Tag Archives: Indianapolis Cosmetic Dentist

Choosing the Perfect Smile | Indianapolis Dentist

January 31, 2020Cosmetic Dentistry, general dentistry, General Health, porcelain veneers, porcelain veneers, Smile Makeover, VeneersComposite Veneers, dental hygiene, dental information, dental issues, dental tips, Dr. George Kirtley, Dr. George Kirtley Indianapolis Indiana, Dr. Kirtley, indianapolis, Indianapolis Cosmetic Dentist, Indianapolis Dentist, Indianapolis IN, Indianpolis Cosmetic Dentist, porcelain veneers, porcelain veneers indianapolis in, Smile makeover, Veneers, veneers indianapolisadmin

It’s a new year and a new you. That’s what they tell you anyway. When you think about being that new person, what improvements are you making? Are they physical ones? Do you ever stop to consider improving your smile? Many of us know someone with a great smile, but most of us have imperfections that need improvements. Veneers may be the ideal solution to repair your dental imperfections. They are thin, semi-translucent laminate that are bonded to change the shape and color of your teeth. Yes, you and your dental professional will design your smile to look as natural as possible. No one will notice a thing.

There are two types of veneers – composite resin and porcelain. Surprised? It’s true. But which do you choose? Let’s break down the two options. This way, when you go to your dentist for a consultation, you will have a general understanding of what you’re getting into and can have some questions for your appointment.

Composite:

Last about 4-8 years with proper maintenance
Made of high-quality reinforced plastic. Given today’s high-end technology these veneers look and feel very good, but under pressure they can damage quite easily.
Have a porous surface, which can affect their look after years of use
Stain more easily. Often needing whitening treatments to maintain their appearance.
Chip easily

Porcelain:

Porcelain veneers on the other hand last up to 25 years and do not require as much maintenance
Made of high-quality porcelain, natural in color and more resistant
Maintain strength and appearance over several decades
Do not stain because of the non-porous material

Visit Dr. Kirtley today and schedule an appointment to maintain a healthy smile. Call 317-841-1111 or www.smilesbygeorge.com.

Dr. George Kirtley proudly serves Indianapolis and all surrounding areas.

It Shouldn’t Be Like Pulling Teeth | Indianapolis Dentist

November 30, 2019Dental Health, general dentistry, General Health, Oral Care, Oral Health, Teeth, Teeth Crowdingbaby teeth, Cosmetic Dentist, Cosmetic Dentistry, cosmetic digital imaging, crowding, dental care, dental extractions, Dental Health, Dr. George Kirtley Indianapolis Indiana, Dr. Kirtley, General Dentistry, Indianapolis Cosmetic Dentist, Indianapolis Dentist, Indianapolis IN, infections, Oral care, oral health, pulling teeth, Teeth, teeth crowding, tooth crowding, wisdom teethadmin

Have you ever heard the phrase “it’s like pulling teeth”? It is generally used to describe something unfun. And if you think about it, they’re right – having a tooth pulled is no fun. But there are lots of reason a tooth needs to be pulled.

Your dentist may recommend extraction if you tooth is…

Seriously damaged, either due to injury or decay, and cannot be saved
A wisdom tooth (third molar), it may cause crowding, alignment problems, pain, or infection
Blocking another tooth from coming in
A baby tooth that didn’t fall out in time
Causing crowding, a dentist or orthodontist may recommend removing some teeth to allow braces to better adjust the remaining teeth
Infected, or could potentially be an infection source in high risk patients such as those undergoing organ transplants or cancer treatment

Extractions typically fall into one of two classes – simple and surgical. Dentists often perform simple extractions, where oral surgeons often perform surgical extractions. Simple extractions generally involve a single tooth that is visible in the mouth, with clear alignment – after numbing the area with local anesthetic, the tooth will be loosened using an instrument known as an elevator, and then pulled with an instrument known as forceps. For surgical removal, the surgeon may use local anesthetic, moderate sedation, or general anesthesia, and likely use a combination of tools and techniques to remove teeth that may be difficult to see (or still within the gums).

If your dentist recommends an extraction, it’s likely that you have a potentially serious problem. While it’s unlikely you’ll celebrate the news, you need not fear; pulling teeth today isn’t as painful as the saying makes it out to be.

Visit Dr. Kirtley today and schedule an appointment to maintain a healthy smile. Call 317-841-1111 or www.smilesbygeorge.com.

Dr. George Kirtley proudly serves Indianapolis and all surrounding areas.

Teeth Crowding Solutions | Indianapolis Cosmetic Dentist

December 20, 2015Teeth CrowdingCosmetic Dentist, Cosmetic Dentistry, cosmetic digital imaging, crowding, Dr. George Kirtley Indianapolis Indiana, Dr. Kirtley, General Dentistry, Indianapolis Cosmetic Dentist, Oral care, oral health, Teeth, teeth crowding, tooth crowdingadmin

Many people have – or believe they have – problems with their teeth crowding that goes untreated. Crowding can be caused by a number of different factors, and knowing the actual cause may impact the treatment options. Crowding is the lack of space for all the teeth to fit normally within the jaws. The teeth may be twisted or displaced. Crowding occurs when there is disharmony in the size or number of teeth to available jaw size.

One of the common causes of tooth crowding is natural occurrence – so called mesial drift phenomenon, where your front teeth drift slowly to the center of the mouth. In the past, some dentists believed this was caused by the presence of wisdom teeth, crowding the front teeth from the rear of the mouth, though in reality many of the problems are due to simple insufficient space for the number of teeth as adults grow. Beyond mesial drift, other potential causes – such as weakened support due to periodontal disease, thumb sucking, and tongue thrusting – can also influence teeth to move in directions that are undesirable, leading to misalignment and crowding issues. We see many adult patients who had relatively straight teeth as teenagers coming to correct new crowding that has developed, especially in the lower front teeth. It is still not completely understood why this happens, but we do know that presence of the wisdom teeth are not usually directly related.

Many see crowding as a cosmetic problem, the reality is that poorly aligned teeth are at an increased risk for periodontal disease, decay, and the patient is more likely to suffer from TMJ (jaw-joint) problems, as their irregular bite may cause strain on their jaw over time. For these reasons, fixing alignment should be considered more than simply a cosmetic procedure – correcting the alignment allows the patient to have better access to brush and floss, and their bite will be more level.

If you notice crowding in your front teeth, make a point of asking Dr. Kirtley about options during your next regular checkup. There are a number of treatments available, and treating the crowding early can help prevent more serious problems from developing in the future. Even if your concerns are simply cosmetic, we can work with you to ensure that your teeth will have the best chance for minimal movement in the future.

For more information on tooth crowding and to make an appointment call, Dr. Kirtley at 317-841-1111 or visit his website dentalimplantsinindianapolis.com

Dr. Kirtley gladly welcomes patients from Spring Hill, Beech Grove and Warren Park.