Boston Dental incorporates a wide range of cosmetic dentistry procedures – including teeth whitening, veneers, orthodontics, and dental implants – to create positive changes to your teeth and to your smile.

What can cosmetic dentistry do for me?

Cosmetic dentistry can improve the color and alignment of your teeth, giving you confidence in your smile. Crooked and misaligned teeth sometimes cause jaw pain and headaches that can also be alleviated by cosmetic dental procedures. Cosmetic dentistry can correct an overbite or underbite, improving your profile and making it easier to chew food properly. Some procedures, like bonding, can prevent further damage by keeping hairline cracks from becoming worse. Cosmetic dental procedures are an investment in your health and self-confidence.

How do I choose a cosmetic dentist?

Check to make sure that the dentist is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Dentists and lab technicians belonging to the AACD have passed stringent examinations to receive certification. They have also demonstrated exceptional clinical skills and stay current with the latest dental technology to better serve their patients. In addition, choose a cosmetic dentistry practice that has a complete array of diagnostic and treatment facilities and equipment.

What kind of technology is used at Boston Dental?

Instantaneous digital x-rays are used to create a clear picture of your teeth and jaw bone with no waiting time for development. Waterlase® laser dentistry uses cutting-edge technology without the need for anesthesia. The DIAGNOdent Laser can provide a full scan of teeth and the DIAGNOdent Perio Probe checks gum tissue for signs of disease.

Cone Beam X-rays are available to generate a complete image of the inside of your mouth. The hundreds of images that are produced give a clear picture of nerves, tissue, teeth and bones. A dental scanner that completely images the shape and placement of teeth replaces the use of impression trays to form a cast.

What are the areas of dentistry available at Boston Dental?

  • General Dentistry: Diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the teeth, gums and mouth; tooth restoration.
  • Periodontics: Examination of teeth, plaque, gums, bite, bone structure, and risk factors.
  • Endodontics: Diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disorders of the root, or pulp, of the tooth.
  • Orthodontics: Oral health specialty focusing on the treatment of misplaced teeth and misalignment, or uneven bite.
  • Oral Surgery: Surgery performed on the mouth, including tooth extraction, removal of tumors, and jaw repair.
  • Smile Design: Smile design focuses on more than just teeth, we balance the aesthetic elements of the face and how they work together to help you achieve your most beautiful and natural smile.

It there a benefit to having all dental specialties in one practice?

One clear benefit of having a full staff of trained oral specialists under one roof is the sharing of information between them. At Boston Dental, we offer complete oral care with general dentistry, periodontics, endodontics, orthodontics and oral surgery. Your dentist can consult with your orthodontist about braces or with your oral surgeon if a tooth has to be removed. It’s also convenient for you, the patient, to be able to go to one center for all of your dental needs.

Will insurance pay for my cosmetic dental work?

Dental insurance usually covers routine care only and doesn’t pay for elective dental procedures. For cases in which a procedure is necessary, some dental plans also specify that the least expensive materials be used. However, financing is often available to pay for cosmetic dental procedures. You’ll be given an estimate of the amount your insurance covers, if any, before the work is done.

The financial coordinator at Boston Dental will help you decide the best way to pay for your cosmetic dental work. Cash, checks and all major credit cards are acceptable forms of payment, and financing is also offered through Consumer Credit Solutions and Care Credit. Cosmetic dentistry is your investment in excellent dental health and hygiene, along with a smile you can be proud of.

Why do dentists use composite fillings?

A filling created with composite is more resistant to cracks than one using amalgam, so it can be used to make a smaller indention in your tooth. Composite fillings are made with a mixture of resin and quartz or glass filler that’s the same color as the tooth. They can also be anchored in place with adhesive, allowing the dentist to remove less of the original tooth. Composite fillings are a good choice for small to moderate fillings.

What are the benefits of Invisalign?

Invisalign straightens teeth with a series of clear resin aligners that fit over the teeth. One advantage of this technique over traditional braces is that they often go unnoticed by other people. Invisalign also does the job more quickly and requires less dental visits. The aligner is custom created for each person using 3-D imaging technology, and it can be removed for eating, brushing and flossing. Invisalign is a good option for teeth that need minor to moderate straightening or alignment.

What are veneers?

Veneers are ultra-thin medical grade ceramic sheets that are permanently bonded to the front of the teeth. They’re matched to the color of the rest of the teeth and, depending on oral hygiene and each person’s wear and tear, they can last over 10 years without any damage. Wearing a night guard can protect and extend the life of veneers, and smoking can eventually lead to discoloration. One benefit of getting veneers is that it’s an easy, quick and painless procedure. In some cases, you can walk out of the dentist’s office with a brand-new smile after just one visit.

