Ways to Apply for A Dental Insurance Policy

Today, affordable health care is on everyone's mind, may that person be a politician, employers, employees, individuals, and insurance agents and the like. Health care benefits have historically been an essential component of an employee compensation package, but as the new millennium has evolved, more and more creative products are earning their places alongside the traditional benefits package as employers and individuals search for ways to contain their health care costs. And dental insurance is counted! Dental insurance is made to help cover some of the costs associated with your dental care. Although many employers provide regular health insurance as a benefit, fewer also provide dental insurance. As the cost of healthcare has increased, many employers have dropped dental coverage or shifted most of the cost to their employees.

When applying for a dental insurance, treat it like an investment. The applicant must know the people behind it, its leadership, the quality, services rendered and the growing opportunity. If you have ever used dental insurance, you know that it can sometimes be a complicated process. There are papers to fill out, forms to send in, verifications to pass from the dentist to the insurance provider, and co-payments to make.

In the literature you receive when you sign up for a dental insurance policy, there should be some paperwork telling you how to file dental insurance claims. Every provider will have different requirements and policies, so the information that they give you should be the first place you go for answers.

After the dentist performs the required procedures, the paperwork pertaining to what was done will be added to your record. This record, along with all of your insurance information, should be sent to your insurance provider.
Some providers require you to send all information in by mail, and some allow you to enter most of it electronically.

In an insurance plan, you can seek the dental treatments that you need, with the corresponding payment paid either in full or partially by your insurance provider. As you can see, this works just like any regular insurance policy does. It covers part of your expenses for the insured item.

Insurance policies require a strict process in making claims, and there are requirements and guidelines to follow in doing so. On the other hand, in a dental plan, you can simply obtain your discounts and reap the benefits of your plan the same day that you seek a treatment.

In insurance packages, however, there are paperwork that needs to be filled up, some by you, and some by your dental health professionals. This can be quite a hassle, especially since most dentists do not find the time to fill up paperwork for their patients. Aside from that, the claim request will have to go through a pipeline process before it is approved.

And if all else fails, call your agents or the agency's hotline, not to your dentist. As you can see, it's difficult to say how to file dental insurance claims without knowing the specific requirements of your dental insurance provider. The above should give you some basic information about what to expect when you file your claims. The entire process of claiming usually even takes up to around 90 days, which is quite a long time. This will obviously be disadvantageous, not just to you but to your dentist as well.

Laser Treatment for Gingivitis

Gingivitis is an acute bacterial infection of the gingivae caused by resident flora in the mouth: the fusiform bacteria and spirochetes. Other precipitating factors include: poor oral hygiene, increased  age, nutritional deficiencies, lack of rest and sleep, local tissue damage, and debilitating diseases such as infectious mononucleosis, nonspecific viral infections, bacterial infections, blood dyscariasis and diabetes mellitus. Most of these factors are avoidable and so therefore it is unpreventable. There is nothing to worry about because this condition is not contagious.

It is also one of many classifying causes of stomatitis.  Stomatitis is the inflammation of the oral cavity, may be of infectious origin or a manifestation of a systematic condition. It may be caused by mechanical trauma such as injury, or chemical trauma such as drugs used in the treatment of some form of cancer. Jagged teeth, cheek biting, and mouth breathing may also result in mechanical trauma. Certain foods and drinks as well as sensitivity to strong mouthwash and toothpaste may produce chemical trauma. The inflammatory sloughing of tissue allows organisms to multiply which may lead to infection by viruses, bacteria and yeasts.

Laser treatment is said to be a less painful surgery for gingivitis. The client’s oral mucous membranes will begin to heal and pain will be relieved or controlled. Laser treatment has been in existence for a couple of years.  Other medical management available includes topical antifungal agents as well as other topical agents to alleviate the infection and provide pain reduction. Mouthwashes of warm saline or the use of water are often ordered as part of an oral hygiene regimen. Pureed diet may also be ordered by the dentist.  Prophylactic use of antifungal agents is indicated for high risk clients. Oral pharyngeal cultures should be taken also if infection is suspected.

