Jim Hutta Westerville OH - Practice Limited to Orthodontics

The Best Types of Braces for Customization

Let’s face it; no one looks forward to braces. We have come a long way from the large “metal mouth” stereotype of braces. Now there are many types of braces that provide people of all ages with options but specifically offer teenagers customization of their braces. Not all braces are treated equally when it comes to customization but James T Hutta of Westerville can assist his patients with the best types of braces that cater to customization.

Traditional Metal Braces

The most popular type of braces is metal braces. Metal braces treat all alignment issues, from minor to major, and treatment time is quicker. Metal braces come with a wide assortment of colors and designs. Teenagers can customize this type of braces the most and provides teens with another outlet to express their creativity and individualism. Traditional metal braces can be changed at every monthly orthodontic visit. Custom features include selecting the color of the brackets, arch wire, ligatures, ties, and rubber bands. A bonus feature: Many orthodontic offices offer designer metal brackets such as flowers, hearts, and footballs.

Hire the best Orthodontics in Westerville, OH

Damon Braces

Damon braces are a type of braces that have all the characteristics of the traditional metal braces but are significantly smaller. Orthodontists use miniature brackets that help make the braces less noticeable. A huge plus of mini braces is their size makes them more comfortable because they do not stick out far and rub against the mouth. Custom features include selecting the color of the brackets, arch wire, ligatures, ties, and rubber bands.

Ceramic Braces

The non-bulky appearance as well as the invisible nature of the brackets makes this type of braces appealing to patients who want to hide their braces. However, teenagers are using the minimalist effect of the natural looking ceramic brackets and highlighting their braces with color. Custom features include selecting the color of the ligatures, ties, and rubber bands. The custom features can be changed at every monthly orthodontic visit Jim Hutta Westerville OH.

Braces are no longer something hide and patients want the best types of braces that will allow them to express their interests and allow them some control over the braces.

Best Tooth Whitening Dentist in Claremont, CA

Are you one of those people who are concerned about their stained teeth, and want them to be pearly white, just like the sparkling teeth of a baby? Then visiting your dentist for a tooth whitening procedure might be the answer to your problems. In this procedure, the dentist uses various safe, and fast acting bleaching agents to remove the stains that have developed on your teeth.

What is Tooth Whitening?

It is a cosmetic dental procedure, in which the dentist exposes your teeth to a bleaching agent, usually carbamide peroxide, which is able to detach the adherent tooth stains, and bring the back the natural white color of your teeth.

How Is It Done?

• Tooth Cleaning - Before moving onto the bleaching process, the dentist or the dental hygienist will first clean your teeth using an ultrasonic scaler. This is done to remove the thick layer of food and bacterial debris, known as the dental plaque, which has been deposited on the surface of the teeth. Removal of the dental plaque ensures that all the surfaces of the teeth are completely exposed to the bleaching agent, and the whitening effect is observed uniformly on all the teeth.

• Fabrication of Custom Trays – Next, the dentist will make an impression of your teeth and gums. This impression will be sent to the laboratory, where trays will be made in acrylic (plastic) for the upper and lower teeth, such that it they easily fit into the mouth.

• Whitening Procedure – firstly, a layer of protective agent, such as petroleum jelly is applied to the gums, in order to prevent accidental bleaching of the gums. Next, the bleaching agent is poured into the trays, which are seated into the patient’s mouth, usually for about 60-90 minutes, after which the trays are removed.

• Tooth Polishing – Now that your teeth have been whitened, would you also not want them to be smooth and shiny? Of course! Therefore, in the final step, the dentist polishes your teeth using various sizes of polishing cups. After they have been polished, not only are they whiter, but also shinier.

Types of Tooth Whitening Procedures

Dentists perform two types of whitening procedures on the teeth, the vital, and the non-vital whitening procedures:

• Vital Tooth Whitening – As the name suggests, this procedure is performed on the vital, or live teeth. The aim is to remove the stains that have developed on the external surface of the teeth through the application of a suitable bleaching agent. It is more commonly performed, compared with the non-vital procedure.

• Non-Vital Tooth Whitening – In certain cases, the teeth become stained from the inside, after they have undergone a root canal treatment, and have become non-vital or dead. In this case, the dentist places the bleaching agent inside the root canal, so as to remove the stains.

What to Expect After the Procedure?

Slight swelling and sensitivity of the teeth as well as the gums can occur after the procedure, which normally subsided after 2-3 days.  Ensuring good oral hygiene during that period can accelerate the healing process.

Will Tooth Whitening Also Be Effective On the Composite Fillings?

The peroxide bleaching agents used during tooth whitening are only effective on the enamel of the natural teeth, and are ineffective on the restorative materials, and they need to be either repaired or replaced, in order to match the results of tooth whitening on the natural teeth.

Is The Effect of Tooth Whitening Permanent?

Unfortunately, the effects of tooth whitening do not last permanently, and the procedure may need to be repeated, especially if you are a habitual smoker, or love to drink tea or coffee.

Despite the miraculous results that are achieved with this procedure, in the form of enhancement in facial and overall esthetics, tooth whitening cannot be considered as a substitute to regular oral hygiene maintenance. This is because, staining of the teeth is not possible if the teeth are regularly brushed and flossed. The old saying, that “prevention is better than cure” also holds true in this case.