Invisalign is designed to straighten crooked teeth and align them to perfect one's smile. For many, these clear tooth aligners are an attractive alternative to a mouthful of braces and wires and are commonly referred to as "invisible braces". If you live in or near Laurel, Maryland, Dr. Daniel Melnick of Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry is a valuable resource for helping you start down the path to straight teeth and an eye-catching smile.

How Invisalign Works

This plastic orthodontic device is less than a millimeter thick and covers your teeth completely. Over the course of time, it shifts them into the ideal position. The appliance is removable and you take it out when eating and drinking liquids that could stain, like coffee. Each clear plastic aligner is custom-made after your dentist makes an impression of your teeth and photographs them. As treatment progresses and teeth move closer to the desired position, patients are given a new aligner more fitting to the progress. Eventually, the teeth will end up where they need to be. The average time for an adult is less than a year.

Keep in mind that Invisalign can't help everybody and traditional orthodontics may be the better option. That's why, before any plan of action is undertaken, Dr. Melnick and his team offer free consultations to everyone so patient needs can be assessed. If you need more orthodontic work than Invisalign can provide we can refer you to a highly qualified orthodontist. Please contact them today and schedule your consultation.

There are a few different types of fillings in cosmetic dentistry—silver amalgam fillings, plastic fillings and porcelain fillings. Porcelain ones, however, are popular for a variety of reasons. Each year, Dr. Daniel Melnick and his team perform many porcelain filling procedures for patients who live in or near Laurel, Maryland.

A distinct advantage porcelain offers is that the fillings won't discolor the tooth like silver amalgam fillings potentially can. They also are more durable than plastic fillings. Thanks to CEREC technology, these fillings offer the best chances at a perfect fit that won't loosen over time. To top all of these off, CEREC allows for the best chance at accomplishing the fitting in just one simple visit.

The Cosmetic Advantages of Porcelain

Porcelain fillings are most popular because they offer the best chance at a completely natural-looking finished tooth. Plus, some composite fillings don't reflect light like a natural tooth and call more attention to the fact that they aren't natural. This type of filling is your best route to a tooth that looks and feels like the real thing, with completely smooth edges that fit seamlessly into your mouth.

To learn more about porcelain fillings and the array of advantages they possess, visit the Porcelain FAQs page. Also, if you wish, schedule a free consultation with Laurel Lake Cosmetic Dentistry today and receive expert advice on your dental situation.