Tips to Make Your Veneers Last as Long as Possible | Tyngsboro Dentist

We all want that perfect smile, but for many of us, it doesn’t happen naturally. In fact, most of us need a bit of dental work to achieve the smile we’ve always wanted. Thanks to modern medicine, porcelain veneers are one of the top cosmetic dentistry procedures and can really turn your smile around. But the longevity of your porcelain veneers greatly depends on how well you take care of them. So, pay attention to aftercare instructions from your dentist and these simple tips for optimal longevity:

Practice good dental hygiene. Good oral care at home helps to prevent periodontitis, which can cause your gums to recede. Veneers are placed right at the gum line. If your gums do start to recede the appearance of your veneers could be compromised.

Avoid excessive force. This is a habit for many of us, but your smile doesn’t like it. Things like biting your nails or chewing ice can break or dislodge a veneer, and for some, could be the reason you have the veneer in the first place. Make a conscious effort to stop these types of habits.

Quit clenching and grinding your teeth. By grinding your teeth your veneers can be chipped or broken due to the force generated by these actions. If you suffer from bruxism at night, find out about getting a night guard to protect your teeth and veneers.

Limit foods and drinks that stain. And lastly, while porcelain veneers are very resistant to staining the cement used to hold them in place can stain over time. Try to avoid coffee, tea, soda, wine and tobacco.

Call Tyngsboro dentist Dr. Yankowskas for a consultation at 978-649-7773. Also, visit our website at tyngsborocosmeticdentist.com.

Dr. James Yankowskas proudly accepts patients from Tyngsboro and all surrounding areas.

Dental Prosthesis: Three Ways to Improve Your Smile | Tyngsboro Dentist

In the quest for the perfect smile, the options can be a bit overwhelming. You and your dental professional will sit down to discuss what you would like to see in your smile, eventually finalizing a treatment plan. And depending on your particular case, a dental implant or two may be called for. And while the artificial tooth roots are all made of titanium screws, not every dental prosthesis is the same.

Dental crowns. A dental crown is a cap that fits over the top of a tooth and is made to match the color and shape of the natural tooth. To place an implant-supported crown, the natural tooth will first need to be extracted, an implant screw is placed in the jawbone and an abutment is attached. Once the implant site has healed and the bone has fused with the implant, a permanent dental crown replaces the temporary crown.

Implant-supported dental bridge. While a dental crown is a single cap, a dental bridge is made up of two dental crowns with a fake tooth or teeth between them. Implant-supported bridges are used when the natural teeth are unable to support a dental prosthesis. The placement of a dental bridge is similar to placing a dental crown, but instead two dental implants are placed.

Implant-supported denture. Dentures are artificial teeth and gums that are used to restore an entire upper or lower arch of teeth. Although dentures can be used as a removable dental prosthesis, fixed dentures used dental implants for permanent stabilization in the mouth. Placing an implant-supported denture requires the placement of at least four dental implants and the extraction of any remaining decayed or damaged teeth.

Call Tyngsboro dentist Dr. Yankowskas for a consultation at 978-649-7773. Also, visit our website at tyngsborocosmeticdentist.com.

Dr. James Yankowskas proudly accepts patients from Tyngsboro and all surrounding areas.

Everything You Need to Know About Hybridge Implants | Tyngsboro Dentist

We all want to have a great smile and will jump through some dental hoops to get it. We will even buy various over-the-counter products, like teeth whitening kits, in order to get the smile that we dream of. Cosmetic dentistry is the best way to achieve the more intricate work we need done. However, you may not know that depending on your smile’s health, you may not be eligible for the work you’d like done. For example, some patient’s teeth may be too crooked to use invisible braces like Invisalign, or gum disease could prevent you from getting other types of cosmetic dental work, like dental implants.

If your dentist claims that you are ineligible for traditional dental implants, there is no need to fret – there is a new option that can help to get that smile you want. Dr. Yankowkas has integrated Hybridge implants to create the smile you’ve always wanted. These dental implants are ideal for patients for those that don’t qualify dental implants.

