Unlike a crown, which covers the entire tooth, a veneer is a thin porcelain covering that is placed over the front (visible) part of the tooth.

Depending on how many teeth are involved, it three can take as little as two to three visits within one month.

Anyone above the age 18 can be a great candidate for veneers. For older patients, as long as they can endure the length of the procedure, they too can be good candidates for veneers and often get the best results due to the potential dramatic improvements.

Veneers can chip and/or break just like natural enamel so staying away from foods that are too hard or sticky is important.

There are two alternatives aside from getting veneers to enhance a smile. A patient can opt for composite to be bonded onto the teeth. The benefit of composite is that it is less invasive and a lot more affordable than veneers. On the other hand, composite does not look as natural, does not last as long, and can stain over time. The second alternative is Invisalign orthodontic treatment. The benefit of Invisalign over veneers is there is no drilling but treatment time is longer (anywhere from 6-12 months).

A consultation with Dr. Greg Ganji is the best way to determine if you are a good candidate. In general, people who have large underbites or overbites are better off with traditional orthodontics. Otherwise, most people can achieve straighter teeth with Invisalign treatment.

Teeth have tiny pores just like skin. Some teeth have bigger or more pores than others. These pores will pick up stains throughout time and cause teeth to appear darker. During the whitening process, the whitening solution bleaches out the stains from the pores allowing the teeth to look whiter. Whitening does not abrade the teeth as some people think. A common side effect of whitening is tooth sensitivity. Deep inside the tooth is the nerve. Once the pores are cleaned out, the outside environment (such as cold air or liquids) can communicate with the nerve which can cause mild discomfort. Permanent tooth sensitivity, though possible, is very unlikely. Most patients find sensitivity dissipates in one or two days. This happens because the body's natural saliva creates a protein rich "smear" layer over the tooth covering the pores and blocking the environmental communication with the nerve. To help reduce tooth sensitivity after whitening treatment, Drs. Yang & Ganji treat patients with fluoride which also cover the tooth pores.

Brushing and flossing are definitely the first steps to eliminating bad breath. Brushing and flossing remove bacteria responsible for creating odorous sulphur compounds and the food they feed on. However, bacteria hide not only on and around the teeth but also on the tongue under a layer of mucous. Here they are free to create odors.

You might want to consider a tongue scraper. They're extremely effective at removing this protective mucous layer from the back of the tongue.

The latest products on the market for bad breath are toothpastes and mouthwashes containing chlorine dioxide. The chlorine dioxide neutralizes the odorous sulphur compounds, instead of simply covering up the odor.

Gingivitis is an infection within the gums caused by bacteria found in plaque. A diabetic's body doesn't respond as quickly to infection as a non-diabetic. If the infection persists, it can spread to the underlying bone that supports and anchors the teeth.

It has been shown that diabetics who keep their condition under control and maintain good oral hygiene have a far better chance of combating infections than those who are poorly controlled.

Immediately. Getting to a dentist within 30 minutes can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth.

When a tooth is knocked out:

• Immediately call your dentist for an emergency appointment.
• Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root. Touching the root (the part of the tooth below the gum) can damage cells necessary for bone reattachment.
• Gently rinse the tooth in water to remove dirt. Do not scrub.
• Place the clean tooth in your mouth between the cheek and the gum to keep it moist.
• It is important not to let the tooth dry out.
• It is not possible to store the tooth in the mouth of the injured person, wrap the tooth in a clean cloth or gauze and immerse in milk.

Periodontal disease is caused by the bacteria found in plaque. If plaque is not regularly removed, it calcifies into a rough, porous deposit called calculus, or tartar. By products of bacterial metabolism irritate the gums, making them red, tender, swollen and more prone to bleed.

Eventually, the supporting periodontal structures begin to breakdown. The result of this slow process is tissue loss, bone loss and eventual tooth loss.

As the plaque and calculus accumulate, the periodontal disease continues. Supporting tissues around the teeth (gums, periodontal ligaments, bone) are lost.

Periodontal pockets form which trap additional plaque. Bad breath often accompanies this condition. Once the bone that supports the teeth is lost, it will not regrow without surgical intervention.

Conscientious removal of plaque by flossing, brushing and regular professional cleanings will minimize your risk of gum disease.

However, there are other factors that can affect the health of your gums, such as stress, diabetes, genetics and pregnancy.

In the earlier states of gum disease (mild to moderate periodontitis), most treatment involves scaling and root planning. The procedure aims at removing plaque and calculus from the surface of the tooth adjacent to gum tissue.

The periodontal pockets around the tooth are cleans and all effect root surfaces are smooth. In the majority of early gum disease cases, treatment entails improved home care techniques and scaling and root planning.

Advanced cases may require surgical treatment.