Dr. Brian Lavery Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Can a General Dentist Do Cosmetic Dentistry?

March 13, 2025

Filed under: Uncategorized — brianlavery @ 9:52 am
A general dentist giving his patient cosmetic dentistry

Along with a spring teeth cleaning, you may want some cosmetic dental work. This extra treatment would make your grin more gorgeous and suit the warmer season. With that said, there’s a key question you’ll need to address first: Can a general dentist do cosmetic dentistry? You won’t get very good treatment results without knowing its answer. So, here’s a primer on whether general dentists can do cosmetic dentistry from your Mercerville dental practice.

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What Kinds of Materials Can Be Used to Make Dental Crowns?

February 23, 2025

Filed under: Uncategorized — brianlavery @ 1:29 pm
Porcelain crown being attached to a tooth

You’re probably already familiar with the concept of a dental crown: a tooth-shaped cap that can help strengthen and protect an injured or weakened tooth. When getting a dental crown, it’s worth keeping in mind that the restoration can be made out of a variety of materials. To help you get an idea of which kind of crown might be right for you, your restorative dentist is here with a quick look at some of your options.

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Better Off Lead: The Departure from Lead Aprons During Dental X-Rays

January 28, 2025

Filed under: Uncategorized — brianlavery @ 4:41 pm
two lead abdominal aprons hanging on a wall

Think back to the last time you visited the dentist – it should’ve been in the last few months if you’ve been staying on top of your oral hygiene game! That said, you might remember being required to wear a lead apron as your dentist took X-rays of your mouth. But did you know that recent research has shown that the use of these aprons on patients when conducting dental X-rays is no longer recommended? Here’s what you need to know.

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Toothache Trouble: 3 Reasons It Seems to Worsen at Night

January 9, 2025

Filed under: Uncategorized — brianlavery @ 7:07 pm
Man laying in bed pressing hand to sore jaw

Brushing and flossing twice daily are essential to preventing common dental problems that often lead to emergencies, like cavities, gum disease, or other injuries. However, there’s no guarantee that you won’t develop a toothache at some point despite positive dental hygiene habits.

Unfortunately, many people suffer oral issues outside of regular business hours so you might have to wait overnight or through the weekend to call for help. If you’ve noticed the discomfort seems worse in the evening, continue reading to learn 3 potential causes and how to avoid them!

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What Ancient Chewing Gum Says About Our Ancestors!

December 12, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — brianlavery @ 8:49 pm
Drawing of stone age civilization

Did your ancestors live in Scandinavia? In the 1990s, archaeologists found a 10,000-year-old piece of chewing gum. It may not seem like an interesting find, but the truth is that it may hold the secrets of Mesolithic people! Continue reading to learn more about this find and what it says about your ancestors, including where they came from, their diet, their oral health, and their jobs.

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How Many Dental Implants are Necessary to See Results?

November 23, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — brianlavery @ 9:58 am
Picture of a dental implant

Dental implants are a transformative solution for restoring missing teeth, but determining how many you’ll need depends on several factors, including the number of missing teeth, your overall oral health, and the type of restoration desired. Here’s more information about the three main considerations involved in this decision.

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4 Reasons You Might Benefit From a Full Smile Makeover

October 25, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — brianlavery @ 1:18 pm
Woman in white shirt smiling and resting face on hand

If there are multiple improvements you would like to make to your grin, you may want to consider a smile makeover. This is a combination of two or more cosmetic dental procedures that have been carefully chosen to address your specific aesthetic concerns. This approach can dramatically transform your smile, but is it the right choice for you? To help you figure that out, here’s a look at 4 benefits that you can enjoy with a smile makeover.

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Trick or Drink: How a Halloween-Themed Cocktail Could Harm Your Teeth

September 2, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — brianlavery @ 9:32 pm
Halloween-themed cocktails sitting on a bar top

Halloween is best remembered as the candy-hoarding holiday, but many adults like to indulge in more age-restrictive fun. Spooky season is a great time to find creative cocktails, or simply a spot to enjoy more minimalistic alcohol in a suitably haunted atmosphere.

It’s difficult to resist a good drink when the mood is just right. However, if you want your smile to make it through this sugar-infested celebration, there are some things to keep in mind when it comes to alcohol. Keep reading to learn how a spirit-infused brew could harm your teeth.

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The Benefits of Titanium Dental Implants

August 23, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — brianlavery @ 3:23 am

Model of titanium dental implantDental implants have gained popularity over the last couple of decades because they are the most successful method of treating tooth loss. However, they aren’t a new innovation. Researchers have found evidence of early civilizations using various methods to replace missing teeth, like hammering seashells into the jawbones of the deceased. Thankfully, dental implants have evolved quite a bit throughout time, allowing them to have over a 95% success rate. Although there have been a lot of improvements, titanium revolutionized the procedure. Here are just a few benefits of titanium dental implants.

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Don’t Let Snacks Chew Your Teeth Back: Foods That Frequently Chip Smiles

July 12, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — brianlavery @ 11:01 pm

Teeth are incredibly durable, but they are not impervious to damage. While you’re probably aware of how excessive sugar consumption can feed harmful oral bacteria and lead to nasty oral infections like tooth decay and gum disease, you may not know that hard or crunchy foods can chip or crack your teeth if you’re not careful. Here are a few items to chew gently so you can avoid needing a trip to your emergency dentist’s office.

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