Carlisle Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Porcelain Veneers for a New Smile and a New You in Carlisle, PA

March 15, 2015

92589293 Is your smile less than you desire because of a number of imperfections? When you see yourself in a photograph, do your eyes focus on the flaws in your smile rather than the happy person behind the smile? Or, even worse, do you tend to smile with your lips closed? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then perhaps you should consider porcelain veneers. With porcelain veneers, Dr. Thomas Neslund at Carlisle Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Carlisle, PA, can repair your smile, boost your confidence and improve your outlook.

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are micro-thin sheaths of dental porcelain that are adhesively bonded to the facial side of the teeth in your smile zone. As such, they can conceal many smile flaws including chips, cracks and teeth that severely discolored, as well as teeth that are misaligned, misshaped or have gaps in between them. Not only do porcelain veneers serve a cosmetic purpose, but they can also protect damaged teeth from additional harm.

Porcelain Veneers and You

When you come to Carlisle Family & Cosmetic Dentistry to discuss porcelain veneers, Dr. Neslund will first want to make sure you have healthy teeth and gums. Also, if you are not satisfied with the color of your teeth, you may want to consider teeth whitening so your natural teeth will match the whiteness of your new veneers.

Once you and Dr. Neslund have settled on the size, shape and color of porcelain veneers that will best complement you, then he will prepare your teeth for veneers by removing a minimal amount of enamel. This way, the veneers adhere more securely and they lay flush with your other teeth. We’ll take an impression of your prepared teeth so our dental lab can fabricate veneers that will fit perfectly. While your permanent veneers are made, you’ll wear temporaries. Then, when your custom porcelain veneers are ready, Dr. Neslund will cement them into place and you’ll have a flawless smile to show the world.

Call Our Office Today

If you’d like porcelain veneers, schedule an appointment with Dr. Neslund at Carlisle Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Carlisle, PA. We also serve patients from Boiling Springs, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, and surrounding Pennsylvania communities.

Children’s Dentistry in Carlisle, PA

February 15, 2015

467777161 So while romantics and presidents get one day in February, the entire month is National Children’s Dental Health Month. What better time to make an appointment for your children to see Dr. Thomas Neslund at Carlisle Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Carlisle, PA? Dr. Neslund and his staff emphasize the importance of children’s dentistry because if children learn early to take care of their teeth and gums, then they will likely enjoy a lifetime of good oral health.

Children’s Dentistry and You

While Dr. Neslund recommends that you start bringing your children to see him around when they are three years old, children’s dentistry actually begins before that in your home and with you. After feeding, clean your children’s baby teeth with a soft cloth dampened with warm water. As they grow and more teeth develop, you can gently brush their teeth with a soft toothbrush and just a bit of toothpaste.

Children’s Dentistry with Dr. Neslund

As with adults, Dr. Neslund recommends twice yearly checkups for children. At these checkups, we’ll clean their teeth and remove any plaque buildup. Whether you brush their teeth or they do, removing plaque from little teeth can be challenging, so we do our best to help with that during their checkups. We will also assess the health of their teeth and gums and possibly take x-rays.

Depending on what we find during your child’s exam, we might apply a fluoride treatment to strengthen tooth enamel. Once your child’s permanent teeth come in, we can apply dental sealants to your child’s molars. These create a solid barrier against decay-causing bacteria that can hide in deeply grooved teeth. Finally, as your child grows, we’ll also check on the development of his or her bite.

Call Our Office Today

If your children need to see the dentist, schedule an appointment with Dr. Neslund at Carlisle Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Carlisle, PA. We also serve patients from Boiling Springs, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, and surrounding Pennsylvania communities.

Restore Your Full Smile with Dental Implants from Carlisle Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

January 15, 2015

184898853 (1) If you have one missing tooth or more, then you know the difficulties of the situation. Activities that you used to take for granted suddenly become difficult. Perhaps you are unable to eat some of your favorite healthy foods, such as fresh apples and carrots. Or maybe your speech has become compromised, and more than likely you and everyone else can see the difference in your smile. Fortunately, there is a lifelike solution. Dental implants from Dr. Thomas Neslund at Carlisle Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, Carlisle, PA, restore a tooth from root to crown, making them the ideal choice for a healthy and natural-looking smile.

When you visit Dr. Neslund to consider dental implants, he and his staff will first examine and assess the health of your teeth, gums and bone tissue. If all of these prove to be healthy enough to support a dental implant, then you’ll be on your way to restoring your smile.

