Category Archives: Cosmetic Dentistry

Teeth Whitening Options: DIY to Professional Treatments

October 31, 2023 6:49 am
Published by Vero Dental

A bright, white smile can do wonders for your confidence and overall appearance. With all of the teeth whitening options that are out there, it’s essential to understand the pros and cons of each method. Below, we explore different teeth whitening options, ranging from DIY solutions to professional treatments, to help you make an informed choice when it comes to achieving a dazzling smile.

DIY Whitening Kits

DIY teeth whitening kits are readily available in stores and online. They typically include a whitening gel and one-size-fits-all trays or strips. While cost-effective and convenient, it’s important to have realistic expectations and exercise caution. Improper use can lead to uneven results, tooth sensitivity, or gum irritation. Your results could be disappointing even if you carefully follow the product’s instructions. Consult with our team if you have any concerns.

Whitening Toothpaste & Mouthwash

Whitening toothpaste and mouthwash are popular over-the-counter options. They contain mild abrasives or peroxide to help remove surface stains. While they can be effective as part of your regular oral care routine for ongoing maintenance, they may not produce dramatic results if you have deep or stubborn discoloration.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal has gained popularity as a teeth whitening remedy. Advocates claim it absorbs stains and toxins from the teeth. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. In fact, frequent use could be harmful due to its abrasive texture.

In-Office Professional Whitening

Professional teeth whitening treatments administered by a dentist offer the safest, quickest, and most significant results. The procedure involves applying a highly concentrated whitening gel, sometimes activated by a special light or laser. This method is safe, controlled, and very effective. At Vero Dental, our team can tailor the treatment to your specific needs, ensuring optimal results.

Take-Home Professional Kits

Take-home professional whitening kits offer the benefits of in-office treatments in a more affordable, flexible format. You can pick up custom-fitted trays and professional-grade whitening gel from our office. This allows you to whiten your teeth at your own convenience while still benefiting from expert guidance.

Consult with Our Team!

Choosing the right teeth whitening option depends on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. While DIY solutions can be effective to a certain extent, professional treatments, whether in-office or take-home kits, offer the most reliable and noticeable results. We recommend consulting with our team to determine the best approach for achieving a radiant, confident smile that truly dazzles.

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Can Veneers Help with Bruxism?

July 31, 2023 2:37 pm
Published by Vero Dental

Bruxism, commonly known as teeth grinding or clenching, is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It often occurs unconsciously during sleep due to chronic stress and can lead to various dental issues, such as tooth sensitivity, worn-down enamel, and jaw pain. As patients seek solutions to manage bruxism, they may wonder: can veneers help with this condition? In this post, we will delve into the relationship between veneers and bruxism.

What Is Bruxism?

Bruxism is a habitual grinding or clenching of teeth that can occur during the day or night. It often stems from factors such as stress, anxiety, and misaligned teeth. It can lead to discomfort and pain, as well as severe dental issues down the road.

What Are Veneers?

Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells of porcelain that are bonded to the front surface of teeth. They are designed to improve the appearance of teeth by enhancing their color, shape, and size. Veneers are a popular cosmetic solution for issues like discoloration, gaps, and chipped teeth.

Veneers & Bruxism

While veneers are durable and can dramatically enhance the appearance of teeth, they are not a treatment for bruxism. Veneers are a cosmetic improvement and will not address the underlying cause of your teeth grinding or protect your jaw and uncovered teeth from damage. In fact, untreated bruxism can chip and crack your veneers! However, veneers can restore the length, shape, and symmetry of teeth that have been negatively affected by bruxism.

Comprehensive Treatment Approach

A comprehensive approach is necessary to effectively manage bruxism. This typically involves addressing the underlying cause of bruxism by using appliances like durable custom mouthguards to protect the teeth, and, if necessary, orthodontic treatment to correct misaligned teeth.

Reducing stress and protecting the teeth with a mouthguard is typically a better course of action than simply getting veneers. Something else to consider is that veneers are only placed on the front teeth, while chronic teeth clenching and grinding can greatly affect the molars.

