405-622-8996
Oklahoma City Cosmetic Dentist Blog - Dr. Terry Bass, D.D.S.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Famous People With Bad Teeth
Most people
are not born with a perfect smile. Common cosmetic dental
problems affect even the rich and famous. The only reason you tend to see
perfect smiles on the red carpet is because many celebrities invest in cosmetic dentistry.
You, too, can take advantage of the same cosmetic dentistry solutions as the
stars with our state-of-the-art smile makeovers.
However,
other celebrities seem content letting their bad teeth stand. Some of the worst
culprits include:
- Mike Tyson – Despite the fact that he is missing several teeth, the infamous boxer has only replaced a few of them, and he used flashy gold crowns that do nothing to improve the appearance of his smile.
- Steve Buscemi – The star of Boardwalk Empire could use teeth whitening and porcelain veneers to dramatically improve his smile.
- Anna Paquin – The star of True Blood has a large, noticeable gap between her two front teeth, something that could be easily fixed by porcelain veneers.
- Hilary Duff – This Disney star is actually an example of cosmetic dentistry gone wrong. She had massive porcelain veneers affixed to her teeth, giving her a “horse smile.” Dr. Bass is careful about using veneers that look as natural and proportionate as possible.
If
you have a flawed smile, you’re certainly in some good company – but there’s no
reason you should resign yourself to living with a smile that makes you feel
self-conscious. If you are hiding your smile in public, come into our office
for a personal cosmetic dentistry consultation. We can outline a smile makeover
treatment plan that meets your needs and fits your budget.
Please contact Terry Bass, DDS
today to schedule an initial consultation with our experienced Oklahoma City
cosmetic dentist. We also serve patients throughout the Edmond, Lawton, and
Norman areas of Oklahoma.
posted by
Megan P
at
11:16 AM
Friday, May 24, 2013
What Causes Bad Breath?
Did you know
that bad breath has a medical name? It’s called halitosis, and it’s an
extremely common condition. Halitosis is most frequently caused by an
over-accumulation of bacteria in the mouth, which means it often accompanies gum disease,
plaque, and food debris. To get more specific, some of the different causes of
bad breath include:
- Poor dental hygiene – According to experts, 90% or
more of all halitosis cases are caused by weak dental hygiene.
- Dry mouth – If your mouth is too dry, dead
cells can potentially build up inside of your mouth, which then begin to
rot and produce an unpleasant smell.
- Medications – If your medication causes dry
mouth or nose (e.g. antihistamines and sinus drugs), it is more likely to
cause bad breath.
- Illnesses – 10% of all bad breath cases
are the result of an illness or medical condition.
- Smoking – Smokers are more prone to gum
disease and other dental issues, which can cause bad breath.
If you are
having trouble with bad breath, it may be time to take charge of your oral
health again. Please contact
Terry Bass, DDS today to schedule an initial consultation with our
experienced Oklahoma City dentist. We also serve patients throughout the
Edmond, Lawton, and Norman areas of Oklahoma.
posted by
Megan P
at
9:10 AM
Sunday, April 7, 2013
The History of Home Dental Care
The first
natural-bristle toothbrushes were invented by the ancient Chinese, and were
created with bristles from the necks of pigs. Similarly, toothpaste was being
used as long ago as 500 BC in India and China, but the kind of toothpaste we’re
familiar with was not developed until the 1800s.
In the late 17th
century, French dentists were the very first Europeans to promote using
toothbrushes, and Mr. William Addis of England designed the first mass-produced
toothbrush.
After 1885, many American companies began to follow suit in
mass-producing toothbrushes, and the rest – as they say – is history.
Although it
sounds hard to believe now, most Americans didn’t brush their teeth until after
World War II, when soldiers in the Army brought home their well-established dental hygiene habits.
The
first electric toothbrush was developed in Switzerland and produced in 1939,
and by 1960, a company called Squibb had begun marketing the very first
electric toothbrush in the United States: the Broxodent.
Dental floss
is also an ancient invention. Toothpick grooves and dental floss have been
found in the teeth of prehistoric humans. A New Orleans dentist named Levi Spear
Parmly, who lived in the early 19th century, is credited as the
inventor of modern dental floss – though perhaps the term “re-inventor” is more
accurate.
If you are
looking for an Oklahoma City dentist you can trust, please contact Terry Bass, DDS
today to schedule an initial consultation. We serve patients throughout the
Edmond, Lawton, Norman, and Oklahoma City areas of Oklahoma.
posted by
Megan P
at
5:46 PM
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Quiz Yourself: Am I Ready for a Smile Makeover?
If your smile has long been plagued by common cosmetic dental problems, it may finally be time to invest in a smile makeover. More and more people in recent years have decided to transform their smile through the art of cosmetic dentistry, taking advantage of the many benefits of today’s advanced techniques and technology.
If you are wondering whether or not you’re ready for a smile makeover, ask yourself these questions:
- Do you routinely hide your smile in public?
- Do you have gaps between your teeth that are obvious when you smile?
