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Invisalign clear aligners can straighten your smile and help improve your confidence. This orthodontic treatment option is great for adults who wish to fix crooked teeth discreetly without highly visible wire-and-bracket braces. Teeth straightening with invisalign trays is simple, but it is important to make sure you take care of the aligners.

Here are some dos and don’ts:

Do…

Rinse The Trays When You Remove Them

Every time you take your aligners out, make sure to rinse them. At least twice a day, you should also brush them with a soft-bristled brush. If you are out and about, a quick rinse is fine.

After rinsing the aligners, put them away in their case, not in the open. This helps ensure they don’t get dirty before you put them back in.

Brush and Floss

Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day are essential dental hygiene steps for everyone, whether they are using Invisalign trays or not. With aligners, it’s even more important because otherwise, the trays will press food against your teeth. This can lead to decay and other oral health issues.

In addition to your usual routine, rinse your mouth out after eating before you put your aligners back in. If possible, you can also brush each time for extra assurance that there won’t be any lingering food particles.

Soak the Aligners Every Day

In addition to brushing your aligners twice a day, give them a thorough soak once a day. You can use an Invisalign-specific solution or denture cleaner for this. Brush the liners after soaking and rinse them before you put them back in.

The morning is often a good time for this soak since bacteria can build up overnight, but any time that works for you is okay.

Don’t…

Eat With Invisalign On

Invisalign trays are not meant to stand up the pressure of chewing. Eating with them can easily break them. It also can trap food between the aligners and your teeth and can stain the trays. You also need to remove your Invisalign if you are drinking anything other than water.

Clean The Trays With Improper Products

Colored cleaning solutions or soaps can stain your aligners and harsh products can damage them. Scented products can also cause issues for the trays, not to mention the fact that they may leave an unpleasant taste. Additionally, you should never use toothpaste, as this can scratch the trays or discolor them.

Expose the Aligners to Heat

Exposing your aligner trays to heat can warp them, which makes them ineffective for treating your misaligned teeth. Although you may be tempted to use hot water to clean the trays, stick to a lukewarm temperature. You should also make sure you never leave the Invisalign trays in a place where they can overheat, such as in a hot car.

Straighten Your Smile With Invisalign

Dr. Atty Smith is a preferred Invisalign provider and can help you get the straight, beautiful smile you desire. Depending on the severity of your misalignment, it is possible to straighten your smile in 12 months or less.

To learn more about using Invisalign trays for orthodontic care, contact us today.

Having a missing tooth can have a negative impact on your confidence in your appearance. If you are dealing with this, you are not alone. Approximately 178 million American adults are missing one or more teeth according to the American College of Prosthodontists. Reasons for tooth loss include tooth decay, gum disease, and trauma. 

No matter the cause, modern restorative dentistry can help restore your smile after tooth loss. There are two main options: a dental bridge or an implant with a crown. In most cases, an implant is a better long-term solution, but a bridge may still be recommended for you based on your needs. 

The Basics – What Bridges and Implants Are

What is a Dental Bridge?

A bridge consists of two crowns placed on top of natural teeth on either side of a missing tooth (or multiple missing teeth). A prosthetic tooth is placed in the middle of the crowns. In order to place a bridge, the teeth on either side of the gap must be strong enough to support the crowns. The bridge is made of ceramic and your dentist will carefully design it to match your remaining natural teeth.

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a titanium post that an oral surgeon places in your jaw bone. A natural tooth has a root that extends into the jaw and an implant acts as an artificial root. In order to make your smile look natural, your dentist will need to create a crown to place on top of the implant. Like a bridge, this crown is made of porcelain. 

Benefits of a Dental Implant

In most cases, we recommend a dental implant for tooth replacement. 

Some of the benefits include: 

1. Prevent Bone Loss: Normal chewing exerts pressure on your jaw bone and strengthens it. When you lose a tooth, the lack of pressure triggers your body to begin resorbing the jaw bone. In the first year, you can lose as much as 25% of the surrounding bone. This can cause other remaining natural teeth to shift, causing crookedness or differences in your appearance. An implant exerts similar pressure compared to a natural tooth root and prevents bone loss.

