Posted on

What is a Cosmetic Dental Procedure? | Dentist in Riverside

According to AACD.com “…cosmetic procedures can range from basic color correction to replacing missing teeth, and everything in between.” While cosmetic dentists may employ the use of anesthesia for surgical improvement, most procedures are non-invasive. Here are a few procedures cosmetic dentists perform.

Crowns – similar to a veneer, dental crowns are a porcelain or ceramic tooth look-alike that fits over a weak or damaged tooth. Crowns are made to fully encase the tooth and can last between five to 15 years depending on how well they are cared for.

Braces – these are within the realm of cosmetic dentistry because braces shift the teeth into the optimal position for your bite and mouth size. Braces are one of the most common procedures a cosmetic dentist may perform, as tooth alignment is just as much about oral health as it is aesthetics.

Dental Bonding– for chipped, cracked or gapped teeth, your dentist will apply a tooth-colored resin to the chipped area. They will layer resin, utilizing a UV light to harden it as they go, in order to build back the original look of the chipped tooth or teeth.

Veneer Application – you can think of a veneer as a thin shell that fits over the surface of your existing teeth to improve the color, shape, size or length of teeth. Veneers are made of porcelain or a resin composite and permanently bonded to the teeth.

Teeth Whitening – another common procedure for cosmetic dentists is teeth whitening. Coffee, tobacco, alcohol, predisposition and many other things can contribute to a less-than-white smile. If over-the-counter methods haven’t quite worked to bring back your pearly whites, you may consider speaking with a cosmetic dentist for a more intense treatment.

Gum Reshaping – when your gums appear more pronounced than your teeth, or your gemlike is uneven, a cosmetic dentist may recommend gum reshaping. Essentially, a small amount of gum or bone tissue is removed or contoured to even out the appearance of your gum line or tooth ratio.

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton’s office in Riverside, CA at 951-688-3442 or through the website. 

Dr. Gerald Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

Custom Design Your Smile | Dentist in Riverside

Preventing tooth decay for a perfect smile

Now that we are in the midst of celebrating the holiday season with friends and family, is your smile everything you want it to be? After all, if there is a holiday party, chances are there are loads of photos being taken and laughter is filling the room. Have you ever thought about a smile makeover? Nowadays, there are lots of options when it comes to improving your smile – all it takes is a visit to the dentist to discuss a treatment plan.

Some of the more common cosmetic dental options are bonding and porcelain veneers. But what is the difference between the two? Because both bonding and veneers are used to cover dental imperfections, but the procedures are quite different.

Dental bonding uses a smooth tooth colored solution which is applied to teeth. It covers stains and fills in small chips and gaps. After the dental bonding solution has been applied and shaped a specialized dental light is used to harden the bonding material. Once the bonding solution is dried and cured additional layers may be applied depending on your situation. When the process is complete the tooth is then polished. Bonding is used on patients who need one or two teeth corrected.

Porcelain veneers are fabricated from a solid piece of porcelain. They fit over the front and underside of your tooth covering the entire surface of visible tooth. Veneers can be fitted to lengthen or widen teeth to close gaps or fill in chips. Porcelain veneers are generally used for patients who have several cosmetic problems or want their entire set of front-facing teeth made over.

So, as you can see, regardless of your dental ailment, there is a solution to remedy it. Time to schedule an appointment to discuss!

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton’s office in Riverside, CA at 951-688-3442 or through the website. 

Dr. Gerald Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

Who Doesn’t Love a Makeover? | Dentist in Riverside

Preventing tooth decay for a perfect smile

If you feel self-conscious with your smile, happy times are tough. We all love a nice smile, so when you don’t have one, it can become an issue. Thankfully, we have cosmetic dentistry that can turn your smile from flawed to fantastic, regardless of the issues at hand. Here’s a quick rundown of the various ways dental technology has advanced to a point where you can truly have a smile you loved to show off:

Teeth whitening. All of our teeth get discolored or stained from time to time. Our diet is filled with food that does the damage. Teeth whitening, or bleaching, can be done in a dentist’s office or at home with a brightening system.

