In the blossoming world of cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening reigns supreme. Universally valued by men and women alike, whitening (or bleaching) treatments are available to satisfy every budget, time frame and temperament. Whether in the form of one-hour bleaching sessions at your dentist’s office, or home-use bleaching kits purchased at your local drugstore, teeth whitening solutions abound. Yet only 15 percent of the population has tried the cosmetic procedure, and misinformation on the subject is rife.

The long and the short of it is that teeth whitening works. Virtually everyone who opts for this cosmetic treatment will see moderate to substantial improvement in the brightness and whiteness of their smile. However, teeth whitening is not a permanent solution and requires maintenance or touch-ups for a prolonged effect.

Bleaching vs. Whitening

According to the FDA, the term bleaching is permitted to be used only when the teeth can be whitened beyond their natural color. This applies strictly to products that contain bleach — typically hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.

The term whitening, on the other hand, refers to restoring the tooth’s surface color by removing dirt and debris. So any product that cleans (like a toothpaste) is considered a whitener. Of course, the term whitening sounds better than bleaching, so it is more frequently used — even when describing products that contain bleach.

Why Teeth Whitening? Examining Enamel

Teeth whitening removes the stains and debris, leaving the enamel cracks open and exposed. Some of the cracks are quickly re-mineralized by saliva, while others are filled up again with organic debris.

Come to Comfort Dental of Anderson today for all of your cosmetic dentistry and teeth whitening needs! 

While traditional dentistry focuses on oral hygiene and preventing, diagnosing, and treating oral disease, cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of a person's teeth, mouth, and smile.

Cosmetic dentistry may also provide restorative benefits. For example, dental fillings are a common procedure used to treat decayed teeth. Previously, most dental fillings were composed primarily of gold, amalgam, and other materials that left visible dark spots on the teeth. Today, dental fillings may fall into the category of cosmetic dentistry, because you can select fillings made of porcelain or composite materials that closely match the color of your teeth, thus maintaining the natural appearance of your teeth and smile. Many people have their older fillings replaced with newer, tooth-colored fillings to enhance their oral appearance.

Cosmetic Dentistry Trends

Technological advancements in cosmetic dentistry have made it possible for dentists to address a wide range of challenges. Two of the latest trends aimed at creating a more attractive appearance are smile makeovers and full mouth reconstruction.

A smile makeover improves the appearance of the smile through one or more cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as dental veneers, dental implants, and teeth whitening.

Full mouth reconstruction may include treatment for functional problems with the bite, muscles, teeth, and bone structure as well as the use of additional cosmetic procedures. Full mouth reconstruction involves advanced restorative treatment designed to address severe wear of the teeth, pain, and other problems. Full mouth reconstruction frequently involves several dentists who focus on their specific areas of expertise in order to obtain the best outcome.

Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

Cosmetic dentistry procedures currently in use include:

• Dental Fillings - As noted above, this traditional procedure can also be included in the category of cosmetic dentistry when porcelain and composite resin materials are used to provide a tooth-like appearance.
• Bonding - The repair of chipped or broken teeth may be done via a procedure called bonding. A dental composite material with the look of enamel is applied to the surface of a tooth, where it is then sculpted into shape, contoured, and polished, making the crack or chip invisible.
• Teeth Whitening - Teeth whitening is perhaps the most commonly recommended cosmetic dentistry procedure. Teeth are often stained from smoking, food, drink (coffee, tea, or red wine), or poor oral hygiene. Bleaching the teeth can enhance the appearance of your smile.
• Dental Veneers - Plastic or porcelain laminates bonded to the surface of a tooth to replace chips and cracks will improve a worn appearance or severe tooth discoloration. Veneers may also be recommended if you have gaps in your teeth or if you have not had success with teeth whitening.
• Dental Implants - Dental implants are artificial tooth root replacements that are used as a part of prosthetic (artificial replacement) dentistry in order to compensate for tooth loss. Often the result is not only an enhanced smile, but also a more youthful appearance, since missing teeth cause the face to collapse, making you look older.

Cosmetic dentistry offers many options for people who are unhappy with their smile. If you are one of these people, we encourage you to read our comprehensive cosmetic procedure articles to learn about the various treatments available to beautify your smile.

For all of your cosmetic dentistry needs in Anderson, IN, visit Comfort Dental of Anderson for your next appointment!!

