On Adult Teeth: Dental Implants, Porcelain Crowns, and Teeth Alignment

Our adult teeth, once they've all grown in, are there for good, and unfortunately, some of us are not blessed with a toothpaste commercial type set of teeth. But with all the innovations on dentistry and oral care, numerous options are now available to us to straighten, whiten, or replace bad teeth.

Dental Implants have been around for quite some time now. Dental implants are used to hold denture plates in place. They serve as the substitute for the roots of our teeth. Young adults or older patients can ask for these implants to replace missing teeth. Mini dental implants are now available and they are hardly, if not completely, unnoticeable so the patient does not have to feel conscious of his or her smile.

Porcelain crowns and veneers, on the other hand, are part of cosmetic dentistry. A crown, also called “caps,” that encases the whole teeth. It's purpose is to make the tooth/teeth look like the original. Porcelain crowns are a popular choice because they are the ones closest to real teeth. However, porcelain crowns will wear out eventually after a decade or so. Retouching or replacement is natural for porcelain crowns. This procedure is a good investment because it is durable and easily repaired. Patients who get this procedure done usually have broken or fractured teeth, decayed teeth, large filings, or when they've undergone root canal. Getting crowns generally takes two appointments, depending on how many teeth you need to cover up.

Porcelain veneers are a bit similar to crowns except that they aim to reshape the teeth and make teeth color more uniform. You could actually choose between crowns and veneers because they can serve similar needs. However, porcelain veneers are more ideal for people who have crooked teeth, coffee or nicotine stained teeth, too big or small sized teeth, and worn or chipped teeth. Porcelain veneers are as durable as crowns and will also need replacement after a number of years.

Every year, more and more innovations on dental cosmetic enhancement come out. Tooth whitening has Zoom Whitening, a procedure that whitens teeth after a session time of an hour. Zoom Whitening uses a patented gel on teeth to brighten it's color and appearance. A special light technology is coupled with the gel to make the result last longer and the session time shorter. The combination of these two elements break down stain molecules so they could be washed off. Teeth whitening is the less invasive alternative for porcelain crowns and veneers.

Invisalign is also a new innovation for teeth realignment. It's the new form of braces, minus the wires, bands, and brackets. Invisalign is a removable set of aligners that is transparent. It is ideal for adults who need to straighten their teeth because they wouldn't have to worry about the embarrassment of adolescent-looking braces. It's property of being removable and “invisible” makes it one of the best choice for adults who want straighter teeth. You can remove it when you eat, it won't bother you when you're talking to other people, and it lessens gum problems normally experienced with braces. Patients using Invisalign will need to change their aligners every two weeks or so, depending on the state of their teeth. The entire process of teeth realignment generally takes a year or more.

All these dental cosmetic treatments are available in Delhart L. Courtenay, DDS. They also offer other treatments like root canal therapy, fluoride treatments, digital x-rays, composite filing, dentures, fixed bridges, and dental exams. They serve Orlando, Winter Springs, Longwood, Lake Mary & nearby surrounding Orlando, FL  area!