Cosmetic surgery is a huge business; so much so that the competition between the different types of cosmetic treatments is really heating up. There are some types of cosmetic enhancement, however, that you may not have heard of just yet. For example, did you know that there is such a thing as a dental face lift? That’s right, we’ve all heard of ‘standard’ face lifts which involve ‘under the knife’ surgery, but there is now a dental face lift available which completely rules out any surgery whatsoever.

What is a Dental Face Lift?

A dental face lift is designed to do exactly what the name suggests – increase the tautness of skin on the face to ease the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, with a view to making the patient look younger than their years. The difference between a dental face lift and a ‘regular’ one is the fact that nothing is actually done to the skin. The entire procedure is a dental one and involves the restoration of the teeth in order to rebuild facial muscles that may have weakened over time.

How Do Dental Face Lifts Work?

The theory goes like this: as we age our teeth become more and more worn down. This wear decreases the amount of space between the nose and the chin. Lost teeth are another reason for a reduction in this distance. Dental face lifts work by rebuilding and replacing any missing or worn down teeth. The aim of this process is to gradually rebuild the facial muscles around the mouth and therefore restore the face to its natural height. As the muscles develop, the skin on the face will once again become taut.
Dental face lifts are still a relatively new concept and as such there is no ‘solid’ scientific evidence that they really do work. The one thing that is certain, though, is that they do not involve any unnatural manipulation of the skin. This means that you won’t come out looking like a science fiction character if anything goes wrong!

Who Can Benefit from Dental Face Lifts?

Anyone who would like to have younger looking skin combined with a brand new set of repaired teeth will likely benefit from dental face lifts. It all depends on what you, as a patient, wish to gain out of the procedure. It may be best to expect a great new smile and then, with any luck, be even more pleasantly surprised if your wrinkles disappear or improve as a result.

What are the Benefits of Dental Face Lifts?

The benefits of dental face lifts are (or at least can be) twofold. Firstly, the worn down or missing teeth are being repaired or replaced – meaning that no matter what happens with the skin on the face, the patient will have a brand new set of healthy teeth. Secondly, the patient’s skin should become tightened as the muscles rebuild, leaving them looking younger and reducing the appearance of any wrinkles that may have set in over the years. Because dental face lifts are mainly a cosmetic procedure, the only real medical benefit that can be foreseen is the replacement of damaged or missing teeth, which can cause bacteria buildup and encourage the development of oral diseases.

Are Any Risks Involved with Dental Face Lifts?

Whilst ‘regular’ face lifts come with a whole host of possible problems and risks, because dental face lifts are a purely dental procedure they are generally considered much safer. The risks that are present are really only those that you may face as a result of any trip to the dentist. Be sure that the teeth you are having to replace your old ones are to your liking – as it can be quite tricky (and expensive) to have the whole procedure carried out again.

Dental Face Lifts: A Good Alternative?

So, are dental face lifts a good alternative to the more ‘traditional’ face lift surgeries? Well, they certainly have less risk involved and the method by which they actually lift the muscles in the face is effectively natural; however, dental face lifts are not yet a tried and tested method of providing a face lift. The upside to them is that they will certainly provide you with a healthier, whiter smile – and that fact alone may well justify their existence, and cost.

The information in this article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate health care provider.

Rob Taylor is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a dentist or more dental care articles at Yodle Consumer Guide. Dental Face Lifts

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/dental-care-articles/dental-face-lifts-1154254.html

Nobody really enjoys going to the dentist, but for some people, the thought of a visit to the dentist causes such intense panic that they resign themselves to avoiding the dentist completely.  If an overwhelming fear has been causing you to put off your next visit to the dentist, then you might want to consider sedation dentistry.

It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of a person’s fear of the dentist, but there are certainly a number of disconcerting factors involved with even a standard cleaning. From bad tastes and smells to the sensation of being poked and prodded in the mouth, the idea of avoiding the dentist altogether is an understandable escape. Some people are just plain afraid of any and all medical procedures, including those that are completely routine. Other people have sensitive teeth and gums, which can make even a regular dental cleaning uncomfortable bordering on painful. There are also those people who have naturally sensitive gag reflexes and tend to feel like they’re choking or can’t breathe as long as their mouths are being worked on.

While there are plenty of reasons to submit to the fear and avoid the dentist, that approach will only cause issues in the long run. A dental cleaning is recommended every six months to maintain proper oral hygiene. The longer you put off going to the dentist, the more tooth-related issues you are bound to have down the road. It’s a good thing that sedation dentistry is becoming increasingly popular – and available – by the day.

The idea behind sedation dentistry is that instead of working to tackle your fear of the dentist, you can simply eliminate it courtesy of a nice dose of your favorite anti-anxiety drug such as Halcion or Valium. When used as prescribed, these medications are quite safe and do not cause any long-term effects.

With sedation dentistry, a pill is taken about an hour or two before the dental appointment so that by the time you’re ready to head out, you’ll be too relaxed – and loopy – to panic your way into canceling. Since this initial dose is likely to cause extreme grogginess, you’ll need to ask a friend or family member to transport you to and from the dentist’s office. Additional anti-anxiety medication may then be administered at the dentist’s office on as-needed basis. Your dentist will make that determination based on a number of factors, including how well the initial dose has kicked in and how long the appointment is expected to take.

During sedation dentistry, the patient retains consciousness throughout the process. Although sedation dentistry is often referred to as sleep dentistry, the patients involved are actually not asleep, but rather in extremely relaxed, sedated states. They are still able to respond to questions and instructions from the dentist, though they have little to no recollection of the procedure once it is over.