Bonding. Bonding can improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, broken, cracked, stained, or gapped by bonding tooth-colored materials to the tooth surface, making them nearly impossible to distinguish.

Veneers. Another variation of the bonding technique are veneers. These are thin, custom-made porcelain shells that cover the front of the teeth to disguise discoloration or imperfections. 

Tooth reshaping. This procedure changes the actual look of your teeth by modifying or removing enamel, completely changing the look of your tooth.

Crown lengthening. Sometimes it isn’t the teeth that are the issue, it’s the gums. This can be fixed by removing excess gum tissue, exposing more of the tooth’s crown to give the appearance of longer teeth.

Smile makeovers. Deciding your smile needs an entire makeover involves a comprehensive assessment of the overall appearance of the teeth and smile.

As with all other cosmetic surgeries, your mouth also needs to be in fairly good health in order to have these dental procedures done. To determine if you are a good candidate, make a dental appointment.

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton’s office in Riverside, CA at 951-688-3442 or through the website. 

Dr. Gerald Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

Improving Your Smile with Dental Implants | Riverside Dentist

When we are deciding to improve our smile, there are plenty of ways to do so. Some like the look of white teeth, so they brighten their smile with whitening treatments. If you’re missing teeth, there are a few options, like crowns and veneers, but there is also another option – the dental implant.

Dental implants are the best long-term solution for missing teeth because it is a complete tooth replacement. There are three components: the post, abutment, and restoration. The dental implant post looks like a screw made of titanium and integrates into the jawbone like a tooth root. The abutment is attached to the post, and the restoration, or crown, is attached to the abutment. With dental implants there are plenty of immediate benefits including, improved speech, easier eating, improved comfort and overall improved oral health. Here are some others:

Conserve your jawbone. With a bridge, your jawbone will eventually begin to deteriorate underneath the missing tooth. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that your jawbone may lack the integrity to get implants in the future without a dental bone graft.

Stop your teeth from shifting.  When you lose a tooth, the surrounding teeth will eventually begin moving to fill in the space, causing complications. Placing a dental implant will keep your teeth properly spaced and make it easy to keep them clean.

Preserve your appearance.  When your jawbone deteriorates because of missing teeth, it often causes your face to appear sunken in, making you look older. People with dentures often complain of having thin lips and sunken cheeks. Dental implant posts provide the stimulation your body needs to produce dense, healthy jawbone material and keep your face looking full.

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton’s office in Riverside, CA at 951-688-3442 or through the website. 

Dr. Gerald Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

Learning to Care for Your Dental Veneers | Dentist in Riverside

Getting porcelain veneers is guaranteed to not only improve your smile, but also your dental health. And while they are made to last for twenty years, the longevity of your porcelain veneers greatly depends on how well you take care of them. It is important that you follow your dental professional’s advice for aftercare, but here are some additional tips you may want to keep in mind after you get your brand-new smile:

Proper dental hygiene. Every single day, twice a day, your teeth need to be brushed and flossed with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Good oral care at home helps prevent your gums from receding from periodontitis. Because veneers are placed right at the gum line, gum recession would compromise your veneers.

Avoid excessive force. Many patients have a bad habit of using their teeth as tools. Unfortunately, this is a terrible habit for your teeth, so there’s no biting your fingernails, hairpins, ice or hard candy going forward because these types of things can break or dislodge a veneer.

No clenching and grinding your teeth. This is one habit that many are unaware they are doing. Grinding your teeth can cause your veneers to become chipped or broken due to the force generated by these actions. If you find you’ve begun to grind your teeth, you may want to look for stress relievers to help curb that habit. If you suffer from bruxism at night, you may need a night guard while you sleep.

Avoid foods that stain. Yes, porcelain veneers are stain-resistant, but the cement holding them in place isn’t. Enjoy your favorite darker beverages like coffee and wine, but try to keep them to a minimum.

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton’s office in Riverside, CA at 951-688-3442 or through the website. 

