Category: Cosmetic Dentistry

What Are The Advantages of Getting Sinus Lift?

What is Sinus Lift?

Our teeth are held together by the bones of our upper and lower jaw. The jawbones play a crucial role in helping us bite and chew various kinds of food. They also maintain the proper facial structure. Bone loss in the jaws is one of the very common oral issues. It happens for a wide range of reasons. The reasons can range from gum diseases to tumors and cysts in the jaws.

Therefore, it is essential to provide an adequate amount of stimulation to the jawbones. Numerous people have lost a tooth in the upper or lower jaw which has resulted in bone loss. In these current times, any kind of dental issue can be solved like advanced orthodontic treatments like Sinus Lift. 

But what is Sinus Lift? Sinus Lift can be defined as a dental procedure that is performed by dentists or orthodontists to improve the bone mass in the upper jaw of the patient. Now let us take a look at who are the possible candidates for this procedure. 

Who Is An Ideal Candidate for This Treatment?

If you are ever told by your dentist that you do not qualify for dental implants because of bone loss in the upper jaw, you can be a potential candidate for a sinus lift. Due to the position of our sinus cavity, it is very challenging for orthodontal surgeons to place dental implants in the rear end of our upper jaw. In addition, having these issues can also make you ideal for a sinus lift:

  • Having engorged sinuses.
  • Suffering severe facial injury or trauma.
  • Having an advanced stage of gum disease.
  • Tooth loss by accident.
  • Undergoing tooth extraction procedure on the upper jaw several times. 

The Advantages of Sinus Lift

There is no doubt about the importance of a sinus lift treatment and why it is required for some patients. Now let us get to know about the various advantages of the Sinus Lift treatment:

  • Lessens The Risk of Serious Damage In The Sinuses: If the wall of the maxillary sinus is too close to the upper section of the mouth or too thin, then inserting dental implants may cause severe damage to it. This issue can easily be solved by getting a sinus lift treatment.
  • Repairs Damage from Tooth Loss and Gum Disease: Sinus lift can make the jawbones stronger by adding more mass to it. In some of these procedures, a natural or synthetic bone graft is used to replace the missing bone material.
  • It Makes Getting Dental Implants Possible: The process opens a wide range of possibilities for patients suffering from bone loss in the jaws. It helps them to qualify for treatments like dental implants. 

 

Finally, we hope that our blog has helped you in knowing about sinus lift treatment and its advantages. If you need advanced dental services in Winchester, VA, then please visit our Winchester dentist at Smiles of Virginia Family Dental Center. We use advanced technology to treat a wide range of dental problems. 

Tooth Extraction: Basic Guide & Recovery

Tooth extraction or exodontia is a fairly common procedure and most of us have to get at least one tooth pulled out at some point in our lives. However, the phobias and paranoias associated with the procedure are endless and justifiably so. Let us take a look at this article which provides a step-by-step analysis of the entire process and try to rid ourselves of the anxiety.

Reasons for Tooth Extraction

There are a wide array of reasons as to why your tooth needs to be pulled out. One of the main reasons could be a crowded mouth and removal of teeth could lead to perfect alignment. Serious dental infection is also one of the leading causes of tooth removal. Your dentist can also recommend a tooth extraction surgery if you are suffering from periodontal disease. Now that we know the most common reasons let us delve deeper into the basics of the tooth extraction procedure.

Sedation Dentistry

Numbing the site of the tooth extraction is done even before the tugging and pulling out of your tooth starts. The location of the tooth determines if you will receive an intravenous anesthetic or a general neuroleptic. In case you are given the local anesthetic or the injection, then you might be instructed to not eat or drink anything eight hours before the procedure. To avoid any serious complications we would recommend you to provide your entire medical and dental history to your dentist and also specify any medication you are under. Our team of dentists will discuss the options with you and help you select the best sedative dentistry service for your case. Put your mind at ease and you are all set to begin the procedure.

The Extraction Process

Once you have been sedated and your gum tissue is adequately numb, our Dentist in Winchester and the team will attempt to loosen the teeth. When it is sufficiently loose from the ligaments and the jawbone, our team of dentists will perform the extraction using forceps. These are simple extractions and they are generally smooth and hassle-free. Surgical extractions, on the other hand, could be a bit complicated. If the tooth is impacted then the dentist can solve the issue easily with small incisions. You are only supposed to feel pressure throughout the entire procedure. In case of any pain or discomfort let your dentist know. In such cases, your sedative could be tweaked to numb the area further.