Thanks to the wonders of sedation dentistry, many formerly dental phobic patients are now walking around with healthy mouths and clean smiles, and many current patients are slowly coming around to embrace the option of an experience at the dentist’s office that is not only painless, but rather forgettable.

Of course, not everyone is a fan of this latest craze. Some medical professionals are opposed to the idea of sedation dentistry, warning that dentists are too quick to administer drugs and that patients can easily become over-sedated.

Because patients metabolize pills differently, the effects of the initial dosage are not always immediately recognized. When a patient arrives for an appointment, it might appear as though he is not adequately sedated, and the dentist might elect to increase the dosage prior to the procedure. However, some dentists are too quick to make this determination and do not allow enough time for the initial dose to kick in. The result is an over-sedated patient that must be closely watched. However, as part of the sedation dentistry process, a trained professional is always on-hand to monitor the patient’s vital signs throughout the sedation period. For your own comfort, do not be afraid to ask your dentist about his training and experience in sedation dentistry.

Another thing to be aware of is that sleep dentistry can come with a cost. While most dental insurance companies will cover the dental work itself, they can be rather stingy when it comes to the sedation aspect since technically-speaking, it is rarely medically necessary. While most dentists will work with you to keep sedation costs to a minimum, remember that you are not only paying for the drugs themselves, but for the cost of patient monitoring throughout the procedure. However, given the importance of proper dental care and the discomfort that often comes with it, can you really put a price tag on peace of mind?

Maurie Backman is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a dentist or more dental care articles at Yodle Consumer Guide. Sedation Dentistry

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/dental-care-articles/sedation-dentistry-1154318.html

Bright pearly whites are no longer a luxury reserved for the rich and famous- more and more people are seeking teeth whitening treatments for a fabulous smile they can show off. And why not? Great teeth can make you feel more confident, and with today’s many options, tooth whitening is becoming more accessible for everyone.

But with so many options, how do you choose the best way to brighten your smile? Over-the-counter whitening trays and toothpastes are affordable but don’t always offer the most immediate and effective results; some in-office dental whitening laser procedures can be costly without a guaranteed result.

Zoom! Whitening offers an appealing option for many, with innovative tooth whitening technology and a comfortable in-office procedure.

What is Zoom! Whitening?

Zoom! Whitening is an in-office dental light-activated whitening treatment that relies upon a strong light activated hydrogen peroxide-based bleaching agent- called Zoom! Gel- applied to teeth in order to lighten the discoloration of enamel and dentin. The specialized “Zoom!” light helps to activate the hydrogen peroxide, aiding the bleaching agent in penetrating the surface of the tooth.

During the procedure, the Zoom! gel and lighting is applied onto the patient’s teeth in three short sessions.  The entire Zoom! Whitening treatment is usually completed within one hour. A cleaning is recommended prior to the whitening treatment.

Zoom! 2 refers to the updated version of the Zoom! tooth bleaching application. One of the major differences between the two procedures is that while the original Zoom! Whitening tooth whitening treatment took up to an hour to complete, the Zoom 2 system is completed within 45 minutes, with three 15-minute sessions of whitening.

Who needs Zoom! Whitening?

Anyone who is looking for brighter and whiter teeth, or seeking to remove or lighten tooth discolorations and stains may want to look into Zoom! Whitening.

Tooth discoloration can be caused by tobacco use, red wine, coffee, or certain medications used during dental formation.

Almost anyone can get effective tooth whitening results from Zoom! Whitening. However, some people may not be able to get the results they are looking for. A shade assessment, performed prior to the whitening, can give you an idea of the realistic results you will see.

Benefits of Zoom! Whitening

The Zoom! and Zoom! 2 systems offer fast and effective tooth whitening, with a result of up to eight shades lighter within the 45-60 minute treatment. The results are immediate- a major plus if you don’t want to wait the days or weeks many over-the-counter tooth whitening systems take before you see results.

The Zoom! Whitening procedure is also designed to be comfortable, with low heat and a low-sensitivity gel and lighting system. Patients can relax throughout the treatment by listening to music or watching television.

Risks and Possible Disadvantages

Tooth sensitivity is the perhaps the most common complaint about with Zoom! Whitening. Most often, the discomfort is caused by heat produced by the lamp, which is minimal. Minor tingling sensations may be felt right after the procedure. The severity of tooth sensitivity varies greatly depending upon the person. Anti-sensitivity toothpaste can be provided by your dentist prior to the treatment in order to provide a more comfortable experience. The updated Zoom! 2 system is designed to be 67% less sensitive than the original Zoom! Whitening.

Gum irritation may also occur during or after the Zoom! Whitening treatment. In rare cases, clients have complained about prolonged tooth sensitivity, burned and swollen lips, and even pains in the throat and gums. These problems are most likely due to the dentist not following the Zoom! Whitening system procedures correctly.

Who should avoid Zoom! Whitening?

People with a strong gag reflex or anxiety issue may find it difficult to last throughout the entire procedure. Zoom! Whitening (like any other tooth bleaching product or procedure) is also not recommended for children under 13, or pregnant or lactating women.

How to get the most out of your Zoom! Whitening

There are a few simple steps you can take to make the whitening results from your Zoom! procedure last. Avoiding things like coffee, cigarettes, and red wine ensure that you do not stain over your newly-whitened teeth. Brushing twice daily, flossing, and occasional touch-ups with Zoom! Weekender or Night White gel are all steps recommended by Zoom! to prolong your results.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate health care provider.

Angela Maguire is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a dentist or more dental care articles at Yodle Consumer Guide. Zoom! Whitening: What You Need to Know

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/dental-care-articles/zoom-whitening-what-you-need-to-know-1154333.html