Who doesn't want a great smile? Feeling confident about our teeth and smile is essential. We could all use some help to get that perfect smile. Forty years ago, there was one option for teeth straightening but now technological advances give us new options. Clear orthodontics aligners, like Invisalign, an alternative to Braces. Braces are still an option but are not the only game in town. Braces use brackets connected to one another by wires. These wires move teeth slowly overtime by pulling teeth into a new direction. The brackets come in metal and clear plastic. Orthodontic aligners, like Invisalign, rethink teeth straightening. They are form fitting custom-made retainers that slowly change the tooth’s position over time. They move the teeth in a similar way to how braces work however Invisalign is conveniently removable and transparent making them a virtually invisible. They do what braces do without the restrictions. Invisalign® is custom-made for your teeth so you do not need wires and brackets. Little by little, your teeth shift into the place they are supposed to be, creating that winning smile. Aside from invisibility and convenience there are many other reasons to choose Invisalign. Here are the top 10 most important reasons to use Invisalign. 1. AS EFFECTIVE AS TRADITIONAL BRACES Invisalign is as effectively a treatment as traditional braces. Under bites, overbite, overcrowding and gaps between teeth are all things that can be addressed when using Invisalign. You will be fitted for several versions of retainers that make slight adjustments to move your teeth over the treatment time. They are made from a clear plastic or acrylic material and fit tightly over the teeth. 2. DECREASE SELF CONSCIOUSNESS Using braces can increase our insurity. No one wants a metal mouth and they don't want to be called ‘Brace Face.’ Invisalign as a solution can often remove the source of anxiety letting people be themselves and feel confident. 3. EATING HABITS When wearing braces, there are many things you should not and cannot eat. There is no popcorn, no apples, no raw carrots and, especially no candy. Invisalign removes these restrictions because of their removability. 4. CONVENIENCE AND TIME SPAN OF TREATMENT Invisalign takes between 10 and 24 months depending on the teeth need to be moved or rotated. Usually treatments at the dentist office are shorter. You also visit the dentist less. After the first visit you drop into your dentist’s office once every 6 weeks and get a new pair of aligners. 5. COST EFFECTIVE Your dental insurance plan—orthodontic treatment with Invisalign can often be covered by many dental insurance policies. Many dentists or orthodontists offer monthly payments to make payments convenient and affordable. 6. AESTHETICS Although one of the least important factors. This is a major reason people choose Invisalign over traditional braces. The practically invisible units make them almost nonexistent and being able to remove them completely is an obvious bonus. 7. CAN BE USED AS PROTECTIVE GEAR AND MOUTH GUARD REPLACEMENT Wearing them while at or participating in sporting activities can give your teeth more protection. Using Invisalign as a protection for the teeth when doing Things Mountain biking playing group sports gives you an added layer of security. You can use your retainer as a mouth guard protecting your teeth from grinding while you sleep. Along with this you can also use your retainers to whiten your teeth. 8. YOUR DENTAL HYGIENIST WILL APPRECIATE IT The aligners being removable make brushing and flossing easy. This helps maintain proper oral hygiene. When teeth are cooked or cluttered they are harder to clean giving bacteria a playground in your mouth. Once your teeth have moved the instruments the hygienist uses are more effective. You may spend less time in the dentist chair getting your teeth cleaned. 9. REDUCTION OF PAIN If you have ever had a sore face from grinding understand what I mean. Facial muscles get sore when you grind in your sleep and the only solution is a mouth guard. Wearing Invisalign while working it is magic can also help you stop grinding as there is a protective layer between your teeth. 10. A GOOD BITE Orthodontics was invented to help improve health. It is not just about a pretty smile. A good bite can stop the jaw clicking, pain in joints around the mouth, and will improve chewing. If you have questions about Invisalign®, we’d love to answer all your questions. Please reach out to us to see if Invisalign is right for you. Our team will walk you through the procedure and even invite you in for a free consultation.