The obvious benefits of teeth whitening are an improved smile and enhanced appearance which is more accepted in the public eye. For people who are looking to change their appearance but are on a more limited budget teeth whitening can be a viable option because of its relatively inexpensive price tag compared to purchasing a new wardrobe or the like. Most people have a tendency to become self-conscious of their appearance when teeth aren't exactly the ideal shade, but when does teeth whitening pay off?

Imagine that you are going in for that all-important job interview; you know the one that will let you move into an apartment with some extra space and allow you to be away from work enough to actually enjoy it. It is proven that hiring specialists make a special point of looking for people who have a positive attitude and are prone to compulsive smiling. What if you went in and didn't smile simply because you were conscious of your smile? Kiss that job goodbye when it was lost by something that could have been so easily corrected.

How about after you have just undergone a life altering event that left you a little self conscious like surviving a car accident or gaining a decent amount of weight? Teeth whitening can alter your appearance in a big way without letting you friends and acquaintances know of a major change. In other words, they will notice that something is different about you, but just not be able to put their finger on it. Do you care? Nope, you just know that you are looking better.

In essence, teeth whitening has little effect on the health of most teeth. Most teeth in need of teeth whitening are not a health risk they are just stained from tobacco or caffeine or the like. However, it is a process that has gained mass popularity and even more respect in the cosmetic surgery community for the affect it can have on one's appearance and personal self-esteem. Look into what teeth whitening can offer you and see if you've found the answer to your personal appearance needs.

Comfort Dental of Anderson would like to extend an open invitation to all City of Anderson Employees and their family members.  Comfort Dental is the only dental office in Anderson, Indiana that has three full-time family dentists.  Additionally, our dentists routinely perform services such as wisdom teeth removal, sedation dentistry, implant dentistry, and tooth whitening.  Comfort Dental would like to be your family dentist in Anderson, IN.  If you would like more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 765-642-9811.

     Talk to your dentist. For your dentist to truly understand your mouth and all that is going on, you need to tell them. I can study radiographs and study models of a patients teeth, but you may hold the key to understanding your oral health. A patient needs to tell there dentist about any type of oral habit, vitamin deficiency, bulimia or diet because all of these can effect your teeth and /or your tissue. Next time your are at your family dentist , take an extra few minutes to talk to your dentist. Also, share your vision of what you want your mouth to look like, whether that includes tooth whitening, implants or laminate veneers.                                                                                                          

Implant Supported Dentures....This procedure has changed patients lives! This is probably the most rewarding dental treatment a dentist can provide his/her patients. If you or someone you love is not satisfied with there Denture or Partial. I strongly suggest you call Comfort Dental of Anderson for your free consultation.

Most patients have implant dentistry or dental surgery done by a sedation dentist. 

Wisdom teeth removal, cosmetic dentistry, tooth whitening are some of the other dental services we provide at Comfort Dental of Anderson. You can Call our office at 765-642-9811

Main causes of discolored teeth.

Genetics- Some people are just born with teeth that aren't particularly white. This can be improved with the variety of teeth whitening products

Trauma-  Teeth that have been broken, chipped, or hit in an accident can discolor. Silver and composite fillings and root canal fillings can also discolor teeth. These teeth can be improved with some teeth whitening products and some help from your cosmetic dentist.

External staining- Stains occur from smoking or drinking beverages such as coffee or tea. Most of the time these stains can be handled with routine dental care.

If your teeth need some help contact Comfort Dental of Anderson Indiana

Most of our fears in the world are either from past experience or fear of the unknown. We work very hard at our office to change people's perception of visiting the dental office. The days of patients screaming in the dental chair are over. We have many options available to keep our patients relaxed and comfortable such as patient education, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral sedation and IV sedation (by a licensed aneshesiologist). We can make your visit comfortable whether it is a simple cosmetic procedure, like teeth whitening, or even something more in depth like wisdom teeth extractions.

Looking for a quality family dentist? The Doctors at Comfort Dental of Anderson have exstensive training in cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, wisdom teeth removal, and sedation dentistry. One of our favorite procedures is the instant gratification of teeth whitening. Check us out on the web or call our dental office at 765-642-9811 to experience superb dental care.

To learn more about the dental implants we perform in our office visit www.misch.com or www.biohorizon.com.

