What The Heck Are Crowns, Veneers and Implants Anyway?

Dentistry has become a hot topic, as writers across the media spectrum are reaching into our mouths for story ideas. Apparently, the making of a beautiful smile makes good copy.

"And don't we all identify in some way with those people making big changes-on shows like "The Swan" and "Extreme Makeover"-even those getting new smiles?" says Dr. Bernard Lynch, at the Washington Center for Dentistry, in Washington, DC.

No wonder we need to boost our dental vocabulary, especially if we're thinking about delving into some smile improvement ourselves. So, here's a quick review:

"The Crown." Sometimes a front tooth is out of line, too short, too wide, too narrow or hopelessly too gray, too yellow or too brown.

"One solution is to pare down the unfavorable tooth and then cover it with a crown or cap," says Dr. Marc Doctors, also of the Washington Center for Dentistry. The new porcelain tooth fits perfectly over the minimized tooth, providing a sparkling, whiter, straighter version of its former self.

"The Veneer." Sometimes a tooth has fewer objectionable features, and the alignment, color and shape can be improved with a more delicate replacement option. Consider the veneer: a thin, fingernail-size shell of glistening porcelain that fits over the existing tooth that has been slightly re-contoured.

Veneers and crowns made with new, advanced, porcelain materials provide the opalescence, brightness and natural shape that improve a smile-naturally-while lasting for many, many years.

"This option provides a wonderful way to revitalize a smile and get an image that looks younger, healthier," says Dr. Daniel Deutsch, of the Washington Center for Dentistry.

"The Implant." No longer are patients denied a beautiful, natural smile because of missing teeth. Once fated to have removable appliances-or even dentures-these patients now have a happier alternative. Synthetic roots of new "teeth" literally are "implanted" into the gum and bone.

The new implanted root is made of metal, and in time, the gum and bone grow around it. And the portion of the implant that protrudes above the gum line gets a crown that looks just like a natural tooth. It's a miracle to those getting a second chance at teeth that feel-and look-like normal teeth.

"Patients need to know that their teeth can stay young for life," says Dr. Lynch. "Nowadays, dentistry really does have all the answers."

Please click here for more information on cosmetic dentistry procedures in Washington, DC.

---

Boost your Natural Beauty

Make your hair shine and your skin glow with these... Read More

What Are Pigtails?

There really isn't a huge debate on this subject, but... Read More

8 Spray Tanning Tips

With the recent surge in the popularity of tanning, many... Read More

Have You Done Your Hair Care Correctly?

Love your hair like you going to lose it. Hair... Read More

Self Tanners: Your New Best Friend?

Have you ever known a sun worshipper, one of those... Read More

How To Apply Your Makeup

How To Apply Your MakeupSTEP 1: FOUNDATION: After Cleansing, Toning... Read More

Waxing Pain -- Tips for Withstanding Waxing Discomfort

First, the bad news: waxing hurts. Think of it as... Read More

Skin Care Home Remedies

Natural homemade recipes for your skin are simple to make... Read More

Botox Injections: A Closer Look

Just about everyone has, at one time or another, heard... Read More

Cosmetic Surgery Procedures - Buttock Lift

Every patient has their own individual needs for plastic surgery.... Read More

Treating Ingrown Hairs -- Product Comparison

Ingrown hairs occur when hairs that have been waxed or... Read More

Rosacea Treatment & Rosacea Skin Care - Can You Cure Rosacea? There is a Solution....

Rosacea is a fairly common skin disorder that primarily affects... Read More

Toss It? or Keep It?

If you are a product junkie like me then you... Read More

Color Toric Contacts - Good News for People with Astigmatism

If you have an astigmatism it doesn't mean that you... Read More

Gray Hair Shampoo: The Best Treatment for Your Hair

Just because you have Gray hair doesn't mean you should... Read More

Chemical Peels

Generally, chemical peels can be arranged into three categories of... Read More

Reducing the Appearance of Wrinkles

Wrinkles. One of the most dreaded words in the dictionary.... Read More

7 Tips to Keep Your Skin Looking Great

1. Healthy Food: Keep your skin fresh and glowing by... Read More

Skin Care

Your skin is your armor, your shield from the elements.... Read More

Should You Make Your Own Beauty Products?

With the huge range of beauty products on the shelves,... Read More

Chemical Peels: Phenol, Carbolic Acid, TCA, Alphahydroxy, Beta Hydroxy

Chemical peeling is a process whereby the skin (usually of... Read More

Look Younger Now!:

While we have made significant progress in our understanding of... Read More

History of Plastic Surgery

When most people use the term Plastic Surgery, they more... Read More

Cosmetic Dentistry and Teeth Whitening

Maybe you are ready to get rid of your old... Read More

Eczema: Getting the Facts

People from all walks of life and all ages live... Read More

Homemade Beauty Recipes

Do you want to look stunning with out wasting too... Read More

Hair Styles - How To Get The Most Flattering Hair Style

Do you ever wake up in the morning, look in... Read More

How to Halt the Train of Aging

Aging would not be so bad if it did not... Read More

Fight Aging

Developing an anti-aging program is the newest scientific approach to... Read More

Deep Vein Thrombosis...an In Flight Risk

DVT?an in flight riskby Cathy Gatson Planning to do some... Read More

Colored Contact Lenses Guide ? Picking The Right Color Every Time

Choosing the perfect colored contact lens can be a daunting... Read More

Mexican Living: Haircuts, Doctors, and Things

There is a universal, absolute, immutable, infrangible, and inviolable fact... Read More

Importance of Your Skins pH

One of the most important roles of our skin is... Read More