Porcelain polish is a suitable decision for some of these cases because it helps brighten your teeth and looks natural next to your other teeth. If you are looking to have the best results from your smile makeover, then choosing the right dentist is paramount. Any dentist can claim himself or herself as a cosmetic dentist because this kind of dentistry is not official in the industry. Cosmetic dentistry requires both broad study and training of new techniques, which can take large amounts of time. Only after completing these steps can a dentist turn out quality work. It is important to find a dentist who makes you feel comfortable around him or her. As a qualified cosmetic dentist, H. Peter Ku, D.D.S shares some tips that can guarantee you will find the best cosmetic dentist. Everybody has a relative that has looked a cosmetic dentist's services. You can utilize your friends as a way of finding the best dentist. From the referrals you get, you can check the dentist's site for more information, converse with the workplace on the phone or, better still, go in for physical counsel. You can also get suggestions for a cosmetic dentist from other dental experts. If you are pleased with your work, you will presumably need to tell someone about it. Similarly, successful cosmetic dentists are eager to talk about their work, and also show off their best smiles. So they could show you photographs of their previous work. But when you are looking for information regarding a cosmetic dentist, make sure that the photographs you see are those of genuine patients. Even though you have access to all of these recommendations, you should still check out if they are truly qualified. Look for information that shows where your potential dentist went to school, the courses they took and the proficient associations they are members of. The best and most reputable cosmetic dentists are from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). When you have recognized a dentist from AACD, it is essential to determine what you truly need done to your smile before booking any appointment. You need to compile a list and be ready to present compare your thoughts with the suggestions of the dentist. A gorgeous smile is within reach and you have the potential in achieving your best case results with a smile improvement technique. Looking at a dentist's perception and their education can help you find someone prepared to bring back your smile. A great dentist can mention outcomes that you may have not even considered because it is the dentist's obligation to inform you with what can help you reach your smile goal. It is vital to trust your dentist so he or she can give you the smile you have been dreaming about.
Dental apps can be used both within and outside the consultation, so that patients can understand the complexities of a specific procedure. They may provide diagrams, videos, or short and easy-to-read explanations of complex dental work that is to be carried out. There are a number of dental apps in this niche, all with unique strengths and uses. DCstory The first app to take a look at is DCstory. DCstory is an app made for the Apple iPad, and includes a number of videos on various dental procedures, as well as interactive screens for the dentist to illustrate what is going to occur. For example, they can bring up an x-ray screen display, and use a stylus to circle which tooth is going to be removed. This may help the patient more easily visualise the procedure they are about to experience. DDS GP Another great app to consider is DDS GP. DDS GP is available on both iPhone and iPad, and is used for educating patients about various procedures. DDS GP offers numerous categories of dental medicine, such as preventative, restorative, cosmetics, endodontics, implants, and oral surgery. Within each category, 3D animations are used to show patients how conditions progress, and how they can be treated. The dentist can highlight for the patient using these models, exactly how far along their condition is (e.g. mild periodontal disease vs severe disease). MyDentist My Dentist is primarily a communication-based app, intended to help patients to contact their dentist at any time. They can send through photos, diagrams, and messages to explain their problems, and the dentist can reply with instructions and treatment information. GC Restorative Dentistry Guide Finally, another helpful app is the GC Restorative Dentistry Guide. The Guide is for when you are using GC composites and bonding agents, when performing restorative dentistry. It can be used as both a guide for yourself, and for communicating with patients, as the guide includes visual and interactive instructions so you can walk your patient through the procedure. Getting Proper Consent in Dentistry Using these apps can be a valuable step towards getting proper patient consent for the procedure you are about to carry out. A dental negligence specialist noted that most dental claims related to infections are due to a failure in the procedure, or a failure to give advice about preventative care and oral hygiene. When getting consent for dental procedures, it’s important to remember that a patient cannot truly consent to something she or he doesn't understand. Use the above apps to explain procedures to your patients, and make sure that they appreciate and recognise exactly what you are going to do. Ideally you should explain the procedure to your patient at an early appointment, so that they have time to think about what you have said and ask any questions that may arise.