Consult with Our Denver Dental Team!

If you suspect that you have bruxism, it is crucial to consult with our team for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment recommendations. We can assess your specific situation and provide guidance on the best course of action. We may recommend veneers, a custom nightguard, or both, depending on your unique oral health preferences and needs.

Do I Need Dental Bonding, Veneers, or a Crown?

April 24, 2023 8:00 am
Published by Vero Dental

Preventive dental care emphasizes maintaining healthy teeth and gums to prevent issues from developing. Restorative dental care involves fixing the structure or health of damaged or compromised teeth. And cosmetic dental care improves the aesthetics and appearance of teeth. Our team can help you decide whether you only need preventive care or if your teeth would benefit from a restorative treatment, such as a dental crown, or a cosmetic enhancement, like dental bonding or veneers.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are caps that can be made from a variety of materials, including porcelain and metal. While a dental crown can be used to hide an irregularly shaped or a severely discolored tooth, it is generally utilized as a restorative solution. It is bonded in place to cover the top of a cracked, broken, or decayed tooth to restore and strengthen its structure, or to complete a bridge or dental implant.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is when we apply tooth-colored resin to a tooth to improve its shape and appearance. This simple, quick procedure doesn’t require multiple visits nor extensive preparation of a tooth. Bonding is best for minor defects like small chips or little gaps between teeth.

Custom Veneers

Veneers are thin shells of a tooth-colored material, typically porcelain, that are bonded to the front surface of teeth. This permanent cosmetic procedure changes your tooth’s size, length, shape, and color. Veneers can hide chips that are too large for dental bonding and discoloration that cannot be corrected with professional teeth whitening. More severe structural issues should be addressed with dental crowns.

Comprehensive Dental Care in Denver

If you think you might need dental bonding, custom veneers, or dental crowns, contact us at Vero Dental in Denver. Our team provides all of these services and more at our practice. During a consultation, we can give you our professional recommendation about what your smile needs to shine.

Is Invisalign Right for Me?

October 29, 2022 12:01 am
Published by Vero Dental

Do you want to straighten your teeth? It’s never too late to get a healthier, straighter smile! Invisalign^® is a subtle way to get a straighter smile without most people even noticing you have anything on your teeth. Here’s what you need to know about Invisalign and why it may be a great teeth straightening method for your needs!

What Is Invisalign?

If you haven’t straightened your teeth yet, is it because you don’t want to spend time in metal braces? We get it! Luckily, with Invisalign clear aligner therapy, you don’t have to have noticeable metal brackets and wires disrupting your appearance and irritating your cheeks. Invisalign is a nearly invisible teeth straightening method that utilizes clear aligner trays. These translucent trays can feel similar to a mouthguard, retainer, or whitening trays. Their smooth, clear material means you can continue to smile with confidence while you straighten your teeth.

How Invisalign Works

With Invisalign technology, your dental team will map out an entire treatment plan when you begin your orthodontic journey. You will wear a set of trays for about two weeks at a time. After each two-week period is up, you will swap out your old trays for new ones that will continue to move your teeth even more. With Invisalign, the aligners need to be worn at least 20-22 hours a day. You should only take them out to eat, drink anything other than water, and clean your teeth and trays.

Invisalign Candidacy

Responsible patients with mild to moderate misalignment are great candidates for Invisalign. The best thing to do is to schedule an in-person consultation with your certified Invisalign dentist to see if you’re a good match! Your dentist will examine your smile, discuss your goals, and go over estimated treatment costs.

Schedule Your Consultation!

If you’re currently looking for an Invisalign dentist in Denver, CO, our team would love to help! At Vero Dental, we proudly offer Invisalign and other cosmetic dental treatments. Please contact us today to schedule an Invisalign consultation at our office!

