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Raymond A. Della Porta, II DMD
Vero Beach, FL 32960
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My Blog
Posts for: October, 2017
Cosmetic and restorative dentistry is filled with a varied array of procedures, materials and techniques that can address any shortcoming with your smile. Whatever your condition, there’s a means to correct or enhance your smile.
The real question, though, is whether we’re both, patient and dentist, on the same page as to what’s best to enhance your smile. Dentists have a different perspective on smile outcomes than the average layperson. We’re clued into aspects like tooth alignment with facial features or gum-to-lip distance influenced by our professional training and experience. You, though, may see your smile in terms of other features that define beauty like mouth expressions or lip shape.
Bridging these differing points of view requires open and honest communication. Here are three considerations to make that happen.
Build trust between you and your dentist. It’s natural for us to have differing views on what constitutes proper smile aesthetics based on the perspectives previously mentioned. Working through those perspectives to arrive at a unified plan requires trust that both of us desire the same outcome: a beautiful smile you’re happy to display to the world.
“Seeing” your future smile can help ease your misgivings. It’s one thing to try to imagine a certain treatment outcome — it’s quite another to actually see it beforehand. And you can, through computer simulation that takes a picture of your current face and smile and then augments them digitally so you can see how your smile will appear after proposed treatment. It’s also possible in some cases for you to wear temporary or “provisional” restorations so that not only can you see how they look, but also how they feel and function in the mouth.
Understand what “type” of restoration patient you are. Although everyone is different, we can usually characterize patients and their expectations in two ways. Some patients are “perfect-minded” — they want restorations that offer the maximum symmetry, regularity and tooth brightness. Others are more “natural-minded” in that the changes they seek don’t drastically alter their natural appearance, but are just enough to look different and create a sense of character. Knowing what you really want — a drastic change or a subtle enhancement — will help you communicate your desires more clearly and help us design the treatment options that best fit your expectations.
If you would like more information on fostering communication between dentists and patients, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Great Expectations.”
October brings fall leaves, pumpkins — and National Dental Hygiene Month. As you change your summer clothes for a fall wardrobe, it may also be time to change your toothbrush for a new one. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months. If that sounds like a lot, just think: This small but very important tool gets a lot of use!
If you brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time as recommended by the ADA, that’s two hours of brushing action in one month. Three to four months of twice-daily brushing makes for six to eight hours of brushing time, or a couple hundred uses. This is all an average toothbrush can take before it stops doing its job effectively.
Toothbrush bristles are manufactured to have the right amount of give, tapering, and end-rounding for optimal cleaning. When new, a toothbrush can work its way around corners and between teeth to remove dental plaque. Old bristles, however, lose the flexibility needed to reach into nooks and crannies for a thorough cleaning. Worn bristles may curl, fray or break — and can scratch your gums or tooth enamel. A toothbrush with stiff, curled bristles does not leave your mouth feeling as clean. This may lead to brushing too often or too hard, which is bad for your gums.
A good rule of thumb is to replace your toothbrush every season — unless you see signs that you need a new one sooner. For example, if you wear braces, you may have to replace your toothbrush more frequently since brushing around braces puts more wear and tear on the brush.
For healthy teeth and gums, make sure your primary oral hygiene tool is in tip-top shape. Taking care of the little things now can avoid inconvenient and expensive dental problems later. Don’t forget to schedule regular professional dental cleanings, and be sure to ask if you have any questions about your dental hygiene routine at home. To learn more about the importance of good oral hygiene, read “Daily Oral Hygiene: Easy Habits for Maintaining Oral Health” and “Dental Hygiene Visit: A True Value in Dental Healthcare” in Dear Doctor magazine.
If you have heard of dental veneers, you may associate them with a huge, gleaming smile. However, this important dental restoration can 
do more than just a complete smile overhaul. Find out more about the versatility of veneers and what they can do for you with Dr. Raymond Della Porta at his practice in Vero Beach, FL.
What can a dental veneer do for me?
Thanks to their design, veneers can create a variety of results, from subtly correcting a chipped tooth to covering all the visible teeth to provide a completely new look. A dental veneer can help many patients who wish to improve the appearance of the imperfections in their smile. Some of the most common uses for veneers include to correct:
- chipped teeth
- cracked teeth
- discolored teeth
- yellowed teeth
- uneven teeth
- slightly gapped teeth
- slightly overlapped teeth
- too-thin or too-wide teeth
What can I expect from the procedure for veneers?
Dental veneers will require the help of a dental laboratory to create the actual veneers themselves. However, the lab will require an impression of your prepared teeth before they begin designing and creating your veneers. You will have at least two separate appointments during your veneers procedure. The first appointment will include preparing your teeth by removing a thin layer of enamel from their surfaces and taking the dental lab’s impression. If necessary, your dentist will place temporary veneers at this time. The second appointment will occur after your veneers return to your dentist’s office and will involve your dentist removing any temporary restorations and replacing them with the final product.
Dental Veneers in Vero Beach, FL
If you think dental veneers are for you, you should consult with your dentist to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. Patients should have a healthy smile, free from tooth decay and gum disease. Any instances of these conditions will require treatment prior to placing any veneers.
For more information on dental veneers, please contact Dr. Della Porta at his practice in Vero Beach, FL. Call (772) 567-1025 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Della Porta today!