Cosmetic dentistry has become a hot topic as both young professionals and baby boomers seeking to improve their smile, but it is a term that can mean different things to different people.

Some people associate cosmetic dentistry with looking younger – something like a dental facelift that can rewind the natural aging process of their teeth. Other people have developed a host of dental challenges that leave their teeth and smile needing a comprehensive approach rather than temporary fixes, and other yet, who have always felt self-conscious about their smile.

Much as cosmetic dentistry does not mean the same thing to everyone, a good cosmetic dentist offers a wide variety of treatment options for people seeking to enhance their smile. The options range from teeth whitening to porcelain veneers to Invisalign or braces.  In many cases, a combination of these dental techniques is required to deliver the best results.

Here are some examples of the most widely used forms of cosmetic dentistry in action:

Whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in dentistry today. This fantastic dental procedure effectively provides a quick way for patients to achieve a beautiful white smile. There are several professional whitening procedures, both in office and at home which can be used to enhance your smile.

Composite Fillings

Traditional mercury fillings fail over time as the conditions of the tooth and mouth change. Worse yet, mercury fillings can crack otherwise healthy teeth as they expand and contract due to heat and cold. Newer, longer lasting composite fillings are a very effective replacement for old mercury fillings.  At Downtown Dental Group in Nanaimo, we only use composite fillings from the beginning!

Smile Makeover

A smile makeover is the ultimate restoration of your smile’s youthful appearance. A smile makeover encompasses all the necessary components of cosmetic dentistry for you to achieve a beautifully youthful and healthy smile.

The goal is to create a rejuvenated natural smile properly proportioned to your face. With advancements in cosmetic dentistry almost anything is possible. For example, crooked unbalanced teeth can be immediately improved through dental crowns or porcelain veneers.  This is known as “instant orthodontics”. Porcelain veneers are also often utilized to fix chipped and broken teeth and enhance the appearance of your natural smile.

Gum Therapy

A healthy smile is not just about healthy teeth, it’s about the overall health of your mouth and body. Using advanced ultrasonic Cleaning techniques, dentists are now able to combat bacteria growth and help the body use its own natural defenses to increase overall oral health. Treatments are also available to contour gum tissue to improve health or to reduce a “gummy” smile.

Neuromuscular Dentistry

Some smile improvements are not just cosmetic. Many of these treatments, such as neuromuscular dentistry, can improve bite problems such as over-bite, under-bite or cross-bite. When treated to maintain a proper jaw position, patients find a lifetime of jaw pain and headaches can be resolved in just a few appointments.

Which procedure is right for me?

Our dentists at our Downtown Nanaimo, BC, dental clinic can answer any questions you may have about techniques used to improve your smile. The condition of your teeth and results you seek often indicates the best procedure. We often give our patients a range of treatment options for best case scenario to short term or even temporary repair.  It’s always up to you to choose.

Contact us today to book an appointment or read more about cosmetic dentistry on our website!

If you are missing a tooth or several teeth, dental bridges are a very natural looking way to replace them. Dental bridges not only help restore the function of your missing teeth, but have several advantages that may make them the right treatment option for you.

Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group in Nanaimo, BC welcomes you to read more about dental bridges and contact us for an appointment to discuss whether or not a dental bridge might be the solution you are looking for.

Restore your smile

Missing teeth often affect the appearance of your smile – unless they are at the back of your mouth.  Dental bridges fill in the teeth and look as natural as your surrounding teeth.

Maintain facial shape

Your face and jaw bone can change shape if you are missing one or several teeth. Your jaw bone needs the pressure from the teeth chewing to stimulate it to regenerate.  Without the teeth there, the jawbone recedes.  Replacing lost teeth will help maintain facial shape and minimize changes to your face and jaw.

Prevent chewing problems

TMD is caused when your teeth are not meeting properly and the bite becomes imbalanced.  This leads to a host of symptoms including headaches, earaches, jaw pain and even neck and shoulder pain.   Since missing teeth cause you to favor chewing on one side consistently, this behavior could lead to bite issues and more serious jaw joint issues such as TMD.

Allow you to speak properly

Teeth are important to proper pronunciation in speech. Missing teeth can quickly affect the way you talk. A dental bridge provides the same function as a natural tooth and immediately allows normal speech ability to return.

Prevent teeth from shifting

When a tooth is missing, the teeth around the space tend to shift, tilt, or drift into that space. Once teeth have shifted, it is not easy to shift them back.  A dental bridge holds the space of the missing tooth and prevents undesired changes to the neighboring teeth.

Advantages of dental bridges compared to implants

Dental implants have become a popular alternative to dental bridges and may indeed be a good choice for you.  Since we’re on the topic of advantages of dental bridges, however, the following are a couple of the significant advantages.