2. No Need to Remove Enamel From Nearby Teeth: Before you get a bridge, your dentist will need to prepare the teeth on either side in order to place the two crowns. This requires removing some of the teeth in order to ensure a proper fit. If both of these teeth are healthy, it’s beneficial to get an implant instead so you do not need to make any changes to the existing teeth.

3. Long-Lasting: A dental implant can last for 40+ years with proper care. By comparison, a bridge can last for 20+ years. Modern bridges are more durable and are fairly long-lasting, but implants can continue to benefit you for even more years compared to dental bridges. Since your teeth are less likely to shift with an implant compared to a bridge, the placement of other teeth is typically going to be more consistent as well. 

When To Choose a Dental Bridge Instead

Despite the above benefits for dental implants, there are some circumstances when a bridge may be a better fit for you. 

These include: 

1. Your Jaw Won’t Support An Implant: If you have already been missing your tooth for a long period of time, it is possible you have already lost bone in the area. In this case, there may not be enough left to support an implant. You would either need a bone graft or your dentist may recommend a bridge instead, depending on the situation.

2. The Teeth On Either Side of the Gap Need Crowns: If you lost your tooth due to decay, it is common for the other teeth in the area to also need treatment. In situations where both teeth on either side of the missing one need crowns anyway, it may make sense to get a bridge and solve multiple issues at one time.

3. Issues With Surgery: A bridge does not require surgery, whereas a dental implant does. If there are medical issues that could impact the surgery, a bridge may be recommended instead of implants. 

Restore Your Smile After Tooth Loss

If you have lost one or multiple teeth, Smith Dentalworks can help. Our skilled dentist will examine your teeth and can help you determine what the best solution will be for your needs. We work with a trusted oral surgeon for implant placement and will ensure your new smile looks natural. 

To learn more about treatments for a missing tooth, contact us today. 

Your gums play a significant role in your oral health and it’s important to take care of them. Unfortunately, periodontal (gum) disease is more common than you may think. A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 47.2% of adults over 30 had some form of periodontal disease.

The good news is that gum disease is preventable in the majority of cases. If it is caught early, it is also treatable.

Stages of Gum Disease

To understand how to prevent periodontal disease, it’s helpful to know how it progresses. There are four different stages.

Gingivitis

In this phase, bacteria have not begun to damage your teeth. The disease affects the gingiva, which is the part of the gums around the base of your teeth. Your gums may be sore and more prone to bleeding while flossing.

Early/Slight Periodontitis

If gingivitis progresses without treatment, it becomes mild periodontal disease, also called periodontitis. At this point, your gums pull away from your teeth, creating small “pockets.” Bacteria will often invade these pockets and cause more bleeding and increased sensitivity.

Moderate Periodontitis

As bacteria continues to invade pockets between your gums and your teeth, your teeth start to loosen. Bone loss begins to occur at this point.

Advanced Periodontitis

At this point, bacteria has caused severe destruction of your teeth and jaw bone. Advanced periodontal disease is extremely painful and the risk of tooth loss is high.

Preventing Periodontal Disease

It’s essential to take the steps to prevent gum disease before it occurs. Although it can be treated in the early stages, it is better for your oral health to avoid the issue altogether.

You should:

• Practice good dental hygiene. Brush twice a day and floss once a day.
• Avoid smoking, as this can increase your risk.
• See your dentist every 6-12 months for cleanings. You may need to visit more often if you have an increased risk of gum disease due to a medical condition or medication you are taking.

Gum Disease Treatment

For Gingivitis

When gum disease is in its earliest stage, it can often be reversed with a professional cleaning and adjustments to your home dental care routine.

For Periodontitis

To treat periodontitis, it is necessary to use a type of deep cleaning called scaling and root planing. This removes plaque buildup below your gum line. Depending on the severity, you may also need to schedule additional cleanings throughout the year and/or take antibiotics.

Restorative Dentistry

If your gum disease has progressed to the advanced stage, we may recommend more intensive dental care. You may have lost some teeth by this time and others may need to be extracted. We will work with you to develop a plan to restore your smile, which may include dental implants. Our restorations are realistic and tailored to you.

