Have you made a new years resolution? Does it involve getting your smile back? Many of us don’t feel confident when we smile. Perhaps your teeth are crooked or have stains. Or maybe bad breath makes you feel nervous in social situations. Either way, the start of a new year has given you the motivation to do something about it but you don’t know where to start or what your options are. This blog highlights some big trends in dentistry at the moment which can give you the smile you want. If you need a friendly, modern dentist, then give Riverstone Family Dental a call on 8678 3538.
Invisalign
Invisalign® is a set of clear aligners (almost invisible trays) that sit over the top of your teeth. They are changed every 1-2 weeks and are custom made to fit your teeth. Remember, a thorough check up is required prior to beginning this treatment and in this visit, molds are taken of your teeth to create these aligners. Once you have been issued your Invisalign® trays, they follow a certain sequence of controlled forces to achieve a proposed result as prescribed by the dentists at Riverstone Family Dental. This proposed result is demonstrated to you from the very beginning through a 3D imaging software which shows you how the teeth will be moved and what the end result will look like.
The aligners must be worn at least 22 hours per day to achieve the requested results in a good period of time. Most people find them more comfortable than traditional braces and prefer the clear appearance. You will be reviewed every 6-8 weeks and issued more aligners during these appointments.
Because the aligners must be removed when eating, you can eat whatever you want and clean your teeth without having to worry about brackets and wires. Your friends and family will not notice you are repositioning your teeth because they look clear.
Teeth Whitening
There are so many options to choose from. You can find whitening kits, toothpastes, strips and gels almost everywhere. Note, that if you have crowns, fillings or veneers on your front teeth then teeth whitening may not work. If you want teeth whitening that will last then choose a custom-made take home kit from the dentist. If you want fast and dramatic results then ZOOM In chair whitening is the way to go. At Riverstone Family Dental, our before and after photos speak for themselves.
Dr Zena’s Tip: teeth whitening works best on CLEAN teeth. So get your dentist to remove all stains and build-up for maximum results. Drink tea and coffee through a straw (my patients know ALL about this!!) and remember even foods like blueberries, beetroot, red wine, soy sauce and tomato sauce can affect your bright smile if consumed straight after whitening. Read about my whitening tips or for more info, head to my whitening blog.
Stay fresh
Fresh, clean breath is always in style! Make sure you stay on top of your 6 monthly checkups and cleans. This will also help to remove any yellow coffee or tea stains and ward away bad breath. Not only are you preventing the need for fillings, extractions and gum problems, but you are also keeping your mouth fresh.
I hope you have found this blog helpful. Happy New Year and if you are ready to take the next step, give Riverstone Family Dental a call on 8678 3538.