When Is the Right Time For Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is one field of specialty for dentistry of which the treatment focuses on dental displacement as well as dealing with the modification and maintaining control of facial growth.

Probably, there are people who are very conscious of their teeth; this maybe because they are bothered and feel uncomfortable with smiling that perhaps, they could never give the well-aligned smile that they wanted to share to others. When you feel that way, then it might be the right time for orthodontics. The treatment improves the general appearance of your teeth, especially its alignment.

In some cases also the improper bites (malocclusion) can interfere when eating and speaking. Aside from that it might be the reason why you can’t have well-aligned teeth and of which can prevent its proper development.

Orthodontics can provide you with well-aligned teeth and can protect your bite no matter what your age is, but still the younger ones get greater advantage in terms of the duration of the orthodontic treatment. Thus, the bones supporting the young patient’s teeth are more responsive compared to those whose bones supporting the teeth are less likely to adjust to the alignment, like in older people. The treatment does not vary only with age but also with the extensiveness of the procedure and how the patient follows the treatment plan given by their orthodontist.

Orthodontist refers to the dentist focusing on the study and practice of orthodontics. Like other professional field, they are also required to complete an additional year of post-dental school education before they are called a “certified practitioner of orthodontics”.

You can benefit when you go for the orthodontic treatment thus, you can have a well aligned smile and probably, this can give you a more comfortable feeling when you smile, eat and speak.

How to Look for A Dental Insurance

Do you often have to see the dentist? Do your teeth constantly aches and move? Do you have cavities often? If yes, then you should already be looking for a dental insurance. One of the first things people notice when talking to you are your teeth. If you have groovy teeth and or cavities, you might not be that confident to talk with people and much less open your mouth. The only solution is to see a dentist.

And now you're opt to find a dental insurance. When looking for a dental assurance, it is important not to just look for cheap and affordable dental insurance. Besides cost, you want to consider other factors before choosing your next dental insurance plan. Dental insurance can be an effective way to prevent damage to your teeth and gums. A good dental plan should provide you with regular diagnostic and preventive dental care. This is the type of treatment that will help to minimize the number of dental problems that you experience over your lifetime. A good plan covers two cleanings a year. Fluoride treatment and X-rays are also covered. When a problem is found, the ideal dental plan will also absorb some of the costs of the treatment you require, so to make it more affordable for you.

1. Diagnostic and preventive dental care benefits: The most important matter in dental plan is that it provides for regular and on going diagnostic and preventive dental care. Most of the dental problems that a person will encounter throughout their lifetime will be those that could have been avoided or significantly minimized if they were just diagnosed and dealt with at an early stage. Prevention and treating a dental problem at an early stage can significantly reduce the amount of time, money, and effort needed to correct it.

2. Basic dental services and its benefits: When you have chosen a dental plan, it should have the dental treatment that is required to rectify it performed in the time frame suggested by your dentist. Many dental plans will cover 70 to 80 percent of the cost of the following types of dental work. The term "basic dental services" is often used to reference these types of dental procedures and treatments.

3. Major dental services and benefits: More involved dental procedures are usually covered less fully by a dental plan than basic and preventive dental procedures. By structuring a dental plan to provide generous benefits for prevention and early detection of dental disease, the hope is that only a minimal amount of major dental care will ever be required.

Dental plans are usually worth the premium cost and an employer dental insurance plan is the best deal. Buying a family dental insurance plan rather than an individual one can sometimes save you money. Most importantly, know the costs and benefits and find out which dentists participate in the plan. Remember, insurance is an investment; just make a good deal and reap what you have sown on the latter.

What Causes Bad Breath?

You notice that your breath is becoming a hindrance with your social or professional success. And now you observe that you have a bad taste in your mouth. You noticed that people step back when you are talking to them, or they even avoid direct contact with you. Somebody offered you mints or chewing gum and even mouthwash. And you see a yellow film on your tongue. On worst thing is that, your friend confronted you that your breath stinks. And if you seem to have a personal experience of the above mention, therefore bad breath might have hit you.

Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath. It is a common problem that can be a source of embarrassment and is characterized by consistently odorous breath. Bad breath is often found in people with periodontal diseases, including gum abscesses and mouth sores. These diseases are usually attributed to less than admirable oral hygiene, dentures, smoking or teeth restoration, such as bridges.  It may indicate the need to clean the teeth and mouth more often, tooth or gum disease, or intestinal disorders. And the most common cause of bad breath is the food you eat.

The awkward irony of halitosis is that many people aren't aware that they have it. This is because the cells in the nose that are responsible for the sense of smell actually become unresponsive to the continuous stream of bad odor. If you have bad breath, you may need to be told, or you may notice the negative reaction of other people when you're just too close and this is so embarrassing to experience.

Brushing, flossing and seeing your dentist regularly may reduce bad breath. Some dental hygienists recommend brushing your tongue, since it traps large amounts of bacteria. Additional protection against the buildup of bacteria in your mouth can be achieved by rinsing with a mouthwash after you finish brushing. Routinely use a toothpaste or mouthwash containing zinc compounds or stabilized chlorine dioxide to help break down odor-causing sulfur chemicals. Keep an eye on mouth and breathe hygiene. Brushing and flossing regularly keeps your teeth free from small food particles. Scrub the tongue. Brush your tongue or use a commercial tongue scraper regularly to remove odor-causing agents and keep bacteria in check. Get a dental check up to find out if problems associated with oral health are contributing to your halitosis.

Specific treatment for halitosis will be determined by the dentist will be based on the health of your mouth, the cause or origin of the condition, extent of the condition, your tolerance for specific medications, treatments, procedures, or therapies and your preference. The physician may order antibacterial mouthwash, or just an ordinary mouthwash. What would matter the most is how compliant you are with the treatment regimen that would determine the success.

Your physician can tell you if you are taking medications that can cause dry mouth or if you have other medical conditions that may predispose you to dry mouth and bad breath. In either case, chewing gum may stimulate saliva to help prevent dry mouth.

Say goodbye to bad breath and hello to socials!

Promote Good Oral Health!

"A smile is a curve that sets everything straight" says Phyllis Diller. Therefore smiling isn't just because you have a set of good teeth, it also reflects the wide amount of happiness in you. Smile is an important element of your personality. A good set of white teeth illuminates your personality and a yellow teeth smile may be a cause of shame that may become a hindrance to your beauty.

Oral health is indeed regarded as one of the most important factor resulting in physical health as mouth is an area through which we take in food. Thus maintaining a good mouth and beautiful smile is an important factor to enhance your personality and health too. Using a toothbrush frequently and with good technique is a start and one which challenges many people in itself. Brush, floss and go to the dentist these are three common steps that everyone knows can help you keep a beautiful smile, however there are other ways that you don’t know about that can help you achieve the very same goal without having to break your bank account.

The following are tips on how to maintain good oral health:

Tip #1: Brush twice a day as prescribed by your dentist and if possible after every meal with a fluoride contained toothpaste using soft bristled toothbrush. This may be a common advise, but I tell you it's the most crucial and effective.

Tip #2: Execute proper brushing of teeth. Appropriate brushing style is holding the toothbrush at a slight angle against the teeth using short back and forth motions.

Tip #3: Brush the teeth for about two minutes every time and don't forget to brush your tongue too.

Tip #4: Do not forcefully or harshly scrub the gums, it can be harmed.

Tip #5: Replace the tooth brush every three to four months and consider using an electric toothbrush.

Tip #6: To floss, ease the floss gently into your teeth, pull the floss gently back and front forming C, floss back of the tooth. Deal with every gap, every time you floss if you want the best dental health

Tip #7: Softly pull the floss from the gum line to the apex of the tooth to eradicate plaque. After you floss, brush your teeth in the way your dentist or oral hygienist has advised

Tip #8: Ideally, floss twice a day, just like brushing of teeth too.

Tip #9: Dental pick stick enables to clean between the teeth guarantying oral health.

Tip #10: Mouth rinse help reduce plaque between the teeth. Oral devices aim to stream water of the teeth to remove.