- Are your teeth noticeably stained or discolored?
- Do you have a “gummy” smile?
- Do some of your teeth appear too small or overly worn down?
- Are any of your teeth chipped or crooked?
- Do you wonder what you would look like with a bright, attractive smile again?
If your answer to any of the above questions was “yes,” we can help. Our experienced Oklahoma City cosmetic dentist Dr. Terry Bass offers custom smile makeovers that are designed to meet your unique needs and goals. Your smile makeover can consist of just one procedure – such as teeth whitening – or it can be developed to address every flaw with your smile. If your budget is a concern, we offer simple financing plans to keep our cosmetic dentistry procedures accessible to everyone.
What are you waiting for? Contact Terry Bass, DDS today to schedule your personal smile consultation. We serve patients throughout the Edmond, Lawton, Norman, and Oklahoma City areas of Oklahoma.
posted by
Megan P
at
10:23 AM
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Debunking Dental Myths
When it comes to dental care, more myths seem to have gained traction among the general public than facts. Make sure you don’t believe the same misinformation about dentistry. Below are five of the most common dental myths, debunked:
1. There’s no need to brush baby teeth, since they’ll fall out anyway – Tooth decay in baby teeth can affect the development of adult teeth, and so can gum disease. Brushing and flossing should be a daily habit in order to avoid these problems.
2. Everyone will need dentures when they get older – Actually, if you take good care of your teeth in your youth, you can expect to keep your natural set of teeth for a lifetime. Even if one or two teeth fall out or need to be removed, you can have dental implants placed to preserve your smile.
3. The harder you brush, the better – This is definitely not true. If you brush your teeth too hard every day, you can wear down the enamel layer, causing increased sensitivity and other issues later in life. Be thorough, but be gentle. Use a soft-bristled brush.
4. The more sugar you eat, the higher your risk of tooth decay – Not necessarily. The length of time your teeth are exposed to sugar matters much more than the amount you eat. For example, a piece of hard candy that slowly dissolves in the mouth is more harmful than eating a chocolate bar because of the relative length of time it takes to eat.
5. Wisdom teeth will always need to be extracted – Wisdom teeth are only extracted when they pose problems. Unfortunately, most wisdom teeth do create problems, whether because the teeth are impacted, have a cavity, are infected, or are taking up too much room in the jawbone.
If you’re looking for an experienced Oklahoma City dentist you can trust, please contact Terry Bass, DDS today to schedule an initial consultation. We serve patients throughout the Edmond, Lawton, Norman, and Oklahoma City areas of Oklahoma.
1. There’s no need to brush baby teeth, since they’ll fall out anyway – Tooth decay in baby teeth can affect the development of adult teeth, and so can gum disease. Brushing and flossing should be a daily habit in order to avoid these problems.
2. Everyone will need dentures when they get older – Actually, if you take good care of your teeth in your youth, you can expect to keep your natural set of teeth for a lifetime. Even if one or two teeth fall out or need to be removed, you can have dental implants placed to preserve your smile.
3. The harder you brush, the better – This is definitely not true. If you brush your teeth too hard every day, you can wear down the enamel layer, causing increased sensitivity and other issues later in life. Be thorough, but be gentle. Use a soft-bristled brush.
4. The more sugar you eat, the higher your risk of tooth decay – Not necessarily. The length of time your teeth are exposed to sugar matters much more than the amount you eat. For example, a piece of hard candy that slowly dissolves in the mouth is more harmful than eating a chocolate bar because of the relative length of time it takes to eat.
5. Wisdom teeth will always need to be extracted – Wisdom teeth are only extracted when they pose problems. Unfortunately, most wisdom teeth do create problems, whether because the teeth are impacted, have a cavity, are infected, or are taking up too much room in the jawbone.
If you’re looking for an experienced Oklahoma City dentist you can trust, please contact Terry Bass, DDS today to schedule an initial consultation. We serve patients throughout the Edmond, Lawton, Norman, and Oklahoma City areas of Oklahoma.
posted by
Megan P
at
9:37 AM
Friday, January 11, 2013
Shop Wisely for Teeth Whitening Products
Teeth whitening products can be good, or they can be not so good. Here are some basic tips for finding the best ones.
Only buy products with the ADA symbol. The American Dental Association has established guidelines for safe whitening products. Buying whitening products with the ADA symbol ensures they will be relatively safe for your teeth when used according to their instructions.
Avoid abrasive toothpastes. When you're looking at the list of ingredients for whitening products, you want to see more chemical whiteners than abrasive ingredients (like aluminum hydroxide or silicas). These can remove your dental enamel. You may see some whitening at first, then yellowing as your enamel thins and you begin to see the off-colored dentin below.
Read the directions before you buy. Obviously, if you're going to want to follow the directions to get optimum, safe results, you want to know what the routine is like. If it sounds too arduous, it's not a good buy.
Lower your expectations. At-home whiteners do work, but their effectiveness is limited. If you don't expect too much from them, you're less likely to be disappointed.