Dental Implants Step-by-Step

The first step in restoring your complete smile with a dental implant is a minor surgical procedure in which Dr. Neslund implants a titanium post in the bone beneath the open socket of your missing tooth. This posts mimics the role of a tooth’s root. As you heal from the surgery, the post and the surrounding bone go through a process called osseointegration, whereby the post and bone fuse together to create a firm foundation. This fusion between post and jaw bone also helps to prevent bone loss and maintain facial appearance.

After a few months, you’ll return to our office. Dr. Neslund will uncover the implant and attach an abutment that will initially hold a temporary crown and ultimately the permanent crown—your new tooth. With proper dental hygiene, including brushing, flossing and regular checkups, your dental implants should last a lifetime.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If you would like to learn how dental implants can restore your smile, call the office of Carlisle Family and Cosmetic Dentistry today and schedule a consultation with Dr. Neslund. We serve patients in Carlisle, PA, as well as Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Boiling Springs, Shippensburg and the surrounding communities.

Family Dentistry for You and Yours in Carlisle, PA

December 15, 2014

170082992 Do you ever think to yourself, “I brush my teeth, I try to remember to floss, nothing hurts, so why do I need to see the dentist?” If you do have that thought, don’t worry—you’re not alone. However, you really should see the dentist. Oral healthcare is not a do-it-yourself activity. With family dentistry at Carlisle Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Carlisle, PA, you can be certain that you are properly caring for your and your family’s oral health and smiles.

Family Dentistry: Preventing Problems, Maintaining Smiles

As your family dentist, Dr. Thomas Neslund focuses on preventing oral health problems before you even notice any symptoms. That’s why we’d like to see you and your family at least twice a year for dental checkups. With regularly scheduled checkups, we can more easily monitor your oral health and be on the lookout for any changes, even the most subtle of changes.

At these checkups, our dental hygienists will clean your teeth, gently remove any visible plaque, examine your gums, and check for tooth decay. Sometimes, dental x-rays may be necessary to pinpoint spots of decay that are invisible to the naked eye. If we do find a cavity, then Dr. Neslund fills it with a tooth-colored composite resin to maintain the natural appearance of your smile.

Family Dentistry for Kids, Too

Starting at around three years old, children should start coming to see Dr. Neslund at Carlisle Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. With an early start, your children will become accustomed to regular dental checkups and will be more likely to continue this good habit. While your children still have their baby teeth, we will examine their teeth and gums, gently clean their teeth and possibly take x-rays. And we may apply a fluoride treatment to protect their teeth from cavities. Once their permanent teeth erupt, we’ll apply dental sealants to your children’s deeply grooved molars an added layer of protection against cavities.

Schedule an Appointment Today

So, do you need to see the dentist? Then call the office of Carlisle Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Carlisle, PA. We also serve families from Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Boiling Springs, Shippensburg and the surrounding communities.

Missing Teeth? Turn to Carlisle Family and Cosmetic Dentistry for Tooth Replacement

November 10, 2014

159289454 Accidents. Tooth decay. And those are only two of the reasons why you might have missing teeth. If so, replacing those teeth is important to your smile, your confidence and even your overall wellbeing. At Carlisle Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Carlisle, PA, we offer a few different options for tooth replacement. One of them is sure to fit your schedule, your budget, and of course, your smile.

When you come to Carlisle Family and Cosmetic Dentistry for tooth replacement, our dentist, Dr. Thomas Neslund, will consult with you to determine which option is best for you. Whether you choose dentures, bridges or dental implants, you can be certain that your new teeth will look, feel and function just like natural teeth.

Tooth Replacement Options

Removable full and partial dentures consist of replacement teeth that are set in a soft plastic designed to look like your gums. As removable dental prosthetics, these are easy to clean and the most affordable option. However, removable dentures are less secure and have a tendency to slip.

A more secure option is fixed dental bridges. These dental prosthetics are not removable. A bridge consists of a row of replacement teeth that are held in place by crowns that are placed on the teeth the sit on either side of your missing teeth. Once Dr. Neslund cements the crowns on the abutment teeth as they are called, you can be sure your new bridge will give you years of natural function and appearance.

Dental implants are the most lifelike tooth replacement option. In this case, Dr. Neslund implants a titanium post into the jaw bone in the socket of your missing tooth. Once this post has bonded with the bone, a crown is placed on the implant. The finished dental implant offers the best in tooth replacement with a crown that looks like a natural tooth and a titanium post that behaves like a natural tooth root.

Call Our Office Today

If you’ve been contending with missing teeth, then call the office of Carlisle Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Carlisle, PA. We conveniently serve patients in Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Boiling Springs, Shippensburg and the surrounding communities.