• Bridges are much less expensive than implants, especially if multiple teeth need to be replaced.
• If your bone has recessed at the site of the missing tooth, implants may require bone grafting

Please contact us to consult one of our Nanaimo dentists if you would like to find out which treatment option would be best to replace your missing teeth.  We look forward to meeting you at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group soon!

Teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic procedure in dentistry and every year millions of North Americans undertake to whiten and brighten their smiles.  We all know that having a white smile makes us look and feel younger – and in the end, a whiter smile makes us want to smile more often to show it off!

At Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group, we have several teeth whitening options to suit your needs and your budget – everything from in-office teeth whitening to smile makeovers.  We also have a great financing plan to help you achieve the smile you desire sooner.

We welcome you to book a consultation today to find out how we can help you. In the meantime, here are some tips that you can start using today to have the white, healthy smile you deserve!

Brush and Floss Regularly

The best thing you can do to keep you smile healthy and white is to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. Since plaque is one of the culprits that cause teeth to yellow, regular brushing and flossing help to remove plaque before it can give your teeth a yellow hue.

Flossing is extremely important and should not be overlooked. Up to 30% of your tooth surfaces are between the teeth, so it stands to reason that you can’t have a white smile without flossing!  Regular flossing helps to remove stains between teeth and make your smile whiter.

Whitening Floss

Whitening floss is available in stores.  Since we understand how important flossing is, why not whiten while you floss.

Electric Toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes provide more plaque removing benefit than just brushing by hand.  It’s a good investment in maximizing your time brushing and getting the whitest smile possible.

Whitening Toothpastes

Whitening toothpaste is a bit of a misnomer, as toothpaste alone doesn’t whiten teeth.  It does, however, help scrub away stains before they settle in and discolor your enamel. Whitening toothpastes may be more effective at removing stains as they act to exfoliate plaque from the teeth.

Whitening Foods

Certain foods have been shown to stain teeth.  These include: red wine, berries, soy sauce, and curry.  While you do not have to avoid teeth staining foods altogether, it is a good idea to brush soon after ingesting them to reduce their ability to stain your enamel.

On the other hand, fresh and fibrous foods like celery, carrots, spinach, apples, and broccoli actually serve the function of removing stains by cleaning the teeth before deep staining can occur.

Eating cheese after a meal has been shown to help prevent cavities and promote enamel re-mineralization.  Healthy enamel is very important to tooth whitening as it protects the layer of the tooth called dentin which is the part that actually determines the color of your tooth. Strong enamel means a proactive barrier against yellowing of the teeth!

Time Your Brushing

To be effective, studies have shown that brushing should take at least two minutes. Time yourself and see if you’re brushing long enough.

We welcome you to read more about teeth whitening at Downtown Dental Group, in Nanaimo BC.  Please contact us to book an appointment – we look forward to meeting you soon!

A missing tooth could be more of a problem than you might imagine. Did you know that since each of your teeth depend on one another to keep their position, a missing tooth can cause your teeth to shift and tilt?

Another often overlooked fact is how the missing tooth affects your jaw bone.  Since one of the functions of a tooth is to stimulate bone renewal, once the tooth is gone, the bone quickly starts to recede and disappear.

All things considered, it’s very important to replace a missing tooth as soon as possible – and dental implants are becoming one of the top choices to do so.

How Does a Dental Implant Work?

A small titanium post acts as a substitute for the root of the tooth and creates a very strong anchor for a custom made dental crown. Implants can be used individually, or to support a number of dental prostheses, including implant-supported bridges and dentures.

Advantages of Dental Implants

Natural Appearance
A porcelain crown placed over the dental implant will look as natural as possible.

No Impact to Other Teeth
Since dental implants do not require restorations on the neighboring teeth, you don’t need multiple restorations on teeth that may not need it otherwise.

Stimulates Bone Renewal
Since bone regenerates due to stimulation from teeth rooted in the bone, a dental implant stimulates the bone and gums as much as a natural tooth would.

High Success Rate
The success rate for implants is remarkable: 98 percent for lower implants and 91 percent for upper implants.

Easy Care
A dental implant can be brushed and flossed normally.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

As with all things, good care is required to make your dental implants last.  With regular care and good hygiene habits, it’s possible that your implants can last for a lifetime.

Find Out if a Dental Implant is Right For You

The best dental implant candidates are in good health, have healthy gum tissues and adequate bone in the jaw to support the implant.

We welcome you to read more about dental implants at Downtown Dental Group in Nanaimo on our website and to contact us to book an appointment.  We look forward to meeting you soon!

A Quick Solution to Crowded or Spaced Teeth

Do you have mild crowding or spacing of your teeth? Or perhaps you’ve had braces or Invisalign before and your teeth have started shifting out of place?

