Societies weave myths and legends to create a shared experience. Stories like The Tortoise and The Hare can become so ingrained in a culture that their morals – in this case, “slow and steady wins the race” – effects decision-making and worldview.

Today, our version of folklore is TV and film. While dental anxiety is absolutely real and valid, encountering repeated negative portrayals of dentistry in the media certainly doesn’t help! Keep reading for three such examples. You’ll see why this shared experience doesn’t exactly line up with reality.

Porcelain veneers are a versatile cosmetic solution that can address one or several imperfections simultaneously. These thin, ceramic shells are customized to match the shade of your natural teeth and then bonded to their front surface to hide aesthetic issues. They’re often used to mask chips, cracks, discoloration, and slightly crooked or gapped teeth.

Plus, they can last 15+ years, making them an excellent long-term solution. However, it’s important to care for them properly if you want to extend their lifespan. Many patients want to know whether there are dietary restrictions they’ll need to follow to protect their veneers once they’re placed. Keep reading to learn more about what to expect!

Veneers are an incredibly versatile cosmetic solution. They’re made of resilient porcelain that’s color-matched to your natural teeth and then bonded to their front surfaces to mask several different issues. These shells are often used to hide problems like chips, cracks, and stubborn discoloration. On top of that, they can last 10+ years with the right care, making them an effective and durable way to improve your appearance.

If you’re frustrated by a crooked grin, you might wonder whether veneers can help straighten your smile, too. Continue reading to learn more!

Dental crowns are a versatile solution that can enhance your grin’s appearance and improve its functionality. These tooth-shaped covers protect and preserve teeth that are overly damaged or decayed, have undergone a root canal, or are the cap of a dental implant. Plus, they can be color-matched to your smile so that no one can tell the difference.

However, it’s natural to feel concerned if you’ve noticed a dark line forming around the base of your dental crown. Try though you might, you can’t seem to brush or floss it away. You might wonder if it’s dangerous or what you can do to remove it. If you’ve noticed a black border along the edge of your restoration, continue reading to learn why this happens and what you can do!

Throughout history, medical science has made many advancements that are still used today. Though they have changed somewhat over time, treatments for cataracts, plastic surgery procedures, and even dental prosthetics like crowns all date back centuries.

When people are interested in replacing teeth that they’ve lost, dentures are typically one of the first treatments that they’ll pursue. These prosthetics are convenient, inexpensive, and are capable of replacing any number of teeth all at once, all of which has made them exceedingly popular.

As effective as they are, there are things that dentures can’t do that some other methods of tooth replacement (like dental implants) can. Bone loss is an excellent example; here’s what you should know about this issue, its causes, and what kinds of tooth replacement can deal with it.

Your dentures are great for helping you eat and speak properly, all the while looking like you have a complete set of natural teeth. But despite their many benefits, dentures can sometimes be a bit of a challenge. Occasionally, they can cause gum irritation or jaw pain. They can also shift or slide in your mouth if they’re not adhered securely.

The good news is that you don’t have to live with these common denture dilemmas. An implant denture offers the convenience of dentures with the security of dental implants.

Dental implants can be a wonderful way to replace missing teeth with lifelike and functional restorations, but you may wonder how soon you can safely travel after having them surgically placed. While you shouldn’t have any problems with flying after receiving a single or a few implants, it’s probably best to wait a while before flying after getting many implants, a sinus lift, or significant bone grafting. Here’s a quick guide to flying after dental implants including a few tips for keeping your voyage more pleasant.

Since many people with dental alignment issues are reluctant to commit to traditional metal braces, clear aligners can be a great way to straighten their smiles without pointy and conspicuous metal parts or bothersome dietary restrictions. While many patients report that clear aligner treatment is much more comfortable than traditional braces, wearing a new set can cause some temporary discomfort. Here’s a brief list of ways to make wearing a new set of clear aligners more comfortable.

Dental implants are the best solution to tooth loss available. They look and work just like real teeth, creating a lifelike restoration that allows patients to eat whatever they want while going completely unnoticed by casual observers. They also provide a variety of oral health benefits such as preventing bone loss in the jaw and the teeth from shifting out of alignment. However, many people may be anxious about the surgery required to place them. Here’s what you can expect from this painless procedure.