A: A prosthodontist is a general dentist who has received advanced training in restorative and reconstructive dentistry. To be called a prosthodontist, a dentist must complete three-year program through an accredited university. Through this training, a prosthodontist specializes in more complex dentistry, such as replacing missing teeth or repairing severely eroded teeth. Prosthodontists can provide patients with removable, fixed, or implanted teeth prosthodontics, offering multiple options to patients who are missing one or more teeth.

A: You should choose a cosmetic and implant dentist that you feel comfortable with, so spend time looking into the qualifications and experience of the dentists you are considering. Take advantage of a free consultation to get to know the dentist and ask questions about your dental health and the cosmetic smiles you may be considering. One factor to consider in choosing a dentist is whether that dentist has maintained active participation in professional organizations and is continuing his dental training. Dentists that do both of these, such as Dr. Keith Blessitt, are continuously informed of the latest technologies and procedures in the field.

A: For many years, patients had limited dentistry choices when they needed a cavity filling. They usually received amalgam fillings, also known as metal fillings. Now it is thought that some of these fillings may contain mercury, and their use has been questioned in recent years. While no studies have conclusively proven that these fillings are dangerous, some people have become concerned about their possible health implications. Now, patients have a choice between amalgam and composite resin fillings. Composition resin fillings are not known to have negative side effects. Additionally, these resin fillings match the color of your teeth, providing an improved cosmetic appearance over the darker look of metal fillings. Because there are pros and cons to each option, including the cost and time involved in each of these fillings, it is best to consult with a dentist to make the choice that is right for you. Patients who have had amalgam fillings in the past can also consult with their dentist to discuss replacing their fillings with composite resin fillings.

A: Consumers take many chances when they use over-the-counter home whitening kits to improve the cosmetic appearance of their smiles. They are often forced to navigate the teeth-whitening market without knowing what their end cosmetic results will be. In addition to try to choose which of these products is right for you, it can be difficult to know how these kits compare against professional teeth-whitening treatment. Finally, some of these kits are not medically reviewed and can actually be harmful to your dental health if not used correctly. Because the trays included with these kits are not custom-designed, they can have negative affects on your bite patterns. The chemicals in these at-home cosmetic dentistry kits can also cause permanent tooth damage or increased tooth sensitivity. On the surface, at-home teeth whitening may seem like a cheaper alternative to professional cosmetic dentistry teeth whitening. When you consider the length of time that these teeth-whiteners take, along with their potential side-effects, these products can be more costly than they initially appear. Even if you intend to use an over-the-counter teeth whitening kit, you may want to consult with your cosmetic dentist about which of the kits he might recommend. You can also discuss professional teeth whitening options, such as laser teeth whitening. Some cosmetic dentistry teeth whitening procedures can be completed in one visit and in as little as one hour.

A: After a chip, crack, or other trauma to a tooth, a dentist can recommend either tooth bonding or porcelain veneers. Tooth bonding can be used to correct minor cosmetic flaws in the tooth and is often employed in instances where the tooth is not severely damaged. The bonding matches the color and texture of your tooth, resulting in an improved cosmetic appearance. To apply a bond, dentists will roughly sand the affected portion of the tooth and apply a resin composite that dries with the appearance of a natural tooth. This procedure can usually be completed in one dentist visit. Porcelain veneers are thin, wafer-like pieces of ceramic that are applied to the front surface of a tooth. Veneers can be used to cover small chips and cracks, as well as straighten your smile or close gaps. Porcelain veneers are designed to replicate natural tooth appearance and luster. Veneers can instantly whiten your smile and are stain-resistant, allowing them to retain their color for years to come. Porcelain veneers are considered a more permanent solution than tooth bonding, and often require at least two dentist visits to create and set.

A: The options that are available for closing gaps inbetween teeth also apply to those who are looking for teeth straightening through cosmetic dentistry. You may consider the pros and cons of Invisalign’s non-metal braces, traditional metal braces, and porcelain veneers. These cosmetic dentistry options can be weighed according to their cost, length of treatment, and your cosmetic appearance during treatment. Schedule a free consultation to discuss these options with your dentist.

A: Patients who are uncomfortable with the cosmetic appearance of gapped teeth have several options for dentistry care. Recent advancements in dentistry provide several ways of more quickly improving cosmetic appearance, including non-metal braces and porcelain veneers. One popular name in non-metal braces is Invisalign. You can learn more about both Invisalign and porcelain veneers. Of course, there are situations in which traditional metal braces can be the best option, such as if you have a particularly large gap in your teeth or you require bite adjustments or jaw alignment. With South Florida cosmetic dentist Dr. Keith Blessitt, you can  schedule a free consultation to find out which of these cosmetic dentistry choices is right for you and your smile.

A: Certain behaviors, such as smoking, can increase your risk of developing oral cancer. Even if you do not smoke, and have no family history of the disease, you could still develop oral cancer. Over 25% of oral cancer cases affect those without any risk factors. Symptoms of oral cancer include slow-healing sores, difficulty moving your jaw, shifting of your teeth, or color-change in your lips, gums, or cheeks. Oral cancer may also appear suddenly as a small white or red sore. Because the sore may be difficult to detect, the best way to tell if you have the disease is to receive a complete oral-cancer screening from a dentist. One recent improvement on the traditional head-and-neck examination is the ViziLite Plus cancer screening system. ViziLite Plus combines a mouth rinse and pretreated swab to allow the dentist to identify lesions that may require further examination. By removing precancerious lesions, you may be able to prevent oral cancer from developing. One of the best ways to improve the overall health of your smile is to incorporate yearly oral-cancer screening into your dental-health routine.