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At our dental office in Sparks, we want everyone to be confident with their smiles. But we know that sometimes that’s just not the case. Instead of living with a smile you’re unhappy with, there are tons of cosmetic dentistry treatments that can help give you a smile you’re proud to show off. In today’s blog we’re going to highlight one of the most common forms of cosmetic dentistry, dental veneers.

What Are Veneers?

Dental veneers are custom-created thin pieces of porcelain that can change the appearance of your smile. Each one is designed to blend into your natural look, taking size, shape, color, and even translucency into consideration. This incredibly versatile cosmetic dentistry option can be used to treat several cosmetic concerns that would otherwise require multiple different treatments including:

• Worn teeth
• Chipped or broken teeth
• Crookedness
• Unevenness or shape irregularities
• Teeth discolored that couldn’t be brightened through whitening
• Gaps

Treatment

The process to get dental veneers typically takes one or two treatment appointments as well as a consultation, which is the first step in pursuing veneers. During the consultation, you and your dentist in Sparks will talk about your smile, what you’d like to change, and your personal treatment plan. At the next visit, treatment will begin.

Your first treatment appointment usually includes preparing the teeth by removing a thin layer of enamel. This gives the veneer space to seamlessly blend into the rest of your smile. Temporary veneers will usually be fitted at this appointment while the permanent ones are being created to your dentist’s detailed specifications in a lab. When the permanent veneers are ready, you’ll return to the office to have them bonded. After that, you’ll have a new smile that you’re proud of.

Don’t continue to live with a smile that affects your confidence or that you simply don’t like. There are treatments available that can help. Call our Sparks dental office to schedule a consultation with us today. We’ll be happy to talk with you and determine the best cosmetic dentistry option for you.

We all know that we need to brush our teeth everyday to maintain a healthy mouth and smile. But choosing the right tool for the job can be confusing. The hardest choice we used to have was picking the best color. Now we’re bombarded with tons of options ranging from manual to electric, each claiming to offer the best clean. At our dental office in Sparks, we want to help declutter the confusion and answer the question once and for all — manual or electric, which is better?

What Do the Studies Say?

This is a great question with a not-so-easy answer. Essentially, it depends on who you ask. The American Dental Association (ADA), for example, states that both manual and electric toothbrushes do what they’re supposed to do — clean teeth by removing plaque and bacteria. Researchers don’t provide a solid conclusion on whether one tool necessarily cleans better than the other. What they do say, however, is that getting a thorough clean isn’t so much about the type of toothbrush used but rather the brushing technique.

On the other hand, companies that make electric toothbrushes publish research occasionally that backs up their claim that electric toothbrushes are better at cleaning teeth than manual toothbrushes. One such study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association reported that nearly 13,000 out of 16,000 participants said they had better oral health after using an electric toothbrush for the duration of the study.

When it really comes down to it, you should pick a toothbrush that you’ll use regularly and fits your unique needs. A good place to start your search is by asking your dentist in Sparks and by analyzing the pros and cons to both manual toothbrushes and electric ones.

Weighing the Pros & Cons

Knowing the pros and cons to both types of toothbrushes can help you narrow your search.

Manual Pros

• Cheaper
• Portable
• No need for chargers

Manual Cons

• No timer makes it too easy to brush too quickly
• May be difficult for some to use a proper technique resulting in a less effective clean
• Allow for easier tough scrubbing which can damage enamel and gums

Electric Pros

• Easy to use
• Some come with built-in timers
• Promote gentle, proper brushings

Electric Cons

• More expensive up front
• Replacing the heads is expensive, too
• Inconvenient for those who travel

If you’re still not sure what the best choice is for you, give our Sparks dental office a call to schedule an appointment today. We’re always welcoming new patients and will be happy to help.