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Attain that Hollywood Smile with Veneers | Mooresville Dentist

Many celebrities have smiles that can light up a room. They just have a bright dazzling smile that seems impossible to attain. But you too can have that Hollywood smile. You just need to schedule a dental appointment. Because, chances are, those celebrity smiles you wonder at have been touched by the skilled hand of a dental professional.

Dental veneers are thin layers of composite resin or porcelain which are fitted right onto the surface of the tooth.  They are very popular among patients with discolored, crooked or misaligned teeth. Veneers are made to give you a beautiful, straight white smile. Not surprisingly, most patients aren’t all that familiar with dental procedures – they just know they want a nice smile.

There are two types of veneers to choose from, composite resin and porcelain. One might think that all veneers are the same since they serve the same purpose, but they are actually quite different. The following are facts on both types of veneers:

Composite:

  • Can last about 4-8 years with proper maintenance.
  • Made of high-quality reinforced plastic. Given today’s high-end technology these veneers look and feel very good, but under pressure they can get damaged quite easily.
  • Its porous surface, which can affect their look after years of use.
  • They are easily stained, often needing whitening treatments to maintain their appearance.
  • Composite veneers chip easily.

Porcelain:

  • Porcelain veneers on the other hand last up to 25 years and do not require as much maintenance.
  • Made of high-quality porcelain, natural in color and more resistant.
  • Maintain strength and appearance over several decades.
  • Do not stain because of the non-porous material.

For more information about veneers, call Dr. Schneider in Mooresville, NC at 704-660-1802 or visit www.schneidersmiles.com.

Drs. Catherine and Kenneth Schneider proudly serve patients from Mooresville and all surrounding areas.

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Pick Your Poison: Cosmetic Dentistry Edition | Mooresville Dentist

We all want a winning smile, but today cosmetic dentistry has advanced to the point where we can completely overhaul our smile, sometimes in one visit. Nowadays cosmetic dentistry isn’t just for celebrities and the wealthy, there’s now a wide variety of options and price ranges that put a better smile within reach for many patients. But where do you start when it comes to designing your perfect smile? What you choose is on a case-by-case basis.

Traditional dentistry addresses the health of your teeth and gums, cosmetic dentistry focuses on the appearance of your teeth. From subtle changes to major overhauls with oral surgery, there are a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures that can treat teeth that are discolored, misshapen, chipped or missing. Below are the most common cosmetic procedures:

Teeth whitening. This procedure brightens teeth that are discolored or stained. Teeth whitening, or bleaching, can be done in a dentist’s office or at home with a system dispensed by the dentist.

Bonding. This can improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, broken, cracked, stained, or have spaces in between them, by bonding tooth-colored materials to the tooth surface.

Veneers. These are thin, custom-made porcelain shells that cover the front of the teeth to disguise discoloration or imperfections.

Tooth reshaping. This procedure changes the teeth to improve their appearance by modifying or removing enamel. Tooth reshaping (also known as dental contouring) is often combined with bonding.

Crown lengthening. This can fix a “gummy” smile or an uneven gum line by removing excess gum tissue to expose more of the tooth’s crown and give the appearance of longer teeth.

Smile makeovers. Typically, several cosmetic dentistry procedures are required to overhaul the look of a patient’s smile.

For more information about cosmetic dentistry, call Dr. Schneider in Mooresville, NC at 704-660-1802 or visit www.schneidersmiles.com.

Drs. Catherine and Kenneth Schneider proudly serve patients from Mooresville and all surrounding areas.

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Are There Such Things as Painless Veneers? | Mooresville Dentist

Veneers have transformed the smiles of several patients over the years. However, there are people who still believe that veneers won’t help improve their smiles. In fact, there are many myths about veneers that have made many people question the wonderful dental treatment. In order to set the record straight, let’s take a look at the more common myths surrounding veneers and debunk any suspicions. Here are the top five…

Myth 1: Veneers are bright and noticeable.

Fact. Veneers are now customized to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. In most cases, veneers are not noticeable and help enhance one’s smile.

Myth 2: Veneers are only used in cosmetic dentistry.