Invisalign Express is a quick and affordable solution for mild crowding or spacing that may be the orthodontic solution you’re looking for.

What is Invisalign?

In case you haven’t heard of Invisalign, adults and teens now have a much better choice for straightening their teeth. Wires and brackets are no longer required for suitable candidates of Invisalign, a nearly invisible alternative to metal braces.   Invisalign uses a series of clear and removable aligners gradually moving teeth into their correct position.

Invisalign for Teens

Invisalign teen is an amazing product that takes much of the discomfort of traditional braces out of the picture, allowing you to remove the aligners while eating and cleaning your teeth.  For teens, the traumatic experience of trying not to smile to hide a mouth full of metal braces is no longer necessary.   Your teen will also be more motivated to wear the Invisalign aligners as they will be able to see steady progress and improvement clearly.

What is Invisalign Express?

Invisalign Express is a five-stage treatment for straightening teeth using nearly invisible aligners that can correct minor orthodontic issues in as little as three months!  Since the treatment is shorter than a full Invisalign treatment and requires only five sets of aligners, there are substantial savings to you.

How does Invisalign Express Work?

Patients who fit the criteria for this new treatment option receive a series of five aligner sets.  Each set of aligners is changed approximately every two weeks. During this period of time, the patient’s teeth will gradually move toward the desired position.

Take advantage of an economical and effective treatment option for people with minor alignment issues and book an appointment with Dr. Mahara at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group in Nanaimo, BC to discuss Invisalign Express.

You’ll find our dental team professional, respectful and ready to answer all of your questions about Invisalign or any of your family’s dental health needs.  We look forward to your call or email today!

Hockey players may make missing teeth look like no big deal – but the reality is quite the opposite! In fact, every tooth in your mouth serves a valuable function, even a missing tooth in the back of the mouth which is not visible in your smile.

Why is this?  You could say that each tooth in your mouth depends on the others to keep its proper position and furthermore that even your face and lips depend on your teeth to maintain its ideal shape.

The fact is that missing teeth create a space that eventually will lead to shifting and tilting of adjacent teeth or opposing teeth, or if many teeth are missing, allow significant changes to the shape of the face and mouth.

The more teeth that are lost and not replaced, the increased chance that wrinkles and lines will form and the cheeks and lips will collapse, causing you to look older than you are.

The jawbone is another major consideration.  As soon as a tooth is lost, either from gum disease or an extraction, the supporting bone in the jaw begins to dissolve. Over time, loss of bone and shifting of teeth can limit dental options for replacing the missing teeth.

The ideal solution is to replace a missing tooth as soon as possible after it is lost. This will retain your oral health by preventing bone loss and reduce movement of surrounding teeth.

Keep in mind that your teeth are there to serve you with more than the ability to chew alone. A full set of teeth are necessary for the health of the gum and jaw tissues as well, not to mention the obvious affects on your confidence and well-being.

If you’re missing one or more teeth, you have several options for making your smile complete:

• a fixed bridge
• a complete denture
• implants

Our team at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group is here to help you get a healthy smile back after losing a tooth or several teeth.  After a consultation with our Nanaimo dentists on Vancouver Island, we’ll advise you on the most suitable treatment option for your unique situation.

If finances are holding you back, we have a convenient and low cost financing option to help you get your full and healthy smile back. Contact us today to book an appointment.

Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group is proud to serve your complete dental health needs in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.  Our Nanaimo dentists and dental hygienists believe in continuous learning to bring you the latest technology in dental medicine and our team of dental professionals aspire to the highest level of patient care.  At each visit to our office we treat you with the respect, honesty and dignity that you deserve.

Would you trade the overall health of your teeth for a perfectly aligned, beautiful smile? Of course not! Luckily these two goals are not mutually exclusive. Dental health is always the number one goal for our patients, so before we discuss the benefits of Invsalign, you need to know why having straight teeth is actually vital to creating a healthy vibrant mouth and smile.

Why straighten?

Are your teeth crowded or too widely spaced?  Beware, as swollen, red gums prone to periodontal disease can often be the result.  Crowded teeth can lead to plaque accumulation and tooth decay, while spacing issues between teeth can lead to gum problems due to lack of protection by the teeth as well as periodontal pockets.

Properly aligned teeth allow the gums to fit more securely around the teeth, allowing for the strongest and healthiest defence against potential periodontal problems.

Do you have an overbite or underbite?

As with crowded or widely spaced teeth, these conditions not only affect your appearance, but could be causing dental problems and leaving you more prone to periodontal disease.

If you suffer from teeth crowding, spacing, overbite or underbite, you’ll be pleased to know that traditional metal braces are not the only option.

