Veneers

Choosing a Smile Makeover with Veneers

We all have things we’d like to change about ourselves.  If you have straight hair, you may be envious of your friend with naturally curly hair.  You may wish your hazel eye were blue.  You may want to be a few inches shorter or taller than you are naturally.  Often, our inherent attributes can make us automatically desire the opposite of what we were born with.

A smile is a bit different than hair or eye color, or height; in which the benefits of one over another are very subjective.  In the case of a beautiful, straight and bright smile— there aren’t many people who wish for an alternative to that, and yet so few of us are born with a smile that we would consider ideal.  If your smile flaws are something you’d want to makeover entirely, one of the best ways to do so is with veneers.

When patients come to see me for veneers, they’re able to essential redesigning their smile.  They can be used to correct and cover damage, discoloration, spacing issues and other flaws, in a way that naturally suits your smile structure.  So what do you need to know before you make the decision for a smile makeover with veneers?  There are a few basics to consider:

• Veneers typically require two or three visits to complete.  It is a non-surgical process that isn’t painful.   


• They can be used to correct moderate spacing and alignment issues. Some of my patients have decided to correct a mildly crooked or unleveled smile with veneers instead of orthodontic options.


• They can be used to cover chipped, cracked and discolored teeth.


• Veneers are custom fabricated according to your unique facial structure and your desired results.  Each tooth cover is created from specialized ceramic, so your new teeth look natural as well as beautiful.


• The veneer process will require that you wear temporary prosthetics between the time of your teeth prepping and the time of your permanent veneer placement.  This is roughly a two week period.


• Your veneers are held in place by a specialized bonding material.  This means your veneers will stay secure and feel natural as long as you take proper care of your teeth and gums.


• The ceramic of your veneers is designed to last a lifetime.  Provided you take optimal care of your teeth, you shouldn’t need to replace or restore your veneers due to wear.   

Since the process and results with vary on a case-by-case basis, coming in for a consultation with me is your best bet for making the right decision. More information on the veneers process can be found on my website: http://www.justdentaltx.com/veneers, but I encourage you to contact me directly so we can find the right smile makeover option for you.

-          Dr. Joyce Le, DDS.

Dental Implants

Considering Dental Implants?

When a patient sees me for a dental implant, mini implant or implant supported dentures-- I know they’re making a great choice. Dental implants are revolutionary dental prosthetics that work in a totally unique way: they completely take the place of a missing tooth and feel just like the real thing.  If you need to securely restore gaps in your smile, a dental implant is one of the best ways to do it.  During my implant consultations with clients, I go over the process of preparing for and placing the implant, as well as what to expect afterwards.  While implants have a very high success rate and my dental implant patients are extremely satisfied with their improved smiles, implants are not a universal solution. Not all patients are ideal candidates for dental implants.  Together we’ll look at your current conditions and lifestyle choices to ensure that your dental implants will not be contradictory to your present state of health.  This is because dental implants are surgically placed into the gum and jawbone.  The reason they’re so secure and effective is due to a process called osseointegration, in which the jaw bone conforms around the implant like the root of a tooth. If you currently have any conditions or are undergoing any treatments that impact your body’s healing process, an implant may not be your best option for a tooth replacement.

Of course, the placement process for implant, mini implants and implant support dentures vary from one patient to the next.  While there is a plethora of information on implant dentistry available online, including right on my website: http://www.justdentaltx.com/dental-implants, the best way to determine if implants are right for you is to set up a one-on-one consultation with me at Just Dental of Richmond, TX.  I look forward to seeing you!  

-          Dr. Joyce Le, DDS

Teeth Whitening

How Can You Get Free Whitening for Life?