Fact. While the primary purpose of veneers is to improve a patient’s teeth, veneers can also be used to rebuild molars, improve facial profiles and replace worn out or misshapen teeth.

Myth 3: The application of veneers is painful.

Fact. Like any other dental procedure, a local anesthetic is given. The sensitivity is typically while wearing temporary veneers as the permanent ones are being fabricated. 

Myth 4: Veneers require the dentist to file down my tooth before application.

Fact. This one is a common misconception. Although there is some reshaping required before the veneer is applied, veneers are made fingernail thin, so less prep work is required.

Myth 5: Veneers are only necessary for the front teeth.

Fact. Veneers are commonly applied the first six front teeth since they’re the most visible, but they can actually be used anywhere in the mouth. Many patients use them on their lower teeth and premolars to help even or widen their smile.

For more information about veneers, call Dr. Schneider in Mooresville, NC at 704-660-1802 or visit www.schneidersmiles.com.

Drs. Catherine and Kenneth Schneider proudly serve patients from Mooresville and all surrounding areas.

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A Lesson About Dental Bonding | Mooresville Dentist

Because our smile is one feature that is first noticed by strangers we meet, having dental issues, like receding gums, can affect your smile and your self-esteem. Luckily, there are treatment options, like dental bonding, available at your dentist’s clinic to help fix this problem.

Dental bonding is a dental procedure that involves the application of a composite resin to repair decayed, chipped, fractured and discolored teeth. Not only will the tooth be repaired, but it will blend in naturally.

The procedure is considered as one of the cheapest and least-intrusive dental procedures available today. Although often used for cosmetic purposes, dental bonding has several functional benefits too. For example, the bonding material can be used to close tooth gaps, change the shape of the teeth, making it a cosmetic alternative to fillings.

The bonding can also be applied to the exposed areas on the tooth’s root caused by gum recession. This can help provide necessary protection to the roots and prevent cavities from forming. Even better, the bonding can also help address any sensitivity issues that may be caused by the roots being exposed because of gum recession.

Unfortunately, applying bonding at the gumline is more of a cosmetic and temporary solution than a solution to your receding gums. This is because your teeth and gums might require a deeper cleaning known as scaling and root planning.

Although very rare, it’s also possible for those with gum recession to require surgical treatment, specifically a gum graft. Also done by a periodontist, the surgical procedure involves grafting the gum tissue to cover exposed root surfaces and prevent further complications.

For more information about dental bonding, call Dr. Schneider in Mooresville, NC at 704-660-1802 or visit www.schneidersmiles.com.

Drs. Catherine and Kenneth Schneider proudly serve patients from Mooresville and all surrounding areas.

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Improving Your Smile with Veneers | Mooresville Dentist

When it’s time to improve your smile, veneers may be the ideal option. The problem is, there are a couple of veneers to choose from and they both have pros and cons. Veneers can be composed of either composite resin or porcelain. Here’s a quick rundown:

Composite:

  • 4-8 years with proper maintenance
  • Made of high-quality reinforced plastic
  • Have a porous surface, which can affect their look after years of use.
  • Stain more easily
  • Easily chipped

Porcelain:

  • Can last up to 25 years and do not require as much maintenance
  • Made of high-quality porcelain, natural in color and more resistant
  • Maintains strength and appearance
  • Does not stain

The longevity of your porcelain veneers greatly depends on how well you take care of them. Here are a few tips:

Proper dental hygiene. This shouldn’t be a question – dental hygiene is important regardless of your dental work. Brush and floss daily with a nonabrasive toothpaste containing fluoride. Good oral care at home helps prevent periodontitis which can cause your gums to recede. Veneers are placed right at the gum line. If your gums do start to recede the appearance of your veneers could be compromised.

Avoid excessive force. It is a habit for many of us, but your smile doesn’t like it. That means no biting your fingernails, hairpins, ice or hard candy. These types of things can break or dislodge a veneer, and for some, could be the reason you have the veneer in the first place.

No clenching and grinding your teeth. By grinding your teeth your veneers can be chipped or broken due to the force generated by these actions. If you suffer from bruxism at night, find out about getting a night guard to protect your teeth and veneers.