Schedule Dental Care

Consistent visits to your dentist can help prevent gum disease and reduce the need for more extensive treatment later on. Dr. Atty Smith is here to help you care for your teeth and gums. We treat patients of all ages.

If you have symptoms of gum disease or want help preventing future issues, contact us today.

Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you and if you aren’t happy with how your teeth look, it can have a large impact on your confidence. Luckily, there are many solutions to help correct cosmetic and orthodontic issues. For adults with crooked teeth, Invisalign treatment can be a great way to straighten your smile without the need for awkward metal braces. Dr. Smith is a preferred Invisalign dentist and can evaluate whether this option is right for you.

Some signs you might benefit from Invisalign:

You Are Unhappy With Your Smile

First and foremost, the biggest reason to consider Invisalign is if you are unhappy with how your smile looks. Feeling self-conscious about your teeth can take a toll on your well-being and it’s worth a visit to a professional to see what your options are. Even if clear aligners are not the best fit, we can typically make a recommendation for a cosmetic or restorative treatment that matches your needs and desires.

You Notice Symptoms of a Misaligned Bite

Crooked teeth are more than just a cosmetic issue. If your bite is misaligned, you may notice jaw pain when eating, uneven sensitivity, or even headaches. A dental professional can examine your teeth and determine whether misalignment is the cause. Invisalign can treat mild or moderate overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites.

Your Orthodontic Issues are Not Severe

While Invisalign can be used to address a wide range of orthodontic concerns, there are some issues it may not be able to fix completely. If you have severe crowding or misalignment, we may recommend a different route for treatment. The aligners may also be less effective if you have short or rounded teeth.

You Practice Good Oral Hygiene

It’s important to practice proper dental hygiene when undergoing Invisalign treatment. You will want to be sure any problems, such as tooth decay, are treated before you get clear aligners. Additionally, you will need to take care of the aligners and keep your teeth clean while using them to prevent any issues.

You Don’t Smoke

In order for clear aligners to work properly, you need to wear them for 22 hours a day at a minimum. You should plan to only remove them to eat or while brushing/flossing. Taking a smoke break can reduce the overall time you wear the aligners and so you might not see the results you are hoping for. Additionally, nicotine can stain your Invisalign trays, not to mention your teeth.

The Process of Getting Invisalign

The first step is a consultation with our Invisalign dentist. We will examine your teeth and give you recommendations for treatment. We also take a 3D scan that we then use to show you projected results for treatment. You will need to come into the office every few weeks but can usually switch aligners at home. The average length of time for treatment is 12 months, although this might be longer or shorter depending on your specific concerns.

Ready to Straighten Your Smile?

If you are interested in Invisalign treatment, call our Oro Valley dentist office today.

An aversion to dental treatment is more common than you may think. Almost half of adults put off going to the dentist and approximately 22% avoid going altogether due to their dental anxiety. The good news is that modern technology has made pain-free dentistry a reality. At Smith Dentalworks, we use our innovative tools and compassionate approach to ensure that you feel comfortable getting the care you need.

Here are some of the ways we provide pain-free dental care:

The Solea Laser

We have the state-of-the-art Solea Laser, which uses carbon dioxide to generate a laser beam that can be used to precisely and accurately work on both hard and soft tissues. There’s no need for the drill and no need for anesthesia for most patients. The laser feels a bit like eating a snow cone. It’s slightly cold, but not painful at all. We can use the Solea Laser for treating cavities, gum-related procedures, and more. This tool sets our office apart and we are proud to use it to make your dentist visits more comfortable.

Digital Impressions

Getting impressions taken for cosmetic or restorative dental procedures can be uncomfortable and is one of the parts of visiting the dentist that many people dread. At our office, we use digital impressions instead of the traditional method. This is more comfortable for patients and still allows us to get an accurate impression of your smile.

Informative & Individualized Care

In addition to using the most advanced technology available, we also take a human approach to dentistry. Our state-of-the-art tools allow us to make dental care pain-free while our interactions with patients help reduce anxiety. We want you to feel like an active participant in your own care and know how important it is to understand the options available to you. We are never judgmental, and we give you all the information you need to make decisions about what is best for you.