How to Find the Right Vancouver Dentist Choosing a dentist is an important task.You want a dentist you can talk to, learn from and feel good about visiting. It is a partnership in healthcare and you want to use the same dentist for years to come. How do you go about finding the right dentist? The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) offers several suggestions: Recommendations – Ask Friends, relatives, co-workers, neighbors, other group members, your physician or your pharmacist and see who they use as their Vancouver Dentist Referral – See if your current dentist can suggest someone in your new area. Professional listings – Contact your provincial or territorial regulatory authority or dental association. Many association websites have a dentist locator or dentist directory. Good oral health care requires a good relationship between you, your dentist, and the dental team. You may want to call or visit more than one dental practice before making your final decision. To help we’ve come up with a list of the top 10 things to consider when looking for a new Vancouver Dentist : 1. Does the dental office submit claims to all insurances? Ask if they submit claims to all insurance providers of if you have to do that yourself and pay first. Most dental offices do submit claims and they may even send in an estimate claim before you get any work done. It is worth asking as you don't want to be caught off guard at the end of your dental visit 2. What payment options are available? and if you are not insured what do they offer non-insured patients? Dental insurance is a big deal and you want to know what your plan is. If you don’t have insurance asking your new dental office about a big consideration financing options is important. Some practices what payment upfront and others offer payment plans. It is always good to know what you are getting into before you decide on a dentist. 3. Where is the office located and What are the office hours? The Location of the Dentist office. Is the location convenient? How long does it take to get an appointment? What are the office hours? are they open on weekends? A big part of getting to the dentist is convenience. To maintain a healthy set of chompers you must be able to make your biannual appointments. Convenience is key when choosing a dentist. 4. Does the Dental office offer specials or do anything to show appreciation for current patients? Introductory offers and referral programs are common in dental practices. Some practices even have promotions to show their appreciation for existing patients. This might be something to consider when looking for a dentist. 5. How does the Dentist help make patients comfortable. Not many people asks this question but it is important to know. What do the dentist do to make sure you are comfortable. If you have anxiety some dentists will offer you anti anxiety medication. Knowing what your dentist does and what the dentist’s approach to helping patients is a key component to feeling safe and comfortable when getting treated. 6. Continued Training & Education Does the dentist continually educate themselves on current information. Are they part of any groups or ongoing educational programs? Dentists that are up to date on current practices and dental advancements will make your overall all dental experience better 7. In an emergency what can you expect? It is always good to know what to do in case of an emergency. Many dentists will have an informational message as their outgoing message to help patients know what do when an emergency happens. Ask your new dentist if they have emergency hours or what they should do in case of an emergency. It is always good to be prepared. 8. Do they discuss treatment plans and give cost estimates? Your treatment plan is going to be personalized. Having a discussing about your treatment is important. Ask questions about if procedures are covered under your insurance plan. Ask what you should expence and how do do your aftercare. A dental office should detail everything that will happen so you know what to expect, how many visits you might need, how much it will cost. 9. What is the office like? You will be visiting the dentist office at least twice a year. Make sure you are comfortable. Things to consider are cleanliness and friendliness. Is this a place where you can see yourself visiting Choosing a new dentist is an important decision. It is a partnership and mos likely a long term relationship. Hopefully these tips above will help you find the perfect practice. If you are looking for a new dentist, give us a call (604) 408-2408 to set up an appointment to make a visit and meet the doctors. Our office is in the heart of Yaletown steps away from the skytrain