Avoid foods and drinks that stain. And lastly, while porcelain veneers are very resistant to staining the cement used to hold them in place can stain over time. Try to avoid coffee, tea, soda, wine and tobacco.

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Ways to Keep Your Smile Bright and White | Mooresville Dentist

Some people are just born with much more yellowish teeth compared to others. It’s more of a genetic thing than anything else. It is also a known fact that as we age, our teeth begin to yellow. Other things that can tinge our teeth are more along the lines of habits – tobacco habits, drinking dark beverages like coffee or wine, poor diet and dental hygiene. So, as we step foot into 2022, it may be a good idea to take stock in what your current habits are and how they are affecting your smile.

Frequent dental cleanings can easily remove most of the stains caused by certain food, drinks and tobacco. Using a whitening toothpaste can also help remove such stains in between visits to the dentists. Though, if your stains have been present for years, simply cleaning and brushing just won’t cut it.

Bleaching. Bleaching requires the use of tooth-bleaching gels to oxidize out the stain and can be done either by the dentist or at home. A common side effect during the process is for teeth to become slightly more sensitive than usual.

At-home whitening. Done by letting your dentist take an impression of your teeth and making a custom-fitted tray, you’ll then have to fill the tray with whitening gel and wear it for two hours a day for as long as two weeks. If done correctly, at-home whitening can be a very effective teeth whitening solution.

In-office whitening. Zoom! whitening is done in the dentist’s office. Each visit takes somewhere around 30 minutes to one hour and multiple visits are usually required to achieve the desired results.

For more information about teeth whitening, call Dr. Schneider in Mooresville, NC at 704-660-1802 or visit www.schneidersmiles.com.

Drs. Catherine and Kenneth Schneider proudly serve patients from Mooresville and all surrounding areas.

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Time for Veneers? | Mooresville Dentist

If your teeth aren’t exactly your idea of a great smile, worry not – there are plenty of ways that dental professionals can rehab your smile into one you’ve only dreamt of. One of the techniques they use is veneers – thin, custom made shells that are placed on top of existing teeth, fixing discolorations, gaps, chips, and broken teeth. While veneers and bonding are cosmetic procedures used to treat similar problems, veneers may be a better alternative in cases where the patient wants to adjust the overall look and feel of their teeth.

A normal procedure typically requires multiple visits – on the first visit, the dentist will inspect the tooth (or teeth) to make sure the patient is a good candidate and verify that veneers will properly fix the problem at hand. During this first visit, the dentist will remove a thin layer of tooth enamel, so that the veneer surface rests even with the rest of the teeth. Once the enamel is removed, the dentist will make a detailed impression of the tooth and send the impression off to a laboratory for a custom veneer designed to fit the tooth precisely. The dental laboratory can make the veneer using either porcelain or resin – porcelain veneers are more natural, resin veneers requiring less enamel removal.

Once the veneer is created, the patient will return for a second visit to continue shaping the veneer before it is bonded to the tooth surface with permanent cement. In many cases, the patient will be asked to return in a few weeks to evaluate the gums and make sure the patient’s gums are reacting well to the new veneer surface.

For more information about veneers, call Dr. Schneider in Mooresville, NC at 704-660-1802 or visit www.schneidersmiles.com.

Dr. Schneider proudly serve patients from Mooresville and all surrounding areas.

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Simple Ways to Soothe Sore Gums | Mooresville Dentist

A lot of patients complain about sore gums when first getting used to wearing dentures. Thankfully, it is only a matter of time before your mouth gets used to them, but in the meantime, it is very painful because your gums are still getting used to the dentures, but that pain will begin to subside after a few weeks. So, what can you do? Luckily, there are several dental remedies available to help ease the discomfort and pain while your mouth adjusts. The following is a list of pain relievers that can help make this adjustment a whole lot smoother:

Topical gel or cream. One of the quickest ways to relieve gum pain is to apply a topical gel or cream. Millions of teething babies can’t be wrong.