Teeth Whitening at Home vs. at a Dental Office

August 27, 2022 7:47 pm
Published by Vero Dental

If you’re looking for an end of summer pick-me-up, why not consider professional teeth whitening? In just a short time, teeth whitening can brighten your smile and boost your confidence. At Vero Dental, we offer both at-home and in-office teeth whitening services.

Teething Whitening at the Dental Office

If you’re looking for a fast smile transformation, in-office teeth whitening is the way to go. Our professional teeth whitening procedure can lighten teeth up to 16 shades in just an hour! During your whitening treatment, our team will apply a professional-grade bleaching gel to your teeth at 15 minute intervals. Once we reach the desired whiteness, you’ll walk out of our office with a smile you’ll be thrilled to show off!

Because teeth whitening products contain bleach, patients may experience some temporary tooth sensitivity. However, one benefit of in-office whitening is that our team will carefully monitor your comfort every step of the way. If you’re bothered by tooth sensitivity, we can adjust the whitening agent accordingly.

Teeth Whitening at Home

If you’d rather whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home, that’s OK too! We offer two take-home whitening kits: customized trays and one-size trays. Customized trays allow for a more efficient application of the professional-grade bleaching gel since they’re designed as an exact impression of your teeth. On the other hand, one-size trays are budget-friendly while still being comfortable and effective.

Which Whitening Is Right for Me?

So you know you want to whiten your teeth – but which option should you choose? The answer depends on how drastically you want to brighten your teeth, your underlying oral health, your budget, and your comfort level. During your teeth whitening consultation, you’ll address each of these concerns with our team and have a chance to ask questions. Please contact us today to take the first step towards achieving whiter teeth!

Can You Get Teeth Whitening If You Have Gum Disease?

February 28, 2022 11:50 pm
Published by Vero Dental

Gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. However, there is some good news: gum disease is treatable and may even be reversible – if detected early! It may be hard to feel confident about your smile while you’re fighting gum disease. Once you’ve treated your gum disease, a professional tooth whitening treatment may be just the boost you need to restore your confidence in your smile.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is a common condition but generally preventable. Usually caused by poor oral hygiene, its symptoms include swollen, red, and tender gums. Our team can implement a variety of different techniques to treat gum disease, depending on its severity.

Can I Get My Teeth Professionally Whitened If I Have Gum Disease?

If you currently have gum disease, treatment should be your priority. Don’t prioritize whitening your teeth if your gums aren’t healthy, as your gums are what keep your teeth in place! During your consultation for professional teeth whitening, our team will examine your oral health, including your gums. We never want to risk our patients’ health, so we only proceed with teeth whitening when we know our patients’ gums are healthy enough to handle it.

What Are My Professional Whitening Options?

At Vero Dental, we offer two teeth whitening options for those without existing periodontal disease. For a quick transformation, our in-office professional whitening can lighten your teeth up to 16 shades in just one hour. Our take-home whitening kits come in either a custom-made or one-size variety.

If you’re not sure which whitening option is right for you, don’t worry – you’ll discuss it all during your consultation! And if you currently have gum disease, we’ll design a treatment plan to improve your gum health. This will reduce your risk of sensitivity, bad breath, and tooth loss, as well as heart disease.

To ask our team any questions about gum disease or teeth whitening, contact our office today.

Are Dental Veneers Permanent?

June 20, 2021 1:20 pm
Published by Vero Dental

Whether you want to make a small tweak to your smile’s appearance or experience a complete transformation, dental veneers could be the perfect cosmetic treatment for you! Porcelain veneers are long-lasting, resistant to chips and stains, and customized to your unique smile goals. Read on to learn more!

What Are Dental Veneers?

Veneers are thin, yet durable, shells of porcelain that are bonded to the front side of teeth. They are completely customizable so patients can choose the shape, size, length, shade, and overall look of their veneers to get the exact smile they envision.

What Can Veneers Fix?

Veneers can address:

Discolored Teeth
Misshapen Teeth
Small Gaps
Uneven Teeth
Worn-Down Teeth

It’s important to note that veneers can’t treat dental problems like cavities, infection, or decay. They are solely a cosmetic-based treatment used to correct esthetic tooth imperfections. Dental disease, including gum disease, will need to be treated prior to receiving veneers.

