Cosmetic Dentistry and General Dental Procedures

When a tooth is fractured, severely damaged by decay or has a large old filling, a crown (also called a cap) is often placed. A porcelain crown strengthens the tooth, protects the remaining tooth structure and can improve appearance. A two-visit crown (cap) procedure can accomplish the most esthetic, lifelike appearance possible with crowns. We offer unsurpassed results in cosmetic dentistry.

Porcelain tooth replacements can be fused to metal and permanently cemented to natural teeth. These become very much like your own natural teeth in looks, function and durability. