Archive for July, 2010

The truth is, due to advances in dental technologies and practices,  modern day dentists can offer a less traumatic dental experience then even 5 or 10 years ago.

• Lasers – A newer technology that can be found in dental offices.  It is mainly used for soft tissue work.  Because of it’s precision, patients feel far less discomfort than when under the knife.  There is less cutting, less blood, and less need for sedation.
• Bubble-gum scented laughing gas – Kids love it and even some adults enjoy the sweet taste of nitrous oxide for less invasive procedures.
• Kinder Dentists- the fear of pain in dentistry begins in the minds of the patients.  Dentists are taking strides to dedicate their practice to reducing the fear of dental work and educating their patients on the procedures.
• Sharper Drill Burrs – Drill burrs are now replaceable.  A sharper bit gives a more precise cut and reduces unnecessary damage to the tooth.  A weaker tooth means a closer second visit.
• Way past novacaine – years ago, novacaine was one of the few options afforded to dentists as a local anethestic. Lidocaine is now used which has a better numbing effect and can be applied only to areas where the dentist is working.  No more face numbness for dental work on 1 tooth.
• Electric Drills – Are quieter and vibrate less than old air-powered drills.

Pain Free Dentistry does in fact exist.  As dental technologies continue to advance, procedure times will be reduced and patient discomfort will virtually be eliminated.

” in the meantime we want the patient to be able to experience life with our first proposal. The trial smile procedure we do here is one of the most significant key factors in our case. Basically someone comes in and they want a smile makeover. They way to start that is to use a diagnostic, we take impressions of clients mouth and take them into the lab. We then create the perfect smile for the client in wax. Once we do that we can make a matrix for the dentist so that when the dentist goes into the mouth and prepares the teeth for the porcelain veneers. We translate in a simple five minute procedure, we take the splint from the diagnostic and fill the splint with a tooth colored resin material. And place that splint over the patients prepared teeth. So that when they sit up from having the initial treatment done, they have the cosmetic result. Here is our first trial of what your teeth will look like. But lets make sure that we can eat with them, that you can talk with them, that they aren’t too long or interrupt your speech patterns. The patient can live with those for two weeks while the veneers are being made in the laboratory. Changes can still simply be made during these two weeks. So that once the final veneers go in there is no surprises. We all just know exactly where we are going because of the communication. The trial smile is a step that should never be skipped in cosmetic dentistry.”

“My name is Marsha, and before I felt like my teeth.. the color wasn’t bright and they were too big and didn’t look natural. I’ve had porcelain veneers, caps replaced, I’ve had a dental implant. It is definitely worth coming here. I drive probably a little over an hour to get here to Lexington Kentucky.   Anything I have done, Dr Miller is so gentle and she just keeps asking while she is working on you, are you hurting? I never had. I thought that was amazing, because I’ve always been afraid of the dentist. I think my teeth look very natural now. I think my life has changed, I do feel more confident. I have gotten a lot compliments on my smile and my teeth.”

Find a great Cosmetic Dentist in Lexington Kentucky

” The AACD is the American Acadmey of
Cosmetic Dentistry. Which is an organization
designed to help dentists improve with
cosmetic dentistry.

It is very important to be a member of the AACD
in order just to be with like minded professionals.
Dentistry is like any other profession these
days it is always changing. There is always
new material and new techniques coming out.
To do things better and more efficently and
producing better results.

Most schools don’t provide cosmetics as a specilaty
so it sets parameters for dentists to use to
make sure they have ideal results with cosmetics.

The AACD helps us stay on top of the current
techniques and in a more efficient manner.

Any dentist can go out and do cosmetic dentistry
but really have no idea where to begin with a case.
The patient could end up with a result they
are very unhappy with and they didn’t realize they
were going to a dentist that maybe didn’t have
knowledge in that particular field.”