Whichever toothbrush and dental floss type you use, get one you like, even if it is a bit more expensive than the budget brand. Then you will not only enjoy using it regularly, but you will also benefit your own dental health every day. A clean and healthy mouth is one assurance of having a lifetime of good oral health. And don't forget that smoking and alchemy can destroy your mouth too.

Oral Hygiene - A Necessary Practice

Good oral hygiene is the best way in preventing the build-up of plaque that causes bad breath due to the formation of bacteria within the oral cavity.  The main cause is poor oral hygiene as our oral cavity would need frequent attention and special everyday maintenance. Negligence as well as inability to maintain good oral hygiene increases your risk of having gum problems as well as other oral diseases like tooth cavities and halitosis.

Practice of good oral hygiene starts from knowing the right and correct techniques of toothbrushing and flossing. Brushing and flossing your teeth will help remove food particles that were left in between your teeth and it prevents calcification of food debris which develops into plaque or tartar.

Bubble gums and mint candies are not effective alternatives for toothbrushing and flossing as they only contribute to bacterial growth and are good sources of food for them.  

Drink plenty of water as it acts as a neutral element and it properly hydrates your oral mucosa. Try to swoosh it around your mouth to help loosen any food particles that increase the number of bacteria in your mouth.

Try visiting your dentist at least twice a year to give you an update of your oral cavity's condition. It gives you more confidence when you feel that everything in you most especially your teeth are healthy and that you don't have to cover your mouth when talking with friends and colleagues because of bad breath. You have to start with an efficient oral hygiene and routine that will keep you away from oral diseases and illnesses.

Yeast Infection on the Corners of the Mouth

An oral yeast infection can be a scary thing and very uncomfortable to look at. Medically,  it happens mostly in infants during the development or eruption of the temporary teeth.

Adults can also get yeast infection on the corners of the mouth so it's important to know how to cure it as fast as possible.

There are many factors that can cause yeast infection on your mouth and these are usually easy to manage as most yeast infections are mostly at the corner part of the oral cavity.

Ill-fitting dentures, people who have been taking steroids, those who have immune deficiencies or rather their immune system is weak, diabetic patient and those taking prolonged  antibiotic therapies usually manifest yeast infections in their oral mucosa.

Having a dry mouth also can lead into this kind of infection thus the condition opens up to high risk of acquiring such disease making it more vulnerable to bacterial or fungal infections.

The corners of the mouth are the most susceptible areas of yeast infection as these are frequently moist and left untouched by the tongue.

People who rub or otherwise irritate the corners of the mouth also tend to develop yeast infections.

White patches or blotches on the corners of your mouth will bleed if they are touched frequently.

The infection is a painful inflammation and the corners of your mouth are usually cracked leading it to bleed easily when touched.

Yeast infection grows easily in moist areas and are usually collected at the skin folds at the corners of your mouth.

Treatment includes:

- Drinking cold liquids to soothe burning sensation

- Rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater

- Avoiding sugary foods to starve the infection and can to be cured easily

- Consulting a dentist to see if your dentures fit well, they may also ask about your oral habits as it may also affect the treatment process for yeast infections. 

Your mouth is one of the center of attractions in your face and is the most useful part for eating and talking so you have to practice good oral hygiene and be aware of the factors that can cause such yeast infections to your oral cavity.

Children's Dental and Oral Health

Oral health is an important part of overall health, and good oral health should start early for the child’s first line of defense against plaque, cavities and bad breath. From the time your child is born, you should start promoting a healthy and good oral hygiene for them.

Parents should ensure that their child’s teeth are well-developed and that they maintain a consistent oral hygiene routine as they grow. This is a continuing process to adulthood.

For babies, you should be careful in taking care of their teeth. You have to know the right way in cleaning their teeth. You can use a soft clean cloth or a ball of cotton soaked in clean water in taking out food debris or milk remnants left in their teeth’s surfaces. Check those surfaces regularly for spots or stains.  If your child’s mouth isn’t properly cleaned, they might suffer from halitosis and gum problems later on.

Tooth decay affects a lot of children mostly in this generation now that there are a lot acidic foods being advertised that easily destroy our teeth with cavities and tartar.

