We rarely think of our oral health until something unusual occurs. Imagine you're sitting down to enjoy a nice meal when your tooth chips or cracks on something in the meal!
Now you have a part of your tooth that's in your hand, but the tooth that's still in place isn't in pain. It just feels different and uncomfortable.
Your restorative dentist, Dr. ...
Do you have multiple damaged or missing teeth that are hindering what you eat, how you chew, how you speak, and how you look?
We understand how devastating it can be to lose all or almost all your teeth.
At Alafaya Center for Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, we offer dentures to give you the benefits of a full arch of teeth. Dentures ...
Dentists have long figured out the secret to excellent oral health. Not only is this strategy effective, but it's also incredibly simple to boot. Simply put, brushing and flossing every day are the foundation of the beautiful smile you want.
At Alafaya Center for Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, we are happy to provide helpful tips to keeping your family's smiles beautiful ...
Just a few years ago, very few people had even heard of dental implants. As more dentists and patients discover their benefits, dental implants today have become a popular tooth replacement option that has helped millions of people smile with confidence again.
If you need to replace missing teeth, you may have even considered implants yourself. But it’s a big step, ...
White smiles are one of the most important attributes that people look for in potential partners. The color of our teeth can subconsciously signal information about your state of health and genetics. Stained or yellow teeth can be seen as unhealthy, unhygienic, or unattractive. If you're thinking about whitening your teeth, you're not alone. The number of products that promise ...
Have you ever wondered how so many celebrities have perfect teeth? While a lucky few may have been born with their smiles, the majority of celebrities rely on cosmetic dental treatments to achieve their red carpet-worthy looks. For most of these celebrities, their go-to secret is porcelain veneers.
It might surprise you to learn just how ...
Maintaining good dental health isn’t just about the quantity of your brushing — it’s also about the quality. There are several mistakes many of us make when brushing our teeth, whether because we’re using the wrong tools or because we’re using the right tools ...
Are you an adult who feels like your crooked teeth prevent you from living your fullest life? Would you like to find a solution for a straighter smile without committing to metal braces on your teeth?
If you’re considering orthodontics in Alafaya, FL, you’ll be thrilled with how comfortable and convenient treatment with Invisalign clear braces is!
The first step is ...
You have a damaged or broken tooth or one with failing fillings, and you know it’s time to talk to your dentist about restoring it. A dental crown may be the solution, but it’s been years since you last had one placed. How has the process changed? How many visits are involved, and what should you expect?
Weddings are a milestone event everyone wants to look perfect for. You want to show your best smile that will be on display in homes and albums forever.
Whether you need simple teeth whitening or a full smile makeover; there are plenty of options your best cosmetic dentist in Orlando, FL can provide to improve your appearance. From porcelain veneers ...
Fads aren't always about hairstyles and slang; they can also be about the way we take care of our bodies, including our teeth. It’s important to be able to tell the difference between something that is popular and something that has the support of the dental health community. That’s why we’re going ...
Retainers are essential when it comes to making sure your teeth stay in perfect condition and alignment. Here is everything you need to know for optimal results in use and longevity of your appliance.
Teeth have a tendency to want to shift and move. Even as adults, teeth are inclined to shift forward over time. Because of such tendencies, ...
It’s pretty rare to see people of any age get excited about brushing and flossing, but when you see the big picture and put it in perspective in a way that makes sense, taking care of your teeth can become a habit ...
Family dentistry and general dentistry are often used interchangeably, but having a family dentist can mean so much more than just a place to have your teeth cleaned. We take family dentistry to the next level in our Orlando dental office to make everyone feel especially welcome and comfortable.
When a dental team treats patients ...
Most people know that a dental crown is used to protect a tooth and restore its strength. But today, dentists often use natural-looking porcelain crowns to correct certain aesthetic flaws as well.
Think of a crown as a helmet for a damaged tooth; the crown absorbs chewing forces to restore function and protect the ...
We rely quite heavily on our teeth and usually take the work they do for granted until something goes wrong. Then all you can think of is finding a solution that eliminates the discomfort when you chew and embarrassment when you smile.
If the tooth is too decayed to be with a filling, your dentist will likely recommend a restorative ...
Investing in a dental restoration like a crown is an investment in your oral health. If you care for it properly, your crown can last up to 15 years (longer in some cases), but there are steps you need to take to protect it. Here are a few simple tips.
Here ...
