All cosmetic dental procedures should begin with a discussion with your dentist. Your dentist is skilled and experienced. Your dentist best knows your teeth and your dental needs and can give you the advice you need. Some common cosmetic dental procedures and how to prepare for them are explained below.

Teeth whitening: Cleaning your teeth before a tooth whitening treatment will help you achieve better results. If you clean the plaque and tartar off of the tooth surface, the whitening will affect the entire surface of the tooth. Be sure to look at a shade guide before your procedure to establish your existing tooth color and to choose your goal shade. Teeth whitening is not recommended for expectant or nursing mothers, as the effects of the whitening chemicals on unborn children or infants has not been explored.

Oral surgery: Many cosmetic dentistry procedures involve some type of oral surgery. To prepare for your surgery, follow all of the instructions of your surgeon. Make transportation arrangements, as you may not be able to drive. Get your medication in advance, so you will be prepared to take your pain medication or antibiotics immediately following your procedure instead of having to wait and possibly endure pain. Follow all of your pre-op instructions, including any diet restrictions. Plan your recovery diet beforehand, so you will have a variety of healthy, appropriate foods available to you.

Braces: Before braces are applied to your teeth, you will need a full check-up to look for decay or problems with your gums. After application or adjustment, your mouth may be sore. Treat this with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. Because braces may chafe initially against your teeth and gums, have some specialized wax available to place over the bracket to help shield your mouth until your tongue and cheeks adjust.

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• Pigment-rich food and beverages such as cola, wine, juice, berries, candy, and ketchup are just several examples of foods that may darken your teeth.

• Cigarette smoking and chewing tobacco are known to cause yellowing of teeth.

• Certain medications can result in tooth darkening. These offenders include some antibiotics, high blood pressures medicines, antipsychotic drugs and certain antihistamines.

• Chemotherapy or radiation treatments can cause teeth to change colors.

• Enamel wears away as you age, and teeth acquire a build-up of tartar and stains that darken your teeth.

• Excessive fluoride use either from your water, fluoride supplements, toothpaste or rinses can cause teeth to yellow.

• Trauma caused by a fall or blow to the mouth can damage nerves and cause teeth to permanently brown or blacken.

• Poor oral hygiene or avoiding regular dental care can cause teeth to turn unwelcome colors.

While some of these causes may make whitening more difficult, talk to a qualified dentist in Ottawa about the best option for meeting your whitening goals. The general rule of thumb is for your teeth to closely match the shade of the whites of your eyes. Teeth that are too white will look unnatural, so if you choose professional whitening, you should consult with your dental professional about how to achieve the most natural result. In cooperation with your dentist, making the decision to undergo professional teeth whitening could mean you will soon be facing the world with a brighter, whiter smile.

If you live in the Ottawa area contact us today

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Tooth condition
The severity of your tooth’s condition plays a big role in your treatment. If your infection or decay is not too advanced, it may mean an easier recovery than a patient with acute problems requiring extensive root canal treatment. Your dentist will determine the severity of your case and be able to prepare you for what to expect.

Dentist qualifications
Although all dentists are trained to perform root canal treatment, not all of them choose to offer this service as part of their practice. Your dentist may refer you to an endodontist, who is a dentist specializing in root canal treatment. These types of dentists are trained in all aspects of root canals and can handle even the most severe cases. Often, endodontists are so experienced and knowledgeable that they can even help shorten your recovery period after treatment.

After care
No matter which dentist performs your treatment, you should receive detailed instructions about how to care for yourself afterwards. You will be given guidelines about what to eat and what to avoid, how to handle pain, activity restrictions, and other details. There may also be mouth exercises suggested to follow to aid in your recovery. Make sure you keep any follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing.

