The Art Of Smile Making Cosmetic Dentistry Blog | Dr. Steven Lind

The prospect of visiting the dentist's office conjures up a great deal of anxiety and fear in many people. We understand this. We remember visiting the dentist in the "old days." Seeing many of the standard dental instruments of even 20 years ago is enough to make us cringe.

Much has changed in the field of dentistry in the last several years. In fact, nearly every procedure has become faster, more effective, and less painful than ever before. New technologies, techniques, and the availability of advanced training have helped make this possible.

Among these new technologies are advances in what has come to be referred to as "sedation dentistry." Many different kinds of sedatives are available to today's patient to help ensure that their dental experience is as pleasant as possible. These may include various combinations of oral sedatives (pills), intravenous, and inhaled sedatives (nitrous oxide) used with local anesthetics.

During your consultation with your sedation dentist, you will discuss your fears and anxieties and any past dental trauma you may have experienced. With this information, your dentist can custom-tailor a sedation plan that best fits your needs and desires. After all, it is in both of our best interests that you have a pleasant dental visit.

Avoiding dental care will only lead to more extensive problems down the road. If you are putting off dental work out of fear or anxiety, you are strongly encouraged to consider the great benefits of sedation dentistry. If you live in the Portland or Beaverton area, please contact The Art of Smile Making today to arrange a free consultation.

The field of cosmetic dentistry and "Smile Makeovers" has gotten the lion's share of media attention in recent years. There is nothing wrong with this. We believe that feeling confident about one's smile is something everyone deserves. However, we would like to remind our patients about the importance of having a properly aligned bite. The importance of a proper bite cannot be overestimated. In fact, if your bite is not aligned properly, this may prohibit you from being a candidate for many cosmetic dental procedures.

If you have teeth that are chipped, worn, or cracked, there is a good chance that this is due to some misalignment of your upper and lower jaws. Many things can cause misalignment (malocclusion); heredity, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), trauma to the mouth, and teeth grinding to name just a few. Any tooth, jaw, neck, or other facial pain may indicate a bite problem.

Many cases of malocclusion are immediately obvious after a brief visual examination by your dentist. Some cases are not so easy to detect, which is not to say they pose less of a threat. For these more subtle cases, we have the most advanced technologies available to diagnose and treat bite problems including MRI, K6, EMG, and sonograph.

If you have damaged teeth, or are experiencing any pain while chewing or talking, you may have a bite problem. The sooner you seek treatment, the better. Minor malocclusion can rapidly develop into very serious, painful, and expensive complications. Our dentists have the tools and expertise to diagnose and effectively treat your malocclusion. If you live in the Portland area, please contact The Art of Smile Making today to arrange a complimentary consultation.

We recommend dental implants to nearly every patient we encounter who is missing a tooth. Just about everyone with otherwise good dental health is a candidate for implants. The many advantages of implants are so great in comparison to dentures and traditional bridges that implants are the obvious choice for many.

Implants are not for everyone, however, especially when several consecutive teeth are missing. Replacing four or five consecutive missing teeth with implants can get extremely pricey. For these patients, it often makes more sense to use one or two implants as supports for one or two sets of bridges. We have performed many successful restorations using this strategy, and our results look just as good with these as if we had performed an all-implant restoration. In terms of aesthetics, no one would be able to tell the difference between an implant/bridge hybrid and an all-implant restoration.

This is great news for people who are missing many teeth and who cannot afford the expense involved with multiple implants. While an all-implant restoration may be ideal, proper care and maintenance will ensure that your bridge/implant restoration will last for many years.

If you are missing several teeth, then you are very likely the perfect candidate for bridges and implants. If you live in the Portland or Beaverton area, please contact The Art of Smile Making today to arrange a complimentary consultation.

Anyone who has had a regular dental checkup or had a filling is aware of the service general dentistry provides. General dentistry is concerned primarily with the “general” function and health of your teeth and gums. A cosmetic dentist is also a general dentist, but with the added training to address cosmetic, aesthetic issues through the skilled application of such things as porcelain veneers, crowns, and a number of other treatments that improve the look of your teeth and smile.

So what does a neuromuscular dentist do?