If you’re looking for a cosmetic dental treatment that delivers excellent value, teeth whitening is a great choice. It’s affordable, provides stunning results, and you can choose an in-office power whitening or a convenient, customized take-home kit.
The result, in either case, is a brighter, more youthful looking smile that improves your appearance and ...
MEDICAL PROBLEMS ARE things none of us ask for but many of us have, and with medical problems come medications. Unfortunately, along with medications come side-effects, and these often have a negative impact on oral health.
The Delicate Balance Of Our Mouths
Our oral health does best when our mouths can stay close to a neutral pH — neither acidic nor basic. ...
Your dentist and hygienist tell you to floss once a day, but do you know why or how to do it correctly?
Proper brushing and flossing work together to keep your teeth as clean as possible. Brushing removes the buildup of plaque from the surfaces of teeth and any loose particles of food. Flossing continues the job by getting in between ...
What would you guess is the most common chronic childhood disease?
The answer is dental caries, better known as tooth decay. It is five times as common as asthma and seven times as common as hay fever.
But the bad news is that, according to statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), dental caries is still the most ...
Today, fitness is a priority for many people. More people than ever are staying active, taking vitamins and supplements, and being vigilant about the food and drink we put in our bodies.
Food manufacturers know this, of course. They want you to buy their packaged products, so they find ...
Nearly everyone knows - even if not everyone does it – that toothbrushing twice a day is necessary to help protect and maintain your oral health. If you are already brushing according to instructions from your hygienist, congratulations. You’re taking a giant step toward a healthier smile.
But you may not know that cleaning your tongue at the same time is ...
There are several reasons why attempting to be your own dentist or using chemicals that are not designed for use in the mouth are a bad idea. Recently we had a patient come into the office who had a crown and post come off of his front tooth 3 weeks earlier. Since the tooth had a root canal the ...
Even if everything else in your life is sailing along just fine, esthetic dental flaws can make you feel self-conscious. You want to smile confidently around friends and co-workers, but it’s difficult when you’re convinced that all anyone’s noticing about you is a less than perfect smile.
Dental flaws come in all shapes and sizes; you may have a chipped tooth ...
If you are tired of watching your favorite celebrities and wishing your smile looked as bright and beautiful, it may be time to consider cosmetic dentistry. Today there’s virtually no limit to the smile makeovers that can be achieved by using the following state-of-the-art treatments:
In fact, ...
Dental bonding is a cosmetic dentistry procedure in which a tooth-colored composite material is applied to a tooth, sculpted into shape, hardened, and polished. It’s called bonding because the material bonds to the tooth. Dental bonding is ideal for small cosmetic dentistry work, such as fixing a broken or chipped tooth. Composite materials may also be directly applied and ...
Have you ever heard someone say, “I have bad teeth” or, “Bad teeth run in my family?” It may sound like an excuse for not following proper oral health care, but a new study has found that there is some basis in fact for “bad teeth.”
Researchers at Zurich University recently isolated for the first time the gene complex that’s ...
Dentures have, fortunately, gone through many changes over the decades. Today’s dentures are a far cry from those your grandparents wore because they’re lighter, fit better, and look more natural than the old-fashioned one-size-fits-all versions.
But a common complaint among denture wearers is bad breath. No matter how great your smile looks and feels if you’re not following proper hygiene with ...
Many factors affect the whiteness of your teeth. The foods and drinks you consume, your age, hygiene, and lifestyle habits like tobacco use all contribute to the gradual dulling of your smile.
Fortunately, the fix for a faded or stained smile is usually as easy as professional teeth whitening with your dentist or a trained dental hygienist. You can usually ...
Are you concerned that it might be time to get dentures? As you age, your teeth start to break down, and sometimes the process is helped along by inadequate oral hygiene or habits like teeth grinding.
The reason you require dentures doesn't make much difference once you reach that point. The goal is to get you comfortable with the idea ...
A smile makeover is an expression we use to describe a change or improvement to someones smile. Treatment can range from a simple bonding on one tooth or 2 teeth to an entire full mouth reconstruction. A Persons smile can be critical to how they feel about themselves. There’s been a tremendous amount of research detailing how important a warm, ...
Do you awaken with a sore jaw or experience unexplained earaches or headaches? You may unknowingly grind your teeth, a condition known as bruxism. Many people grind their teeth or clench their jaw as a reaction to stress, sometimes during the day, but more often at night. Since most grinding happens at night most patients are unaware they grind until ...
The dictionary defines success as “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” There’s a lot that goes into accomplishing personal or professional goals, including the ability to engage confidently with others.