Our dental office is located in Ottawa

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If your dentist says that you have healthy gums, strong bones, and good enough overall health to undergo the procedure, then dental implants may be a great choice for restoring your smile. If you’re considering this treatment, here are some benefits you can expect to receive:

• Natural appearance
• Durable enough to last a lifetime
• Very high success rate
• Improved speech
• Restored ability to eat naturally
• Improved self-esteem
• Security without concern for slipping
• Choice of materials for the crown such as porcelain or ceramic
• Ability to maintain good dental hygiene with normal brushing and flossing

The chances that you’ll be extremely happy with your dental implant is very good. Most patients rave about the results and their restored function and appearance. It’s easy to keep your implants for a lifetime with good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups. If you have a hole in your smile, ask your dentist if you are a good candidate to enjoy all of the benefits of dental implants.

We look forward to seeing you in our Ottawa dental office

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A dental implant involves placing a titanium rod into your jaw to provide a sturdy new root, and then topping it off with an artificial tooth. You’ll end up with a fully functional tooth that works, looks, and feels just like a natural tooth.

There are a number of advantages that dental implants bring:

• prevents movement of neighboring teeth
• does not negatively impact adjacent teeth
• looks aesthetically appealing
• does not slip or move in any way
• provides comfortable fit
• lasts a lifetime with proper care
• requires no special maintenance

Dental implants are inserted surgically while you are under local anesthesia, so you won’t feel anything during the procedure. There may be minor swelling or minimal pain that can be managed by over-the-counter remedies, and those side effects should dissipate within a couple of days. Risks are low and the long-term results are very good. The implant fuses with your body and you won’t even know it’s there once it has healed.

Ongoing care for your dental implant simply involves regular brushing and flossing, and dental checkups to ensure continued good oral health. You should be able to expect your fully restored smile to look and feel great for years to come.

We treat patients from Ottawa and the surrounding area

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Common restorative procedures include:

Composite fillings
To repair teeth damaged brought on by decay, your dentist will likely choose an all-white filling. Tooth-colored fillings produce solids restorations that blend in with your natural teeth and allow for less removal of healthy tooth structure.

Dental Crowns
When you have a larger area of decay than a regular filling can fix, your dentist may suggest a dental crown. Also called a cap, a dental crown covers the area above the gum line, re-establishing the strength and appearance of the injured tooth. Usually, it takes two visits to receive your custom crown. During the first appointment, your dentist will remove the decay, take impressions for the crown, and fit you with a temporary. You will return for permanent placement a few weeks later.

Dental Implants
If you have lost teeth, your oral health and self-esteem may suffer. Dental implants can replace one or more missing teeth, giving you back a complete smile. Dental implants include a metal post that functions as an artificial tooth root and a prosthetic crown that is cemented on top to complete the restoration.

Porcelain Veneers
Often considered a cosmetic choice, porcelain veneers can also cover chipped or broken teeth. Made from fine dental porcelain, veneers are permanently attached to front teeth, creating a flawless image. Your dentist will select the right veneers to fit your features, personality, and budget.

We treat patients from Ottawa and the surrounding area

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Porcelain is the most popular material used for veneers. These are usually made at a separate lab from the dental office, created by lab technicians based upon a model of the patient’s mouth. When the veneers are complete, they are sent to the dental office so the dentist can bond them to the patient’s teeth to complete the process. One reason that porcelain is especially popular is that the material resists stains and looks like natural teeth.

The other most common option for creating veneers is composite resin. These are typically made by the dentist in the office, so there is no delay in getting the veneers made at a lab. A benefit of composite veneers is that they require minimal tooth surface and are thinner than veneers made of porcelain.

No matter which type of material you choose for your dental veneers, you’ll need to have a consultation with your dentist to make sure you are a good candidate. Patients who grind their teeth are not suitable for veneers because they can be broken with this type of pressure. Also, patients who are unable break habits like chewing hard items like ice, pencils, or fingernails may not be suitable for veneers.

