Get A More Beautiful Smile By Colour Matching With White Dental Fillings

The two main types of dental fillings are composite resin and amalgam metallic alloy.  Dentists and patients often refer to these as “white” and “silver” fillings because of their color.

Since 1904 the most common dental filling for a cavity has been a metal, dental amalgam filling.  Amalgam fillings are black or silver in colour.

Amalgam alloy fillings are made from a mixture of copper, silver, tin and elemental (safe) mercury.  They are held in place by the shape of the cavity.

Silver in amalgam fillings can tarnish and percolate into the tooth over long periods of time causing the eventual darkening of the whole tooth.

A composite filling is a tooth-colored plastic and glass mixture used to restore decayed teeth.

Composites are often used in cosmetic dentistry to improve the smile by changing the color of teeth that are starting to look stained or to reshape disfigured teeth.

A composite (tooth colored) filling is used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, fractures, etc. First the decayed (or chipped, or cracked) portion of the tooth will be removed, then it is filled with a composite filling.

Tooth-colored fillings (composite resins) are very durable.  They provide good resistance to fractures in small to mid-size dental fillings.  It’s a good way to repair teeth that need to withstand moderate pressure from the stresses and strains of chewing food.  They can be used on either front or back teeth.

What Are The Advantages Of Composites?

Composite fillings are a good choice for people who want their tooth cavity fillings or minor tooth restorations to look more natural.

Dentists can blend shades to create a color nearly identical to that of the actual tooth.

Composites bind to the tooth and support the remaining tooth structure.  This helps prevent further damage and possible breakage of the tooth.

As a bonus, composite resins insulate the tooth from excessive temperature changes.

Why People Like White Fillings

Even though amalgam fillings are a little less expensive, people generally prefer natural, tooth coloured “white” fillings.

They look more natural and don’t require your dentist to remove as much tooth structure.

With a good color match, it’s almost impossible to see that the tooth had to be restored. And because these fillings bond directly to the enamel, they’re strong and resist wear and tear.

The new composite fillings that have come out recently can easily last more than five years.

Most insurance companies will cover the added cost of composite fillings when done on your front teeth, but some carriers will only pay the allowance for an amalgam if the composite is used for a posterior tooth.

Composites need to be protected from changes in color, so make a point to avoid smoking, coffee, teas and other foods that can stain – such as blueberries and red wine.

Who Needs Dental Fillings?

If your teeth are chipped, cracked or damaged by tooth decay, one option could be to use dental fillings.

Large cavities are obvious and often painful, but small pinhole cavities and hard-to-see areas between teeth may also need attention.

It’s a good idea to consult your dentist if you have:

• Visible holes or dark spots on teeth
• Visible chips or cracks
• Sensitivity to heat and cold
• Sharp pain when biting down on the affected tooth
• A constant dull pain or ache

Any of these symptoms could mean you have cavities, tooth decay or other need for tooth restoration.

Dental X-rays, probes and dyes can reveal areas that need dental restoration, so your dentist can find cavities and sites of tooth decay that you may not see in the mirror.

Since your dentist is looking at your teeth from the outside, they can see areas that you may not be able to spot.  This is why regular check-ups by a dentist are vital for your oral health.

Regular visits allow the dentist to get to know your oral health.  This allows them to see small problems before they become large ones.

Cavities are the most common reason for dental fillings but they are not the only reason.

Your dentist may recommend reconstructive work involving amalgam or composite fillings if you grind your teeth, bite your nails or use your teeth as tools.  These habits can erode the chewing surfaces of your teeth enough to need a filling to restore the look and functionality of your teeth.

There are many types of filling materials available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. You and your dentist can discuss the best options for restoring your teeth.

As with most dental restorations, composite fillings are not permanent and may someday have to be replaced. They are very durable, and will last many years, giving you a long lasting, beautiful smile.

Give us a call to have your teeth checked.  We will do a thorough examination and give you the options suitable for your dental health so you can make an informed decision.

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Dr Demarco – Winner: Best Cosmetic Dentist – Best Of London

Office Hours

Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: 8am-7:30pm 8am-7:30pm 8am-7:30pm 8am-4:30pm 8am-1:30pm

Contact Information

The Esthene Centre
879 Waterloo Street,
London, Ontario
N6A 3W7

Phone: 519 672-5373
Fax: 519-672-7999

esthene@solardental.com

Dr. Demarco of the Esthene Centre in London Ontario was voted the winner in the Best Cosmetic Dentist category in the Best Of London poll by the London Free Press, in March 2018.  See screenshots below (click to enlarge):

 

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What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is not an official field of dentistry.  The term is used as a quick way to have people understand what certain types of dental procedures can do for you.