Untreated tooth decay causes pain and infection that may interfere in their eating, speaking, playing and learning. It might also affect their social skills as they won’t have the confidence in showing their decayed teeth to their friends or classmates.

Oral health should be instilled by the parents and must be disciplined to teach your children about dental education and awareness of oral hygiene.

You can encourage them to eat nutritious meals and limit sweet snacks and drinks. This will lower the risk of having tooth decay at a very early age.

Provide low-fat milk and dairy products but rich in calcium. It will strengthen the teeth’s surfaces as well as the enamel to prevent it from being too brittle.

Protect your child’s teeth with fluoride. Provide them toothpastes that contains fluoride. You can also opt for fluoridization with the help of your family dentist. They will you provide information which are necessary before your child undergoes such process.

Schedule regular dental check ups. A dental appointment at least twice a year will help you prevent unnecessary dental visits and additional expenses later on. It updates you on the condition of your child’s teeth as dentists routinely examine it every time you go visit them. 

Having healthy teeth allows your child to eat and chew properly. It also helps children to speak clearly and confidently show their most precious smiles.

Most importantly, it is advisable to educate your child what oral hygiene is and how it is related to their wellness. Poor oral health may affect their growth and school attendance and it also decreases their self-esteem having those black spots on their teeth which are very unsightly.

Obesity and Your Teeth

Obesity refers to a medical condition in which an excess amount of fats in the body is observed. It usually leads to some adverse effects in our health as it decreases life span and increases risks of having various debilitating diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis and some cancer. It is commonly caused by factors such as eating more than your body can take and lack of physical activity. Perhaps there are some cases that it is being inherited or caused by some endocrine disorders and psychological illnesses.

The body mass index (BMI) is a measurement which compares height and weight. A person with a BMI of 30 or more is generally considered an obese. A person with a BMI equal to or more than 25 is considered overweight.

Eating a lot of foods (high in fat/ sugar) can cause decay to your teeth because of the carcinogens that inherits food bacteria and builds plaque or tartar. If you love eating fatty and acidic foods then you are not just prone to obesity but of tooth cavities and some gum problems as well. In some cases teeth fractures easily as it cannot tolerate masticating hard foods most especially if you always eat a lot. 

There are several factors that interact between obesity and tooth decay and it usually is connected through your eating habits. These factors involves lifestyle, physical activity as well as emotional and mental stress. When you've become indulged with eating a lot, your body mass changes and if this happens abruptly your teeth won't be able to support the weight of your buccal muscles or the mastication force that it carries during eating. Physical activities also affects how you eat as you consume energy doing it. Stress and anxiety are two factors affecting most eating habits as some console to food consumption as it gives them temporary relief after eating a lot.

The primary treatment for obesity is to be aware or be in control with the food that you eat (diet). You can eat healthy foods but you have to exercise regularly and take good care of your oral health. Visiting your dentist at least twice a year will help prevent tooth decay as well as maintain as well-cleaned dentition.

Self-Ligating Braces

Self-ligating braces are like those traditional orthodontic brackets but with a different system or mechanism.
It does not require wires or rubber to tie or lock the brackets permanently because it has a "trap-door" device which stays in place together with the Ni-Ti wire. This "trap-door" mechanism loosely holds the brackets and the wire together but with minimal movement and stable tooth manipulation.

Orthodontists prefer this type of treatment today because it requires lesser clinic appointments but with excellent occlusion improvements within weeks or months depending on the case. It also allows the patient to suffer less with having to have the elastics changed from time to time as this doesn't need any.

Dentist On Duty: HOME TEETH WHITENING SAFETY

Dentist On Duty: HOME TEETH WHITENING SAFETY: "Ready to get that “pearly white smile”? Here are some important tips on how to safely whiten your teeth without suffering from harmful effe..."

Clinic hours

Got tired with sum-up appointments and pending articles. But yes, I survived. Gonne write more soon.... Lingual ir self-ligating braces???

