Month: May 2018

Whitening may not be advisable for all patients—for instance, if you have several tooth-colored dental restorations. Sometimes, whitening products can cause adverse effects, such as tooth sensitivity and gum inflammation. Typically, this happens when you don’t have the right dental professional caring for your smile while undergoing your whitening treatment. However, meeting with your dentist before a cosmetic treatment can clear up a few different things—including how to avoid the problems listed above.

Your cosmetic dentist in Framingham is here to help you through the process of whitening your teeth safely—assuming you’re the perfect candidate for this treatment. In fact, there are a few different questions that you should ask to kickstart the conversation with your dental expert. Continue reading to learn more.

Kickstart the Conversation with Your Cosmetic Dentist

You might be nervous to talk about what you don’t like about your smile, but a cosmetic dentist is definitely the one to tell all to. After all, they are here to help you improve your aesthetics. Talking about your insecurities and what you want to do to improve your look can ensure that your dentist helps you achieve the results you really want. Here are a few examples of questions to ask during your next cosmetic appointment.

How long can I expect my whitening results to last?

Contrary to drugstore whitening products, professional teeth whitening can last months at a time with the proper maintenance. Your dentist will be able to provide details about how to maintain those results with you.

Will the whitening solution damage my teeth?

Of course, professional-grade products are much stronger than what you get in the local store. However, your dentist is here to make any accommodations that you may need to keep your smile safe. If you have sensitive teeth, your dentist will

While most people associate orthodontics with braces, many are uncertain about what dentofacial orthopedics is. Dentofacial orthopedics is the specialization in guiding facial growth and development– in other words– your jaw development. Your jaw develops mostly during your childhood; that’s why the American Association of Orthodontists recommends dentofacial orthopedic treatment for children from 8 to 12 years old. It is not uncommon for adults who have experience dental changes to also undergo treatment.

Common reasons for getting jaw alignment treatment includes:

• Underdeveloped lower jaw
• Malocclusions
• Protrusion of upper teeth
• Overbite
• Crossbite

What to Expect

Getting treatment can be a daunting experience for both children and adults when you don’t know what to expect. By understanding what we use and how we apply the use of orthodontic appliances, you can get a better idea of what to expect.

You may get either fixed or removable orthodontic appliances to correct your jaw alignment. Fixed orthodontic appliances are normally glued to your teeth with cement, while removable appliances can be taken off. The benefit of fixed appliances is that once they’re on, you can practically forget about them in between check ups. With removable appliance, it requires you to wear them consistently as instructed.

You may feel some discomfort while your jaw adjusts to the appliance, but it is important to follow the treatment as planned. Doing so will give you the best results and may also shorten the time that you need to have them on. It takes about a month to adjust to the feeling of a new appliance in your mouth and on average 12 months to correct your jaw issues.

Types of Orthodontic Appliances

The type of appliance used to ensure proper growth of your jaws is different for everyone. Most of these dentofacial orthopedic appliances involve attaching metal