Friendly Team

We know that little touches can make a big difference. Every member of our team works to provide a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. This helps you feel at ease from the moment you arrive at our office.

Read Our Testimonials

You don’t just have to take our word for it when we say we provide comfortable, pain-free dentistry. Many of our patients have shared their positive experiences with Smith Dentalworks. You can check out our testimonials to hear what they have to say.

Book Your Appointment

We provide a wide variety of dental care including preventative, cosmetic, and restorative procedures. Our office treats both adults and children and we can help every member of your family achieve and maintain a beautiful, healthy smile.

Experience pain-free dentistry for yourself and book your appointment today.

Craze lines are small, hairline cracks that develop in the outer enamel of your teeth. These vertical lines often appear on the surface and don’t penetrate into the tooth’s inner layers, including the pulp. Typically, craze lines are a natural part of aging and do not signal any serious dental health issues. However, for some, they can affect the appearance of their smile. If these cosmetic imperfections bother you, there are several aesthetic dental treatments available to help improve the look of your teeth.

How Can You Prevent Craze Lines?

Although craze lines are often unavoidable due to age and normal wear, there are steps you can take to reduce their occurrence:

• Avoid putting stress on your teeth by eliminating habits like nail biting, chewing ice, or using your teeth to open objects.
• Protect your teeth during contact sports by wearing a mouthguard, which can prevent trauma and cracks in your enamel.
• Address bruxism (teeth grinding) by managing stress and using a night guard if necessary. Bruxism is a common cause of these lines in your teeth, and untreated grinding can lead to more severe damage over time.
• Correct an uneven bite with treatments like Invisalign®. When your teeth don’t align properly, the uneven pressure can lead to the development of craze lines.

Are Craze Lines a Cause for Concern?

While craze lines are typically harmless, they can become stained by foods and drinks like coffee, red wine, and dark sodas, or by habits like smoking. These stains often don’t respond to regular brushing, but professional teeth whitening can help. If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, treatments like porcelain veneers can cover surface cracks and improve the overall appearance of your teeth.

In rare cases, if these lines are accompanied by pain, sensitivity, or swollen gums, this may indicate a deeper crack that extends into the tooth’s interior. It’s essential to consult your dentist to prevent further damage to your tooth’s structure.

Treatment Options for Lines in Your Teeth

At Smith Dentalworks, we offer a range of cosmetic treatments to address craze lines and improve the appearance of your smile. From professional whitening to porcelain veneers, we can help you regain your confidence with customized treatment options. Correcting your bite or addressing bruxism can also have long-term benefits for both your smile and your overall oral health.

If craze lines or other cosmetic imperfections are affecting your confidence, schedule an appointment with our Oro Valley dental office today. Let us help you explore the best treatment options for your needs and restore the beauty and strength of your smile.

If you have damaged or discolored teeth, dental bonding can help repair and create a natural-looking, aesthetically pleasing, brighter smile. Bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that uses composite resin material to repair minor issues and to restore and improve your natural look. This procedure can fill in and eliminate small cracks, chips, fractures, and reduce gaps between teeth. It can also help hide discoloration, help fix excessive wear and tear on your teeth, and can reshape teeth to remove inconsistencies and make them appear more uniform. Additionally, bonding is one of the easiest and least expensive cosmetic dental options.

Dental Bonding Procedure

At Smith Dentalworks, we use the same composite material for our fillings as we use for our dental bonding treatment. After examining and cleaning the tooth or teeth, we will roughen up the tooth enamel slightly. We will then apply a mild conditioning liquid that will help the material adhere. This bonding material is applied in several coats and shaped to match the tooth size. Next, it is hardened with a specially designed light. Once the tooth has been built up enough, the bond is then sculpted to the desired shape and texture to match the surrounding natural teeth.

Advantages of Dental Bonding

Dental bonding can help repair your teeth and unlike veneers or crowns, this procedure removes little or none of the original tooth. It’s quick, non-invasive, and painless. The tooth remains intact so most people do not need anesthesia or pain medication for the bonding procedure. It is typically less expensive than dental crowns or porcelain veneers. This is because all work is done in the office without the need for a dental lab.