A Continuation of the Flap Surgery

Well, yesterday I got an emergency situation where duty calls--- randomly. Our compound care taker cut his tongue during a basketball game that I had to suture it immediately. I was gonna plan on flap surgery, but because the tongue is the most "expressive" muscle in our entire body, I wouldn't be able to do it. So the usual surgery goes. The patient was in pain since anesthesia didn't help causing him to feel terrible  when I inserted the initial suture ( he did take some alcohol a day before this happened). My usual advice to those who are planning to have their teeth extracted is to never drink alcoholic beverages at least a week before the surgery.

I did gave him prophylactic medications and some just to alleviate the pain. The day ended with great relief when the bleeding stopped. It was an inch-long cut and I did only two stitches. As that was my first time to do such procedure on a tongue, since I usually deal with gingival and periodontal flaps-- the usual in the dental office.

Flap Surgery

This was what I just did today. Not on the gingiva but instead on a tongue. More of this tomorrow.

Supernumerary Teeth

I once had a patient who told me has 3 incisors (front teeth) and  had these since her was 9 years old. This is a case of Hyperdontia -- supernumerary teeth.

The most common case for hyperdontia is the mesiodens, where there is an excess number of incisors especially on the upper teeth. Causes may vary but the most common is either hereditary or delayed eruption of the temporary teeth. Diagnostic methods like X-ray will confirm hyperdontia and will help dentists diagnose such case.

Special Toothbrushing Techniques

Did you ever wonder why you still have plaque or tartar on your teeth even if you brush three times daily? Or
Worst have that odorous smell or bad breath even when you swish mouth rinses frequently?

Here's the thing-- studies show that the amount of bacteria being removed does not depend on how many times you brush or gargle mouth rinses, but the quality of your toothbrushing technique.

You have to make sure that you have brushed every surface of each tooth and spent at least 10-15 seconds on each quadrant of your dentition. Make sure to buy soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid abrasion of your teeth surfaces which causes enamel to weaken, hence, bacterial invasion sets in. For children you can have them sing ( in their mind ) their favorite song and wait for it to finish before rinsing. This at least assures you that your child didn't just brush, but cleaned their teeth thoroughly.

Pregnancy and Oral Health

During pregnancy, women experience slight gingivitis and some might experience bleeding gums.
This is because there is a great effect of the hormones during pregnancy causing the gums to swell. This just means that pregnant women are prone to bacterial invasion with the inflamed gums. It attracts food debris to easily access the periodontal pockets causing it to build tartar and plaque.

Such is called "Pregnancy Gingivitis". This is usually noticed on the second month of pregnancy and might get worse up to the eighth month. This is caused by the increased levels of  Progesterone up to 10 times the normal level making the periodontal lining become hyperplastic.

Certain preventive measures can help minimize swelling of the gums. Pregnant women should consult their dentist at least every trimester to check and measure the development of gingivitis. Oral prophylaxis and good oral hygiene can also help.

Facts About Mouth Rinses

There are many benefits you can get from using oral rinses. They promote good oral hygiene too aside from your regular toothbrush-flossing routine. 


Oral rinses usually contain anti-bacterial solutions like cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) and povidone iodine which are very effective in fighting bacterial contamination and cavity formation.


You can rinse your mouth at least twice a day to ensure total protection from oral diseases.

Flossing Helps You Fight Stress

Recent studies have shown that flossing once daily will help decrease tension and stress. Of course you would need to do it correctly. Flossing meticulously cleans the gum lines and vertical walls of the teeth as this can access those which can't be cleaned by toothbrushing alone.

Ask your dentist to teach you the right way to floss your teeth then you will notice the minimal exposure of plaque as well as halitosis (bad breath).

Dentist On Duty: Orthodontic Treatment

Dentist On Duty: Orthodontic Treatment: "Orthodontics has become the most sought after dental treatment most especially here in the Philippines. Most people would want to have brac..."

Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontics has become the most sought after dental treatment most especially here in the Philippines.

Most people would want to have braces on not just for dental treatment purposes, but esthetically as well. Orthodontics is one of the most advanced technologies in dental medicine and it is the most up to date specialization in the field.