Dr. Gerald Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

Ten for Porcelain Veneers | Dentist in Riverside

When it’s time to get start procedures to get the smile you’ve always wanted, you will be presented with an assortment of options to choose from. And depending on your specific issues, you and your dental professional will develop a treatment plan. One of these options will likely be porcelain veneers.

We have all seen veneers before – some of our favorite celebrities have veneers to give them that perfect Hollywood smile. But more than that, porcelain veneers offer superior benefits over other cosmetic dental procedures, such as dental crowns or braces. The fingernail-thin shells, which are adhered to the front surface, solve a myriad of aesthetic problems with just one treatment. Here is a list of the top ten:

Discrete. Porcelain is a translucent material that mimics the look, luster, and feel of enamel.

Quick whitener. When adhered to the front surface of your teeth, veneers will make your teeth look instantly whiter.

Straightening. Veneers offer a great alternative for patients with crooked teeth who do not want to endure the process of having their teeth straightened with dental braces.

Fixes and fills. Veneers can be customized to repair smiles with unsightly gaps, or teeth that are chipped or broken.

Youthful. A whiter, brighter, more lustrous smile can immediately give your face a more youthful appearance.

Conservative. Unlike other cosmetic procedures that require removing a large portion of healthy, natural teeth, veneers can be applied with little alteration.

Protection. Once applied, the veneers also serve to provide a protective shield to the front surface of teeth.

Stain-resistant. Porcelain is stain-resistant, which will make your smile stay brighter and whiter longer.

Gum friendly. Gum tissue is not irritated by porcelain.

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton’s office in Riverside, CA at 951-688-3442 or through the website. 

Dr. Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

Smile Improvements Made by Veneers | Riverside, CA

When a patient thinks about improving their smile, many are put off because they think it will not only be painful but will take lots of time and money. Dr. Gerald Middleton knows that not all patients need severe changes to their smile, but every patient deserves to have the best smile possible. Thankfully, cosmetic procedures, such as minimally invasive veneers, can make a huge difference without damaging existing teeth structure. Not only does this make a patient rest at ease, but it can also be done quickly, even as little as a single dentist visit. Curious to find out more? Keep reading…

Minimally invasive veneers are thin ceramic veneers that cover the surface of the tooth they are attached to. Since minimally invasive veneers are applied on the surface of teeth, patients can keep their enamel intact. This is quite different from the procedure in the past, but this development has made creating new smiles quick and easy. I’m slowly convincing you, right?

Now there is one main difference between minimally invasive veneers and traditional veneers – traditional veneers require teeth changes that cannot be reversed. Traditional veneers used to require shaving down your teeth in order to apply the veneers, making these changes irreversible. But honestly, with minimally invasive veneers, why would you want to get the traditional variety?

Of course, which veneers you choose is going to be a case by case basis, as not all patients will be candidates. If you are ready for a smile makeover, make an appointment for a consultation. A dental professional usually recommends using minimally invasive veneers on patients that have mild to moderate tooth discolorations, minor misalignment, or need teeth reshaped.

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton in Riverside, CA at 951-688-3442 or visit www.gmdental.com.

Dr. Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

Should I Get Veneers? | Riverside Dentist

When you have a flawed smile, it is tough to find reason to use it. Fortunately, there are plenty of dental procedures you can do to remedy the situation – one of which is porcelain veneers.

Porcelain veneers are generally used for patients who have several cosmetic problems or want their entire set of front-facing teeth made over. Modern porcelain veneers tend to last many years, are easy to care for (normal brushing and flossing is fine, no special care is required), provide a very natural appearance, and offer a stronger alternative to other cosmetic options. Still wondering if veneers are the way to go? Here is a list of reasons you should choose veneers:

Natural looking. Porcelain is a translucent material that mimics the look, luster, and feel of enamel.

White and bright. When adhered to the front surface of your teeth, veneers you’re your teeth look instantly whiter.

Straighten the crooked. Veneers offer a great alternative for patients with crooked teeth who do not want to endure the process of having their teeth straightened with dental braces.

Fillers. Veneers can fill in any gaps and improve the look of teeth that are chipped or broken.