The Longevity of Veneers

Veneers are considered a permanent cosmetic treatment because they require a significant amount of enamel removal for a snug fit. After the enamel removal is complete, there is no way to undo this step of the process. However, one of the many benefits of veneers is that they last for a long time! With proper care, the porcelain shells can last upwards of 20 years, after which they may need to be replaced.

Get Started on Your Smile Transformation!

Are you ready to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted? You don’t need to settle for a smile that you don’t feel 100% confident showing off. At Vero Dental, we proudly offer many cosmetic dental services, including porcelain veneers, to help patients feel good about their smile. We also offer esthetic bonding, professional teeth whitening, dental crowns, Invisalign^® clear aligner therapy, and dermal fillers.

Please contact Vero Dental today to schedule a cosmetic consultation with our team!

Dental Implants vs. Dentures

May 28, 2021 6:36 pm
Published by Vero Dental

Have you lost one or more permanent teeth? There are several restoration solutions available at Vero Dental in Dallas, TX. In this blog post, we compare dental implants and dentures.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are permanent, natural-looking tooth replacements. There are three parts to a dental implant: a titanium rod which fuses to the jaw bone and acts as the replacement tooth root; an abutment that is affixed to the replacement tooth; and a crown, bridge, or dentures that function as the replacement teeth. Whether you are missing one or all of your teeth, dental implants can be a viable option for you.

Because dental implants rely on your existing gums and jawbone to function, you need to have healthy gums and sufficient jawbone density to be a good candidate for dental implants. Keep in mind that the dental implant process will take several months since you need time to heal after the implant is surgically inserted into your jaw.

Once your dental implants are complete, you care for them just as you would your natural teeth. Brush twice a day for two minutes each time, floss every day, consume a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, avoid tobacco products, and routinely visit Vero Dental. These oral health habits will keep your gums and remaining teeth healthy and strong. A healthy mouth is critical for maintaining the integrity of your implants.

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are composed of artificial teeth attached to an acrylic base. What your prosthesis looks like depends on how many teeth you need replaced and where. Partial dentures replace multiple teeth in various places in an arch by attaching to your remaining natural teeth. Full dentures replace an entire arch and are either attached with a dental adhesive or via dental implants.

Your dentures will be custom-crafted for your unique mouth shape so they feel comfortable and look natural. They may need adjustment every so often to prevent irritation of your gums, so it’s important to visit Vero Dental regularly to be sure they still fit.

Dentures should be removed and cleaned thoroughly after meals with dish soap or denture cleaner and should be soaked in a denture or retainer cleaner overnight. This gives your gums a break to prevent irritation and reduces your risk of dental disease.

Affordable Restorative Dentistry in Dallas, TX

Whether you are considering dental implants or dentures, we’ll work with you to determine the right treatment plan and affordable payment option. Vero Dental accepts cash, debit credit cards, dental insurance, FSAs and HSAs, our own Dental Savers Plan, payment plans through CareCredit^®, and loans through LendingClub. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!

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Recovery Tips After Full-Mouth Reconstruction

April 26, 2021 10:54 pm
Published by Vero Dental

Patients with several missing teeth, severe decay, or seriously broken teeth might think there isn’t anything that will improve the look and function of their smile. However, full-mouth reconstruction is a treatment designed to overhaul even the most damaged teeth. We’re pleased to offer full-mouth reconstruction treatment at Vero Dental! Read on to learn more about this treatment that can transform the look of your smile.

Why Would I Need a Full-Mouth Reconstruction?

A full-mouth reconstruction is ideal for individuals who have extensive damage to the overall look and function of their smile. Good candidates include those who have multiple missing teeth or many teeth that have been damaged or broken by decay or trauma.

