeth and gums are important, and perhaps undervalued, parts of your body. With age, tooth decay and gum disease become increasingly common. However, it is possible to prevent and even reverse a decline in oral hygiene by following a series of simple steps. Strengthening the teeth and gums can be done without the need for specialist equipment and requires only small changes in your daily routine.

• Brush your teeth regularly. Brushing three times a day, once after each meal, will prevent plaque build up, which is an important part of preventing damage to the teeth and gums in the first place. Floss at least once a day, which removes bits of food from between your teeth.
• Avoid foods and drinks that are harmful to your teeth, such as those high in sugar or acid. Although natural sugars, such as those found in fruit and vegetables, are good, those which are made from refined sugars, such as those found in candy or colas, are harmful. By avoiding these you will prevent your teeth and gums from experiencing further damage.
• Manage your diet and include foods that promote growth in teeth and gums. Yogurt, cheese and milk contain calcium, which helps teeth become stronger. Grapefruit has also been shown to improve the health of gums, although wait 30 minutes after eating grapefruit before brushing teeth. Kiwis, limes and cranberry also kill oral bacteria, which helps to strengthen teeth and gums and freshen breath.
• Prescription fluoride such as Fluorodex can be used to strengthen teeth. MI Paste can also be used to rebuild teeth enamel, as it contains high levels of calcium. Xyltol ( a natural sweetener) is also available in a variety of over-the-counter products and helps to fight harmful bacteria.
• Visit us on a regular basis, and consult with your hygienist or Dr. Zimmerman if you are concerned about the weakness of your teeth or gums. If you have especially susceptible teeth or gums, you may want to visit more regularly and your hygienist and Dr. Zimmerman will be able to recommend the best course of action for you.

If you have any questions about what else you can do to keep your mouth healthy and your teeth last a lifetime, ask us at your next dental appointment or by posting your question in the comments section below.

Welcome to our "Frequently Asked Questions" series.

If you have a dental related question, please post a comment or send an email through our Contact Us form. Today's question comes from one of our Facebook Fans.

Waxed floss vs. cloth floss...which is considered better?

Dental floss comes in many forms: waxed and unwaxed, woven "cloth", flavored and unflavored, wide and regular. Wide floss, or dental tape, may be helpful for people with a lot of bridgework. They all clean and remove plaque. Waxed floss might be easier to slide between tight teeth or tight restorations. However, the unwaxed floss makes a squeaking sound to let you know your teeth are clean.

The type of floss we give to you at your dental appointment is the woven variety. We prefer this floss because it removes more plaque due to its texture. The important part is that you floss daily, so if you are more comfortable with a different type of floss let us know. Also, if you have questions about how to floss, ask us at your next dental appointment.