While you may not think about your teeth unless they are causing you pain, the world of dentistry is evolving. Here’s some of the trends that may turn your frown upside down.
1. Invisalign Clear Braces
Braces traditionally involved a mouth full of metal and some very painful procedures that were cost prohibitive. Nowadays, that isn’t your only option to adjust your smile. Invisalign provides an alternative option to the traditional braces. Your smile adjusts thanks to composite brackets and clear trays fitted to your teeth.
2. Dental Implants
If you have a gap where a tooth should be, or are in an accident that causes you to lose a tooth, naturally you will want to fill that space. Formerly, you would have had to wear partial dentures to fill the gap, which don’t stay in place, don’t give you good chewing strength, and can damage your natural teeth. Dental implants look and function like natural teeth. Plus, they only require regular maintenance (brush, floss, and make regular dental visits), and they can last a lifetime.
3. Neuromuscular Dentures
As your teeth age, they can become fragile, or in the worst case, fall out. Everyone has seen the jokes of teeth sitting in a glass next to a bed and chattering off by themselves. Many people have complained about how their dentures have fit, or have developed a trademark sag in the jaw from lack of muscle stimulation.
Nowadays, you have more options to help you put your best smile forward. The most notable of these options is Neuromuscular or FOY® Dentures. At Durham, we believe in this option so strongly that this is the only one we offer. FOY® Dentures, the Denture Fountain of Youth®, are designed using neuromuscular principles and only the highest quality material.
The only downside to this type of dentures? They are more expensive than other dentures, however, they do offer superior fit and function that makes them worth the cost.
4. Non-Metal Restorations
Nowadays, veneers, crowns and bridges don’t look anything like your grandparents may have had. Porcelain veneers are probably the most powerful treatment in cosmetic dentistry for correcting a wide range of common cosmetic complaints, from discolored teeth to chipped teeth to gapped or crowded teeth. These aren’t technically ceramic anymore, either. They’re made of advanced ceramics that are as strong as most metals, but don’t leave a dark spot anywhere to darken your pearly whites.
BONUS: Sedation Dentistry
For those who are terrified of visiting a dentist or having dental work done, there is an important development that you need to know about: sedation dentistry. Mistakenly called sleep dentistry, sedation dentistry offers a relaxing alternative to make it through a dental visit.
Whether you just hate the smell, have a strong gag reflex, or have severe dental anxiety, this option could be the one for you. In addition to a relaxing experience, sedation dentistry can help reduce recovery time from dental procedures.
How Can New Techniques Help Me?
If you would like to learn more about how our expert dental teams stay on the cutting edge of dentistry or how we can help improve your smile, contact us at (843) 706-2999 for an appointment with a cosmetic dentist in the Hilton Head area.