If you have the skills, experience, and qualifications, and you’re still struggling, you may want to consider how the appearance of your teeth is affecting your efforts.
A recent study ...
A smile makeover can mean different things to different people. For you, a few touchup procedures like professional whitening or dental bonding will do the trick. Others may need to add some restorative procedures like crowns or require the benefits of porcelain veneers and minor orthodontics.
But makeovers all have three steps in common.
It can be exciting to ...
A smile can say and do so much for a person. It can exude confidence, minimize a person’s age, make a person more approachable, and even give a brief storyline of a patient’s life. It’s not just Hollywood or movie stars who are making efforts to put their best smile forward. People from all walks of life are using aesthetic ...
It can be a burden to live with a smile that makes you feel self-conscious about your appearance. A beautiful smile conveys genuine warmth and emotion, but if you are hiding your smile, those around you aren't getting to see the real you. Your friends or business associates may start to see you as being unfriendly or unhappy, which is ...
Recently, the British Dental Journal published the results of a study dealing with the impact that alcohol has on our oral health. The study concluded that there are indeed numerous areas where alcohol consumption can affect your oral health, including bad breath, periodontal disease, dental staining, and oral cancer.
You put up with crooked teeth your whole adult life, and you limped along okay, even though your teeth often hurt and you felt self-conscious. But you just learned you have a major presentation at your company’s next annual sales conference, and you decide it’s finally time to fix your smile.
If you are looking for a short-term ...
You may already know that a crown is a dental restoration that’s needed when a tooth is damaged. Crowns are made of durable materials including all porcelain, gold, or full zirconium. Which type we choose depends on your preference and where the tooth is located in your mouth. Patients who need crowns on teeth that show when they smile ...
It’s a New Year and the common trend at Dr. Gary Michaelson’s office is surrounded around self-improvement. Everywhere you look, there are ads for weight loss and getting healthy. What most people don’t think about is how the condition of the mouth, particularly the condition of the gums, affects a person’s overall health.
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, ...
Crowns are one of the most widely-used dental restorations and with good reason. They are a versatile solution, placing them is a straightforward process that usually only takes two visits, and since a crown can last 15 years or longer, they are a cost-effective long-term solution.
Your dentist will typically recommend a dental crown to ...
Most of us were brought up being told how bad sugar is for your teeth. But what you may not know is that, while sugar is a significant contributor to cavities, it does not damage teeth directly.
To understand how sugar affects your teeth, you need to know a little bit about the bacteria that call your mouth home. ...
When you look at a smile, the teeth are not the only thing that makes a smile beautiful. The gums play an important role in a great looking smile. A “Gummy Smile” can be a quick and easy fix.
At Alafaya Center for Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, we offer Gum Recontouring or Smile Lifts. This procedure involves the ...
Have you noticed a small painful lesion in your mouth? Do salty or spicy foods increase tenderness and inflammation, making eating painful?
You may have a mouth ulcer, also known as a canker sore. Mouth ulcers usually develop in your mouth or cheeks. The exact cause of mouth ulcers is unknown and varies from person to person. ...
A lot of skill, science, and artistry go into creating beautiful, natural, long lasting veneers. The combination between the dentist, patient, and ceramist is critical and valuable input from all three help to create a great looking result.
The dentist must have proper training and experience in handling numerous cosmetic challenges. The patient should have realistic expectations as ...
For decades, the definition of oral health was the absence of disease. But dentists have known for years how oral health impacts go far beyond a decayed tooth.
Recently, a new definition of oral health was adopted by the FDI World Dental Federation and hundreds of dental organizations, including the American Dental Association. It recognizes ...
Use the right technique - Start with your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and use circular motions. Then, hold the brush vertically using shorter strokes to clean the back of your front teeth. This is where we build up the most plaque and tater. Use a soft hand when brushing, gentle pressure.
Many people ...
If you would like to enjoy excellent oral health, you need to be an active participant in your dental care. To do so, you need to ask questions so you can understand why we recommend a particular procedure and how it benefits your oral health.
Often, a patient feels like they shouldn’t question their ...
Professional dental cleanings at our Alafaya, FL dental office are essential if you want to maintain a healthy smile. However, these routine appointments are also an excellent opportunity to check in with your hygienist to see how you’re doing and to ask questions.
Here’s a list of questions you should ask, but you probably have your own as well. Don’t ever ...