What’s the difference between whitening teeth at home and at the dentist?

Home dental whitening kits use peroxide to whiten teeth and it takes several applications to see a difference. In the dentist’s office, a safe, nontoxic bleach formula whitens teeth up to 8 shades with the help of a special light to speed the process. The whitening takes less than an hour, and there’s minimal discomfort to the gums. Boston Dental uses the patented Zoom! Teeth Whitening procedure to make an immediately noticeable difference in the whiteness of your teeth.

Why do people need braces?

Sometimes teeth are too crowded, causing them to overlap or grow crookedly. Or a person may have an underbite or overbite that causes pain in the jaw. Misaligned teeth also affect the bones and muscles in your face and can lead to headaches. All of these issues can be corrected over time with the use of braces. They’re usually worn for one to three years, and regular visits to the orthodontist ensure that they continue to move the teeth in the right direction. Braces will need to be tightened periodically and, with good oral hygiene and regular checkups, many people experience excellent results.

What is a tooth inlay/onlay?

Teeth that have been eroded beyond repair are often capped with dental crowns. Some teeth don’t have damage on the entire surface, and only a portion of the tooth needs to be covered. A porcelain or ceramic inlay/onlay can restore the tooth to its former appearance and function without performing a full crown procedure. Inlays cover the part of the tooth that’s between the raised areas, or cusps. Dental onlays may cover the entire biting surface, and they’re sometimes referred to as partial crowns.

How long does it take to get a crown?

Sometimes a large filling breaks the bulk of the tooth, making subsequent fillings impossible. Occasionally, the amount of decay to be removed can also greatly decrease the amount of dentin left. When the structure of a tooth has been worn away by decay, fillings are longer an option. A crown is a replacement for the outer surface of the tooth, and it looks just like the original tooth. It’s closely fitted on top of the stub of the original tooth and cemented in place. Crowns can also replace discolored or uneven teeth, and they can help eliminate spacing problems.

It will take two visits to have a tooth capped with a new crown. On the first visit, your dentist will remove any decay, then grind down and shape the tooth to receive the overlay. An impression will be made of your teeth in order to create a crown that fits properly. You’ll get a temporary one to cover the stub until the second, and final, visit. At that time, the permanent crown will be cemented in place. The first visit can take up to an hour, and the second one may be as short as twenty minutes.

Are dental implants recommended?

Sometimes natural teeth are lost because of decay, injury or gum disease. This can make it harder to chew and can make a person feel unhappy with their smile. Implants are, basically, artificial replacement teeth. They’re permanently attached to the jaw bone with titanium screws, and the surrounding bone fuses with the implant post. Dental implants can improve appearance, speech, eating, and self-esteem. With proper care, they can last a lifetime.

What is a removable dental bridge?

A removable bridge is a dental device that’s used when one or more teeth are missing. Artificial teeth are anchored to the existing teeth to fill in the gap. A bridge makes it easier to chew food and keeps a person’s bite in alignment. It also maintains the shape of the face and keeps the other teeth from drifting out of place. Your dentist will adjust the bridge to fit your mouth and create the proper bite.

At first, the removable bridge may feel uncomfortable, but that’s just because it takes your mouth a while to get used to it. Once you’ve adapted to the bridge, having it in place will be helpful for eating and talking. Unlike an implant, a dental bridge is removed at night. You care for your bridge by brushing and flossing regularly, using an antiseptic mouthwash, and cleaning the bridge at night with an approved solution. This will give it a long life of up to ten years or more.

How are overdentures different from dentures?

Overdentures are an alternative to dentures, and they’re more comfortable than traditional dentures. They attach to implanted fixtures in your mouth, and this keeps them from moving around or slipping. Attaching them to fixtures anchored in the bone helps prevent the bone loss that can take place when wearing regular dentures. Your dentist will create images of your mouth in order to carefully fabricate overdentures that will fit well and be comfortable. This allows you to chew your food with confidence, and it also improves your speech and appearance.

Why do my gums have to be evaluated before a procedure?

Your cosmetic dentist will have your gums evaluated before any procedure to make sure they’re in the best shape possible. This is because unhealthy gums can cause excessive bleeding during dental work. When gums are not in good shape, they’re also puffy, and this can make it difficult to position dental work in the exact location where it needs to be. For example, it could cause the bottom line of a crown to be visible after the swelling subsides.

Boston Dental have Cosmetic Dentists at Downtown Crossing and Cosmetic Dentists at Government Center locations.

 

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