How veneers can change your smile!

Did you know, many celebrities have veneers to help hide any discoloration in their teeth, change the shape of their teeth and cosmetically change their smile? 

Veneers are made of a thin, porcelain,  tooth-colored material and is bonded to the front of each tooth. They're a great alternative to crowns to hide tooth discoloration from tetracycline (staining of teeth from different prescriptions) or even fluorosis (fluorosis is common when there is a lot of fluoride in your drinking water. Your teeth become very white in some spots and very stained yellow in others).


Veneers are known to have longevity and are very comfortable. Many patients can't even tell they have them after the process is complete. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, "this procedure can greatly enhance your smile and can heighten self-esteem." They act as your natural teeth and should be treated as natural teeth when it comes to brushing and flossing. Although staining on veneers is greatly reduced, it is still highly recommended to brush after having red wine, tea, soda, coffee or marinara sauce.

The veneer process takes about three appointments to complete. The first step is an initial consult to see if the patient is a good candidate to have veneers put on. If the patient is, the process begins with impressions of the teeth that the veneers will be placed on. At Glacier Dental, we send these impressions off to a lab to have them make some models. When the models are returned to us, the patient is brought back in the office for preparation of the permanent veneers.

The second appointment is a little longer that the first because the teeth need to be lightly buffed
and the temporary veneers need to be created and placed. At this time, more molds and paperwork is sent off to the lab for the final steps of the process. Once the permanent veneers return from the lab, the patient is called back in for the final stage and the temporary veneers are removed and the permanent veneers are bonded to the front of the teeth. The above picture is a great close-up example of how amazingly veneers transform a smile.

One of the assistants at Glacier Dental, Liz, had veneers placed for her wedding about seven years ago and loves them. She said she tried several whitening options with no luck, and veneers were the best solution for her. Dr. Steckbauer did all of Liz's cosmetic work for her in office and the results are fantastic. Call today to schedule your veneer consult at 920-235-3251!

Insurance: Use it before you lose it!

We all know insurance can be confusing, but Glacier Dental is here to help. Typically insurance companies set a maximum dollar amount per year that each person on the plan is allowed to use. It's usually around $1,000. If you don't use it in that year, you lose it. The next year your maximum starts back over.

For example, if you only used $400 of your $1,000 max, you still have $600 to use towards any treatment. Once the end of the year hits, you lose that $600, and your maximum starts over at $1,000.

It's highly recommended patients use this insurance to take full advantage of their insurance plans. It's also better to have your treatment done sooner rather than later. It's never going to hurt less or cost less than it does today!

Keep Glacier Dental in mind when you have a toothache, especially when the end of the year is nearing! We'd love to do a complimentary benefits check to see what is still available for you, and help you with any restorative work your teeth may need! Give us a call to make sure you take full advantage of your benefits today! 920-235-3251

How to get your children to take excellent care of their teeth!

Routine hygiene appointments are important for your preventative care, but when should you bring your child to their first dental visit? According to American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry  it is "recommend that you take your child to the dentist within six months after his first tooth erupts, or by his first birthday, whichever comes first."

Glacier Dental is willing to bet it's difficult to get your child to brush his or her teeth twice a day and floss at least once. In order to have your child's first dental visit to go smoothly, dental care at home is a must. To help get your children more engaged and excited to clean their teeth at home, here are a few tips.

You know when you buy a new pair of running shoes and you just can't wait to get to the gym to try them out? Buy your child(ren) a new toothbrush or toothpaste. This will make them want to brush their teeth.

Other ways to help make brushing twice a day more exciting include changing up the brushing routine. Challenge him or her to brush with his or her left hand or have them try flossing before brushing their teeth. You could also try setting  a goal. If your daughter brushes her teeth well for 10 days, maybe she can have an extra dessert one night after dinner. These new ideas may help your children become more excited about daily flossing and brushing.

Another issue that may arise is your child's first dental visit. It can be scary having a stranger peek inside your mouth for the first time. A great way to help your child overcome this fear is by bringing them to your dental visits. While at the dentist, you can help explain what is going on and even have them sit on your lap throughout your cleaning appointment. Getting your child in the chair and introducing them to Dr. Steckbauer or Dr. Carpenter prior to their first visit on their own is a great way to help ease that first visit.

