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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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A New Smile in a Day Is Possible | Tyngsboro Dentist

Everyone wants the perfect smile. That smile that makes everyone stare. But it isn’t easy for most of us to attain naturally. Accidents happen and a lot of times our smiles take the brunt of it all. But it isn’t the end of the world. CEREC®, allows our doctors to quickly restore damaged teeth with natural-colored ceramic fillings, saving patients time and inconvenience.

CEREC® is the world’s only system for the fabrication of all ceramic dental restorations in one office visit with fewer injections, less drilling, and less time out of your hectic schedule for dental care. 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.

But now that we have a general understanding, how does it work? 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.

This procedure is great for dental crowns, veneers and the replacement of old fillings to give you the longest-lasting, best-looking results. So, what are you waiting for? Get that smile you’ve always wanted today!

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.

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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.

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Shake Things Up with a Smile Makeover | Tyngsboro Dentist

When you have a flawed smile, it has a tendency to make you not want to show it off. Luckily, there have been lots of dental advancements that allow almost any issue to be resolved. If you have multiple issues, a smile makeover is just what you need.

A smile makeover is a cosmetic procedure – it’s meant to treat a wide range of visual imperfections to bring you a smile that will make you proud. You and your dentist will address the different issues that you may dislike about your current smile, such as color, alignment, and missing teeth. Discolored teeth may be whitened, and visible fillings can be replaced with natural looking composite fillings that match your natural tooth color. Crooked, overlapping teeth can be straightened, and gaps can be narrowed as your overall alignment is adjusted to form a more perfect smile. In some cases, bonding may be used to conceal imperfections, adding layers of synthetic material to hide chips.

Teeth that were lost or damaged can be restored with a variety of dental procedures, such as crowns, implants, bridges, or partial dentures. Depending on the state of the tooth, the doctor may recommend covering the front of your teeth with a thin shell of porcelain or synthetic veneers, or placing a crown over the entire tooth to improve shape, size, and strength. Dental implants and bridges may be an option for patients that have lost an entire tooth to injury or periodontal disease.

A smile makeover can erase years from your appearance, boost your confidence, increase your self-esteem and improve your overall dental health.

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.

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Start the New Year Grinning | Tyngsboro Dentist

Are you starting the year with your best foot forward? Are your resolutions still in effect? Many of us are making improvements to our overall appearance, and for some, it includes our smile. After all, your smile is your first impression to the world – having your best smile is the best way to keep both your general demeanor but your overall health. With a smile makeover, you and your dental professional will take into consideration things such as your appearance, hair color, teeth, skin tone, gum tissue and overall health of your teeth to develop your ideal smile and healthy mouth. Then you will likely be provided with a dental treatment plan. So, let’s take a minute to break down these aspects our dental professionals look for when designing your smile makeover:

Tooth color. Replacing fillings with natural tooth colored restorations, teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, crowns, bridges and composite bonding.

Alignment and spacing. Crooked teeth that are overlapping or have gaps between them can be straightened and aligned when necessary through orthodontics or Invisalign and improved with veneers.

Missing teeth. One or more missing teeth can affect the appearance of your smile and affect your bite. Teeth can be replaced by dental implants, bridges or partial dentures.

Harmony and balance. Uneven, chipped and cracked teeth can be cosmetically bonded for an improved appearance, and a gummy smile can be re-contoured to help improve the overall look of the smile.

Full lips, smile and cheeks. An unshapely or aging face can be rejuvenated with procedures including orthodontics and/or oral maxillofacial surgery.

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.

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When the Bridge Goes Out | Tyngsboro Dentist

scared of root canal endodonticsWhen we get some type of dental implant to fix our smile, we assume that if we follow the given care instructions, our smile will look fantastic going forward. The problem is, sometimes they don’t. When we have lost one or more teeth, a dental bridge may be the treatment needed to repair the issue. And because you are going to have replacement teeth, a dental bridge is a cosmetic dentistry piece that we are ensured will last for decades on end. However, while the endurance and longevity of such a tool is great, it will eventually need some replacement or repair.

So, if we take care of our daily dental hygiene, what causes a dental bridge to fail? Most dental bridges are made of ceramics or porcelain fused to an underlying metal frame and lacking oral care can cause the products to fail. Bacteria can enter under the bridge through the crowns and manage to produce decay in the abutment teeth. Abutment teeth may cause fractures.  As far as the bridge goes, the bridge itself may eventually break.

And if you find that your dental bridge has begun to give you problems, it’s time to contact your dental professional to take a look. Dental bridges need to be fixed as soon as you notice chips, cracks and/or feel pain or sensitivity while chewing or brushing it. If you neglect to get it fixed, you won’t develop further issues. Proactive behavior will allow for less work to be done!

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.

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Renew Your Smile with CEREC | Tyngsboro Dentist

When looking for a smile makeover, you will find that there are many ways cosmetic dentistry can come into play. One way your dental professional may suggest your dental plan include CEREC® dental restorations. Before CEREC, it would take multiple visits and surgeries. With CEREC, doctors can quickly restore damaged teeth with natural-colored ceramic fillings, saving patients time and inconvenience because it is the world’s only system for restoration fabrication in one office visit. For the patient this means fewer injections, less drilling, and less time out of your hectic schedule for dental care. So not only are you getting a new smile, you but it can all happen without multiple dental visits.

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.

So how is it done? Your damaged tooth is prepared and a 3D photograph, then 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. And off you go – just like that.

This procedure is great for crowns, veneers and the replacement of old fillings to give you the longest-lasting, best-looking restorations so ask about CEREC at your next visit.

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.