Choosing a dentist can be a difficult process.  How can you trust certain review sites when anyone can post a review there?  Many people are already afraid of the dentist and this extra step can be enough to convince them to just stay home.  For more expensive procedures such as Cosmetic Dentistry in Lexington KY, you could possibly end up with bad dental work which will cost you even more to fix.

For every problem there is a solution.  Forward thinking individuals formed the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry in 1984.  Only nine dentists became members each year.  Accreditation and the examination process are administered by the American Board of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Dr. Jenny Miller is a sustaining member of the America Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

To become a member is a three step process consisting of a written submission of clinical case examinations for evaluation , and an oral examination.  The entire accreditation process is included below in the image and also Jenny Miller’s member information.

THE IMPORTANCE OF AN IN-HOUSE DENTAL LAB

When a patient is having a tooth or teeth replaced, your cosmetic dentist will send a mold and the specifications to an off-site lab for the teeth to be created.  When your brand new teeth are shipped back, the dental office will verify the quality, condition, and appearance of your new teeth.  If the patient or the dentist is not completely satisfied, the teeth are then returned to the off-site dental lab for readjustment.  This process of sending and verification can potentially prolong  a procedure for weeks.

Meet With The Lab Technician

When there is an in-house lab available, a patient can meet with the lab technician face to face and get any questions or concerns answered.  An additional advantage is that the lab technician can now see the symmetry of the patient’s face and can create better fitting dental implants or fittings. There is no need for compromise because the patient can meet with the technician, face to face, and their crowns can be adjusted “while they wait.”

Accountability

With an in-house dental laboratory, there is instant accountability on the technicians.  They take pride in their work and can produce Higher Aesthetic Quality because minute details can be immediately adjusted.

Porcelain Crowns vs. Porcelain Veneers

Both porcelain crowns and porcelain veneers have unique advantages and limitations that make them appropriate for treating specific dental concerns. For example, all ceramic or porcelain dental crowns improve both the appearance and function of injured or damaged teeth. They cover and protect the entire surface area of the tooth, eliminating pain and restoring strength. Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, typically address only cosmetic concerns and are applied to otherwise healthy teeth. Stains, minor chips, misalignment, or other imperfections can be concealed with the thin porcelain shells, which slide over the front surface of teeth. Also, because they cover less of the natural tooth, less tooth structure has to be removed to accommodate porcelain veneers.

A dentist can provide more information on porcelain crowns versus porcelain veneers and help determine which treatment is best for you based on cost and your unique goals and needs.

What is the Average Cost of Dental Crowns?

The average cost of a dental crown varies. Often, the type of dental crown plays the most significant role in determining its price. For example, all ceramic or porcelain crowns tend to cost more than other types of dental crowns because they are more time-consuming and require greater skill to be applied correctly. Additionally, because all porcelain crowns provide the most natural appearance, they typically cost more than porcelain fused to metal or all metal crowns. Most doctors offer cosmetic dentistry financing to make the dental crown procedure more affordable for patients.

A Friendly Face to Greet You at Hamburg Expressions

We are happy to introduce our new office manager, Francie!  We all look forward to seeing Francie every day because she is always smiling. As soon as you walk in our doors, at Hamburg Expressions, Francie is there to welcome you with that beautiful smile.  She is such a benefit to our practice and our patients because she has several years of experience as a dental office manager.  She is able to efficiently assist our patients with their dental insurance, maximizing their insurance benefits and sequencing dental treatment appointments in a manner that is convenient to the patient.  She has already revolutionized our practice by implementing a state of the art practice management software allowing us to be paperless!  Francie will make your dental appointment experience easy instead of a chore!

“My name is Francie, I have worked in the dental field for around 14 years now.   I am excited to be joining the Hamburg Expressions team.  I have found cosmetic dentistry to be my favorite aspect of dentistry.  I love seeing the change we can bring to a patient with a new smile.  I have recently moved to the Lexington area about 4 years ago with my family.  I have 5 children that keep me very busy.  Our oldest has made me a grandmother this past December in which I am really enjoying.  Two of my children are in college this fall, one in high school and one little one at home. ”