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Making Beautiful Faces with Braces | Ottawa Dentist

In order to achieve our best smile, some of us need orthodontic help to straighten things out. Because not only is a straight smile attractive but is necessary to maintain oral health. The good news is – correcting flaws with braces is not only common, but you now have a choice as to which treatment option you prefer.

Traditional braces were typically silver metal back in the day, but they can now come in a ceramic that makes them a whole lot less noticeable. There are also colors you can choose from to create a custom look. On the downside, you still have to get them tightened every month or so and broken pieces are pretty painful.

Since 1998, Invisalign are transparent tooth aligners that have taken the orthodontic world by storm. Straightening your teeth without wires and glued brackets, it’s clear, it’s removable and the treatment time is generally a third of what wearing traditional braces would be. The downside to this is that they are more expensive, and it takes a lot more discipline to maintain the strict regimen of wearing the aligners most of the day and the additional steps it takes to clean the system’s trays.

So, which do you choose? Well, it honestly depends on your personal situation. Because despite what you may hope, not all cases are the same. Patients with bridgework, certain bite issues or rotational needs are just out of luck. Alternatively, traditional braces are not ideal for those that lead a rough and tumble life or have a job that doesn’t allow regular braces. In that instance, you may want to consider the Invisalign system or lingual braces (braces attached to the insides of your teeth) to straighten things out.

Schedule your appointment today. Call Dr. Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.urbandentalcentre.com.

Dr. Katia Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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What You Need to Know About Frenectomies | Ottawa Dentist

When we think about dental procedures, we generally think about teeth and gums, but there are a few lesser-known bits that can require necessary dental attention. One of these is the frenulum. Frenulum is a thin connective tissue that connects one surface to another inside the mouth. We have three types – lingual frenulum connects our tongue to the bottom of our mouth, labial frenulum connects attaches the lips to the gums (top and bottom at our front teeth) and buccal frena attaches our gums to the sides of our cheeks. In fact, you can see your frenum if you look in a mirror. Lift your tongue to see your lingual frenulum, pull your upper or lower lip to expose your labial frenulum. That’s your frenulum!

Now, this will only really become a problem if the frenulum is elongated and here’s why. As an infant, having an elongated lingual frenum may cause issues feeding, because babies need their tongues to suckle milk. If left untreated, it will cause speech issues as they become a toddler and begun to speak. And if it’s the labial frena that is elongated, it may cause orthodontic issues because it could cause gaps as permanent teeth start to come in. Many times, the issue can be remedied with braces.

Thankfully, there are plenty of natural, non-invasive options to try first. But if that doesn’t help, there is a simple procedure that can remedy any abnormal frenulum issues – a frenectomy. So simple you are in and out within fifteen minutes. Even recovery time is minimal – if you keep it clean and follow aftercare instructions, you’ll be back to normal within two weeks.

Schedule your appointment today. Call Dr. Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.urbandentalcentre.com.

Dr. Katia Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Alternative Treatment Options for Bruxism

 

When we don’t get enough quality sleep, it can begin to develop into other health issues because our bodies rest and heal in order to continue running at peak levels. So, if you are waking up with headaches or jaw pains, it is time to make a dental appointment to find out why. Likely, you have developed a sleep issue like bruxism, or teeth grinding. If this is the case, you will be advised to use a night guard while you sleep. This little gadget will keep your teeth from wearing down and causing more issues. But if you feel that the night guard isn’t making enough of a difference, there are other alternative treatment options that you can inquire to your dentist about, such as:

Teeth straightening. Maloclussions, or teeth that are out of alignment causing an overbite or underbite has been known to contribute to bruxism. Wearing braces can help in such cases.

Proper stress management. Bruxism is also likely to be caused by anxiety, so you may want to try out certain methods of relaxation such as meditation. Professional counselling, in severe cases, may also be necessary and useful.

Dietary changes. Stimulants, such as caffeine, have been known to cause teeth grinding, so your dentist might recommend avoiding such beverages. You may also be asked to stay off antidepressants, as they may make bruxism symptoms worse. This is a great time to remind you that during your initial consultation about bruxism, that you be honest with your dentist, especially when it comes to medication, so you can be told if it’s bad for you or be suggested an alternative.

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Dental Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season

Now that we are smack dab in the middle of the holiday season, it is a good time to refresh on some dental tips to keep your smile healthy. After all, this may be a different type of holiday season, but that doesn’t mean we need to change all of our favorite things that this time of year brings: We all know holidays are jam-packed with loads of foods, but there are many ways you can damage your teeth if you overindulge in certain things. Candy canes, for example, are a classic holiday treat. But they are also a hard sugary candy, and that can damage your teeth if you aren’t careful. Stockings also tend to be filled with sugary sweets. Why not try to limit the treats in exchange for other options? Or better yet, gift them a new toothbrush! When it comes to snacks and meals, there are lots of options to keeping your diet and mouth healthy. Indulge in more fruits and veggies than cakes and cookies when grazing the snack table. They are not only filled with great vitamins, but chomping on them produces saliva, ideal for washing away harmful bacteria. Other holiday staples are cheese and turkey, and both of those are the perfect options as they contain lots of proteins and calcium to strengthen your teeth. When it comes to holiday beverages, keep things simple. If you are a wine drinker, white wine won’t stain your teeth like red. If soda is the option, try to limit these super sugary drinks, or opt for fizzy water. After all the festivities are done, make sure you practice proper dental hygiene. In fact, hum a holiday tune while you brush! Schedule your appointment today. Call Dr. Katia Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.lesplanadedental.com. Dr. Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.
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Spruce Up Your Smile with Facial Rejuvenation | Ottawa Dentist