There are many types of orthodontic treatments as well as the materials and methods used. You can choose from lingual, porcelain, self-ligating and the newest of the family-- invisalign.

Malocclusions, TMJ problems and maxillofacial disproportions are mostly treated by orthodontic braces and it uniquely enhances one's facial profile in just a matter of months.

Today, esthetics plays a vital role in orthodontics. This is because people have made this as a "status symbol" and not just merely for treatment purposes. This is why porcelain brackets are being invented to enhance those who would want to have perfectly occluded teeth and stunning smile even with braces on.d

Tomorrow, I will be meeting one of my patients who is a good candidate indicated for orthodontic treatment. I still need panoramic, cephalometric and other diagnostic tests to be able to diagnose her case before installing her braces.

Dentist on the Go

I'll be applying for the Cebu Dental Society Mobile Clinic and I hope that they will accept me.

I would really love to travel into different places as well as provide quality dental care to people in different societies and culture.

WISH me luck!!!!

Cosmetic Dentistry - The Answer to Brighten Up One’s Smile

Learn the new trends of aesthetic dentistry and how beneficial it is for us to dig deeper into this new technology where you don’t have to hide chipped-off, discolored or nonaligned teeth. Get to know more about teeth whitening or bleaching, bonding, veneers, latest trend in orthodontic treatment and dental implants.

Worried about how you smile in front of others? Does your teeth look weak and discolored? Want to have a great smile? The answer is here! Cosmetic dentistry has become more and more popular because of its advanced technologies in making teeth more whiter, aligned and stable. The field of dentistry has already developed a system on how to deliver maximum quality care and service to dental patients and satisfy their needs of having that beautiful smile that they’ve always wanted.

Sail into these vast knowledge as to how cosmetic dentistry enhances your teeth to create a brighter and beautiful smile:

Bleaching

Bleaching or tooth whitening system has become more and more popular in this generation because in just a few minutes it eliminates unsightly discoloration of your teeth due to nicotine stains, aging and drug-intake effects. The patient is thoroughly informed through orientation by dentist as to how the treatment will proceed. Tooth whitening can either be done at home or at the dental office. For take-home-whitening system, the patient is given a whitening kit included with a custom-made bleaching tray and tooth whitening gel to be applied and worn overnight for at least 3-4 weeks. On the other hand, tooth bleaching done at the dental clinic can last only up to 30 minutes depending on the desired shade for the patient. Dentists use a laser-type of light to be conducted over the solution applied on the tooth’s surfaces to initiate the whitening process. Results vary depending on the use of the whitening gel and this is usually monitored by the dentists. 

Bonding

This type of dental treatment involves putting the fractures, chipped or broken surfaces of the tooth back into its original shape. It uses a special type of composite resin that is similar to the natural teeth’s color and surfaces and once you wear it you’ll never notice the fractured area of your teeth.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are shell-type porcelain material which enhances the esthetic view of your teeth. It is indicated for minimally crowded, misaligned or disproportioned teeth. These are attached on the labial or buccal surfaces of the teeth to camouflage the abnormalities of the natural dentition.

Orthodontic treatment

There have become recent and advanced technologies in orthodontic treatment and Invisalign is one of them. It is less visible when worn and does not require meticulous attachment of titanium wires and brackets that is why it is mostly favored by patients nowadays.

Dental Implants

Dental implant is a breakthrough on top of dentistry’s new advances. It surrogates relief for countless mishaps for patients who undergo bridgework and denture fabrication as it creates a stable and strong support for such dental pieces. The procedure is done by inserting a screw-type metal into the jaw and stabilizing it before insertion of dentures. Patients with ill-fitting dentures take relief into this technology as they will never experience again having their dentures rebased or re-constructed from time to time.

With cosmetic dentistry, people have come to know more about how their teeth can be enhanced to shy-out the perfect smile they’ve been wanting their whole life.

What Makes a Good Dentist

Everybody wants to be successful in their careers and profession. Of course we all worked hard for it. So we think "We deserve it". Nontheless, why would we dream to be one if we haven't dropped ourselves out?

