The role of both porcelain crowns and porcelain veneers is to cover existing teeth with attractive outer shells, resulting in straighter, more even teeth and a beautiful smile. But when do you need porcelain crowns, and when will veneers suffice? A dental crown fits over your whole tooth to serve as a completely new outer surface. Its strength makes it especially applicable for teeth such as molars, which are subject to significant chewing and biting forces.

Dental veneers, on the other hand, are thin "shells" of porcelain or ceramic that are bonded onto the front side of a tooth (the side that shows when you smile) to cosmetically correct tooth imperfections.

A dental crown may be recommended in the following situations:

• To protect a weak tooth from breaking, or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth.
• To restore a broken or worn-down tooth.
• To cover and support a tooth with a large filling.
• To hold a dental bridge in place.
• To cover a tooth that is misshapen or severely discolored.
• To cover a dental implant.

A dental veneer is often applied:

• To fill gaps between teeth.
• To correct minor shape problems.
• To produce a whiter appearance to mildly stained or darkened teeth.

Come in and ask us which smile solution may be appropriate for your particular dental improvement. 

When we notice someone with discolored teeth, we usually assume it's due to smoking, a high consumption of staining foods and drinks, or some other common reason. There's another cause of stained teeth that doesn't usually come to mind, though: swimmer's calculus.

Swimmer's calculus is defined as being hard, brown, tartar deposits that appear predominantly on the front teeth. Athlete swimmers submerged in swimming pools for over six hours a week expose their teeth to large amounts of chemically treated water. The pool water contains chemical additives that cause salivary proteins to break down quickly and form organic deposits on swimmers' teeth.

If you are exposed to pool water on a continual basis, it's essential to schedule more frequent, professional dental cleanings.

Come in and let us have a look at your discolored teeth, regardless of the reason for the discoloration. If, after a good cleaning, you're still looking for a whiter, brighter appearance for your teeth, we will discuss your many tooth brightening options, from professional tooth whitening to veneers and porcelain crowns. 

While the image of a puffy-cheeked ball player might first come to mind when mentioning chewing ("spit") tobacco, the reality is that smokeless tobacco is also a daily habit to millions of everyday North Americans, both young and old.

It's important to know that, just because chewing tobacco is smokeless, it's far from harmless. In fact, because of the practice of "chewing" and "dipping," tobacco and its juices are left in contact within and around the oral cavity for extended periods of time, subjecting users to an increased risk of mouth and other cancers.

From a cosmetic perspective, whether you smoke or use chewing tobacco, expect to develop tobacco stains on your teeth. Frequent cleanings by a dental professional are absolutely vital and will certainly help delay deep staining, but, occasionally, some of the tobacco stains will seep into the pores of your tooth enamel, and turn whole teeth a darker color.

If your teeth are already stained by nicotine, you'll want to find out how to best bring them back to a brighter, whiter appearance. Please call 734-425-4530 for an appointment so we can assess the severity of the staining, and provide options that may involve something as simple as tooth whitening, or perhaps the application of veneers, which will not only provide a whiter appearance, but also straighten and correct any slight imperfections in your teeth. 

Today's economic conditions have resulted in a rising number of workers looking for new employment. This means that more job applicants are applying to the few companies that are hiring, and those applicants need to find a way to make themselves stand out from the competition.  This is also the time when you recent grads are out there looking for your first career job and are transitioning from college student to professional.  Why not start with a healthy, confident smile?

Both men and women need to be aware of the impressive impact a nice smile has. Studies have proven that the right smile can make a person look more interesting, intelligent, successful and wealthy to others. However, in this economy many households are tightening their budgets, and are looking to cut down on what they consider to be unnecessary services. It's important to remember to not put dental care in this category, as cancelled dental visits can easily end up costing you more money in the long run.

Today's science indicates that overall health is linked to oral health in many cases. For example, the American Academy of Periodontology has evidence that infections in the mouth can lead to a host of other, seemingly unrelated, medical problems in some people. Thorough dental checkups are an essential part of preventive health maintenance, and a healthy worker is the most sought-after type of worker. Don't wait until something hurts; if you haven't already scheduled your next dental checkup, please call us today.

When job hunting, it simply makes sense to present yourself in the most professional light. Practice your winning smile in the mirror. If your teeth look stained or yellow, consider having them whitened. It's a simple step, but one that could give you a subtle edge over another person who's vying for the same position.

It's a fact that a healthy, white smile is equated with a more youthful look - always an advantage in today's competitive job environment. Let us help you get the professional edge with a confident, winning smile! 

When you think of porcelain veneers, you may think of them only as a cosmetic option for teeth that are poorly shaped, chipped or worn. In fact, porcelain veneers are also a practical solution to a host of different dental problems.

Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin shells of porcelain that are bonded onto the front side of individual teeth. They are a popular option for teeth that are damaged, and are also often used as an orthodontic option to correct uneven spaces or to fill gaps between the upper front teeth. Veneers are an excellent whitening option for discolored teeth, including those that cannot be bleached effectively due to deep stains from years of using certain medications, or teeth that are darkened as a result of an injury.

The composition of porcelain veneers allows for the most natural-looking teeth possible by replicating the translucency and light-handling characteristics of natural tooth enamel. Porcelain veneers are also extremely stain-resistant - a bonus for smokers and people who enjoy coffee, tea, red wine and fruits with deep, staining colors.

Come in and talk to Dr. Joboulian about how easy it is to put your best smile forward with the application of strong, attractive and natural-looking porcelain veneers.