"The only thing that warms the heart as much as a beautiful song is a beautiful smile" ---Garth Brooks

Everyone is looking for the perfect smile. One of the most common cosmetic dental procedures done today is teeth whitening. Before bleaching your teeth, you should consult your dentist to see if you are a good candidate. There are many reasons for stained or discolored teeth. Some of those are genetics, trauma,external staining, aging or medications. If you have existing restorations or veneers or crowns, you may need to replace those to get a nice match to your new whiter shade. You should have your teeth examined first by a dentist to see what kind of dental whitening will work best for you. For more info on dental whitening go to www.discusdental.com to look at our new in office Zoom Whitening.

We had a discussion at the dental office today about cosmetic dentistry. The question that was posed was to decide what procedure we considered to be the "most" cosmetic. Some of the staff said veneers, some said teeth whitening, but I stated that dentures were possibly the highest form of cosmetic dentistry. Think about it, after severe decay, dental infection, gum disease, trauma,......fabricating a denture gives the dental patient a whole new smile! So I still contend that dentistry's ultimate form of cosmetic dentistry may be dentures..........and maybe some dental implants to hold them in!

Today having a brite smile is EASY! Go to the dentist and ask for cosmetic teeth whitening. The most conservative form of cosmetic dentistry is tooth whitening. One short hour at the dental office can yield up to 8 shades of whitening. At Comfort Dental, www.yousleepwework.com, we use the Zoom 2 teeth whitening system. We believe it is simply the BEST! Give it a try.

How many times a day does the family dentist hear this? This one statement shows that Americans are brought up learning that going to the dental office is a "bad" experience. At Comfort Dental, we strive to end that learned fear as quickly as possible. We try to make each visit to the dental office as uneventful as possible. With advances in sedation dentistry, even the most fearful dental patients can enjoy their trip for dental care. From laughing gas to oral sedation to general anesthesia, sedation dentistry can be the right move for every patient. Whether it is tooth whitening or wisdomn tooth removal, you don't have to "hate" the dentist anymore.

Many of my dental patients select laughing gas as a form of sedation dentistry. It rarely makes a patient laugh, contrary to the name. The nitrous oxide usually makes the dental appointment very calm. My dental patient who use laughing gas typically use it for all appointments from teeth whitening to dental implants. It is also the most affordable.

Tooth whitening is the most common cosmetic dental procedure done today. You have three main choices, depending on your budget and lifestyle.

You can whiten your teeth by an average of eight shades in about an hour with in-office whitening treatment. Or, you can wear teeth-whitening trays during the day or while you sleep using a take-home whitening kit from your dentist. There are also over the counter products available at some drug stores, but these are less effective and have some risk.

Cosmetic teeth whitening is one of the most popular procedures at our dental office, Comfort Dental of Anderson. Many of our patients request the new Zoom procedure. The procedure is painless and takes about an hour. Teeth whitening is usually the most cost effective way to enhance your smile. If a more agressive ttreatment is required, then procedures such as crowns, bridges and dental implants may make your smile sparkle! Feel free to call our dental office at 765-642-9811 for a cosmetic dental consultation!

Many patients are asking about the new ultra thin cosmetic dental veneers. We have been placing these thin veneers for about 18 months. This procedure lends itself to very conservative cosmetic dental care. Patients at our dental practice are very happy with the results! Many of the patients will start the process with cosmetic teeth whitening to get the rest of the teeth to a lighter shade that we can then match the new cosmetic dental veneers to. Occasionally, patients will request sedation dentistry for the procedure, but it is not required. The cosmetic procedure is very uninvasive and more times than not, doesn't even reqire dental numbing! Cosmetic dental veneers can also be placed in conjunction with dental implants or any other family dental procedures.

Dental care can be very nerve racking for most patients. Dr. Stratman usually suggests that patients consider the various forms of sedation for their dental care. Forms of sedation dentistry offered at Comfort Dental of Anderson include laughing gas, oral sedation and iv sedation. Most patients having dental treatment for the removal of wisdom teeth and the placement of dental implants usually select oral sedation or iv sedation. The iv sedation offered at Comfort Dental is administered by Dr. Leo Patron. Dr. Patron is a seasoned anesthesiologist. Some patients having treatment as minor as cosmetic tooth whitening may still decide on sedation. At Comfort Dental, its YOUR choice!