Now that you have finally gotten the smile you’ve always wanted you may begin to notice that the little lines in your face are becoming more predominant. Well, if it isn’t one thing, it’s another, right? Don’t worry – you aren’t alone. Aging is natural for everyone, but it doesn’t mean we need to lie down and surrender to the facts of life. It’s just time for a visit to the dentist. One of the ways a smile makeover is successful, is to have some facial rejuvenation done to improve the overall look of your smile. Here at L’Esplande Dental Centre Dentaire, we are proud to offer our patients two of these treatment options – Botox and Juvederm. These procedures have both been performed for years, but they are very different. Here is a quick breakdown: Botox. This option freezes muscles to stop creases and wrinkles caused by facial expressions. These are typically found in the upper face, such as the forehead and around the eyes. The results can last 3 to 4 months but is done in a single trip to the dentist. Dermal fillers. These fillers use hyaluronic acid and similar substances to “fill in” or plump areas that have lost volume and smoothness. This includes all of the places that are used when you smile – wrinkles around the mouth, thin lips, and cheeks that have lost fullness. But more than that, they may also be used on forehead wrinkles, scars, and other areas that need extra volume for a smoother look. Unlike Botox, these results can last up to half a year. If you would like more information about facial rejuvenation, call Dr. Katia Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.lesplanadedental.com. Dr. Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.
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When You Get Facial Fillers at the Dentist | Ottawa Dentist

We all want to stop the hands of time, but sadly, it doesn’t. We age each and every day, no matter how much we don’t want it to. So, we have tips and tricks we do to give the appearance that we are more youthful than we are. Cosmetic procedures do not only involve a plastic surgeon. But, what do facial fillers, like Botox® or Juvederm®, have to do with dentistry? It’s not like teeth have wrinkles.

These days, more and more dental professionals have realized that function and esthetic go hand-in-hand in achieving optimal health. Our faces and mainly, our jaws do have muscles and they’re prone to suffering from constant muscle spasms. Conditions such as bruxism, TMJ and others involving facial pain have been proven to benefit from these injections, though not all dentists are aware of this.

Safe for treating conditions involving facial pain, dermal fillers have been effective to some extent in treating high line cases without having to resort to far more invasive and aggressive forms of treatment. In orthodontics, the teeth of patients with strong mentalis muscles are prone reverting back to pre-therapy positions. Botox can help with this by making the muscles weaker to allow more normal movement and prevent the undoing of the effects of the current treatment. Patients who are still getting used to dentures can benefit, especially if they suffer from strong and consistent muscle contractions.

If you are worried about risks, know that local anesthesia, which is far more frequently used by dentists, is also a lot more dangerous and have greater potential for complications.

If you would like more information about facial fillers, call Dr. Katia Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.lesplanadedental.com.

Dr. Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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What Is AcceleDent? | Ottawa Dentist

We would all love to have the best smile we possibly can, so we visit the dentist to help us improve any flaws that may have been created over time. Now, if your treatment options are orthodontic, you are in for a rather long session of braces, whether you get the traditional variety or the invisible options like Invisalign. Of course, it depends on your personal case, but it takes a while for teeth to move and adjust into a proper formation to create the smile you are looking for. At least, it used to take a while… In walks Acceledent. Acceledent is a revolutionary, simple to use, hands-free device that can reduce your orthodontic treatment by up to 50%. You heard it correctly – half of the time! A mouthpiece is attached to an activator that gently vibrates. It is these micropulses that move your teeth. Each day, you will bite down on this mouthpiece for twenty minutes. No hands necessary, so it won’t interrupt your daily routines. Clean the mouthpiece with some dish soap and that’s all the upkeep you’ll need to do. Not bad for something that will speed up the arrival of your new smile. Now, there are some treatment options that aren’t right for everyone. Patients with a lot of crooked teeth or gaps, Invisalign probably won’t be right for you. Fortunately, Acceledent is ideal for everyone that is undergoing orthodontic treatments. The only issue is that you will need to visit your dentist in order to get it – it’s only available by prescription. If you would like more information about AcceleDent, call Dr. Katia Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.lesplanadedental.com. Dr. Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.
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Getting Botox: At the Dentist? | Ottawa Dentist

It seems everyone is trying to keep their youthful glow these days and will try almost anything to keep it. From fad diets to surgical procedures, everyone is looking for that quick path to the fountain of youth. Because let’s face it – time waits for no man. So, we go to the doctors to fill in our wrinkles with collagen and Botox in order to keep it moving. But have you ever heard of getting Botox injections at the dentist? Sure, it isn’t the first treatment option you think of when visiting the dentist, but Botox is actually a very useful option in the dental world. Botox injections or Botox, for short, is used in treating all sorts of conditions in the medical field, because of its temporary paralysis of muscle activity components. But, it’s not like teeth have wrinkles, right? Dental professionals have begun to use these injections to treat conditions like bruxism, TMJ and others involving facial pain. Because it is safe for treating conditions involving facial pain, Botox injections may also prove useful in many other dental cases. In orthodontics, the teeth of patients with strong mentalis muscles are prone reverting back to pre-therapy positions. Botox can help by weakening the muscles to allow movement and prevent any of the results of the current treatment. Patients who are still getting used to dentures can also benefit from Botox as they transition. While some may be concerned about using Botox as a treatment option, know that the local anesthesia typically used during your dental visits has greater potential for complications and negative reactions than Botox or dermal fillers. If you would like more information about Botox, call Dr. Katia Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.lesplanadedental.com. Dr. Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.