The most important result for many people is cosmetic dentistry gives you a better smile.

People are very self-conscious of their smile.  If their teeth are anything but a perfect “Hollywood” smile many people feel they look unattractive and it impacts their self-confidence.

This is not a small thing.  Attractiveness, or the feeling that you are attractive plays a big role in your ability to socialize, make friends and even to be successful in your career.  When people are unsure of themselves in a certain situation, they try to look as attractive as possible.  Having a beautiful smile is part of that desire to look good.

In reality, having an attractive smile can make a tangible difference in your life.  People get a “good feeling” about you when you have a great smile.  In fact, if you are genuinely happy AND you have beautiful teeth, the value of that smile can increase ten-fold with people that matter to you.

It’s real.  People who have a full set of straight, “pearly white” teeth can have a definite advantage over those who don’t.

Of course, there are a lot of factors that go in to being likable, but looking good attracts people and if you are also confident about yourself, you are well on your way to making friends and influencing people.

Can Cosmetic Dentistry Make A Difference For You?

Look at it this way:  if your teeth are badly stained yellow or brown, if even one of your front teeth is broken or missing, if you have big gaps between your teeth or if your teeth are really crooked, misshapen and uneven… it doesn’t look good.  People will definitely judge you on your appearance and you will be at a social disadvantage even before they get to know you.

Cosmetic dentistry can fix all of that.

You can have a smile that you are proud of.  That sense of pride will give you more self-confidence.   More self-confidence will open doors to relationships that will open up your world.  You will find it easier to be happy in social situations.

The ability to be comfortable and happy around people that matter is a tremendous asset in life.

Maybe, all it takes is to change your life is to visit a cosmetic dentist and ask a few questions.

You can come in for a complimentary cosmetic dentistry assessment at any of our Solar Dental offices.  Our dentist will be happy to discuss your goals and give you some options to consider.

Sometimes cosmetic dentistry treatments can be quite involved and expensive.  Our dentist will work with you to figure out a treatment plan within your budget.

In fact, if you do want to get a cosmetic dentistry treatment, we’ll set you up with an interest-free payment plan that fits within your means.

Cosmetic dentistry can play an important part in a person’s life.  If you have some concerns about your teeth, let’s talk about it.  An attractive smile may be well within your reach.

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Should You Get Your Child An Electric Toothbrush?

Yes, but be smart about it.

No, your child isn’t just making a fuss.  Kids actually have more sensitive gag reflexes compared to adults.  This is natural protection to keep undesirable objects from going down their throat.  Anything that a child swallows is more difficult than for an adult.

Also, kids can get scared by the buzzing noise.  And the spinning toothbrush might actually tickle or feel weird on their gums and teeth.

Some kids are mouth breathers.  When they are brushing, they find it hard to breathe and they gag more easily, so they avoid brushing.  Take time to understand your child and show them ways of brushing more slowly or ways so they don’t have such a tough time brushing.

Toothpaste is overrated.  Young children often don’t like the taste of toothpaste.  That’s not a problem.  In reality, toothpaste provides only about ten percent of the value of brushing.  It is equally or more important that the brush stroke is good, the bristles are straight and the child covers all areas of their teeth thoroughly.  It’s ok to wait until a child is about five years old before they start using toothpaste regularly.

Kids Don’t NEED An Electric Toothbrush

…But it can be helpful in keeping their teeth clean.

The reality is that kids are not very good at brushing.  Reaching all parts of their teeth can be a challenge.  They may not understand the layout of their teeth.  They may not have the coordination to get to all their teeth to properly brush them.

An electric toothbrush can get more done in less time.  If a child is having a hard time reaching their teeth to brush them properly, two or three seconds with an electric toothbrush is more than enough to take care of cleaning.  They would have to take longer with a manual toothbrush.

Most children can start brushing with an electric toothbrush at around the age of two.  Children that young should always have adult supervision.  In most cases kids start using electric toothbrushes around age six or eight.  It’s best to wait until they ask for it, then you know they are willing to give it a fair shot.

It is important that the adults in their life have good brushing habits.  Kids will mimic you and unconsciously adopt the same attitudes you have.  If they see you taking care of your teeth, your kids are likely to follow along.  On the other hand, if they see you resisting or not brushing properly, they are likely to do the same.