Invisalign, clear, removable solution for orthodontics

Invisalign is a patent technology that uses a series of custom made clear aligners that fit on to your teeth.   Invisalign treatments last between  4 – 12 months for less complex cases and 18 – 30 months for more complex cases.  The trays must be worn for 22 hours per day to be effective, but may be removed for eating and regular cleaning.

There are many advantages to using Invisalign over traditional metal and wire braces.  Since you can remove the aligners, it’s much easier to maintain good oral hygiene while straightening your teeth.  There is little to no discomfort in terms of contact with soft tissues in your mouth and the aligners are virtually un-noticeable to those around you.

Invisalign is often the treatment of choice for adults, but teens can also use Invisalign to straighten their teeth.  In fact, Invisalign for teens provides for the free replacement of up to 6 aligner trays throughout the treatment plan.

In terms of cost, Invisalign treatment is comparable to traditional braces and many extended health insurance providers recognize Invisalign and provide benefits in the same way as any orthodontic procedure.  To spread the cost out over a period of time, talk to our Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group receptionist about our no fee dental financing program.

Invisalign is a great technology that may be able to help you improve the health and appearance of your smile while maintaining your comfort like never before possible.  As a certified Invisalign provider, Dr. Mahara at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group welcomes you to book a consultation to discuss whether Invisalign is a suitable option for you.

Please link to the following pages on our website to find out how Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group can make Invisalign work for you.

If you’re not happy with your smile and ready to make a change, Dr. Mahara at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group is here to help you get there.

The smile makeover process includes 3 steps after the initial consultation:

1) The Treatment Plan
2) The Smile Makeover Prep Session
3)  The Finishing Session

Of great importance, each step of the process has carefully planned quality checks built in to ensure your maximum comfort and the maximum success in creating your perfect smile.

What makes Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group’s approach to a smile makeover successful?

• Each person’s smile is unique. Your smile makeover will be designed and planned to identify your ideal smile and ensure that your investment in your smile is protected from early wear.
• We take the time to listen to your concerns and answer all of your questions.
• We do our best to maximize your comfort.  Does the thought of temporary veneers or crowns sound uncomfortable? Today’s temporary veneers and crowns feel and look so real that no one will even know they are not permanent.  Does the thought of dental procedures make you uncomfortable?  Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group prides itself on providing options to improve your comfort during procedures.
• Is cost an issue? Apply for no fee financing to put your smile makeover in your budget.

Contact Downtown Dental Group today to book a smile makeover consultation.

Do you suffer from any of the following: headaches or earaches, especially in the morning? Biting or chewing difficulty or discomfort?  Clicking or popping sound when opening or closing the mouth? Reduced ability to open or close the mouth?  Unexplained neck and shoulder pain?

If any or all of the above symptoms fit you, it’s possible that the root cause of these symptoms is TMD or Temporomandibular joint disorder.  In simple terms TMD refers to an imbalance in the joint where your jaw bone meets the skull.

Why would an imbalance in your jaw cause earaches, headaches or even face and neck pain?
The Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is special for a couple of reasons.  First, unlike the joint of your finger which allows movement in a single direction, the TMJ also allows movement from side to side.  This is needed for chewing food –as you’ll notice that you not only bite up and down but also side to side.  The second is that is contains no pain sensors where the bone meets cartilage.  Therefore if there’s stress on the TMJ it’s not felt there, but rather in surrounding areas.  This shows up as headaches, earaches, facial pain, even neck and shoulder pain.

What causes TMD?
There are several possible reasons for the TMD, a few of them being: repetitive unconscious clenching or grinding of teeth at night, injuries from falls or sports, misaligned tooth surfaces, excessive gum chewing or nail biting or degenerative joint disease.

Is there a cure for TMD?
The correct diagnosis of TMD is the first challenge.  Up until quite recently, little was known about the effects of TMD.  Also, most people visit a physician for the types of pain associated with TMD and many physicians are not aware of this potential cause.

The symptoms of TMD can be alleviated once the correct cause of the disorder is identified.  In fact there is now a whole branch of dentistry dedicated to the detection and care of TMD called Neuromuscular Dentistry.  Since it is a specialized field of dentistry, it’s important to be referred to a dentist who has been properly trained in Neuromuscular Dentistry.

To learn more about TMD and Dr. Mahara’s training in Neuromuscular Dentistry, please visit the Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group website.  To book an appointment, contact us today.

A lot of people don’t love their smile and will do odd things to hide it – like changing hairstyles, wearing funky clothing or cultivating a year-round tan.

Smile whitening is the quickest and cheapest way to make a huge impact on the quality of your smile – yet whitening toothpastes and drug store whitening kits have left many teeth whitening experimenters exhausted, perplexed and disappointed. Why is this?

The fact is there are many reasons for teeth staining or discoloration and there are specific dental teeth whitening approaches to each. This article provides the quick facts with a link to more details about all the issues surrounding teeth whitening.

Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group’s dentists and dental professionals recognize that you are a unique individual and we want to help you find the best teeth whitening solution for you.

We also understand that you need to be fully informed when you make the decision to whiten your teeth and start smiling!

What Stains Teeth?

• Surface Stains: Caused by strong discoloring agents such as coffee, tea, tobacco, blueberries, red wine
• Soft Deposits:  Caused by plaque
• Intrinsic Stains: Caused by medications, such as tetracycline; trauma to tooth leading to internal bleeding; advanced decay; defective silver fillings

What are the teeth whitening treatment options?

Polishing
This is the lowest cost form of teeth whitening used to treat minor surface stains.  Microabrasion is a more advanced form of polishing that can be used for deeper stains.

Tooth whitening
If you are happy with the shape and proportion of your teeth and want a brighter smile, teeth whitening is a relatively inexpensive and noninvasive approach.

Dental office whitening is quicker as it uses professionally dispensed stronger and freshly prepared agents under a controlled environment.

Professional home whitening is also an option that spreads the treatment period over 10 days to 2 weeks.  The downside of this is that you need to take care of the custom trays and maintain the supplies.

The third option is prefilled disposable trays also known as whitening on the go. You apply them for just 20 minutes a day and dispose of them after you are done.

Bonding
Bonding can be used to cosmetically contour teeth and mask many types of stains.  However, bonded teeth tend to stain easily and require periodic repair.  Bonding is a good teeth whitening option only if you are not a heavy smoker or coffee drinker and are willing to take extra care of your new smile.

Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain doesn’t stain so has the property of staying attractive for a much longer time as it is custom fabricated at a lab. Porcelain veneers can be very conservative and can be as thin as 0.3 milimeters but can have the added benefit of improving the shape of teeth and the bite.

Crowns
Crowns are not normally recommended for discolored but otherwise healthy teeth.  For teeth with other functional issues, such as large fillings or excessive wear, weak teeth due to crack and craze lines, crowns may be an option.  Like porcelain veneers, crowns provide re-shaping of teeth and are resistant to staining. Crowns provide support and protect a tooth. Better chewing ability also leads to better over all health.

For full and detailed information on the pros and cons of each teeth whitening procedure please visit the Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group website.

A smile makeover does what the name implies; it provides a total transformation of your smile.  A smile makeover means that each tooth in the smile line is cosmetically improved leaving nothing but your ideal smile for all to see.

Would you believe that your smile makeover can now be completed in a single day?  Under the right circumstances, it’s now possible thanks to CEREC, same-day crown technology!  Read on to find out if a same day smile makeover might be right for you.

What challenges can it benefit?

A smile makeover can be used to correct several types of dental challenges, including:

• Discolouration
• Misalignment
• Spacing
• Missing Teeth
• Chipped, Cracked, or Uneven TeethTooth
• Length
• Tooth Proportions

A same day smile makeover using CEREC, same-day crown technology works for patients whose treatment involves dental crowns.  Since smile makeovers can employ other treatment methods such as Invisalign, teeth whitening, veneers, bridges and others, please consult with Dr. Mahara further regarding your specific case.

What is CEREC?

CEREC, or single appointment crowns, are a sophisticated computer-aided system for producing durable high-quality ceramic restorations. It is simple to use, fast and is excellent for conserving the natural tooth. CEREC is ideal for patients who want a solid ceramic, authentic tooth-coloured alternative to traditional crowns made in a dental lab – all completed in one visit.

Are these crowns new?

This technology is not new. In fact, it has been around for nearly 30 years. Many dental offices have not invested in this technology, due to start-up costs and additional training in computer dental assisted design and milling.

Dr. Mahara at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group, however, has chosen to invest in this valuable technology so that all of our patients can minimize their time spent away from work and family yet also receive optimal restorative results.

Benefits of CEREC

CEREC crowns allow tooth restorations to be completed in a single session but there are several other benefits. First of all impressions are done with super accurate digital impressions. This means no more putty-like material in your mouth to get an impression.

Secondly, the tooth is prepped and the crown fitted during the same visit, so there is no need for a temporary crown. Temporary crowns, typically worn for about two weeks with traditional crowns can come loose or weaken during wear. This is a thing of the past with CEREC technology.

Since these crowns are made of a solid block of ceramic, they are considered to have a very strong structure.

Not only are they known for being strong, but ceramic provides a very natural looking crown which reflects light in a similar way to our natural tooth structure. Additionally, the ceramic blocks come in a wide variety of shades and colours, so your crown can be selected to blend in naturally with your surrounding teeth.