At-home whiteners are a good place to start if you are unhappy with the appearance of your smile. If you try them for a while and are still unhappy with the appearance of your smile, or if you find your teeth have become very sensitive, you should talk to a dentist about professional treatment.
To talk to a dentist in Oklahoma City about teeth whitening, please contact Terry Bass, DDS today for a consultation.
Only buy products with the ADA symbol. The American Dental Association has established guidelines for safe whitening products. Buying whitening products with the ADA symbol ensures they will be relatively safe for your teeth when used according to their instructions.
Avoid abrasive toothpastes. When you're looking at the list of ingredients for whitening products, you want to see more chemical whiteners than abrasive ingredients (like aluminum hydroxide or silicas). These can remove your dental enamel. You may see some whitening at first, then yellowing as your enamel thins and you begin to see the off-colored dentin below.
Read the directions before you buy. Obviously, if you're going to want to follow the directions to get optimum, safe results, you want to know what the routine is like. If it sounds too arduous, it's not a good buy.
Lower your expectations. At-home whiteners do work, but their effectiveness is limited. If you don't expect too much from them, you're less likely to be disappointed.
At-home whiteners are a good place to start if you are unhappy with the appearance of your smile. If you try them for a while and are still unhappy with the appearance of your smile, or if you find your teeth have become very sensitive, you should talk to a dentist about professional treatment.
To talk to a dentist in Oklahoma City about teeth whitening, please contact Terry Bass, DDS today for a consultation.
posted by
Megan P
at
10:07 AM
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Bad Veneers and How to Correct Them
Good veneers are attractive, functional, and long-lasting. Bad veneers fail to meet these characteristics because they:
• Have an unnatural color
• Have an unattractive shape
• Do not feel comfortable
• Interfere with chewing
• Fall off
• Break
In most cases, these can be corrected simply by a skilled cosmetic dentist. Many porcelain veneers that people consider unnatural are what we describe as "no-prep" veneers that are simply bonded to the surface of your teeth. They have to be opaque to attempt to mask the color of your natural tooth enamel beneath, and they add additional bulk to your teeth, making them look blocky and unattractive. A cosmetic dentist can remove these and replace them with more natural-looking veneers that are used to replace some of your natural tooth enamel and can have more natural-looking color, translucency, and shape.
No-prep veneers are similarly often to blame for being uncomfortable or nonfunctional. Because they just sit on the surface of your natural teeth, they build up your teeth in ways that can interfere with your bite.
It is rare for veneers to fall off, but it does happen. It's more likely to happen if you have veneers bonded to dentin as opposed to enamel. It is more common (though still relatively uncommon) for veneers to fail by breaking. This is more likely if the veneer has been applied to a dead tooth, or if you have unresolved bite issues, such as tooth clenching.
If you have a veneered dead tooth, and the veneer keeps failing, it may be necessary to remove the tooth and replace it with a dental implant to get the attractive appearance you desire. For bite issues, a cosmetic dentist trained in neuromuscular dentistry can help you resolve the bite issues so your veneers last for their expected life, about 10 years.
If you are unhappy with your porcelain veneers and would like to talk to a cosmetic dentist in the Edmond, Oklahoma area about correcting them, please contact Terry Bass, DDS today.
• Have an unnatural color
• Have an unattractive shape
• Do not feel comfortable
• Interfere with chewing
• Fall off
• Break
In most cases, these can be corrected simply by a skilled cosmetic dentist. Many porcelain veneers that people consider unnatural are what we describe as "no-prep" veneers that are simply bonded to the surface of your teeth. They have to be opaque to attempt to mask the color of your natural tooth enamel beneath, and they add additional bulk to your teeth, making them look blocky and unattractive. A cosmetic dentist can remove these and replace them with more natural-looking veneers that are used to replace some of your natural tooth enamel and can have more natural-looking color, translucency, and shape.
No-prep veneers are similarly often to blame for being uncomfortable or nonfunctional. Because they just sit on the surface of your natural teeth, they build up your teeth in ways that can interfere with your bite.
It is rare for veneers to fall off, but it does happen. It's more likely to happen if you have veneers bonded to dentin as opposed to enamel. It is more common (though still relatively uncommon) for veneers to fail by breaking. This is more likely if the veneer has been applied to a dead tooth, or if you have unresolved bite issues, such as tooth clenching.
If you have a veneered dead tooth, and the veneer keeps failing, it may be necessary to remove the tooth and replace it with a dental implant to get the attractive appearance you desire. For bite issues, a cosmetic dentist trained in neuromuscular dentistry can help you resolve the bite issues so your veneers last for their expected life, about 10 years.
If you are unhappy with your porcelain veneers and would like to talk to a cosmetic dentist in the Edmond, Oklahoma area about correcting them, please contact Terry Bass, DDS today.
posted by
Megan P
at
10:28 AM
Terry Bass
Terry Bass DDS
2816 NW 58th Street, Suite 105
Oklahoma City
,
OK
,
73112
405-848-7780
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