One of the best things you can do is to get your child to be comfortable with the dentist.  Start taking your kids to the dentist every six months as soon as their teeth start coming out.  This will establish the idea that a relationship with a dentist is a natural part of having healthy teeth.

Your dentist will support and train your child in good oral hygiene habits.  Sometimes a child may not listen to their parent, but when a dentist explains why and shows them what their teeth look like, using  a model, it just makes more sense.

An electric toothbrush is a great idea, as long as it is in the context of good teeth care habits.

Give our office a call to set up an appointment for a checkup of your child.  We will make sure they have a great experience.

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How Adults Should Brush Their Teeth To Stop Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is a serious problem that affects people of all ages.  Dentists take the time to carefully educate children on good oral hygiene habits.  However, the teeth cleaning process that is appropriate for small children falls short for adults.

In reality, the basic brushing and flossing instructions given to a child are meant to be simple and easy to do for children.  They don’t have the dexterity, coordination or ability to understand the more complex realities of how to really take care of their teeth and gums.

Tooth cavities and gum disease has become such a problem for adults that people are now looking for alternate solutions.

Fortunately, the solution to gum disease (periodontitis) and tooth decay is quite simple and doesn’t cost anything.

Proper Teeth Brushing Technique To Prevent Gum Disease

Gum disease happens when bacteria gets in behind the gums and into the root of the tooth.  This doesn’t just happen instantly.  Over the span of several days, weeks or even months a film called plaque builds up around the gumline.  This eventually starts to deteriorate the gums.

Once gums get infected a little bit, the bacteria makes its way deeper and deeper into the gums.  When the gums start “rotting” behind the visible gumline you have a serious problem on your hands.

The solution is to prevent the buildup of plaque.  Regular checkups and teeth cleanings are always needed.  However, if you pay careful attention to your brushing technique you can go a long way toward avoiding the buildup of plaque.

The technique for avoiding bacteria buildup at the gumline is simple:  Use short, quick strokes at the gumline for each tooth to purposefully remove bacteria.  Young children do not have the dexterity and coordination to do this, so the dentist never tries to teach this intricate maneuver.

That’s it.  It’s that simple.  Take a couple of seconds to brush specifically at the gumline on both sides of your teeth as well as deep in the molar area and you will have healthier gums.

Prevent Cavities With Proper Brushing Technique

The problem with small kids is they are not able to clearly understand how their teeth look inside their mouth.  You, however, as an adult, can easily visualize what your teeth look like.

In order to clean your teeth properly, take time to brush carefully around the bends and into the area where the teeth meet.  There are curves to consider.  You will be able to access certain areas of your teeth more easily than others.  The back teeth can be a real problem.

If you know you should be paying attention to the curves and intricacies of your teeth you can be more careful about where you are brushing.

Just run your tongue on each area after you brush and you can feel if they feel “clean like glass”.  This is how you want all your teeth to feel after brushing.

If you brush your gums and teeth carefully, you will find that the film of bacteria stays very thin and is easy to remove.  It doesn’t take a lot of time.

Of course, the toothpaste you use is important.  Choose a soft brush with rounded tips for best results.  Be gentle with your gums so you don’t scratch them up.  The enamel on your teeth also needs to be treated gently.

A little care goes a long way if you are using the right technique.

Visit your dentist regularly so they can spot problems before you need an expensive treatment.

Solar Dental provides dentist services for the whole family.  Call today to book an appointment.

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How To Make Your Child’s First Dentist Visit A Positive Experience

The very first time a child goes to the dentist is likely to set the tone for the rest of their life!

If the first visit goes well, they may develop positive feelings toward dentists in the future.  However, if the first visit is not positive, it is almost certain they will resist future visits or even develop a strong fear of dentists for the rest of their lives!

Once the child has been to a dentist two or three times, they will probably always enjoy going to the dentist.

Which would you rather have?  Obviously, the positive one, right?  So, what do you do to prepare for your child’s first dental visit?

Start Early!

Book the first appointment when your child’s first tooth comes out…roughly at the age of six months… or, at least before the first birthday.

Don’t wait a few years, when all the teeth come out (and the insurance kicks in).  Tooth decay happens to everyone, including infants.  Get connected to a kids dentist and get checkups done every six months.  Getting your child used to visiting the dentist regularly is a great way to start raising a health-savvy child

Children who like going to the dentist are likely to love brushing and taking care of their teeth.  They are also more likely to prevent the development of cavities.

