Are you ready to make a few improvements to your smile, but don't like the thought of undergoing complicated or time-consuming dental procedures? Dental veneers offer a simple way to transform your smile. Bridgeport, CT, dentist Dr. Adriana Torena discusses how you can improve the appearance of a single tooth or all of them with veneers.

How do veneers work?

Because veneers are only applied to the front surfaces of teeth, they're the ideal solution if you want to hide a minor flaw that has a big impact on your smile. Veneers are extremely thin layers of porcelain applied to your teeth with dental cement. Because translucent porcelain has similar light-reflecting properties to tooth enamel, your veneers will look completely natural.

A small amount of tooth enamel must be removed from your teeth before you can receive veneers. Filing away a very thin layer of enamel ensures the most comfortable fit for your restoration. After your teeth are prepared in our Bridgeport office, we'll make an impression of your mouth. The impression is sent to a local dental laboratory that will the impression as a guide when crafting your veneers. In just a few weeks, you'll return to the office to receive the veneers. During this visit, we'll temporarily apply the veneers, make any minor adjustments needed, then permanently attach them with dental cement.

Are veneers the right choice for me?

Veneers aren't only a simple option, they're also very versatile. The restorations are used to address a variety of cosmetic dental issues, ranging from chips to oddly shaped teeth.

Even the slightest flaw or tiniest bit of damage can impact your appearance. Veneers hide cracks, chips, discolorations, bumps, pits and other imperfections that mar your smile.

Do you have a gap between your front teeth? Although braces are one option, they may not be needed if the gap is slight. Veneers instantly close small spaces between teeth, completely changing your smile.

Veneers also improve the shape and length of teeth. They're frequently used to improve the appearance of crooked, twisted or pointed teeth, but can also lengthen teeth that have become noticeably shorter over the years.

If you're tired of constantly whitening your teeth, veneers offer a better option. The restorations are stain resistant and available in a range of shades.

Boost your smile with teeth whitening! Call Bridgeport, CT, dentist Dr. Adriana Torena at (203) 368-9016 to schedule your visit.

Find out if you are the perfect candidate for this tooth-loss solution.

Are you an adult who is dealing with tooth loss? If so, then chances are good that you are doing a little online research to find out more about the restorations out there that could replace your missing teeth. Let our Bridgeport, CT, family dentist Dr. Adriana Torena tell you more about dental implants and how they could give you back the gorgeous smile you want.

How do implants work?

This restoration is the only tooth replacement that actually naturally fuses together with the bone and tissue in your mouth. An implant may look like nothing more than a small metal screw or post but it can actually replace your missing tooth’s roots. While this might not seem important, the roots of your teeth are important for the health of your jawbone.

When you lose teeth, the jawbone also is impacted, causing it to deteriorate over time. By surgically placing an implant into the jawbone we can prevent bone loss and also provide a long-term foundation from which to support one or more false teeth.

Am I a candidate for dental implants?

There are some factors that will certainly affect your candidacy for getting dental implants. Of course, you’ll be happy to hear that most healthy individuals dealing with tooth loss can benefit from what implants have to offer. Here are some ways to tell whether you are right for dental implants:

Your health:

This goes for both your oral and general health. Our Bridgeport, CT, dentist will need to thoroughly examine your mouth to make sure that there isn’t any gum disease or decay present, as these issues will need to be addressed before getting an implant.

Your age:

Implants are a great option for adults dealing with tooth loss; however, this restoration isn’t ideal for children or teens dealing with permanent tooth loss. This is because the jawbone of a child or young teen is still developing. If we were to place an implant into a still-developing jawbone it would stunt its growth.

Your lifestyle:

Smoking can greatly increase your chances of implant failure and poor hygiene can also affect the health of your implant. We want your implant to last the rest of your life, so your habits and lifestyle will affect your new restoration.

Allure Dental Group in Bridgeport, CT, is dedicated to providing you with the quality dental care you’ve been looking for. If you want to sit down with us and talk about dental implants or other treatment options then don’t hesitate to call your Bridgeport, CT, dentist and schedule your consultation.

What your dentist in Bridgeport wants you to know

Tooth decay and gum disease can affect the way your smile looks and how your teeth and gums work. You’ve probably seen people with dark spots or holes in their teeth and swollen, red gums. You don’t need to be one of them. You can do a lot to protect yourself against tooth decay and gum disease by keeping good oral hygiene habits. The good news is it shouldn’t take a lot of time out of your busy schedule.

Dr. Adriana Torena at Allure Dental Group in Bridgeport, CT wants to help you discover how a few simple steps can keep your smile in excellent shape.