Considerations

Although amazingly quick for a smile makeover procedure, this treatment could take several hours as all the design and milling are done in the clinic while you enjoy some free time with your favorite movies, music or books.  Dr. Mahara and his staff will make sure you are aware of the timeline well ahead in the planning phase.  On the day of the treatment every effort to ensure your comfort will be taken including the provision of refreshments.  

Conclusion and Example

Depending on your situation, it’s now possible to have a complete smile makeover completed in a single day!  Take a look at the following before and after pictures of a recent same day smile makeover:

Before

After

Contact Us!

Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group is proud to combine a complete makeover with CEREC technology to our patients. Please call to book an appointment with Dr. Mahara today.

Do you find yourself holding back your smile because of the poor condition of your teeth? Although most people have something about their appearance that they would like to improve, in severe cases where a person is embarrassed of their smile, the effects of the poor condition of their teeth could be having several health consequences.

Research has proven that smiling is an important part of your health and contributes to your happiness – and that it can actually help fight disease. Beyond this, teeth that do not look healthy often are not.

Although cosmetic dentistry can be used purely to correct the appearance of teeth, in its highest form, it creates better health at the same time.  This article begins to answer the most basic questions about cosmetic dentistry – to help you determine whether it is something you would like to ask your dentist about at your next visit.

What exactly is cosmetic dentistry?

In fact the term cosmetic dentistry does not stand for a single treatment.  It could include something as simple as using white fillings instead of silver ones or as complex as a full mouth restoration or smile makeover.

Cosmetic dentistry seeks to look at the whole smile and health of the teeth to provide a solution based on the needs of the patient.  Individual treatments to reach this outcome could include a host of procedures such as, dental crowns, bridges, veneers, gum re-contouring and more.

What is the most common treatment?

One of the more common cosmetic dentistry practices is teeth whitening. Your dentist is trained to help you get the best results by selecting the right treatment method based on your situation. Your dentist may recommend teeth whitening alone or in combination with other cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as Invisalign orthodontics, dental crowns or porcelain veneers.

What are some examples of cosmetic dental improvements?

Besides whitening, here are some of the most common examples of cosmetic dental procedures that can improve the appearance of your smile:

• Resin or porcelain veneers to change the shape and alignment of teeth
• Using tooth-coloured fillings instead of silver fillings
• Evening out gum tissue
• Restoration of worn teeth to their proper shape
• Straightening crooked teeth with Invisalign or traditional Orthodontics
• Closing spaces between teeth
• Replacing discoloured fillings in front teeth
• Replacing missing teeth with bridges or implants
• Replacing old crowns
• Repairing chipped teeth
• Making teeth shorter or longer

How to find a cosmetic dentist?

Like other cosmetic surgery cosmetic dentists range in skill and quality. When looking for a cosmetic dentist it is advised to do thorough research on their credentials, experience and past clients. At Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group we’re proud to discuss our training as well as past cases and excellent track record with you – contact us today.

About Dr. Mahara

Dr. San Mahara at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group has extensive post-doctoral training in cosmetic dentistry and years of experience completing all levels of treatments including complex dental procedures such as smile make-overs and full mouth reconstructions.

Rumors of teeth whitening products wearing away tooth enamel and damaging teeth are enough to cause anyone concern.  But is there any truth to concerns about the safety of teeth whitening?

In general teeth whitening has proven to be very safe and effective.  However, it is valuable to explore how rumors of the negative effects of tooth whitening began in the first place, as well as a few cautions on the topic.

What is whitening gel made of?

There are two main ingredients used in almost all teeth whitening products: hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. The stronger of the two chemicals is hydrogen peroxide and due to its strength, it is the ingredient typically used in higher concentrations in dentist supervised whitening treatments.

Since hydrogen peroxide can cause a chemical burn on the gums, dentists are careful to ensure the safety of gums and other sensitive tissues during the treatment.

Carbamide peroxide is the less intense of the two chemicals and therefore safer to apply. It is most often used in over the counter whitening treatments.

Potential side effects of whitening

Side effects can occur during whitening and can be made worse through improper use of whitening products.  Common complaints are tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.  Following directions carefully can help minimize these problems when whitening at home, but if either of these symptoms occur it’s important to pay attention.

Fortunately there are teeth whitening options for patients with even the most sensitive teeth. Options could include building the tolerance of teeth over a period of time with fluoride treatments or exploring whitening systems that work better for people with sensitivity.

Where do rumors that teeth whitening is unsafe come from?

It is true that it is not advisable for pregnant or lactating women to use teeth whitening products. Otherwise, the reported problems associated with teeth whitening usually result from the misuse of over the counter products. Ultimately, whether using a home whitening treatment or having an in-clinic treatment, the dangers should be very minimal.

Common cautions include: using a whitening product more often than directed, or leaving the solution on longer than the instructions recommend.

