Monday - Friday 7am-7pmOpen Saturdays!(813) 358-71104315 Henderson Blvd Tampa, FL 33620
Dr. Cannariato
22/Dec/2024
Cosmetic DentistryDental Technology

Is Invisalign Better Than Braces?

Is Invisalign Better Than Braces?

South Tampa Smiles would like for all of our Tampa Bay area patients to be proud to show off their smiles. With the latest advancements in dentistry, we are able to brighten smiles in a single visit, restore damaged teeth with natural, tooth-colored materials and offer crowns in a single visit! Now, we are happy to be able to correct misaligned teeth using the Invisalign system. When it comes to the Invisalign system, we are commonly asked the question: Is Invisalign better than braces?

Most people would vote yes! Of course, Invisalign seems better than braces! There are many advantages to Invisalign if it is a treatment that is right for your dental needs. It doesn’t require the discomfort of glued-on brackets and wires. It doesn’t get in the way of your confidence and your favorite foods like traditional braces. There are many advantages to the Invisalign, but can it get the job done?

Drum roll please! The answer is, yet again, yes! Invisalign is much more than just a convenient cosmetic braces system. It is an effective resolution for various orthodontic issues including overbites, underbites, crossbites, crowded teeth, and gaps between teeth. Another added bonus is that patients tend to have overall better oral health throughout the treatment. This is simply because there are no brackets to get in the way of daily dental care routines.

There are many advantages to Invisalign treatment over traditional braces, but it is not the treatment of choice for everyone. We would be happy to schedule a consultation and find out what type of treatment is best for you! Give us a call at (813) – 879 – 0560. The South Tampa Smiles team is here help you achieve the smile of your dreams!

Visit our website for further reading about Invisalign treatment.

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Dr. Cannariato
22/Dec/2024
Dental EducationDental Technology0

Replacing Old Dental Bridges

Replacing Old Dental Bridges

November is National Historic Bridge Awareness month. This month is dedicated to the preservation of our nation’s transportation heritage. As a team of dental health professionals, we would like to take this time to advocate a different type of aging bridge… old dental bridges! How long do bridges last? Well, there are many factors. With proper oral hygiene and regular dental checkups, bridges can last just up to 15 or even longer. If you have a historic bridge in your mouth and needing some maintenance or a new replacement, this is your chance to get informed and take action.

Old dental bridges begin to fail due to complications such as cement leakage, which can cause underlying tooth decay. If there is a problem with the teeth supporting your bridge, the bridge will fail. There are certain instances that a bridge may be fixed. If the porcelain coating on your bridge is chipped, but the bridge itself is still in good shape, it may be possible to simply repair the coating. However, when the time comes to replace your old dental bridge, you can choose replacing it with another bridge or dental implants.

Dental implants are far superior to dental bridges because the dentist just replaces the individual tooth. They are stronger, permanent and put less strain on the surrounding teeth.

However, there are certain times when a bridge may be the best option due to neighboring teeth with large fillings or crowns. Another consideration is if the tooth has been missing for a long period of time. This could mean there is significant underlying bone loss and may require other dental procedures prior to implant placement. You will need to talk to your dentist to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants or if a bridge is right for you.

Contact South Tampa Smiles if you are experiencing problems with a current bridge or are due for a dental checkup and cleaning at (813) 289-0560. Keep your smiles in top oral condition with regular dental visits along with your home hygiene routine.

Visit colgate.com for more information on dental bridges vs. dental implants.

Visit HistoricBridges.org photos, maps, and more information for all types of historic bridges.

Use #HistoricBridgeAwarenessMonth for social media sharing.

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Dr. Cannariato
22/Dec/2024
Cosmetic DentistryDental Technology0

A Vote for Veneers

A Vote for Veneers

With the elections around the corner, people are gearing up to cast their vote on the next President of the United States. Whether you are happy with the election or not, South Tampa Smiles has something for you to smile about. We understand that most people find it hard to consider dental procedures to be “fun”.  However, porcelain veneers have amazing capabilities that make them nothing short of mind-blowing. For these reasons we cast our vote for veneers as our top cosmetic dental treatment that gives you dramatic results.


