How Smoking and Genetics Affect the Success of Your Dental Treatments

Maintaining a bright and healthy smile takes more than just brushing twice a day. While brushing plays an important role in oral health, studies have found that other factors can negatively impact treatment outcomes when dental intervention is necessary. Knowing these factors and understanding their role in dental health will keep your smile healthy and bright for years to come.

One of the best ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy is to educate yourself on common risk factors and the best dental treatments available for both improvement and protection. At the Charlotte Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Broome is a leading expert on the latest innovative treatments in cosmetic dentistry and can improve the long-term outcomes for our patients who need specialized dental care.

Factors That Affect the Success of Dental Treatments

Just as certain lifestyle factors can affect our overall health, there are specific behaviors that can negatively impact the success of our oral health and dental treatments. Some of the lifestyle factors that can reduce the success of dental procedures include:

Smoking

Cavities, also known as tooth decay are permanently damaged areas of the tooth that create tiny holes or openings. There are varied symptoms of cavities, depending on the location and severity. These symptoms include:

• Sharp pain or an unexpected toothache that lacks an apparent cause
• Tooth sensitivity
• Pain in tooth when eating foods that are hot, cold or sweet
• Visible holes or pits in your tooth
• Brown, black or white staining on any surface of a tooth
• Pain when you bite down or chew

A study published in Frontiers in Medicine found that smoking contributed to the failure of dental fillings which is the most common treatment for cavities. Not only do these findings identify smoking as a risk factor that negatively impacts dental fillings but it also points towards the need to have the latest in cosmetic dental fillings in order to have the best outcomes.

For example, at the Charlotte Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, when filling cavities, Dr. Broome uses the Waterlase iPlus laser system, which effectively kills all the bacteria in the cavity and helps clean out the damaged tooth structure. Dr. Broome then rebuilds the tooth with a durable tooth-colored filling material that helps prevent future decay and protects the tooth long-term.

Drinking Alcohol

Alcohol consumption is another lifestyle behavior that has been shown to negatively impact the success of dental procedures like dental implants. A study published in Contemporary Clinical Dentistry found that even one alcoholic drink during the 72 hours after dental implant treatment can trigger avascular necrosis. Avascular necrosis is the death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply, which can cause the dental implant procedure to fail.

Careful planning is essential for beautiful results with dental implants. Dr. Broome has the training and expertise necessary to plan from the desired results and work backward to help determine the ideal position for the implant(s). Dental implants are a good choice for patients who have one or more missing teeth and have enough healthy gum and bone tissue available to support an implant.

Genetics

Unfortunately, our genetics can also lead to poor dental health, which can contribute to tooth decay and cracked or decaying teeth. Research findings published in the Journal for Evidence Based Dental Practice found that genetic factors contribute to a patient’s risk of dental issues including gingivitis and periodontal disease.

The best way to combat the risk our genetics play in poor dental health and treatment outcomes is by receiving the most advanced treatments when intervention is required. For example, chipped or cracked teeth are a common dental issue requiring treatment. The two best chipped teeth treatments are porcelain crowns or laminate veneers. Porcelain crowns are a perfect chipped tooth treatment for patients who have a large volume of tooth structure that has been damaged.

Porcelain veneers, also known as dental laminates, are another great choice to help rebuild the strength and durability of chipped teeth with natural-looking results. At Charlotte Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, we’ve streamlined the dental veneer process giving our patients beautiful results in just one or two visits.

• Dental laminates offer patients many benefits including:
• Porcelain veneers are custom-made for each patient’s unique needs
• Stain-resistant
• Require minimal tooth surface removal
• Provide natural-looking results to match your teeth
• Long-lasting results, between 10-20 years

Whether you have risks to your oral health that are genetic or as a result of lifestyle behaviors, it’s important to maintain a regular oral health regimen that includes twice-yearly check-ups with your dentist. Not only will your dentist provide you with comprehensive cleanings but will give you access to the latest advancements in dental technology to help improve the long-term health of your smile.

Contact the Charlotte Center for Cosmetic Dentistry

With a comprehensive consultation at the Charlotte Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, we can help reduce the risks that your lifestyle and genetics may play on your oral health using the most advanced techniques in cosmetic dentistry to help protect or restore your smile. Contact Dr. Broome and his team to schedule your appointment today.

Next, read How Dr. Broome Transforms Smiles with Invisalign

The post How Smoking and Genetics Affect the Success of Your Dental Treatments appeared first on Destination Smile.

How Dr. Broome Transforms Smiles with Invisalign

If you feel self-conscious about your smile because your teeth are chipped, crooked, have spaces or crowded, you are missing out on one of the best parts of life. Smiling has been shown to release endorphins, which help improve our mood and help us deal with stress. It doesn’t have to be a genuine smile — the actual physical act of smiling produces the same effects, whether you initially feel happy or not. Studies have shown that simply making yourself smile during moments of stress can help alleviate anxiety and even keep your heart rate lower.

