Dr. Mogell Dental Blog

Boca Raton Cosmetic Dentist

Are Dental Veneers Right For You?

Monday, August 31, 2015

Dental veneers are an amazing advance in cosmetic dentistry. Cosmetic dentists have been placing dental veneers for many years and we know that they are a long lasting cosmetic option for many patients.

Many patients ask about the differences between a dental veneer and a dental crown for cosmetic dentistry. Dental crowns can, and do make teeth more beautiful but they are also a way for dentists to save a tooth that has lost much of its structure due to decay or breakage. Placing a dental crown means removing much of the remaining tooth structure above the gum line and replacing it with an artificial tooth crown or "cap".

A dental veneer, in contrast, is a very thin piece of porcelain and is used to make a tooth cosmetically more pleasing. Placing a dental veneer requires that very little of the underlying tooth be removed. Dental veneers can be used to change the color of teeth or to change the shape of a tooth that is malformed. Cosmetic dentists can even use dental veneers to close wide spaces between teeth and in some cases to correct overlaps. This is also called "instant orthodontics". The actual bite hasn't been changed but the appearance of the smile is transformed.

Porcelain veneers are extremely durable and long lasting - we have patients with dental veneers that were placed over 20 years ago and their smiles are still perfect!

Find out more about dental veneers and how they can change your smile. Please contact Dr. Kenneth A. Mogell DMD PA at 561-394-9000 today to schedule your consultation.

Labels: Boca Raton cosmetic dentist, dental veneers

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What Do You Hate About Your Smile?

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Do you have one particular thing you hate about your smile? Are your teeth dingy, stained or yellow? Maybe you never had braces, or your teeth used to be straight but have moved with age. How about teeth that are too short or oddly shaped? Think you are stuck with those -- think again!

Cosmetic dentistry is really amazing. Using common cosmetic techniques like bleaching, dental veneers and dental crowns we can give you the smile you have always dreamed of. Don't like your "gummy" smile, we can take care of that with a gum contouring procedure.

The first step in your cosmetic dental makeover is finding a dentist that you trust and that has had extensive training and experience in the field of cosmetic dentistry. Unfortunately, cosmetic dentistry is not a "specialty" designation that requires a board exam, instead any dentist, regardless of training can call themselves a cosmetic dentist.

Our office has completed smile makeovers that range from correcting one tooth, to full-mouth cases and our patients photos show you how happy they are with their "after" pictures!

With years of experience and loads of cosmetic dental training our office is uniquely qualified to help you achieve the smile you've always wanted.

Please contact our Boca Raton cosmetic dental office at 561-394-9000 to schedule your consultation.

Labels: cosmetic dentistry, dental veneers

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Do You Have a Retirement Dental Plan?

Monday, August 24, 2015

My mom and dad have the best retirement dental plan there is - they raised a dentist! All joking aside, once people retire and no longer have employer health and dental benefits they face some choices.

Some people are surprised when they sign up for Medicare and discover that it doesn't include dental care. Some of the Medicare Advantage plans offer very limited dental benefits but most retirees pay for dental care out of pocket or purchase an individual dental plan.

Research has shown repeatedly that poor oral health is linked to diabetes, heart disease and more. About 25% of Medicare recipients have no natural teeth which puts them at higher risk for nutritional deficiencies.

As with most things in life - it pays to plan ahead. Hopefully you have been taking great care of your oral health all along -- if so, just keep it up and your oral health problems should remain minimal as you age. Remember that many dental problems are preventable -- keep brushing, flossing and getting regular cleanings.

If you are a few years away from retirement and still have employer dental coverage now is the time to start taking advantage and getting the treatment you have postponed. While most dental insurance plans are pretty limited as to what they will cover on an annual basis, some coverage is better than none. Talk to us about your future plans so we can work together on completing your planned treatment.

Please contact the central Boca Raton dental office of Dr. Kenneth A. Mogell today at 561-394-9000 to schedule your visit.

Labels: Boca Raton cosmetic dentist, dental hygiene, dental insurance

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Which is Worse - Flossing or Cleaning the Toilet?

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Surprisingly, about 14% of people think that flossing is worse than spending time cleaning the toilet. No wonder over one-quarter of people lie to their dentists about how often they floss!

Dentists are all about prevention - if we can keep problems from happening it makes life easier for everyone - especially you! Keeping your mouth healthy does require some sacrifices, including brushing twice each day and flossing once.

Why can't you floss once a week and forget it? It has to do with the gunk you are scraping off your teeth when you floss. That gunk (a technical term) builds up on teeth every day and at first it is soft and sticky and can easily be scraped away. After 24 hours or so, that changes. The gunk becomes hard and then the only way to get it off is to have the dental hygienist remove it.

Why is it important to keep the gunk from hardening and building up? Number one - it would look really nasty after a while. Number two - the bacteria that cause gum disease look upon that hardened gunk like it is a new condo just waiting for them to move in.

Some people just love flossing - but I know they are a minority. The folks that would rather scrub the toilet to avoid flossing... not sure what is going on with them. The majority of us fall into the middle. We will floss when we remember or if it is convenient.

Try keeping the floss out on the bathroom counter or on the nightstand, it might prompt you to remember. Many people find using small brushes (proxy brushes) or floss picks more convenient and comfortable than fighting with a long piece of dental floss.

Whatever works to get you cleaning out the gunk on a daily basis - go for it!

To start out your new regimen with squeaky clean teeth please contact our Boca Raton office at 561-394-9000 to schedule your next appointment with Katie, our wonderful hygienist!

Labels: dental hygiene, flossing, gum disease

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Special Dental Health Challenges for Women

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

It is a good thing that studies have shown that women tend to visit the dentist more often than men -- women have special dental health challenges that men don't face. Because women's bodies go through major hormonal changes throughout their lifetime they are at increased risk for periodontal disease and other problems.

Fluctuations in hormone levels have been shown to increase risk for gum disease. For women, hormonal changes begin a puberty and continue every month. Pregnancy and menopause bring more changes. These fluctuations cause changes in the mouth that allow bacteria to grow and enter the bloodstream.

During pregnancy hormones increase and the severity of dental problems can intensify as a result. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should visit their dentist to ensure gum health and to make sure teeth are cavity free. Almost half of pregnant women experience pregnancy gingivitis, beginning in the 2nd or 3rd month of pregnancy. This condition is uncomfortable, but if gums were previously healthy, usually resolves with good oral care. Severe gum disease has been linked to pre-term birth so don't be surprised if your obstetrician asks about your dental visits.

Later in life, menopause presents its own challenges for women's oral health. Tastes can change and decreasing estrogen levels can cause dry mouth. These changes also increase risk for bone density changes. Keep an eye out for gum recession which can be a sign of bone loss in the jaw. Receding gums can also cause tooth sensitivity and those teeth may be more prone to decay.

Most women can maintain good oral health despite these challenges. Brushing, flossing and regular dental visits can stop small problems from turning into larger ones. If it has been a while since your last visit, please contact our Boca Raton dental office at 561-394-9000 today to schedule your appointment.

Labels: Boca Raton cosmetic dentist, gum disease, oral hygiene, tooth decay

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