Hybridge is a specific technique/protocol that results in a fast, cost effective, simplified treatment approach. The final prosthetic restoration is a cross-linked PMMA and chrome cobalt bridge replacing up to 12 teeth, supported on 5 or 6 dental implants. Told you can’t have an implant? The Hybridge process utilizes bone that all patients already have. The result is full dental function for less than half the cost of conventional implant bridgework and in a fraction of the time. In fact, The Hybridge treatment process can be completed in as little as two weeks, but ultimately depends on the patient’s individual case.

You can have the smile you’ve always wanted. Dental technology is pretty fantastic these days.

Call Tyngsboro dentist Dr. Yankowskas for a consultation at 978-649-7773. Also, visit our website at tyngsborocosmeticdentist.com.

Dr. James Yankowskas proudly accepts patients from Tyngsboro and all surrounding areas.

Options for Optimal Smile Improvement | Tyngsboro Dentist

When we begin to consider making improvements to our smile, the smartest thing to do is to schedule a dental appointment in order to discuss your ideas with your dental professional. They know your smile best and can give you proper feedback as to what your options are. Together you will devise a plan to ensure you will get the smile you’ve always wanted. Here is a rundown of the more common cosmetic dental procedures. Each has its own improvement, but not all are going to be necessary.

Bleaching. Bleaching is a common and popular process in which individuals use chemicals to whiten their teeth. This can be performed by your dentist or at home through a series of dental supervised techniques.

Bonding. Bonding is tooth-colored material in which is used to fill in gaps or change the color of teeth. This usually only requires a single dental visit and bonding lasts for several years.

Crowns. Crowns are caps that are placed over teeth in order to restore it to its natural shape and appearance. Crowns have the longest life expectancy of all cosmetic restorations, but also take the most time to complete.

Veneers. Veneers are pieces of porcelain or plastic placed over the front teeth in order to change the color or shape of teeth. This procedure requires your dentist to take an impression of your tooth. Before the custom veneer is cemented directly onto the tooth, your dentist will lightly buff your tooth to compensate for the added thickness.

Contouring. This is a procedure used to correct crooked teeth or irregularly shaped teeth that may overlap. This is commonly used to alter the length, shape, or position of your teeth. Contouring teeth may also help correct small problems with bite.

Call Tyngsboro dentist Dr. Yankowskas for a consultation at 978-649-7773. Also, visit our website at tyngsborocosmeticdentist.com.

Dr. James Yankowskas proudly accepts patients from Tyngsboro and all surrounding areas.

Replace a Flawed Tooth in a Day? | Tyngsboro Dentist

endodontist

We do our best to maintain the healthiest, brightest smile we possibly can through our daily dental hygiene routines. Each day we brush, floss and rinse, hoping that we are doing everything we can to keep out of the dental chair for some painful procedure. But accidents happen, and sometimes our mouth is the victim. It’s time to get spend loads of time in the dentist chair, trying to repair our broken tooth, right? Not so fast…

CEREC® is the world’s only system for the fabrication of all ceramic dental restorations in one office visit. That’s right – with CEREC® you can be in and out in a single visit with a permanent, all-ceramic crown, onlays, or veneers. This means fewer injections, less drilling, and less time out of your hectic schedule for dental care.

A tooth-colored restoration means no more silver fillings or discoloring smiles. The filling is natural-looking, compatible with tissue in the mouth, anti-abrasive, and plaque-resistant. We no longer need to create temporaries or take impressions and send them to a lab. Because of this, the traditional second visit has been eliminated.

The tooth that requires a CEREC® restoration is prepared and a 3D photograph is taken of the prepared tooth. From there, we use computer-aided design CAD software to create the restoration digitally. Using a single block of porcelain that is color-matched to your tooth, the digitally designed restoration is sent to a milling machine for shaping. The milling process usually takes about 15 minutes per restoration. Once the restoration is finished being milled, it is fitted onto the prepared tooth and adjusted until the bite is accurate.

Call Tyngsboro dentist Dr. Yankowskas for a consultation at 978-649-7773. Also, visit our website at tyngsborocosmeticdentist.com.