Another issue with whitening products comes from whitening material entering into an unfilled cavity or crack in the tooth. To avoid this scenario, make sure you have a check-up with your dentist before starting the whitening process.

Conclusion

Now that you understand how teeth whitening works and some of the associated issues and concerns, you can start comparing whitening treatments. Consider getting your dentist’s opinion on the best way for you to whiten and to check any dental health issues that could possibly prevent you from getting the best results.

At the age of 16 one of our patients was involved in a biking accident and the front teeth were broken and part of the teeth lost.  Now 18 years old, the patient came to Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group to repair his chipped front teeth and restore his smile.

Besides the chipping of the front teeth, the patient also has some crowding which has left some teeth crooked.  Invisalign treatment is recommended as the ideal option to straighten the teeth.  Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment method which uses a series of removable invisible aligners to move the teeth back into a correct and straight position.

In the meantime, the patient was given a couple of options for repairing the chipped front teeth.  The ideal treatment recommended was porcelain veneers to correct the problem and create the most natural looking and long lasting solution possible.  Modern porcelain veneers are durable and have physical properties which match very closely with natural teeth.  This is due to the translucency of porcelain which reflects light in a similar way to natural teeth.

A second, short term option presented to the patient was to restore the shape of the front teeth using a bonding technique with composite materials.  Bonding produces a very nice result, but on the downside has a tendency to show discolouration over time.  It is a great short term solution however.

The patient, in this case, decided to go with the bonding with composite material option and is very happy with the result.

The patient is now considering Invisalign treatment and will consider porcelain veneers as a more permanent solution to his smile makeover once his teeth have been straightened.

Dr. Mahara at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group specializes in cosmetic dentistry and Invisalign treatments to help you achieve both a healthy mouth and a smile that you are proud to let shine.  Read more about having a smile make over or Invisalign treatment at our Nanaimo dental clinic and contact us today to book a consultation.  We look forward to serving you.

The smile makeover photo is in – and Vina’s smile makeover is complete!  Vina’s smile make over, by Dr. Mahara at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group on Vancouver Island, B.C., involved changing the shade and shape of 8 of Vina’s teeth in her smile line.  Her four front teeth were previously restorations which were overdue for a change and as a result there was a dark metallic line along the gum-line of Vina’s smile.

Dr. Mahara commented on the final session of the smile makeover:  “Vina’s gum had receded from previous long term bridges – this caused some complication in bringing back an appropriate gum-line as the papilla, the gum tissue that fills the space between two teeth,  had receded.  In response to this, I had to be prep with a deeper margin to give the appearance of the teeth coming out of the gums and mimicking the natural contour of the tooth along the gum-line.  In all, I’m very pleased with the results of Vina’s smile makeover.  She now has a much fuller smile and her gum-line looks great.”

Vina chose the second whitest shade available and lengthened the front teeth to correspond to the smile line of her lips.  She now has a “movie star” smile and she’s proud to show it.

In conclusion, Dr. Mahara reminds Vina of the need to maintain her gum and teeth health with  regular dental hygiene visits, every 6 months at a minimum.  “People sometimes think that restorations,  like crowns or bridges, mean you no longer have to worry about cavities or gum disease.  This is not the case, as the tooth surface is exposed along the gum-line and in the gum pockets.”

“In fact,” explains Dr. Mahara, “it’s even more important to maintain your teeth after having restorations and especially a smile makeover.  If you develop cavities or gum disease after a smile makeover, it can be disastrous to your new smile if not caught in time.”

Vina’s Testimonial After the Smile Makeover

“I am truly delighted with the smile Dr. Mahara designed for me. Numerous people have complimented me on my teeth, and I now have a lot of confidence in my smile.  This smile makeover goes beyond what I expected.  I wanted to fix my smile, but Dr. Mahara went far beyond this by designing a smile that suits me perfectly.

Dr. Mahara is very precise and worked hard to get to a perfect result.  He is never satisfied with just good results.  It was clear from the beginning that Dr. Mahara was interested in designing the perfect smile make over –and he did it.   I really appreciated that Dr. Mahara took the time to listen and explain the smile makeover procedures and I always felt very comfortable with the next step.

It’s important in my profession as an esthetician to make clients feel welcome and comfortable and the first thing they see is my smile.  In the past I always worried about my smile and tried to hide it, but now I feel great just letting it go.  Thank you Dr. Mahara and your wonderful Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group staff!

If  you’re thinking about having a smile makeover done, I highly recommend Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group.”

Vina’s Before and After Photos:

Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group is proud to serve your complete dental health needs in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.  Our Nanaimo dentists and dental hygienists believe in continuous learning to bring you the latest technology in dental medicine and our team of dental professionals aspire to the highest level of patient care.  At each visit to our office we treat you with the respect, honesty and dignity that you deserve.