Caring for Your Bonded Teeth

While restorative bonding is a long-lasting solution, you should always follow the same good oral health practices that you do for your regular teeth. You should floss daily and brush your teeth twice a day with a soft brush. Practicing good oral hygiene and getting regular dental care can help ensure that your bonded teeth last.

The composite material can be more prone to stain than other types of restorations. As a result, it is best to avoid food and drinks like wine, coffee, tea, berries, brightly colored candies, and colored drinks like sports drinks as much as possible. (This helps keep your natural teeth bright as well.) Porcelain veneers may be a better option if you are concerned about staining.

This material can also be more fragile than a veneer or crown and can chip. For the best and longest-lasting results, avoid biting your nails, or chewing on ice or other hard food objects. In general, these are good tips even if you have not had any dental bonding done. If you do notice that it feels odd biting down or if you develop a sharp edge on your bonded tooth, it is important to call us.

Quick, Non-Invasive Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental bonding is an excellent procedure for fixing minor damage and cosmetic problems with your teeth. At Smith Dentalworks, we will take the time to get to know your needs and help you choose the treatment that best fits you. We can meet with you, examine your teeth, and discuss how dental bonding or another cosmetic procedure can help improve your smile.

Contact our Oro Valley dentist office today to schedule an appointment to learn more about dental bonding and other dental procedures.

An overly-large space between two teeth is known as diastema or gap teeth. This can occur between any two teeth and a person can have multiple gaps. The type that is most noticeable and therefore usually presents the biggest concern for patients is a gap between the upper front teeth. There are some situations where this can cause other oral health issues but in most cases it is just a cosmetic concern. While some individuals like the appearance of this space, others are bothered by it. Luckily, there are many options for fixing gap teeth.

These include:

Invisalign Clear Aligners

Orthodontic treatment can close the gap between teeth in addition to fixing other types of misalignment. Invisalign is a great solution for many patients. The clear aligners are discreet and you remove them while eating so you can still enjoy all of the foods you love. The timeline varies depending on your unique situation, but the average time for treatment is approximately 12 months. Clear aligners may be the right option for you if your gap teeth are severe or if you have other orthodontic issues you would like to address at the same time. Dr. Atty Smith is a preferred Invisalign dentist and can evaluate whether this course of action is best for you.

Veneers

Veneers are thin porcelain shells that cover your teeth and can address a wide variety of cosmetic dental concerns, including gap teeth. One of the major benefits of porcelain veneers is that they can give you a new smile in as little as two appointments. They are also durable and stain resistant. However, enamel does need to be removed during the preparation process, so this is something to consider before getting veneers. Additionally, this may not be the best option if you have a very wide gap or if your gap is related to other oral health issues, such as gum disease.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is the process of using tooth-colored resin to make repairs or adjustments to your smile. This can be a good option for a small gap. Our cosmetic dentist is highly skilled and will ensure the bonding looks natural and that you are completely satisfied with the results. This is the quickest option for fixing gap teeth and is typically done in one appointment. This is also a more affordable option. However, bonding will need to be replaced or redone sooner than veneers and is typically less durable. The resin is also less resistant to stains than porcelain.

A Gap From a Missing Tooth

Instead of a gap between two teeth, you may have a gap in your smile caused by a missing tooth. In this case, we would discuss either a dental implant with a crown or a dental bridge. An implant prevents bone loss and will typically last longer. However, a bridge may be more affordable and could be a good solution if the teeth on either side of the gap need crowns due to tooth decay or another concern.

Cosmetic Dentistry in Oro Valley, AZ

At Smith Dentalworks, we can evaluate your tooth gap and can recommend a solution that would be best for you. We take your aesthetic goals, financial considerations, and other oral health concerns into account to develop a customized treatment plan.

To discuss solutions for gap teeth, contact us today.

If you have crooked teeth, our Invisalign dentist can help give you a straighter and more beautiful smile. Compared to traditional metal braces, Invisalign teeth straightening clear aligner trays are more discreet and can be a great option for orthodontic treatment.

More information about the process of straightening your teeth with Invisalign:

Initial Invisalign Dentist Consultation

During an initial appointment, Dr. Atty Smith will examine your teeth and will take photos and X-rays. As a preferred Invisalign provider, Dr. Smith can verify whether this method is best for your needs or can recommend alternative options. Our office uses state-of-the-art 3D image technology to create a treatment plan and design your first aligner.