Do you still have Mercury fillings in your teeth? Heavy metals–like mercury are toxic to our bodies. High levels of mercury can contribute to chronic fatigue syndrome, muscle pain, twitches, insomnia and anxiety to name a few. In the past 100 years Mercury levels have dramatically increased in the environment. Industrialization was a major contributing factor. Mercury is lipophilic, which means that it concentrates in fatty tissues. As the brain is mostly fatty tissue Mercury seems to concentrate there. Inorganic mercury from dental fillings (amalgams) can affect and does affect the body once this mercury is in your body; it is primarily distributed in the kidneys and brain. Although mercury can be dispelled from the body, it has an affinity for sulfur-containing molecules and can bind to them causing a build up in the fatty tissue. Mercury from silver dental fillings (amalgam) is constantly absorbed into your body from chewing, brushing, grinding, and even slows corrosion. There is a large question about these silver fillings causing toxic levels of mercury in our bodies. Mercury has a long half life and sticks around for up to 18 years after the fillings have been removed from the body. The American Dental Association states that the use of amalgam fillings is safe.However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) believes old mercury fillings (removed from the body) are toxic waste and therefore has to be disposed of in such a way as not to contaminate landfills. So mercury fillings in our mouths are still considered a normal practice, but they cannot be thrown in the garbage due to safety concerns. That doesn't seem to make sense. Research forces us to question the safety of certain types of fillings. Silver filling can be removed safely and effectively if done by a trained dentist. Have you asked your doctor about your mercury fillings and if so, what was their response? References (i) Lindh U. Removal of dental amalgam and other metal alloys supported by antioxidant therapy alleviates symptoms and improves quality of life in patients with amalgam-associated all health. Neuroendocrinology Letters 2002; 23(5/6):459-482. (iv) Prochazkova, J., et al. The beneficial effect of amalgam replacement on health in patients with autoimmunity. Neuroendocrinology Letters. 2004; 25(3): 211-218. (v) Stejskal, J. and Stejskal, V. The role of metals in autoimmunity and the link to neuroendocrinology.Neuroendocrinology Letters.1999; 20: 351-364.
As adults we know the value of taking care of our teeth. As children we have to be taught not only about our teeth but why taking care of them is so important. If we were to ask people how many teeth they have many may not be able to answer without counting. This let us to believe that we should share what we know about the tooth. As adults the average amount of teeth we have is 32. Children have less and begin to lose them at about age six. Losing our baby teeth is a rite of passage and the first sign of growing up. Parents coo over this by saving teeth and pretending to be the tooth fairy. We continue to lose our baby teeth into our teens. Our permanent adult teeth replace all those baby teeth we lost plus some. As adults we have 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars, and 12 molars, these include our 4 wisdom teeth. Our teeth our the first step in the digestive process. We use all parts of our mouth to chew, cut up and begin to digest our food. Our teeth help us break apart the food and our saliva begins the process of digesting that food. Our teeth are located in our upper and lower jaw bones and are supported by gingival tissues (better known as gums). A tooth is similar to a plant; some parts you can see and some parts you can't. The part of the tooth that can be seen is called the 'crown.' It would be similar to the flower and stem of the plant. It is the viable portion of the tooth. The neck is the section between the tooth and root, it is small and located where your gums are. The root area is the remaining part of the tooth, and is the buried part of the tooth, much like a plant’s root systems. A tooth’s root system extends past the gums and into the jaw bone. We call these root systems or roots the 'dental root.' Along with these parts of the tooth the tooth is also made up of various layers. We will go from outside in. The outer part of the crown (the part of the tooth you can see) is covered by enamel. That Enamel is a very hard substance rather like a crystal. This enamel helps protect our teeth from daily wear and tear. Just below the enamel is a layer that is softer called ‘Dentin.’ Dentin is much like bone and makes up most of our tooth. It is what gives our teeth their colour. At the core of the tooth you will find what we call ‘Pulp.’ Inside the the pulp chamber (where the pulp is located) blood vessels and nerves enter the tooth and become part of the pulp. These nerves feed the tooth nutrients which keep it alive. The last part of the tooth to mention is called ‘Apical Foramen.’ The Apical Foramen is a small opening at the top of each root which allows the nerves and blood vessels into the tooth. We at Homer Dental believe that taking care of your teeth is a process. And the first step in that process is understanding your teeth. Homer Dental Center - Professional Vancouver dentists
