Hanford Family Dental Center Blog

When your dentures fit properly, it’s easy to forget they’re there so you can just enjoy life. But with time, your prosthetics can often begin to change shape or become worn or damaged. When this occurs, they may begin to cause a variety of oral health problems that can take your focus off enjoying life and put it squarely onto your painful smile. While it may not seem like ill-fitting prosthetics could really be that problematic, here are five dangers of damaged dentures, and what you should do if they happen to you!

When it comes to an aesthetic smile, a relatively common issue that gets in the way for many people is stains. They can make your grin look a bit dull and yellow rather than the shiny, bright one you want. However, before you can get rid of this imperfection, it’s important to know what type you have. It might seem odd that there are differences in dental discoloration, so here’s what you should know and how to get back your gorgeous teeth.

Have you noticed you have slowly developed more stains or chips in your smile over time? Imperfections like these and other ones can make you unhappy with the look of your grin, but there is a way to fix it! Cosmetic dentistry is a great option to consider as it’s designed to give you the aesthetic-looking teeth you want. Here’s a quick guide to learn more about these treatments and how they can benefit you.

If you’re considering straightening your teeth but already have dental work, you may be wondering: can I get Invisalign if I have crowns, bridges, or veneers? The good news is that in many cases, the answer is yes. However, your specific situation will determine whether clear aligners are the right choice.

Here’s what you should know before starting treatment.

Plenty of people who want straighter smiles choose Invisalign over traditional braces because it utilizes transparent plastic trays that are considered more comfortable and discreet. Plus, although the timeline can vary significantly depending on your unique circumstances, it typically takes 12 to 18 months to complete this treatment, which is less than the time it takes for standard orthodontics to do the same job.

However, you may be required to wear a retainer once you’ve finished Invisalign. Continue reading to learn more about why this is necessary and how long you can expect to wear your oral appliance!

Clear aligners are a popular and discreet way to straighten your teeth, but removing them—especially at the beginning—can feel tricky or uncomfortable. Many patients worry about damaging their aligners or hurting their teeth. With the right technique, removing clear aligners can be quick, easy, and pain-free.

Are you feeling self-conscious about flaws in your teeth, such as stubborn stains that you can’t seem to brush away, chips or cracks, or mild misalignments? If so, you might benefit from undergoing one or more cosmetic services with your dentist.

Many providers offer a variety of options intended to enhance your appearance, and demand for these treatments continues to grow as more patients learn about their many benefits. Continue reading to learn 3 advantages of cosmetic dentistry to better understand why it has become so popular!

You probably expect to get gray hair at some point; it is a natural part of the aging process, and many people already see hints of silver in their 30s or 40s. But gray teeth?! That is a completely different story. If you find that your teeth are leaning toward a grayish hue, you may wonder why they look that way and what your cosmetic dentist can do to help brighten up your smile. This blog post provides some helpful information.

Dental bridges are a reliable and long-lasting way of replacing missing teeth, restoring their function, and bringing confidence back to your smile! Better yet, with proper care, a bridge can last for well over a decade or even longer—but like any type of dental restoration, they aren’t indestructible. Understanding why bridges sometimes fail, as well as how to prevent bridge failure, can help you protect your investment and keep your smile looking and feeling its best. Here’s what you need to know.   

To ensure your veneers last a long time, you’ll need to brush them (and the rest of your smile) twice a day. Only then will your shells stay clean and strong for as long as possible. Still, it isn’t just the brushing itself that matters; you’ll also require the best toothpaste for veneers. Using the right brand will help your treatment results thrive. For more details, here’s a primer on which toothpaste suits veneers best.