It’s been a brief eight weeks since Vina’s initial smile makeover consultation with Dr. Mahara, a trained cosmetic dentist, at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group.

“Vina was a perfect candidate for a smile make over,” explains Dr. Mahara, “because she had several failing restorations on her front teeth.”

Since the smile make over consultation, Vina has passed the first major check point of the process and had all 8 teeth  in her visible smile line prepped for her new crowns – at which point she received an instant smile makeover with Dr. Mahara’s amazingly realistic temporary crowns.

“The temporaries are very comfortable,” says Vina.  “They’re not as brilliantly white as the actual crowns are going to be, but still I’ve had a lot of compliments on my new smile.  It would be impossible for anyone to tell that these are temporaries.”

Since Vina’s previous restorations were failing, Dr. Mahara wasn’t sure what to expect when he removed the old restorations and he had to be prepared for various scenarios.

“Vina’s case was complicated.  Unfortunately, one of the teeth had decayed significantly under the old restoration and had to be removed.  Since bone grafting was needed to make sure the bone mass did not recede too much during the healing process, this will delay the placement of the new crowns by a few weeks.  We will ensure that the bridge sits flush with the gumline and the tooth looks natural,” explains Dr. Mahara.

Vina is thrilled that she made the decision to have the smile makeover done.

“My teeth were discoloured and uneven along the gumline,” she say, “I was never satisfied with my smile – and I admit that I sometimes tried to hide my smile.”

Who is a good candidate for a smile makeover?

“Anyone who is unhappy with their smile,” explains Dr. Mahara, “especially people with several old restorations, discoloured teeth that cannot be corrected through whitening, or with crooked teeth – for people who don’t want to have braces for an extended period of time.”

For those considering a smile makeover, the first step in the process is to book a smile makeover consultation with Dr. Mahara.  During this consultation, your unique smile will be considered and treatment options outlined clearly for you.

Read more about Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group’s smile make over process and stay tuned for Part 3 of Vina’s smile makeover, “After the Smile Makeover”.

Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group is proud to serve your complete dental health needs in Nanaimo.  Our Nanaimo dentists and dental hygienists believe in continuous learning to bring you the latest technology in dental medicine and our team of dental professionals aspire to the highest level of patient care.  At each visit to our office we treat you with the respect, honesty and dignity that you deserve.

Vina will soon have 8 new reasons to smile.  Each of the 8 teeth that are visible when she smiles will be included in her extreme smile makeover treatment plan by trained cosmetic dentist, Dr. San Mahara at Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group.

“I’ve been having trouble with my front teeth for several years now, and when I smile I’m careful not to smile too big” says Vina.  The crowns have fallen and created an uneven gum line and a dark space between the gums and the crowns.  “I know this looks like something is stuck there –even though there isn’t,” Vina adds.

Vina has already had an initial smile makeover consultation with Dr. Mahara where Dr. Mahara explained the treatment plan options.  At a second appointment, impressions were taken to have the waxed up models of the new crowns constructed by a master lab technician. Part of Dr. Mahara’s smile makeover process includes using highly trained lab technicians to make the crowns.

“The crowns need to fit the patient perfectly –their face, mouth and even their personality are considered.  These teeth will look life-like,” says Dr. Mahara.

Meanwhile Vina is seeing the waxed up models of her new teeth for the first time today.  She describes them as, “beautiful,” and her excitement is evident.

“The wax up modelling process is excellent,” says Dr. Mahara, “it allows the patient to see what the crowns will look like and give us feedback that we can incorporate in the final product.”

Dr. Mahara studied and mastered the smile make over treatment process at the world famous post-doctoral dental school, the Las Vegas Institute.

“Patients tend to continually repair their teeth not knowing their options,” says Dr. Mahara.  “I also give my patients the option for a smile makeover which addresses the root causes of the problems and at the same time significantly improves the appearance of their smile,” he adds.  Dr. Mahara’s cosmetic dentistry training gives him the vision and the tools to do this.

For Vina, the smile makeover means new freedom and renewed confidence.  “I’m going to have a big smile on my face every day,” says Vina.  In her work as an Esthetician and Spa Technician, her smile makeover will go a long way to show her confidence and inspire confidence in her service.

If you’re considering a smile makeover, please read more about Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group’s smile makeover process and book your smile makeover consultation today.

Stay tuned for a post in December following Vina’s smile makeover to see her results.

Downtown Nanaimo Dental Group is proud to serve your complete dental health needs in Nanaimo.  Our Nanaimo dentists and dental hygienists believe in continuous learning to bring you the latest technology in dental medicine and our team of dental professionals aspire to the highest level of patient care.  At each visit to our office we treat you with the respect, honesty and dignity that you deserve.