As summer ends and school starts up again, it is time to catch up on your to-do list. Visiting the dentist for your bi-annual cleaning and checkup is a great way to check on your overall health as well as maintaining your smile and oral health. Technology is at the center of how your dentist makes your visit comfortable and quick. Long gone are the days of pulling teeth to fix your toothache. Dentistry continues to evolve every year so that adults barely recognize the dentist's office from their youth. Improvements in preventative care, sedation, pain relief, cosmetics and restorations revolutionize nearly every procedure so that more reliable and safer than ever imagined. Even visiting 123 Dentist clinics has improved from check-in to transferring your files. Your Teeth before Retirement The easiest way to have good oral health in the future is to take care of them now. Flossing once a blue moon and skipping brushing once a day are habits that you need to change now. Taking care of them presently means they will be within your twilight years. Watch out more damaging, your enamel, keeping gum disease in check, and keeping receding gums in check. Dry Mouth: Lack of saliva can be a factor of any medical conditions such as diabetes and cancer treatments. It is also normal to lose saliva as you age which can cause other dental issues Darkened teeth: A lifetime of staining food and drink will show their effects over time and change the dentin. Diminished taste: Medications, diseases, and other effects of aging can change your taste. Root Decay: While not a new problem, it becomes more difficult to manage as you aged. This is especially if you did not take care of your teeth when you were younger. Gum Disease: Plaque build-up means decay and receding gums. This can lead to loose teeth with means. Tooth Loss: Take care of them or lose them. It is that simple. Oral Health for Seniors: Your Teeth beyond Retirement Getting older is something we all experience and people are living longer than ever. This means you need to keep your teeth maintenance more rigorous to keep your oral health up through your longer and fuller life. For the most part, dental health is slowly increasing vigilance rather than an abrupt change at any particular age. Just like diet and exercise, oral health is important to have healthy and rich life.
The adoption of the Canadian Health Act in 1984 meant Canadians across the country were given access to basic health services. There were some notable exemptions against the vast array of services offered most especially dental. Canadians either pay out of pocket for dental services or contribute to a health plan. These plans are acquired through a group plan from employers or personally. According to the latest Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS), 62% of Canadian have private dental insurance. This means that a third of Canadians do NOT have dental insurance. For families in the lower income brackets in British Columbia, who qualify for MSP premium assistance, they have access to the Healthy Kids program which covers $1400 of basic dental services every two years. Shifting towards private health insurance options, Pacific Blue Cross has a stand-alone dental insurance that lower cost monthly but only covers 60% of cost for the first year. Though this coverage increases to 80% by the third year. The rate starts at $29 for a single person to $96 for a family. Comparing insurance quotes is not the focus of this article. There is no one-size-fits-all approach since everyone is in a unique situation. Each family needs to evaluate how their budget can fit the plan as well as emergencies. Comparing the monthly cost to the coverage stated in the plan will help families decide. Some plans may be more expensive monthly but have no wait time before they are enacted which may be helpful depending on the circumstances. Thankfully insurances websites make it easy to have multiple quotes open so families can quickly compare and find the best plan for them.