Crooked teeth, uneven teeth, and teeth with large spaces are not just a cosmetic problem; they can create health and social problems, too. The good news is, it’s possible to straighten overcrowded or misaligned teeth with expert dental care at the Charlotte Center for Cosmetic Dentistry.

Straight Teeth = Healthy Teeth

The American Dental Association has asserted that crooked teeth can impair your dental health. Crowded or gapped teeth are more susceptible to infection because the gums don’t fit around the teeth securely. Misaligned teeth may also be more difficult to clean and floss properly, leading to a buildup of the plaque and bacteria that can cause tooth decay and/or gum infection.

A misaligned bite can also cause:

• Jaw pain including temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
• Improper tooth and jaw function
• Inadequate chewing
• Wear on teeth
• Speech impediments
• Bone loss

The solution for tooth misalignment used to be dental braces made of metal brackets and wires. However, the discomfort and unattractive look of these braces created another level of self-consciousness for some people, and another reason to inhibit their smiles.

Invisalign: Braces Without Braces

Invisalign is a clear, virtually invisible dental aligner system that has helped create more than 1.5 million beautiful smiles. The Invisalign aligners are made of a proprietary material called SmartTrack® that fit snugly over your teeth. The aligners gently and gradually straighten your teeth into a more functional, beautiful, and healthy alignment.

Most people will not even be able to tell you are wearing them. You will only remove the aligners to eat and brush your teeth. You can also place whitening gel in the aligners to get your teeth whiter while you are leveling and aligning them. Since the aligners are removable, but the more you wear them the faster your teeth and the quicker you finish treatment.

Invisalign is appropriate for people with:

• Overbite
• Underbite
• Open bite
• Crossbite
• Crowded teeth
• Gapped teeth

And because they are virtually undetectable, Invisalign can work at any age, from teens to seniors. Lots of busy professionals use Invisalign. You always have the flexibility to remove them if needed for a presentation or special event.

A Better Smile Starts With Your Teeth

At the Charlotte Center for Cosmetic Dentistry in Charlotte, NC, Dr. Patrick Broome has been trained and certified by Invisalign since 2004 and has hundreds of cases and has a extensive experience treating cases most doctors don’t think can be treated with Invisalign.

At your first appointment, we will evaluate your smile and provide you with an estimated treatment time which on average is 6 to 9 months. When you are ready to proceed with Invisalign we will obtain our digital records with one of our state-of-the-art digital scanners (3shape Trios or Cerec Ortho). Your digital models will be sent to Align and a virtual treatment plan is created for Dr. Broome to review and adjust based on your stated treatment goals. Once Dr. Broome has made his adjustments and finalized your plan your custom Invisalign aligners are 3D printed and shipped to Dr. Broome’s office. Each aligner progressively moves your teeth a little bit each week. You simply change out your current aligner for the next one.

We usually schedule six-week check-up appointments so we can evaluate your progress and provide you with your next series of aligners. We have found that periodic visits help us insure the very best results and fastest possible treatment.

Since Invisalign is a digital product, we are able to show you the simulated planned outcome as a movie. We typically email this to you once your treatment begins. It’s a fun way to see how amazing Invisalign treatment really can show you an animated movie of your planned treatment sequence. You can see the sequence and how each tooth moves in a predictable and planned manner to arrive at a level and aligned smile. Many patients love to see how their teeth will move and it helps Dr. Broome to monitor your treatment as you progress through each aligner. He will check and make sure you are on track and proceeding as planned. And because you’ll be changing the aligners yourself, you will notice the difference as your teeth are gently and gradually moved into alignment.

After you’ve achieved your goal alignment, you’ll be fitted with a Vivera retainers which will maintain your results for the long-term.

More Comfort and Safety

Metal braces have rough brackets and sharp wires that may break and injure the mouth, teeth, and tongue. Invisalign aligners are made of a smooth composite material that doesn’t irritate your soft tissues. You may feel a bit sore for a day or two after you switch to a new aligner, but most of the time, you will barely be aware of their presence. You may also experience a slight lisp while speaking until your lips and tongue adjust to the aligners.
And unlike metal braces, which can cause damage to the soft tissues of the mouth if you are hit in the face during contact sports, the SmartTrack® aligners are safe for all sports and activities. They may even help protect the teeth in the event of a blow to the mouth.

Best of all, because the aligners are virtually invisible, you can feel free to smile without feeling self-conscious.

We’ll Make You Smile From Start to Finish

If you’re ready to enjoy your smile, Dr. Broome — one of Charlotte’s most highly acclaimed dentists — will ensure you have the finest care and treatment throughout your Invisalign experience.

Our office is designed to respect your comfort and the value of your time. The decor and atmosphere feel more like a luxurious spa than a dentist’s office. We use advanced scheduling software so that you don’t waste hours waiting for your appointment; you’re seen and treated on time. You can even book all of your appointments online, for extra convenience. Call us for more information about Invisalign and to schedule an appointment at the Charlotte Center for Cosmetic Dentistry.

Next, read What Smoking Does to Your Teeth

The post How Dr. Broome Transforms Smiles with Invisalign appeared first on Destination Smile.