As many of my patients already know, my practice offers the Free Whitening for Life program, in which a patient will receive free teeth whitening once they visited me, and recommended a friend for a teeth cleaning.  As long at their referred friend completed their appointment, the patient maintains good oral health and visits for regular, biannual checkups, they’ll receive a no-cost teeth whitening during their visit.  Many of my patients love the program; not only because it saves a great deal of money on a very popular procedure, but it also boosts their smile confidence and gives them incentive to keep their teeth and gums healthy.  The Free Whitening for Life program is also effective because it helps my patients keep up with common staining causes that are almost unavoidable in day-to-day life.

So what can you do to combat teeth staining and discoloration in between whitening procedures?  Here are a few tips and reminders that can help you keep your smile bight.

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  Brush and floss properly and daily.  When you brush, you clean any food residue that leads to staining and decay.  Flossing is extremely important when it comes to removing stain and decay causing food particles that get caught between the teeth.  Be sure to brush gently and don’t forget your tongue and cheeks.  Never brush in a hard “scrubbing” motion, as this can result in toothbrush abrasion and subsequently worsen stains.

  
  


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  Reduce your intake acidic foods and drinks.  These include coffee, tea, wine, citrus fruits sour candy and many others.  When you do have them, wait about half an hour before you brush.  Why should you wait? The acidity has a corrosive effect on your tooth enamel, which makes it weaken—so if you brush your teeth too soon after having something acidic, you may cause tooth abrasion and further tooth discoloration.

  
  


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  Stress is tough on teeth. A natural and common response to stress is clenching or grinding of the teeth. When this happens regularly at night or when you’re not aware of it, it’s commonly known as bruxism.  When you clench your jaw and grind your teeth, you may create small cracks in your enamel which lead to staining.  We can help you prevent such problems with a night guard and TMJ treatment.

  
  

To learn more about our Free Whitening for Life program and what you can do to keep your smile healthy and beautiful, visit my website: http://www.justdentaltx.com/   

-          Dr. Joyce Le, DDS

Six Month Smiles

Are Six Month Smiles for You?

Since I began offering Six Month Smiles at my practice, I’ve had many patients ask about this unique orthodontic option for accelerated teeth straightening. While anyone seeking a straighter smile may love the idea of improving their teeth alignment in under a year, I want to be sure that my patents get effective results from whatever orthodontic or cosmetic treatment they choose.   Whether Six Month Smiles is your best option, that’s something I’m happy to help you decide.  Together, we’ll look at your unique smile and demine if Six Month Smiles can give you the results you’re seeking.  To begin, here are some of the things to consider when you make your orthodontic treatment decision.

Who Can Benefit from Six Month Smiles:  Patients with mild to moderate smile misalignment, gaps and crowding may see considerable correction after using Six Month Smiles.  If you’re not experiencing serious periodontal problems due to misaligned teeth and your corrective needs are on the lighter side, Six Month Smiles may be just what you’re looking for!

What Are Some of the Benefits of Six Month Smiles:  Besides the obvious accelerated treatment time, six month smiles are more discrete than traditional braces.  They are fairly indistinguishable in photographs and at a distance. Often, they are less expensive than most conventional orthodontic and cosmetic treatments, such as veneers. This is especially true if you’re using them to for minor leveling and correction of overbite and underbite issues.  Many of my patients have stated that their experience with six month smiles was more comfortable than with metal braces, as they require less force for tightening and adjustments.

What Are Some of the Limitations of Six Month Smiles: It should be noted that Six Month Smiles may not be effective for patients who need more advanced corrections through conventional orthodontic treatment.  While Six Month Smiles are very much like braces in the way they fit over the teeth, they are considered more of a cosmetic orthodontic method.  Six months is considered the minimum time for the treatment, so your treatment time could vary based on your unique case.  If cost is not as much of a concern and you’re looking for a more idealized smile makeover in a short period of time, veneers may be a more suitable option than Six Month Smiles.

Of course, the best way to determine whether Six Month Smiles is right for you is to come see me for a consultation.  I welcome your calls and emails with any questions you may have, and as always, I look forward to seeing you for your next visit! 

-          Dr. Joyce Le, DDS.