“No prep veneers” or “minimal prep veneers” are just as the name refers- a veneer fabricated without any or little alteration to the tooth structure. This ultra-conservative solution can be used to close spaces, change the shape and color, lengthen the edges, and even out alignment. While Dr. Michaelson has always been conservative with altering tooth structure the materials available ...
Orlando, FL dentist Dr. Gary Michaelson stays current with research and advances in dentistry to provide you with information that benefits your overall health and wellness. One important area that’s receiving a lot of attention lately is the connection between oral health and the health of your bodily systems.
We now know that the presence of chronic ...
Veneers are one of the most versatile cosmetic options when it comes to restoring your teeth. They can correct shape, color, size, and alignment of teeth. One important factor about veneers is that once bonded to your natural teeth they are very strong. Veneers are cared for just like natural teeth. Flossing and brushing twice daily will ensure their longevity, ...
Of course, you want your child’s teeth to be protected during sports activities, but is a custom athletic guard really necessary?
Orlando, FL dentist Dr. Gary Michaelson understand that it can be tempting to purchase your child’s mouth at your sporting goods story. You are there picking up other equipment anyway, can’t you just grab one off the shelf?
The answer is ...
First, let’s discuss why x-rays are needed at your dental visit. X-rays are a tool used to help Dr. Michaelson detect disease and damage that is not easily seen during a visual exam. As a new patient to the practice, we will first start with a series of x-rays that is referred to as an FMX ...
For most adults, orthodontic treatment is either something you did when you were a child or you didn’t do it at all. It’s understandable, because what adult has two years to take out of their lives to deal with wearing braces?
So what do you do if you are an adult and you just hate looking at your crooked teeth? Don’t ...
Have you ever thought about the ways your dental health affects your quality of life? The truth is that poor oral health does have an impact your day-to-day life in ways you may not even consider.
We don’t have to tell you that keeping up with your oral health care routine is essential. If you don’t brush and floss regularly and ...
Have you had an oral cancer screening lately? A study by the American Cancer Society estimates nearly 50,000 new cases of oral cancer in 2017, resulting in 10,000 fatalities. Only one in four of these patients have a known risk factor (such as smoking) for oral cancer.
This is pretty sobering information, isn’t it? But it’s not all ...
You probably know by now that twice-yearly dental cleanings at our Alafaya, FL dental office are the foundation for a healthy mouth. But what happens when you skip a cleaning? Does it really matter that much?
It actually matters a lot! We preach proper oral hygiene practices because they’re essential for good dental health. And while it’s great that you’re brushing ...
When you think about your dental provider and the attributes you'd like them to have, "gentle" is usually at the top of the list.
While it's obviously important for a provider to be friendly, skilled, and build rapport with us, the benefits of gentle dentistry far exceed most other expectations.
Dr. Gary Michaelson is your premiere Orlando, FL dentist, and he's been ...
If it is time for your family’s dental exams and you are seeking a dentist in Alafaya, FL, we are currently welcoming new patients and hope to see your smile soon.
Maintaining regular dental office visits to have your routine exams and x-rays is an essential part of your overall oral health. Missing too many exams or cleanings in a row ...
Dr. Michaelson recommends electric toothbrushes as the best way to improve oral health. Electric toothbrushes are more accurate, more consistent, and make many more brush strokes than we can manually. Compared with manual toothbrushes, electrics reduced dental plaque 21 percent more and gingivitis 11 percent more after three months of use.
Benefits of an Electric Toothbrush:
1. An electronic toothbrush keeps your ...
Choosing any type of health care provider is a major decision. The provider you choose will help guide your choices, identify problems, and recommend treatments that can affect your quality of life.
Don’t take choosing a dentist lightly. Take the time to research your options and find a dentist who will listen closely to your goals and your needs and provide ...
When teeth are broken or have cavities, often times they can be restored with a filling. Fillings do have limitations and to be successful a certain amount of tooth structure must exist in order to support the filling. Generally there are two types of filling materials. One type and the most commonly used today is a tooth colored resin or ...
If you have discolored and stained, chipped, cracked, slightly misaligned teeth, or have metal fillings, you may want to consider porcelain veneers. To see what your smile would look like with veneers, we recommend you review our extensive before and after gallery. We customize each smile to each person. There are many things we talk to ...
What is a dental implant? An implant is a titanium cylinder that is placed in the upper or lower jaw to replace a missing tooth or teeth. It may also be used to hold in a removable denture. There are three different parts to an implant.
The implant its self is a titanium cylinder that is surgically placed in the ...
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