Saltwater rinse. For the easiest way to reduce inflamed gums pain, remove the dentures, mix ½ to 1 tsp. of salt with a glass of warm water and rinse for about 30 seconds.

Aloe vera. If you find your gums feel a bit irritated, rub some aloe vera on the area to soothe them.

Massage. A quick, gentle massage to your gums will also help when in a pinch.

Over-the-counter pain relievers. Everyone has some type of headache relief available. If you find your gums are beginning to give you headaches, try taking some ibuprofen.

Denture adhesive. Loose dentures will begin to move and disturb other areas of your teeth. Try using a denture adhesive to help them stay in place.

Taking your dentures out at night will help relieve some pain as you are adjusting. But if you find that your dentures may be ill-fitting, contact your dentist as soon as possible.

For more information about soothing sore gums, call Dr. Schneider in Mooresville, NC at 704-660-1802 or visit www.schneidersmiles.com.

Dr. Schneider proudly serve patients from Mooresville and all surrounding areas.

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Adjusting to Braces: Food Edition | Mooresville Dentist

adjusting to braces

When a patient needs braces, one of the first questions is how will my day-to-day life change? And there’s no need to sugarcoat it – it will. It isn’t going to be earth-shaking, but there will be some adjustments made to the way you brush and floss, and your diet will change a bit as well, especially if you choose to have traditional braces.

Before you get too nervous, there is a very good reason for it. Because brackets are attached to your teeth using a basic dental cement, eating foods that are extra hard or sticky can cause the brackets to pop off, which will mean an unexpected dental visit for repair and delaying your treatment. And yes, they are made of metal, but they can be damaged by eating the wrong foods. Not only that, but food that cannot be cleaned off braces with a simple brushing and flossing may lead to discoloration and decay of your teeth. The good thing is, if you stay on task, your experience will go smoothly. So, here is a list to keep on the fridge while you are wearing braces:

  • Absolutely no gum, sugarless or otherwise
  • Chewy foods like bagels, hard rolls and licorice
  • Crunchy foods, such as popcorn, ice and chips
  • Sticky foods, including caramels, taffy and gum
  • Hard foods like nuts are healthy but can break your teeth like hard candy
  • Crispy foods you bite into, like corn on the cob, apples or carrots
  • Also avoid biting into non-food items, such as nail-biting and pencil-chewing habits

For more information about eating with braces, call Dr. Schneider in Mooresville, NC at 704-660-1802 or visit www.schneidersmiles.com.

Dr. Schneider proudly serve patients from Mooresville and all surrounding areas.

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Gummy Smiles Aren’t Sweet | Mooresville Dentist

Ask yourself – what is the physical feature you find most attractive? Chances are you said the smile. They come in all shapes and variations but aren’t always what we think of as pretty. And when it comes to cosmetic procedures, our minds automatically go to things like bleaching, veneers and braces. But there is a procedure out there many don’t know about but wish they did – gum contouring. You may not directly relate your smile to your gums, but they are the tools used to keep your teeth in place. Sometimes the gums cover too much of the teeth, giving the impression that their teeth are shorter than they really are. This is known as a gummy smile.

A gummy smile is perfectly acceptable for most people, and uneven gums are a fairly common problem. Some people are just born with it, while there are those whose gums become uneven as they grow older. These are other factors that may lead to developing a gummy smile:

  • Improper brushing and flossing techniques
  • Smoking or chewing tobacco
  • Frequent teeth grinding
  • Oral piercings
  • Sensitivity to certain chemicals
  • Shifting teeth
  • Periodontal disease

Gum contouring has long been around as a cosmetic procedure but has begun to gain in popularity since modern dental medicine now allows dental practitioners to completely bypass the use of scalpels. Instead, soft tissue lasers are used to slowly and gently sculpt the gums. This helps speed up the healing process, as well as to prevent any bleeding. So, if you feel gum contouring can improve your smile, schedule a dental visit today!

For more information about gum contouring, call Dr. Schneider in Mooresville, NC at 704-660-1802 or visit www.schneidersmiles.com.

Dr. Schneider proudly serve patients from Mooresville and all surrounding areas.