If someone other than a parent reinforces it, the child is more likely to take the parent’s guidance about good dental hygiene.  Your dentist can help make dental hygiene fun and even interesting.

How To Prepare For Your Child’s First Dental Visit

Here are a few ideas to think about when preparing your child for the first dental visit:

• Have a positive attitude!  Show excitement about the first visit. If your child is too young to understand spoken language, they will still pick up on your body language.  If you are happy and excited, your child will “get the feeling!”
• Bring some comforting toys and food to associate good feelings with being in the dentist’s office.
• Consider visiting the dentist’s office a few days before the appointment and let the play with the toys and “hang out” with other kids.  Phone the dentist’s office to let them know your plan.  I’m sure they will be excited to make a good first impression on your child.
• Talk to the dentist beforehand to learn what he / she will do in the first visit.  Every dentist has a slightly different approach.  Discussing this in advance will help both you and the dentist prepare for the visit.
• Find out how long the appointment will last and pace yourself and the child.  Most first appointment will take less than half an hour, but it would be good to discuss this in advance with your dentist.
• Consider having both parents at the appointment for the first few visits.  This way, the child will associate dentist visits as a family affair.  They will get the idea that going to the dentist is normal thing and “everyone” goes to the dentist.

A child will learn attitudes about dentists from their parents.  If they feel that you feel positively about dentist visits, your child is also likely to learn the same attitudes.  The fact you are reading this article means that you care about helping your child like dentists so it is likely your child will feel cared under your guidance.

Solar Dental is set up to welcome children.  Book an appointment, come in and meet our staff and take a tour of our office.  You and your child will love visiting our dentists!

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How To Avoid Chipping Your Teeth

Teeth may the strongest thing in your body, but they are certainly easy to chip!  Here are some common ways people chip their teeth.  Knowing this will help you avoid an expensive problem.

Nighttime Grinding (Bruxism)

“One in three people suffer from bruxism” according to the Academy of General Dentistry. Clenching and grinding your teeth will eventually wear them down and weaken the enamel.  The slightest application of pressure will be enough to chip and crack your teeth.  It would be a good idea to get a custom-made mouth guard made by your dentist to protect your teeth.

A night-guard made by your dentist also acts as a retainer for your teeth to keep them straight and prevent shifting.  It’s a good way to keep your smile beautiful.

High Impact Sports

Trauma to the mouth is one of the most common ways of chipping and cracking your teeth. Crashing into other people is a reliable way to injure your teeth.  Getting hit in the face with a ball is another great way to chip or even break your teeth.

If you participate in sports like hockey, football, baseball, basketball, team badminton, squash, boxing, martial arts or anything where you are likely to crash into people or have objects crash into you, it would be wise to wear a custom fitted mouth guard made by your dentist.

Chewing On Hard Foods

Biting into or chewing hard objects can cause chipping. Avoid biting into frozen treats, hardened foods like jawbreakers, textured snacks and ice.  You have to be extra careful if you have fillings or dental crowns.

Eat Teeth Friendly Food

Poor nutrition can weaken your teeth, increasing chances of chipping. Sugary, starchy and acidic foods create bacteria that produce acid and eat into your tooth enamel.  Rinse your mouth thoroughly after eating these kinds of foods.  A balanced, nutritional diet will help keep your teeth strong.

Other Causes Of Chipped Teeth

1. Mouth Piercings
   If you have a tongue piercing or other face piercing that leads to the mouth and your teeth keep chipping, your piercing may be the cause. Consider how important it is to look cool vs having healthy teeth that last a lifetime.
2. Beer Drinking
   Believe it or not, hitting your teeth with the bottle while drinking is a major cause of chipped teeth. Drinking less will help you have better aim and keep your teeth healthier.
3. Water Fountains
   Being in a hurry at the water fountain or playing around while trying to get a drink at a water fountain can be dangerous to your teeth. Many kids have proven this point.
4. Bouncing On Trampolines
   When more than one person is on a trampoline it is easily possible to crash into each other and chip your tooth.
5. Passionate Kissing
   Slow down.
6. Shivering
   Wear a sweater. Chattering teeth can chip.  Yes, it has happened before.

Teeth can chip and crack very easily if you are not careful.   A little care and preparation is an easy way to prevent damage to teeth.

If you have a chipped or cracked tooth, have our dentists look at it.   In most cases we can easily have your chipped tooth looking good again.

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