Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By Long Huynh, DMD
Cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on improving a patient’s smile. Having a beautiful smile with strong, healthy teeth is not only aesthetically pleasing, but is good for your overall health as well. When the teeth are worn down, broken, missing, or permanently stained with unsightly discolored fillings, your bite and cosmetic appearance are compromised.
Cosmetic dentistry differs from general dentistry in that a general dentist provides preventative care, like teeth cleaning and restorations like fillings, crowns, and bridges. These treatments restore appearance as well as health and function. On the other hand, a cosmetic dentist’s attention is focused on making your smile more beautiful. Their treatments are aimed at improving the appearance of teeth and gums.
Why visit a cosmetic dentist?
A person with damaged or crooked teeth may not only dislike their smile, but he/she may also have trouble eating or even speaking. For some, having an unattractive smile is a source of embarrassment affecting his/her self-esteem.
Reasons to visit a cosmetic dentist might include:
• Crooked, cracked or damaged teeth
• Misshapen teeth
• Decayed teeth
• Discolored/stained teeth
• Missing teeth
Common types of cosmetic dentistry
Teeth whitening is the number one form of cosmetic dentistry. Over the years, our teeth can become stained by food and drink, smoking or even medications. Many people choose to whiten their teeth simply to make their smile brighter. Teeth whitening can be done through over the counter whitening strips (less effective) or through in-office treatments. At-home treatments usually take a couple of weeks while in-office treatments can often be done in as little as an hour.
Veneers improve the appearance of chipped, broken, or misshapen teeth. They are thin, white shells made from porcelain, resin, or ceramic. They are custom made for each patient and are meant to resemble the natural shape of one’s teeth. Some types of veneers, porcelain for example, require removal of enamel to allow the veneer to adhere well to the teeth. Other types, known as prep-less veneers, do not require any procedure before their attachment.
Gum contouring is an option for those who naturally have excess gum tissue. In this procedure, the dentist can actually remove extra tissue and reshape the patient’s gum line giving the patient a more symmetrical or balanced smile.
Dental implants are a good choice for those who have lost a tooth. They are usually performed in stages. The cosmetic dentist must first attach a screw to the patient’s jaw bone where the tooth is missing. After a period of time, often around 2 weeks, the implant is inserted into the bone socket of the missing tooth. It is important for the bone to heal tightly around the implant. Because of this healing process, the whole procedure can take months to be complete.
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD)
Cosmetic dentistry is a popular choice for people who are unhappy with or embarrassed by their smile and should be performed by dentists who are highly trained in the field. AACD is dedicated to advancing excellence in the art and science of comprehensive cosmetic dentistry and encouraging the highest standards of ethical conduct and responsible patient care. Its members are committed to responsible esthetics. They strive to maintain the health, function, and appearance of their patients for a lifetime, ensuring that esthetic procedures complement the overall health of their patients. They are committed to making decisions about treatments based on evidence-based protocols and sound clinic judgement. AACD members seek to provide minimally invasive treatment protocols when and where appropriate.
In Southwest Florida there is only one dentist who is an accredited member of the AACD. Dr. Long Huynh of Park Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Naples.
Dr. Long Huynh achieved Accredited Member status in the AACD – the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. The AACD Accreditation process serves to set the standard for excellence in cosmetic dentistry.
Dr. Long Huynh is one of 421 current accredited members worldwide. MADISON, Wis. (2/5/14)-It’s difficult, and it’s life-changing, but Long Huynh, DMD, can tell you that completing the Accreditation process in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) is worth all of the hard work.
Dr. Huynh has earned Accredited status in the AACD-an accomplishment completed by only 421 dental professionals in the history of the association, showcasing his commitment to excellence in the dental profession.
He reached this achievement after completing a rigorous credentialing process including a written examination, the submission of clinical cases for examination and an oral examination.
Dr. Huynh graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina. Before studying dentistry, he received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Georgia State University, Atlanta. After one year of advanced training in General Dentistry from University of Florida, School of Dentistry, Dr. Long Huynh has undergone extensive postgraduate training from many renowned cosmetic, implant, and general dentistry programs throughout the country. He is bilingual in English and Vietnamese.
His current memberships include the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, the West Coast Dental Association, the Florida Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.
Park Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
239-330-4208