Fountain of youth. A whiter, brighter, more lustrous smile can immediately you’re your face a more youthful appearance.

Protection. Once applied, the veneers also serve to provide a protective shield to the front surface of teeth.

Stain-resistant. Porcelain is stain resistant, which will make your smile stay brighter and whiter longer.

Gum-friendly. Gum tissue is not irritated by porcelain.

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton in Riverside, CA at 951-688-3442 or visit www.gmdental.com.

Dr. Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside, Corona, San Bernardino, Redlands, Moreno Valley, Lake Elsinore and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

To Veneer or Not to Veneer | Riverside Dentist

close-up-smile-red-lipstickPorcelain veneers offer superior benefits over other cosmetic dental procedures, such as dental crowns or braces according to Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Middleton of Riverside, CA. The fingernail-thin shells, which are adhered to the front surface, solve a myriad of aesthetic problems with just one treatment.

Porcelain veneers are fabricated from a solid piece of porcelain. They fit over the front and underside of your tooth covering the entire surface of visible tooth. Veneers can be fitted to lengthen or widen teeth to close gaps or fill in chips. Porcelain veneers are generally used for patients who have several cosmetic problems or want their entire set of front facing teeth made over. Modern porcelain veneers tend to last many years, are easy to care for (normal brushing and flossing is fine, no special care is required), provide a very natural appearance, and offer a stronger alternative to other cosmetic options. But if you are still wondering if veneers is the way to go, here is a list of the top 10 reasons you should choose veneers as your cosmetic surgery of choice:

  • Natural looking – Porcelain is a translucent material that mimics the look, luster, and feel of enamel.
  • Whiten – When adhered to the front surface of your teeth, veneers you’re your teeth look instantly whiter.
  • Straighten – Veneers offer a great alternative for patients with crooked teeth who do not want to endure the process of having their teeth straightened with dental braces.
  • Fix – Veneers can fill in and improve the look of teeth that are chipped or broken.
  • Fill in gaps – Veneers can be customized to repair smiles with unsightly gaps.
  • Youthful – A whiter, brighter, more lustrous smile can immediately you’re your face a more youthful appearance.
  • Conservative – Unlike other cosmetic procedures that require removing a large portion of healthy, natural teeth, veneers can be applied with little alteration.
  • Protection – Once applied, the veneers also serve to provide a protective shield to the front surface of teeth.
  • Stain resistant — Porcelain is stain resistant, which will make your smile stay brighter and whiter longer.
  • Gum friendly – Gum tissue is not irritated by porcelain.

Only your dentist will be able to give you a thorough examination in order to suggest which procedure is right for you. For more information about veneers or other cosmetic dentistry call Dr. Middleton in Riverside, CA at 951-688-3442 or visit www.gmdental.com.

Dr. Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside, Corona, San Bernardino, Redlands, Moreno Valley, Lake Elsinore and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

Taking care of your Porcelain Veneers | Serving Moreno Valley, CA

The longevity of your porcelain veneers greatly depends on how well you take care of them. Dr. Gerald Middleton DDS of Riverside, CA offers some suggestions for properly taking care of your porcelain veneers.

Good Oral Care at Home: Brush and floss daily with a nonabrasive toothpaste containing fluoride. Good oral care at home helps prevent periodontitis which can cause your gums to recede. Veneers are placed right at the gum line. If your gums do start to recede the appearance of your veneers could be compromised.

Avoid excessive force: No biting your fingernails, hairpins, ice or hard candy. These types of things can break or dislodge a veneer.

No clenching and grinding your teeth: By grinding your teeth your veneers can be chipped or broken due to the force generated by these actions. If you suffer from bruxism at night, talk to Dr. Middleton about a night guard to protect your teeth and veneers.

Steer Clear of Staining Foods and Drink: Although porcelain veneers are very resistant to staining the cement used to hold them in place can stain over time. Try to avoid coffee, tea, soda, wine and tobacco.

Contact Dr. Middleton at 951-688-3442 for more information on porcelain veneers or to make an appointment. Visit his website www.gmdental.com.