Dr. James Yankowskas proudly accepts patients from Tyngsboro and all surrounding areas.

The Advantages of Full Arch Dental Implants | Tyngsboro Dentist

Theoretically, our teeth are designed to last our lifetime with proper care. And we all hope this is the case, but life happens, and there are times that life has left us with some missing teeth. Because having missing teeth can cause additional dental issues down the road, it is important to remedy these issues with the use of dental implants. Another permanent option is having to wear dentures, but full arch dental implants are a great way to achieve a natural looking smile without having to deal with the initial problems patients find when getting used to wearing dentures.

There are a number of options when it comes to dental implants – removable and non-removable – and both have their own advantages.

Semi-removable prosthetics means that the prosthesis (the teeth) is non-removable by the patient but can be removed by the dentist if necessary, making this variation a great option for many patients because there is no clumsiness. Another advantage is the various materials that can be used. Some options include an acrylic denture with acrylic teeth, or mental reinforced porcelain gums with porcelain teeth. The semi removable option is often used when there is a lot of bone loss and extensive areas of the gums are replaced in addition to the teeth.

Full dental arch implants that are non-removable are the ultimate permanent replacement option. Usually each replaced tooth has an implant and crown. Bridges can also be done where some teeth are attached to the adjacent implant teeth and therefore fewer implants are required. There are many factors that influence a successful result, including bone quality and quantity, bite, opposing dentition and habits such as bruxism.

Call Tyngsboro dentist Dr. James Yankowskas for a consultation at 978-649-7773. Also, visit our website at tyngsborocosmeticdentist.com.

Dr. Yankowskas proudly accepts patients from Tyngsboro and all surrounding areas.

A New Year and a New Smile | Tyngsboro Dentist

It could be as simple as a new haircut, but any positive change will always bring a smile to our face. And if that makeover is a smile makeover, all the more reason to show it off. It’s a new year – why not get yourself a new smile? After the year we had, you deserve a reason to show off that gorgeous grin. Here are some benefits to consider:

Improved self-esteem and self-confidence. This is, unarguably, one of the many reasons why people are interested in getting a smile makeover in the first place. And, well, there’s no shame in spending money to improve your own look, which may help improve your self-esteem and self-confidence.

Fixed bad bites. In many cases, especially in orthodontics, braces or Invisalign just aren’t fitted just for esthetic reasons. Many times, it is to correct a bad bite, which can help improve or fix the function of one’s teeth and may even help prevent gum disease.

Prevention of jaw atrophy. Those with missing teeth are candidates for implants, which are great for preventing jawbone atrophy, while at the same time, helps in maintaining that youthful and vibrant smile.

Lowered risk for tooth decay and cavities. Chipped and broken teeth, as well as excessive gaps in between and cavities can all eventually lead to worse complications down the line. Fillings aren’t exactly cosmetic but having tooth-colored fillings is still a far better-looking option. And the use of dental crowns and bridges that are made specifically to blend well with the rest of your teeth means that one no longer has to sacrifice esthetic offer function when it comes to preventing further dental complications.

Call Tyngsboro dentist Dr. James Yankowskas for a consultation at 978-649-7773. Also, visit our website at tyngsborocosmeticdentist.com.

Dr. Yankowskas proudly accepts patients from Tyngsboro and all surrounding areas.

Learning to Care for Your Veneers | Tyngsboro Dentist

We all want that perfect smile, and thanks to modern medicine, there are lots of cosmetic dental procedures that can improve those flaws you feel self-conscious about. One of those procedures is veneers. Porcelain veneers are one of the top cosmetic dentistry procedures and you want them to look beautiful and function for as long as they can. The longevity of your porcelain veneers greatly depends on how well you take care of them. Here are a few tips:

Proper dental hygiene. This shouldn’t be a question – dental hygiene is important regardless of your dental work. Brush and floss daily with a nonabrasive toothpaste containing fluoride. Good oral care at home helps prevent periodontitis which can cause your gums to recede. Veneers are placed right at the gum line. If your gums do start to recede the appearance of your veneers could be compromised.

