Valer Dental & Braces Blog

Metal braces have been helping patients achieve straighter, healthier smiles for generations. Despite their long track record of success, traditional braces are often surrounded by outdated ideas and misconceptions. Thanks to social media and hearsay, many people still believe myths that simply aren’t true. In reality, metal braces are more comfortable, effective, and versatile than ever before.

Let’s break down some of the most common myths and uncover the facts about this trusted orthodontic treatment.

Braces can do wonders for your smile—but they don’t really mix well with flying basketballs or stray elbows. Whether you’re on the soccer field, basketball court, or wrestling mat, protecting your braces during sports is a must. The good news is that it’s not as complicated as it sounds. With the right gear and a few smart habits, you can stay active without putting your orthodontic work at risk. Here’s how.

Veneers are one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments, offering a quick and effective way to transform a smile. They cover imperfections such as chips, gaps, discoloration, or irregular shapes, creating a natural-looking, radiant appearance. But if you’re considering veneers, you may be wondering: how long do they actually last? The answer depends on the type of veneers you choose, as well as how well you care for them.

If you have gaps between your teeth that are large enough to leave you unhappy with your smile, you may have heard that orthodontics is the only way to fix this. But although braces and aligners provide beautiful, lasting results, maybe you don’t want to wait that long, or don’t need much intervention. The good news is that if you thought orthodontics were the only way to close the gaps in your teeth, you were happily mistaken. Affectionately known as “instant orthodontics,” a treatment called porcelain veneers may be able to do the job in a fraction of the time. Here’s what you need to know!

As you get older, your smile ages with you. But did you know that your teeth can actually make you look older or younger than you are? Many visual clues tend to influence how old someone thinks you are. A great way to reverse the clock is by brightening up your grin with cosmetic dental treatments. You might be wondering how, so continue reading to learn about why these services can make that happen.

Are you looking forward to your summertime plans? Maybe you have a vacation lined up at a beautiful beach or an outing with friends that you want to remember by taking plenty of photos. If your teeth are less than perfect, then you may want to consider these three cosmetic dental treatments to spruce up your smile. They can help you get the pearly whites you want for the summer and well after! 

Dental implants are a popular and highly successful way to replace missing teeth. With proper care, they can last for decades or sometimes even a lifetime. However, while dental implants boast a high success rate of 95 percent, they can still fail under certain circumstances. The good news? Most failures are preventable. Here’s how you can protect your investment and avoid dental implant failure.

When talking to your dentist about various treatments, technology, or techniques, it can be hard to understand some of the terminology that is used. Unless you attended dental school or have an interest in dentistry, you may feel out of the loop when talking to your dentist. This is especially true when it comes to dental implants. If you are getting ready for your initial consultation and want to be better prepared, learn the meaning of certain terms so that you have a clear understanding by the time you leave their office.

While you may really want dental implants, you can’t just get them at once. You must first consult your restorative dentist to see if the posts suit your smile. With that said, what should you expect from your dental implant consultation? There’s no need to wonder; your local Albuquerque dental practice is here to fill you in. Keep reading to learn about the four steps your dental implant consultation will almost certainly include.

If you’ve just started wearing dentures, or if yours are starting to feel a little loose, denture adhesive can be a great temporary fix. But finding the right product can be the difference between a confident smile and constant worry. With so many options available, how do you know which is best? Continue reading to explore different types of adhesives, so you can find your perfect fit.