Teeth, the 32 white vital body parts we carry in our mouth that perform the vital work of eating and chewing our food have great use in our life and as per the drill goes using a thing brings about damage to it. The damage done to our teeth causes a certain type pain in our teeth known as Toothache which is sometimes extreme or mild depending upon the damage done. That damage caused to our teeth could have a number of reasons and number of cures as well. But now I'll be discussing the causes of toothache- Cavities A cavity is a little hole in your tooth caused basically by the germs which produce a slick and slimy substance that causes a cavity in your tooth thus leading to toothache. the cavities caused should be taken care of as soon as possible because if not taken care of will grow in size thus creating more problems for your teeth. Abscessed Tooth An Abscessed Tooth is related to a cavity itself, an untreated cavity causes the damage to spread deeper into out tooth thus effecting the nerve of the tooth which if also called dental pulp that is now infected causing severe toothache. Dental injuries Dental injuries are of many types and are caused by different reasons causing severe toothache depending upon the reason. A dental injury is caused by a blow to your mouth either by a fall or any other major accident causing a tooth to chip away or many teeth broken at a time causing severe toothache Gum diseases Gum disease is a kind of chronic inflammation and infection of the gums and the tissue surrounding it. It is the major cause of tooth loss in 80% of the adults affecting 3 out of 4 people at a point. The common kind of gum diseases is gingivitis & periodontitis. Damaged filling The filling is done for a cracked tooth. When a tooth is cracked it is treated by filling up the crack to prevent the tooth from further damage. Over the time, the filling withers away or is damaged which can be a major cause for toothache and should be taken care of immediately which otherwise can be a cause of severe and unbearable toothache. These are the major factors causing toothache mainly in adults. So to have healthy gum and teeth, we should avoid such circumstances and if in any case any problem appears anyway immediately take care of it to avoid further damage.
Nobody thinks of going to the orthodontist as a fun activity. But here are a few fun facts that could make your next visit a little more exciting! All orthodontists are dentists That’s right. Every orthodontist had to go to dental school first. But then they decided to go further and complete a postgraduate orthodontics program. Some dentists say they can straighten your teeth. Perhaps they can, but if your case gets complicated, they’ll probably refer you to an orthodontist. Dentists do a lot of other good things for the condition of your mouth and teeth, but it’s best to leave the teeth-straightening to the specialist--your local, friendly orthodontist. NASA helped develop braces. At least, they developed the nickel titanium that goes in some braces. This is a heat-activated alloy that remembers its shape. So, NASA does more than develop space shuttles. They also benefit thousands of people every day. Nickel titanium wires are flexible at room temperature, making it easy for an orthodontist to thread them through the brackets. The wires then become inflexible when they warm to the temperature in your mouth. This then creates the pressure that causes your teeth to move. When you feel that tooth pressure, just remember that the same substance that causes solar panels in orbiting spacecrafts to activate is also making your teeth straight. Braces started in 1728. They weren’t called braces though. The teeth-straightening device back then was called a Bandeau. It was introduced by a French dentist, Pierre Fauchard. It was horseshoe-shaped and made of precious metals. Imagine having that in your mouth! Lots of adults wear braces. That’s anyone over 18. About 1.2 million American adults are wearing braces. So, if you think you’re too old for braces, guess again. Even 60 and 70 year olds are getting them! Because bones stop growing in the teens or early twenties, adults may have more complications with braces than children and teens. However, you may be one of the lucky ones that has a successful treatment with few problems. Hollywood stars wear braces. It doesn’t take long to discover that there are quite a few celebrities that wore (or are wearing) braces in the middle of their stardom. Tom Cruise wore them at age 40, Faith Hill wore them at age 45, and the rest of the lineup includes Prince Harry, Justin Bieber, Drew Barrymore, Emma Watson, Katy Perry, Gwen Stefani, and Dakota Fanning! Some even turn them into a fashion statement. Now that’s an idea. Invisalign was designed by non-orthodontists. Align Technology emerged with the Invisalign technology in 1997. Interestingly, none of the original founders or partners were orthodontists. Invisalign came about when one of the founders, Zia Chishti, was trying to solve a problem with his own retainers and realized it could be used for much more. Since Invisalign’s debut in 1997, over two million people have used it to straighten their teeth. People caught the vision quickly--especially since Invisalign made it possible for them to eat and attend meetings and events without having metal in their mouth. Now that you’ve got the facts, you can enjoy your next visit to the orthodontist. Besides that, he’s dedicated to making your smile better. That alone makes your life more fun.