If you are a good candidate for dental veneers, remember that they are a permanent restoration. This means that you will need to have your veneers replaced if they ever wear out, because once your teeth have had veneers you’ll need to continue wearing them. If you take good care of your veneers by practicing proper oral hygiene, your veneers should last a long time before replacement might be necessary. In the meantime, you’ll be able to enjoy your appealing smile.

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We offer Dental Implants in Ottawa

How will I know about the process?
Seeking treatment from a qualified, experienced, reputable dentist is the first step in the dental implant process. If you and your dentist decide together that implants are a good solution for you, dental X-rays will be taken to get a clear picture of your bite and exactly where the dental implant should be placed. With the appropriate data and information needed, your dentist will create a treatment plan for accurately inserting the implant during oral surgery and later placing a crown on top to complete the restoration. These initial steps in the process will help avoid complications during the implant procedure.

Does it hurt?
If pain is what’s making you hesitate about getting dental implants, the good news is that there is practically no pain during the procedure. You will remain comfortable during treatment thanks to simple anesthesia injections in the area. Although you may notice vibrations during implant placement, actual pain shouldn’t occur. Anti-anxiety medications are sometimes given to calm a patient’s nerves, and sedation dentistry is an option for those with more serious dental fears.

What about recovery?
Most patients experience minimal pain after dental implant surgery. Soreness is normal, similar to what you’d expect after getting a filling, but over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen is usually sufficient. Dentists sometimes prescribe an antibiotic or a mouth rinse to reduce infection risks during healing. With the advancements made in dentistry, there is no reason to shy away from dental implants. Make a dental appointment in our Ottawa office to learn more about them today.

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Your dentist will need to identify what is causing the dark staining. To do this, your dentist may perform x-rays or other tests to learn if the pulp of the tooth is “vital” or alive. If the tooth is deemed to be alive, external bleaching may yield the whitening results you are seeking. Your dentist can create a single-tooth bleaching tray to whiten the traumatized tooth effectively. This type of tray keeps the bleach away from other teeth, producing the best color match for your overall smile.

However, if it is determined that the nerves have died and it is no longer a living tooth, your dentist may need to perform a root canal. Darkening of a dead tooth can happen immediately or may develop over time after a root canal procedure has been performed. For this type of tooth trauma, your dentist or endodontist may recommend bleaching the tooth from the inside.

Stains from a non-vital tooth come from the inside, rather than outside, of the tooth. Therefore, your dentist needs to put the bleach inside the tooth. This type of teeth whitening is a routine procedure that involves making a small opening in the tooth through which to bleach the tooth. Once this procedure is complete, you can assess with your dentist whether the desired results have been achieved. If the whitening is not enough, the tooth can then be bleached externally as well. If the results are still not acceptable, you may want to consider a tooth-colored veneer or crown.

If you have a darkened tooth marring your smile, consult your dentist to determine the best teeth whitening treatment to return your smile to its bright, white best.

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Often, patients inquire about “instant orthodontics,” a term that describes the cosmetic application of porcelain veneers to create the illusion of a straight smile. Designed to mimic the translucency of enamel, porcelain veneers can transform a worn-out smile into a sensational, new image. Because veneers are a cosmetic procedure, the term “instant orthodontics” is actually misleading.

Porcelain veneers can correct the appearance of front teeth and make your smile look amazing. If you have alignment issues, crowding, or bite problems, porcelain veneers will only cover the imperfections without addressing the root problem.

It’s important to consider the long-term goals and implications of choosing a cosmetic procedure. Veneers are a great way to deal with slight flaws in your smile, including chips, small gaps, and discolorations. However, you need orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign clear aligners to correct the position of your teeth.

Invisalign can not only enhance your appearance, but also improve your oral health since straighter teeth are easier to clean and floss. You should schedule a consultation with the dental team at Brown, Reynolds & Snow, who can evaluate your teeth and bite before making recommendations about the most effective treatment for your desired results.

If you need a dentist in Ottawa contact us today

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