Full Mouth Reconstruction Consultation

If you believe you’re a candidate for full-mouth reconstruction, stop by our Denver dental office for a consultation. Our team will assess your situation and work with you to determine your smile goals. We will discuss the potential treatments we recommend to bring you relief and peace of mind. During this consultation, we will perform a thorough examination and take X-rays if needed to help us determine the ideal solution for your smile.

It can be hard to determine a set timeline or give an estimated price for treatment before the consultation. Full-mouth reconstruction involves complex planning and likely will take several visits to complete. Once the plan is in place, we will provide you with a cost estimate before you agree to treatment. We will also work with you to find a payment plan that suits your budget.

Full-Mouth Reconstruction Procedure

Because your treatment plan is tailored to your individual needs, it can be hard to say what the exact full-mouth reconstruction procedure will entail. For some, it might require a few tooth extractions, followed by a series of dental implants. For others, it might mean receiving a full set of dental veneers. We have many restorative procedures available which can be used together to rebuild a smile. Our doctors work with each patient to make sure they get a smile that not only functions properly but also looks natural with their face.

Recovering From Full-Mouth Reconstruction

While aftercare tips will vary greatly from patient to patient, we will provide you with thorough instructions to help you have a pain-free, quick recovery. Here are some of our go-to aftercare tips for dental procedures.

Ice your cheeks in 10 minute increments if you are experiencing pain or swelling
Take over-the-counter or prescribed medications as directed to ease the pain.
Do not use any tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, as you recover.
Eat soft, nutrient-dense foods like mashed sweet potatoes, low-sugar yogurt, smoothies, pureed soups, and applesauce as you recover.
Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to prevent infection.
Do not drink with a straw.

Full-Mouth Reconstruction in Denver, CO

We provide many other services at Vero Dental in addition to full mouth reconstruction. Do you need a general dental cleaning and examination? Are you interested in a cosmetic procedure? Do you require a restorative treatment? Or are you searching for a family-friendly dentist? Whatever you need, you’ve come to the right place! Call Vero Dental or click the contact link below to get started!

Are Porcelain Veneers Permanent?

September 29, 2020 11:24 pm
Published by Vero Dental

Porcelain veneers are a popular cosmetic treatment for patients wanting to easily correct gaps, chips, discoloration, or irregularly teeth. They look like natural teeth, are incredibly durable and stain-resistant, and quickly make your smile look more uniform. In this blog post, we provide an overview of porcelain veneers!

How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?

Porcelain veneers are permanent in the sense that the process is not reversible. Although it’s a minimally invasive procedure and your tooth is kept structurally intact, your enamel must be altered to allow the porcelain veneers to fit snugly. Enamel can’t grow back, so once you get porcelain veneers, you will always need them to protect your teeth.

If you take care of them properly, your veneers can last for up to 20 years before needing a replacement!

Tips to Make Porcelain Veneers Last Longer

You may be wondering how you can make your porcelain veneers last for as long as possible. After all, it would be disappointing to have to replace them earlier than expected because your teeth were not taken care of properly. Here are some simple practices that you can do to care for your porcelain veneers, underlying teeth, and gums:

Go to your biannual dental examinations. Routine deep cleaning and checkups can ensure that we identify any problems early and correct them without further damage.
Daily brush and floss your teeth. You can still get tooth decay and gum disease with porcelain veneers, so keep up with your daily oral hygiene routine. Brush twice a day for at least two minutes each time and floss every day.
Wear a custom-fitted sports mouthguard and/or nightguard, as needed. If you play sports or grind your teeth at night, you should wear a mouthguard to prevent any damage to your teeth.

Are Veneers Worth It?

Veneers can correct a variety of cosmetic dental problems. If you’re self-conscious about your dental flaws, then veneers may be worth it to gain your confidence back! You don’t have to get an entire mouthful of veneers either; you can get just one or two to help a tooth better blend in with the rest of your teeth. Your treatment plan is entirely tailored to your smile goals, needs, and budget!/p>

To discuss whether porcelain veneers are the right cosmetic solution for you, contact our office to schedule a consultation. Our team would be happy to help you make an informed decision.