Keeping good oral hygiene habits involves removing the bacteria-laden plaque from your teeth as completely as you can, as often as you can. You want to remove the plaque because it contains millions of bad bacteria that produce poisons, which can destroy your teeth and infect your gums. You can remove plaque effectively if you:

Brush your teeth after each meal and before you go to sleep. Always use a soft-bristled toothbrush because medium and hard toothbrushes can cause gum recession and tooth wear. Use toothpaste which contains fluoride and has the American Dental Association stamp of approval. This means the product has been rigorously tested and is safe for use.

Hint: You can also use an electric or sonic toothbrush, which often removes plaque better than a manual toothbrush. Many people find sonic and electric toothbrushes easier to use than a manual toothbrush.

Floss daily, using either waxed or unwaxed floss depending on your preference. Guide the floss down in between your teeth, and wrap the floss around the round part of each tooth. The wrapping action ensures you are touching the tooth surface and cleaning it effectively.

Hint: You can also use floss picks or floss holders if you have dexterity issues, arthritis, or other painful medical conditions.

Protect your smile by visiting Dr. Torena every year for a dental exam and x-rays, and the hygienist twice each year for professional cleanings. Your beautiful smile starts with good oral hygiene habits so get some help by calling Dr. Torena at Allure Dental Group in Bridgeport, CT today!

Has your bright smile faded? When yellowing and stains dull your smile, professional teeth whitening offers a simple way to restore your smile. Our Bridgeport, CT, dentist Dr. Adriana Torena explains how whitening works and shares benefits of professional whitening.

How can whitening help my smile?

Stains become trapped in your porous tooth enamel, turning your teeth an unattractive shade of yellow. Hydrogen peroxide, a very effective whitening agent, removes these discolorations by bleaching them. Once stains are gone, you can expect your teeth to remain brighter for at least two or three years if you avoid smoking and eating and drinking darkly colored foods and beverages.

How is whitening performed?

A dental exam and cleaning is the first step in the whitening process. After plaque and tartar are removed from your teeth, a layer of gel is added to your roots and gums to protect them from the effects of the hydrogen peroxide. Small devices called retractors will be used to hold your lips and cheeks away from your teeth during the procedure.

The hydrogen peroxide gel will remain on your teeth for about an hour. After it's removed, your teeth will be noticeably whiter. Depending on the initial condition of your teeth, you may notice that your teeth have lightened by as much as three to eight shades.

Take-home kits offer another option. Before you receive your kit, we'll make a mold of your teeth in our Bridgeport office. The mold will be used to create upper and lower trays that fit your teeth snugly. You'll also receive whitening gel, which you'll place in the trays before placing them in your mouth for about an hour. At-home whitening generally takes a few weeks to produce the desired results.

What's the difference between drugstore kits and professional whitening?

Professional whitening offers quicker results and is much less likely to irritate your roots and gums. Irritation can occur if you accidentally get hydrogen peroxide on your roots or gums or you use over-the-counter trays that don't fit your mouth well. Because drugstore kits use weaker formulations of hydrogen peroxide, it can take a long time to notice a difference in your smile.

Brighten your smile with professional teeth whitening. Call Bridgeport, CT, dentist Dr. Adriana Torena at (203) 368-9016 to schedule an appointment.

Repairing your teeth with dental crowns may seem like a foreign idea, especially if you have never had a porcelain dental restoration before. However, the procedure and the reasons behind it is easy to understand with the help of your dentist. Find out more about dental crowns and how they can help you with Dr. Adriana Torena at Allure Dental Group in Bridgeport, CT.

What are dental crowns? 
A dental crown covers a tooth to protect it after being damaged or to prevent damage due to instability. The crown itself is made from porcelain in a dental laboratory. It is designed and created by a dental technician using an impression of your mouth, taken by your dentist and sent to the laboratory. With the proper care, crowns can last years before requiring replacement.

When are dental crowns necessary?
Dental crowns are one of the most versatile restorations, used in many situations, including to:

• stabilize a tooth with a large filling
• protect a damaged tooth
• hold a dental bridge in place
• restore the surface of a tooth to make biting possible
• renew the appearance of a discolored or misshapen tooth
• replace a missing tooth as part of a dental implant
• preserve the structure of a tooth instead of requiring extraction

Dental Crowns in Bridgeport, CT
Dental crowns usually require two appointments with your dentist. At your first appointment, your dentist will prepare the tooth for the crown by removing parts of its enamel and shaping it into the correct form to fit inside of the crown. This provides the best environment for a proper bond between the crown and the natural tooth. Your dentist then takes an impression of your mouth and places a temporary crown onto the tooth. The dental laboratory requires about two weeks to create the crown itself. After this waiting period, you will have your second appointment. At this visit, your dentist places your final restoration.

For more information on dental crowns, please contact Dr. Adriana Torena at Allure Dental Group in Bridgeport, CT. Call (203) 368-9016 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Torena today!