Avoid excessive force. It is a habit for many of us, but your smile doesn’t like it. That means no biting your fingernails, hairpins, ice or hard candy. These types of things can break or dislodge a veneer, and for some, could be the reason you have the veneer in the first place.

No clenching and grinding your teeth. By grinding your teeth your veneers can be chipped or broken due to the force generated by these actions. If you suffer from bruxism at night, find out about getting a night guard to protect your teeth and veneers.

Avoid foods and drinks that stain. And lastly, while porcelain veneers are very resistant to staining the cement used to hold them in place can stain over time. Try to avoid coffee, tea, soda, wine and tobacco.

Call Tyngsboro dentist Dr. James Yankowskas for a consultation at 978-649-7773. Also, visit our website at tyngsborocosmeticdentist.com.

Dr. Yankowskas proudly accepts patients from Tyngsboro and all surrounding areas.

Celebrating the Holidays with a Glass of Red Wine | Tyngsboro Dentist

‘Tis the season for holiday festivities with our family and friends. We are brought together to catch up and exchange gifts and good tidings. Many times, these good tidings are shared with a glass of wine – or many glasses of wine. It is common knowledge that drinking red wine will eventually begin to stain your teeth, but what if we told you that red wine is good for you?

It’s true. According to research published by the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, red wine contains antimicrobial elements that were found to help kill bacteria in simulated lab tests. While the same result was produced by taking in shots of grape seed extract, red wine is much more appetizing. So, what does that mean for your teeth? Well, the bacteria that is killed is the bacteria that is giving your mouth dental issues. Let’s break it down…

Cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss are caused by the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth. When together, they form communal groups of bacteria that turn into plaque, produce acid, and are difficult to kill. In order to test this red wine theory, scientists grew cultures of mouth mimicking bacteria, and dipped them into different liquids such as red wine, alcohol-free red wine, and red wine with grape seed extract. Out of the three, red wine proved the most effective in eliminating bacteria.

So, enjoy your festivities with your glass of wine. Just remember your dental hygiene routine after you indulge to help avoid stains before you start pouring the glasses. After all, staying proactive will only improve your dental health. Happy holidays!

Call Tyngsboro dentist Dr. James Yankowskas for a consultation at 978-649-7773. Also, visit our website at tyngsborocosmeticdentist.com.

Dr. Yankowskas proudly accepts patients from Tyngsboro and all surrounding areas.

Your Teeth Will Thank You Later | Tyngsboro Dentist

When you are missing a tooth, there is more to it than just an unsightly gap. Eventually the remaining teeth will begin to shift, causing more issues in the future. So, it is important that we make a dental appointment when our teeth have become broken or damaged. But before you begin to cringe at the idea of yet another dental appointment, make sure you understand that the whole issue in a single appointment with CEREC®.

CEREC® is the world’s only system for the fabrication of all ceramic dental restorations in one office visit. With CEREC® you can be in and out in a single visit with a permanent, all-ceramic crown, onlay, or veneer! For the patient this means fewer injections, less drilling, and less time out of your hectic schedule for dental care.

A tooth-colored restoration means no more silver fillings or discoloring smiles. The filling is natural-looking, compatible with tissue in the mouth, anti-abrasive, and plaque-resistant. We no longer need to create temporaries or take impressions and send them to a lab. Because of this, the traditional second visit has been eliminated.

The tooth that requires a CEREC® restoration is prepared and a 3D photograph is taken of the prepared tooth. From there, we use computer-aided design CAD software to create the restoration digitally. Using a single block of porcelain that is color-matched to your current tooth shade, the digitally designed restoration is sent to a milling machine where your restoration is cut. The milling process usually takes about 15 minutes per restoration.

Once the restoration is finished being milled, it is fitted onto the prepared tooth and adjusted until the bite is accurate.

Call Tyngsboro dentist Dr. James Yankowskas for a consultation at 978-649-7773. Also, visit our website at tyngsborocosmeticdentist.com.

Dr. Yankowskas proudly accepts patients from Tyngsboro and all surrounding areas.