Steps to Hasten the Recovery

The recovery process could take anywhere from two to three days to a week. If the pain persists you are advised to contact your dentist immediately and request painkillers. 

Gently biting the gauze pad: 

Once the procedure is complete, your dentist will place a sterilized gauze pad to prevent bleeding and preserve the blood clot which has been formed. You are supposed to firmly but gently bite it and change it once it is completely covered in blood. Keep it for as long as your dentist advises you to do so. Oftentimes the edges of the gum will be closed up with self-dissolving stitches which will fasten the recovery process and prevent bacteria from entering your bloodstream. Avoid rinsing your mouth for the next 24 hours to avoid conditions leading to a dry socket.

Cold Compressions: 

The application of ice packs can minimize the swelling and lead to a faster healing process. Using cold compresses for ten to twenty minutes has been seen to reduce pain.

Eat soft food:

Beverages and edibles of jelly-like consistency will be your best friend during the recovery process. Ingest soft food like yogurt, pudding, or even soup till the pain subsides and you can again chew properly. 

 

Additionally, avoid smoking and give a lot of rest to your body for the next two days. Occasionally rinse your mouth with saline water after 24 hours of the extraction procedure. If you have any further questions related to extraction then consult a dentist near you immediately. And if you are looking for a dentist in Winchester, VA then please do not hesitate to contact us for a consultation.

Cost And Benefits Of Clear Aligners

You must have often come across the term “Clear Aligners” when it comes to looking for teeth straightening options. It is considered to be one of the boons of modern dentistry and can also be defined as a method which involves wearing a series of movable and clear aligners that gradually straighten your teeth. Going for this option eliminates the chances of suffering from various problems related to wearing braces, wires, metal brackets, etc. These teeth straightening choices come with various demerits and restrictions.

Here at Smiles of Virginia Family Dental Center, we often come across various questions related to the cost of Clear Aliners. This is why we decided to post a blog that will cover all the information about the price to be paid for invisible braces . A special emphasis has been also placed on letting you know about the benefits of choosing clear aligner over the other options. Therefore, do go through the sections below in case of any confusion.

What is the Cost of Clear Aligners?

The first thing you need to know is the cost of clear aligner can never be the same for two people. The price generally varies on the basis of needs or requirements. Some of the factors that have a direct impact on the price of clear braces are being mentioned in the pointers below:

  • The cost of living in the area where the dental clinic is located
  • The amount of work that has to be done before fitting the invisible braces 
  • The complexity of getting the job done
  • The money charged by the dental professional which directly depends on his/her expertise and experience
  • Products used in executing the task

Keeping all these factors in mind, the cost of clear aligner is somewhere around $3000 to $7000 or more. This can seem to be a lot in the beginning as the price to be paid for the traditional metal braces can range between $2000 to $6000 or more. But, every dollar invested in clear braces feels worth it when you get to know about the advantages in detail. To add on, most of the dental insurance companies nowadays cover a major portion of the money spent on clear aligners.

Benefits of Clear Aligners

Giving the pointers below a diligent read below will help you to gauge why clear aligner is the perfect teeth-straightening option for you. 

  • Using clear braces over the traditional braces helps you to not display awkward metal chunks while smiling 
  • This process is less time consuming and demands for a lesser number of visits to the dental clinic
  • Clear aligner can be easily removed and hence helps to maintain your oral hygiene
  • The adjustment of teeth happens gradually and as a result, causes comparatively lesser discomfort

We hope that you have now gained an understanding of the cost and benefits of clear aligners. Are you wondering about where to get your  treatment done? Well, numerous dental clinics offer excellent treatment at an affordable price. All you gotta do is look for a dental clinic near you and book an appointment.

If you are looking for the best clear aligner treatment in Winchester, VA, contact the Smiles of Virginia Family Dental Center. We are here to provide you with the best service and meet all your requirements. You can also check out the other dental treatments we offer at our clinic. So why suffer from orthodontic problems anymore when you can get the best by your side? Book your appointment today. Thank you.

Dental Veneers: What You May Know And May Not Know

The fact is, it’s important for people to look appealing and attractive. The way our smiles look to us and others is a huge component of who we are as a social species, so it’s only natural for a person to feel self-conscious when their teeth are chipped, crooked, stained or otherwise not look as good as they would like.

If you feel bad about the way your teeth look, here at Smiles of Virginia Family Dental Centre, we are more than happy to support you. Dr. Oestervemb is competent, compassionate, and polite as your leading dentist in Winchester VA, and feeling self-conscious is not important when you’re with him!