How Invisalign Teeth Straightening Works?

Invisalign aligners work by getting progressively tighter. This process moves your teeth into alignment and usually targets one or a small number of teeth at a time. Typically, you will switch the plastic aligners every two weeks. You will need to wear the aligners for at least 22 hours every day and should only remove them for eating, brushing, and flossing.

When You Need to See Your Invisalign Dentist?

Unlike with braces, you will not need to visit your dentist every time you tighten your aligners. The switch to a new set can typically be completed at home. Every few weeks, you will come into the office and we will make sure the treatment is progressing properly.

Length of Invisalign Treatment

If your teeth are mildly crooked, you may be able to complete treatment in as little as six months. Other patients have a timeline of closer to 12 months. This will depend on your unique circumstances and Dr. Smith will discuss the amount of time you can expect to wear your aligners.

After Invisalign

After your teeth have been straightened, they may shift due to changes in your jawbone during orthodontic adjustments. As a result, it’s important to wear a retainer after your treatment in order to make sure your smile stays straight. Once you finish your initial treatment plan, we will fit you for a retainer. You will need to wear this full-time at first but as your teeth become more stable in their new positions, we can discuss adjusting how often you need to wear the retainer. Our Invisalign dentist is happy to answer any questions you may have about this or any other aspects of the teeth straightening process.

Fixing Crooked Teeth

Crooked teeth can impact your self-confidence and oral health. At Smith Dentalworks, we can help you get a new smile that you will love. We are a preferred Invisalign provider and also offer a variety of other cosmetic and restorative dental treatments including veneers, teeth whitening, crowns, and more.

To schedule a consultation with our Invisalign dentist, contact us today.

Seeing your dentist regularly is essential for your oral health. In addition to this, the steps you take at home are also important. Day-to-day maintenance of your teeth and gums helps keep them healthy. This can prevent a wide range of issues from gum disease to tooth loss. It’s worth the time to create good at-home dental hygiene habits.

Maintaining Dental Restorations

If you have dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, dentures, et cetera, there may be specific oral hygiene instructions you need to follow to maintain them. Your dentist can help you understand how to do this.

Flossing

You should floss once daily. Whether you do this in the morning or at night is up to you, but it is usually recommended that you floss before you brush. This is because brushing clears away any food particles that may become dislodged.

To floss properly, you should wind the floss around your middle fingers, leaving one to two inches in the middle. Place this portion between your teeth and gently move it along the gum line on both sides. Then, move the floss to reveal a new, clean portion, and continue until you have cleaned between all of your teeth. If you prefer, you can also use a water flosser.

Brushing Your Teeth

Choosing a Toothbrush

When choosing a toothbrush, make sure to choose one with soft bristles. Harder bristles can wear away at your enamel and damage your teeth over time.

When it comes to manual vs electric toothbrushes, both can be good options. Electric brushes make it slightly easier to clean your teeth effectively but are more expensive. A manual toothbrush is usually okay to use and the most important thing is that you brush regularly no matter what type of brush you use. You also need to replace either type of brush once the bristles begin to wear down or after four months at a minimum.

Choosing Toothpaste

The toothpaste you use should have at least 1,000 parts per million of fluoride and a seal of approval from the American Dental Association. Beyond this, which brand you choose is usually a matter of personal preference. If you have sensitive teeth, you should choose a toothpaste that is specifically made for this problem. If over-the-counter sensitive toothpastes are not able to help, it’s a good idea to talk to your dentist to get a prescription option and to check for any underlying issues.

Toothbrushing Technique

Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth and gently move it back and forth, making sure to reach all the surfaces of each tooth as well as your gums. Continue this process for at least two minutes and repeat twice daily.

Preventive Dental Care in Oro Valley, AZ

At Smith Dentalworks, we can help you maintain your oral health and provide teeth cleanings, check-ups, and other types of preventive dentistry. Our dentist can also give you helpful tips for maintaining your dental hygiene at home.

To schedule an appointment with our general dentist, contact us today.