A neuromuscular dentist has general dental training, and often cosmetic dental training as well. However, neuromuscular dentists have training beyond these fields in the diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) and related conditions. Of all the joints in the human body, the temporomandibular joints are among the most complex – if not the most complex. When a temporomandibular joint does not work properly, a “domino effect” of problems tends to follow. Severe cases of TMD often affect the entire body, not just the health of your teeth, gums, and jaw. Please visit our TMD page for complete information about the condition.

TMD may not be all that difficult to detect. However, pinpointing the cause and preparing an effective treatment plan requires a significant amount of expertise and training. If you suffer from TMD, then a consultation with a qualified neuromuscular dentist is strongly encouraged. If you live in the Portland area, please contact The Art of Smile Making today to arrange a complimentary consultation.

We recommend dental implants to nearly all of our patients who are missing teeth. There are several reasons for this.

Implants are low-maintenance – You can brush and floss an implant just as you would a natural tooth. No extra tools are necessary.

Implants will not decay – This is also true of dentures and bridges. However, dental bridges are built upon your natural tooth enamel, which will continue to be susceptible to decay.

Implants preserve jawbone structure – A missing tooth will eventually lead to further dental complications. This is inevitable. With no tooth or root to stimulate the surrounding tissue, that surrounding tissue will deteriorate, causing adjacent teeth to shift toward the gap. A “domino effect” of shifting teeth, and tooth loss will result if this gap is not filled. Implants are the only sure way to maintain your existing jaw structure.

Implants are the most cost-effective solution – The initial cost for a dental implant can be steep. However, the cost of multiple dental visits associated with denture replacements and bridge replacement procedures often exceeds the cost of an implant. We offer a variety of financing options that make the dental implant procedure affordable to nearly everyone.

The sooner you seek treatment for your missing tooth, the better. Just about anyone with one or more missing teeth is a candidate for implants. A consultation with a qualified cosmetic dentist will be necessary to determine your candidacy. If you live in the Portland area, please contact The Art of Smile Making today to arrange a consultation.

While dental crowns are one of our most common procedures, they are also one of the procedures offering the most benefit to patients.

What is a crown?

Crowns are a type of dental restoration that when cemented into place, fully cover the portion of the tooth above the gum line. Because a crown encases the entire visible aspect of a tooth, it effectively becomes part of the tooth's new outer surface.

What are crowns made out of?

Crowns can be made out of porcelain, metal or a combination of both. Most patients today prefer porcelain crowns due to their natural appearance.

Why would I need a crown?

We would generally recommend a crown to restore a tooth to its original shape, to strengthen a tooth or to improve the cosmetic appearance of a tooth.

How are crowns placed?
We will make an impression of your tooth and a dental laboratory will create the crown. You may wear a temporary crown until the permanent crown is prepared. Once ready, the permanent crown will be cemented onto your tooth. Crowns usually last ten to fifteen years.

Dr. Steven Lind at the Art of Smile Making in Lake Oswego, Oregon can explain how dental crowns can make your teeth look natural and beautiful.

At the Art of Smile Making, we have seen tooth-colored fillings quickly replace traditional metal fillings as the filling of choice for patients wanting a natural, healthy-looking smile.

What are tooth-colored fillings?
Tooth-colored, or white, fillings are the fillings made out of a composite resin that is the same natural color as your own teeth. They are often bonded to the tooth, which helps to strengthen it.

What are the advantages of tooth-colored fillings?
In addition to their natural appearance, tooth-colored fillings are generally preferred by cosmetic dentists because they require the removal of less tooth structure than silver fillings, allowing you to keep more of your natural tooth.

While somewhat more expensive than silver fillings, tooth-colored fillings are widely considered the better choice due to the fact that they strengthen the tooth. Plus, they don't contain mercury, which is considered by many to be a toxic substance.

Who needs tooth-colored fillings?
If you currently have silver fillings, they can be easily replaced with tooth-colored fillings to match your own teeth. If you have a new cavity, you may want to consider a tooth-colored filling over a silver filling.

How long do they last?
With proper care, tooth-colored fillings can often last 5 to 10 years before needing replacement.

Dr. Steven Lind at the Art of Smile Making in Lake Oswego, Oregon can explain how tooth-colored fillings can make your teeth look natural and beautiful.