In addition to that, Glacier Dental has TVs in the continuing care rooms. The hygienist can easily flip to a cartoon for your child to watch at the initial check-up. Depending on how well your child does at this visit, Dr. Steckbauer or Dr. Carpenter will do a full mouth exam and look at each tooth. If there is any decay or cavities the Doctor will inform you and let you know what the next best step to take would be. It is crucial to have any cavities filled or teeth pulled, even on baby teeth, because if there is any is deep decay or infection, it well effect the permanent adult tooth.

To avoid cavities and tooth extractions at young ages, make sure you keep your children excited about brushing twice a day and flossing at least once. This will help ensure your child only has to visit two times a year for cleanings versu
s more visits for treatment.  Call today to schedule your child's first visit at 920-235-3251.

Glacier Dental-Home of Dental Implants!

Everyone knows, if you lose an adult tooth, more likely than not you will never have another tooth grow there again. But what options do you have if you do lose an adult tooth, besides have a gaping hole in your smile and be forced to chew food with the other side of your mouth?
 
Dr. Steckbauer has been practicing in the dental field for over 13 years and has had advanced training in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. So to Dr. Steckbauer, a missing tooth? No problem.
 
A great option to replace a tooth is a dental implant. An implant mainly consists of a steel implant bar, abutment and a crown. The steel implant bar is placed in the bone of the jaw, where the tooth is missing. The abutment is the central connector. It attaches to the steel implant as well as the crown. The crown is the piece of the implant that resembles the tooth.

An implant, or a few implants are aesthetically superior to any bridge or denture. On of the assistants at Glacier Dental recently had an implant done on one of her front teeth and loves it. She said she sometimes forgets it's not her real tooth. You also don't have to worry about "misplacing" your denture because it is always in your mouth...unlike a denture.

Not only do implants look and feel great, they save your other teeth too. Since an implant is not attached or anchored to any other teeth, there is no risk in harming another tooth.

In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, the implant process itself is not too bad either. The first step is an initial consult about implants with Dr. Steckbauer if you have not had one already. Once the implants are diagnosed, a few x-rays may be taken of that area.

When you decide you're ready to have the implant placed, you'll come in and have the tooth extracted first. After, whether you had a tooth there or not, Dr. Steckbauer may place some bone grafting in the extraction site, or the area where the tooth is missing. Bone grafting has similar qualities to cement. It is a powder mixed with some dental materials to make a thick liquid and once it's placed in the extraction site it hardens and help with bone growth and strength. This allows for the implant post to have stability once placed. Usually after bone grafting is placed, the site is ready for the steel implant to be inserted right away.

The abutment and temporary crown are also placed the same day the post is placed if it is a front tooth. If it's a back tooth, no temporary crown is placed unless Dr. Steckbauer sees fit. After roughly three months of heal time, the final and permanent crown is ready to be placed.

The process itself is fairly easy, with only little discomfort after the implant is placed. Call today for your free implant consult with Dr. Steckbauer at Glacier Dental. 920-235-3251

Why ClearCorrect is the best option for you at Glacier Dental!!

You'll never see a ClearCorrect package this amazing anywhere else except at this

one-time event at GLACIER DENTAL!

 

Attend our ClearCorrect open house on

THIS SATURDAY from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

You will get all the answers to your ClearCorrect questions

and see how clear braces can change your smile!

 

So many adults have wanted a straighter and whiter smile,

but are too embarrassed to have a mouth full of metal.

Here's your opportunity to have clear braces...your friends will have to squint to see them!

 

ClearCorrect is a great alternative to traditional metal braces because...

A. The series of practically invisible, custom ClearCorrect fit your mouth perfectly and..

B. After a few tray adjustments with Dr. Steckbauer, your smile will be transformed!

 

Special package pricing for attendees:

-ClearCorrect trays

-Exam

-X-rays

-Before and After photos

-Sonicare electric toothbrush

-Opalescence whitening

 

Attend early on October 4 and receive an *extra special* gift from Dr. Steckbauer, quantities are limited!

 

920-376-9926