What you may know about dental veneers

Dental veneers are a thin, tooth-colored, porcelain material. They fit over existing teeth, and are especially attached to them. They are like covers for the teeth in this sense and they are used to change the color of the teeth, their size and shape. Who will benefit from them, then?

The dental veneers are most widely used for the following reasons:

Stained teeth: The normal teeth color is an off-white hue, but teeth are often prone to stain. Perhaps one of the most likely reasons of staining would be to use tobacco products, but because of excessive consumption of caffeine and wine, it is possible for teeth to stain. Some medicines can stain your teeth and also cause blotchiness.

Damaged teeth: If you’ve ever chipped the edge of a tooth as a kid, you’ll know how serious it is. Some people have chipped their teeth greatly, and even broken their teeth because of accidents. This is precisely why mouth guards should be used by sports men!

Gaps: The gaps between the teeth may look sweet when we’re kids, but when they persist in adulthood, they may cause some people to be embarrassed. Those gaps may be covered by dental veneers.

Crooked teeth: There are very few perfect smiles in the world, and many people have teeth that could be crooked, disfigured or uneven. In this condition, the dental veneers can cover the teeth.

What is to say about veneers that you may not know?

OK, so dental veneers will help with all of the above problems and build the winning smile for all sorts of people, but here’s three things you probably didn’t know about:

    1. They can change your facial shape

Sure this one needs some explanation. Because dental veneers go over existing teeth instead of removing them, they make slight changes to your face form. But here’s the good thing about it: Your veneers dentist in Winchester VAis going to use veneers to accentuate your smile, bring out your cheekbone shape, and even make your lips look a little fuller! In short: veneers can make subtle enhancements without any cosmetic surgery to the way you look! Pretty beautiful, right?

    1. Your tooth sensitivity might just go away

Lots of people have sensitive teeth across the world. If you’ve ever had a hot or cold beverage that causes you tooth pain and discomfort, the feeling is familiar! We will reduce the sensitivity of the tooth when you have veneers attached to your teeth, as we form a shield against the hot and cold foods and liquids that cause us to recoil in discomfort.

    1. They are strong

Although modern dental veneers are made from thin porcelain, they are surprisingly robust and durable. In reality, if properly cleaned and cared for, they can last for up to several decades! Which makes them an excellent alternative over similar methods of smile makeover and also makes them very cost-effective. They still stop dental staining as well!

That was pretty much all about veneers and 3 facts about veneers that you probably never knew. Does that make you want to get veneers? If yes, we’ve got the best solution for you. Click here to get in touch with the best cosmetic dentist for dental veneers in Winchester VA.

Why You Need Clear Aligner Treatment For Your Teeth Straightening Procedure

Clear Aligner is the best orthodontic treatment option for numerous patients out there who are looking to get their teeth straightened comfortably and conveniently. There are numerous advantages of clear braces over traditional metal braces that make its demand so high in the market. Although there are certain occlusions that clear aligners cannot fix, it can still fix most of them and hence, the chances that clear braces treatment might just be the best alternative for your orthodontic treatment are high.

But before you decide on getting them, let’s give you an idea about what you’ll be in for during your treatment:

1. Quicker treatment

While most traditional orthodontic braces can take over a year to fix a dental misalignment, clear aligners can fix the same within six months! It drastically reduces the treatment time in most cases and even produces better results than traditional braces in majority of the cases.

2. Invisible to the eye

Clear aligner is transparent. This means that you need not worry about how your smile looks throughout your treatment. As a matter of fact, people might not even notice that you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. This invisible nature of clear aligner has attracted high school students and professionals alike, to whom, appearance counts a lot in their daily lives.

3. Comfortable to wear

Clear aligners is inexplicably more comfortable to wear than metal braces. Clear aligner is made of smooth and fine plastic with no metal wires and brackets and is lightweight. Therefore, it feels very comfortable inside the mouth. Although you may struggle with your speech during the initial days, once you get accustomed to the material in your mouth, it would feel completely comfortable and natural.

4. Convenient

If the thought of no metal braces and heaviness inside your mouth was not good enough, you must know that clear aligner mostly does not come with any diet restrictions. This is because these aligners are removable and hence, you would anyway have to take them off when you have to eat or drink. Thus, your diet has no effect on your aligners. Talking about removable, you can remove your aligners whenever you want to and it would not affect your treatment as long as you’re wearing them for 20-22 hours a day.

Isn’t that everything you’ve wanted in your orthodontic treatment. But let’s not forget thatclear aligners cannot treat certain occlusions. To know if it’s suited for you, there’s only one way- get a comprehensive consultation with a dentist for your clear aligners treatment in Winchester, VA.