When I was 4 years old, I only had four dreams of becoming in the future-- become an astronaut, a nun, a pediatrician, and a dentist. I never realized this one steamy dream when I got to my secondary education.

Last month of my last school year in high school, I was with my friends attending our Career Orientation Seminar. Then each of us were asked what do we want to become? I proudly answered "Dentist" thinking it is already impossible to be an astronaut. I was also enjoying the feeling of mutual infatuation at that time so I was never gonna be a nun and I can always proceed to medicine right after college if I want to be a Pediatrician. Dentistry was my only option then. I was on the right track--- I thought.

Being in college was really difficult as I never have imagined it to be. I was studying and at the same time worrying if my parents could ever suffice the troublesome money that I would need for clinical work and requirements plus matriculation. But I've survived. I graduated college ripe after 7 years.

When I passed the dentist's licensure examination, I was deeply enthralled of that feeling to practice my profession and be able to develop my skills in it. So here I am now, working hard, happy and contented with my profession. I was never wrong. I choose the right choice and I've lived with it.

Being a good dentist does not necessarily require you to graduate with honors or colorful flags. It is about rendering the best quality of service to your patients, whether they pay you or not. Of course money is important to live your dream. But make sure that you are being paid for the right service and that you are giving it back to who deserves it. It is about fulfillment-- to be an epic of knowledge and basic skills and be able to share it with those who need it.

HOME TEETH WHITENING SAFETY

Ready to get that “pearly white smile”? Here are some important tips on how to safely whiten your teeth without suffering from harmful effects of improper whitening treatment procedures. Know the essentials and preparations before getting that dazzling smile that you’ll always be proud of.

Cosmetic dentistry has truly placed a magical world for people to have what they’ve always wanted-- glistening white teeth. Some would say that having that beautiful smile boosts up their self-confidence and were able to increase their self-worth because of that very attractive teeth are not shameful enough to see. People are more and more informed of the many advanced technologies in dentistry and tooth whitening system is one of these. In order to get the right treatment and to keep them safe from such procedure, one must be educated about this type of dental treatment and he must be assured that his dentist is knowledgeable enough to achieve a successful outcome.

So how safe is teeth whitening? That is one question you should ask to your dentist first. You should always feel confident about whatever dental procedures you are undergoing because you are well-informed and properly oriented. Know the possible side effects and proper maintenance after the treatment. Also, ask how often should you visit your dentist to check on your teeth.

Next is to know the components of the whitening or bleaching system. The main component of your teeth whitening gel is Carbamide peroxide which is activated when being placed under a special laser for dental clinic settings while for home treatment it takes longer to achieve a lighter shade as you have to apply it every night using a custom-made tray. There are some special instructions that you must be reminded of before applying this whitening gel. You have to make sure you don’t apply it to the gum area as this can irritate soft tissues of your oral cavity and that includes your gums. Apply the gel only to the surfaces of your teeth. This is the reason why it is most recommended to just let your dentist do the treatment or if necessary have the entire procedure demonstrated before you do it at home.

Once you are ready for the treatment process you must take note of some side effects and if you experience one you must promptly tell your dentist to ensure proper management of such case.Pay attention to the instructions at your whitening treatment product brochure and always test for allergic reactions before applying it to your teeth. You can test it on your skin and observe if it does not itch or gets reddish in color. After such test you can then try it on your teeth.

For take-home whitening products, you will observe changes of your teeth’s shade after 4 days or so. Dental chair treatments only last for about 30 minutes since dentists have lasers to speed up the activation of Carbamide peroxide in the whitening gel.

Basic safety information is very important since you are dealing with one important part of your body--- your oral cavity. You have to be cautious enough and be ready to inform your dentist if adverse effects take place after the treatment process. Basically teeth whitening gels are specially made to produce a whiter, brighter teeth without causing too much damage to your teeth. But you still have to take the necessary precautions and maintain good and proper oral hygiene.

You are now set for your teeth whitening treatment. Treat yourself with this truly satisfying feeling of having to show off that pearly-white smile and boost up your confidence knowing that you have one of the most beautiful smiles in the world.

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