Porcelain Veneers

Veneers can achieve beautiful smiles without putting the patient through uncomfortable dental procedures. Dental veneers are made of porcelain that is fabricated to match your natural teeth precisely. Porcelain veneers are constructed to enhance your smile without giving away that you’ve had any dental work. The porcelain material is similar to enamel in that it filters light. It reflects some of the light while allowing the rest to pass through the veneer. This gives a partially translucent appearance to the veneer, which looks just like a natural tooth.

Minimally Invasive Procedure

Porcelain veneers are thin so they fit right over your teeth and require minimal shaving of the natural teeth. This keeps your dental procedure quick and comfortable. We strive to make every dental procedure as comfortable and painless as possible. This is why you should feel genuinely excited and cast your vote for veneers by contacting South Tampa Smiles. If you are looking to straighten your teeth, whiten them, fill in gaps, or fix chipped and broken teeth, we are here to help! Call our South Tampa office at (813) 289 – 0560 to learn more about veneers if you are unhappy with your smile and set up your next appointment.

Further Reading: Single Visit Crowns

Resource: Full Porcelain Crowns

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Dr. Cannariato
22/Dec/2024
Dental Technology0

Sedation Dentistry in South Tampa

Looking for sedation dentistry in South Tampa? South Tampa Smiles offers sedation dentistry for our patients that may have fears of dental treatment. We understand the idea of being in the dental chair can bring out anxiety in many patients. The thought of a needle going in your mouth, the sound of the drill, and the many tools laying out on the dental tray can bring out fear for many patients.

Most people are familiar with nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, as a form of dental sedation to relieve you from all of your worries. A small mask is placed over your nose to breath in the gas that calms any anxieties during the procedure. Once the patient becomes relaxed and comfortable, we use a topical anesthetic to numb the area before the injection. This is another step to alleviate the possibility of any discomfort. The dentist is then able to focus on the procedure at hand knowing the patient is relaxed and comfortable during the entire visit.

The benefits of sedation dentistry include:
  • It is a safe and pain-free way to alleviate anxiety and help patients overcome fear of dental procedures.
  • Although the patient is relaxed and restful, they are still able to follow instructions and answer questions when needed.
  • The dentist is often able to correct multiple issues at once or complete a more complicated dental procedure.
  • The procedure will go more smoothly and quickly, since the patient will not be nervous and are more likely to coordinate with the dentist throughout the procedure.


Many of our patients have already had pleasant dental treatments utilizing sedation dentistry in South Tampa and so can you! Give us a call at (813) 289 – 0560. Take comfort in knowing your fears will be calmed. Our Staff is understanding and helpful. We will guide you through the entire process and answer any questions or concerns you may have about your dental treatment.

Further Reading:

Fear of Dental Injections?

Five Tips to Overcome Dental Anxiety

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Dr. Cannariato
22/Dec/2024
Dental Technology0

How long do CEREC crowns last?

How long do CEREC crowns last?

The CEREC machine is computerized state-of-the-art technology that allows our dentist to take a digital impression of your teeth and create a custom designed porcelain crown in a single visit. Although single-visit crowns are crafted and created on-site at our dental office, they are exceptionally durable. In fact, the restorations that are crafted by these machines are around 3 times stronger than conventional porcelain crowns crafted at a dental lab. The digital impressions provide pressed ceramic material that is a very accurate match to the shape and crevices of your tooth. The crown is then placed on the affected tooth using a durable cement and given a final polish.

Exactly how long do CEREC crowns last? Due to the accuracy of the digital impressions, the durability of the materials, and a more precise fit, CEREC crowns can last as long as 30 years. Crowns typically last between 10 to 15 years, however, maintaining follow-up visits every six months and proper dental care at home can extend the lifespan for years and years. There are various factors that could play a role in the lifetime of your crown, such as teeth grinding. If you are prone to grinding or clenching your teeth at night, you may need a night guard to help protect your dental restorations.

CEREC porcelain crowns provide a beautiful, natural-looking smile for many years. At South Tampa Smiles, our goal is to help our patients maintain a beautiful smile for a lifetime. Give us a call at (813) 289 – 0560 for more information about CEREC technology or to schedule your six month dental exam and cleaning. Our friendly staff is ready to assist you.

The CEREC system is also used for veneers and onlay restorations.

Read About Cerec Crowns, Veneers, & Onlays

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Dr. Cannariato
22/Dec/2024
Dental Technology0

Dental X-Ray Safety

Dental X-Ray Safety Concerns & Risks

Concerned about dental x-ray safety? Let us put your worries to rest. The amount of radiation used in dental x-ray technology is minimal and have significantly decreased with advances in technology. The benefits in dental x-rays far outweigh the risks. They are vital in the diagnostic process to ensure proper dental treatment.

Uses for Dental X-Rays Include:
  • Identify problems with the teeth, mouth and jaw
  • Pin point cavities and wisdom teeth that may be hidden
  • Show bone loss and other oral problems that are usually not visible during a visual exam
  • They are useful for follow-up visit after dental treatment
Dental X-Ray Technology

The exposure in dental offices is far lower than in hospitals and other medical facilities. Digital x-rays are becoming the new standard in most dental practices. Digital x-rays use 50% less film speed than the recommended standard amount. This plays a direct role in the amount of exposure during routine dental examinations.

Additionally, dental x-ray units have a cone to focus the x-ray beam. This cone allows the beam to only expose the area of concern localizing the exposure and also minimizing exposure to other parts of your body.

We take your protection a step further with the use of lead aprons that drape your body to reduce the amount of scatter radiation. Lead aprons are used as a precaution for pregnant women along with a thyroid collar for additional safety precautions.

Minimizing Exposure

We all get radiation exposure not only from healthcare diagnostic treatments, but environmental factors as well. Since radiation can accumulate in our bodies over our lifetime, additional exposure should be kept to a minimum and only used for necessary diagnostic treatment.
 

Dental X-Ray Inquiries

At South Tampa Smiles, we take every step necessary to ensure our patients have the most protection available. Contact us today if you have any further questions or concerns about dental x-ray safety at (813) 289 – 0560.

#dentalxrays

#dentalxraysafety

#digitalxrays

#xraytechnology

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Dr. Cannariato
22/Dec/2024
Dental Technology0

Six Month Braces

Reasons for Six Month Braces

Six Month Braces re-position crooked or badly aligned teeth over a period of approximately 6 months. Most people that seek orthodontic treatment are concerned about the esthetics of their teeth. This is an ideal choice of treatment for those needing tooth correction without having to go through two or three years of treatment. The ultimate goal of 6 Month Braces is to move the teeth to their most desirable position in as little time as possible.

What Do They Look Like?

6 Month braces are designed to be as little noticeable as possible. The braces themselves are clear and the wires are white, making them nearly invisible!! Six Month Braces are hardly noticeable compared to traditional “Train Track” braces.

How Do They Work?

These discreet wires apply a constant force to the teeth to shift them into their desired position over time. This results in small, noticeable changes to your teeth. Once the treatment is complete, you will need to wear a retainer in order for your teeth to maintain their correct positioning. Retainers may be fixed to your teeth permanently or worn as a removable retainer.

Advantages

The most obvious advantage of Six Month Braces is faster treatment period. Other advantages are that they are relatively painless and a less expensive than most other treatments for braces. Six Month Braces can treat any of the following:

  • Misaligned Teeth
  • Crowded Teeth
  • Gaps Between Teeth
  • Crossbites
  • Overbites
  • Underbites
Disadvantages
  • Can Affect Speech
  • Can Increase Salivation
  • Need for a Retainer Following Treatment
  • May Not Be Suitable Treatment for Everyone
    (Consultation Required for Suitable Orthodontic Treatment)
The Process

First, you will need an initial consultation to determine your orthodontic requirements. If it is determined that you are a good candidate for Six Month Braces, you will begin a series of stages involving fitting and adjustments.

If you are in need of any dental work, you will need to have that work done prior to any orthodontic treatment. This is to ensure that your teeth are in good condition to receive the braces.

You will be fitted for your braces and then undergo a few adjustments to make sure of a correct fit. You will also be fitted for a retainer to prevent your teeth from moving back out of position once the treatment is complete.

Frequent dental visits are necessary to make sure your teeth are moving and cover dental care advice throughout your orthodontic treatment.

Contact

Contact South Tampa Smiles for a consultation with Dr. John Cannariato to see if you are a good candidate for Six Month Braces at 813-289–0560.

#sixmonthbraces

#southtampasmiles

#southtampadentristry

#sixmonthsmile

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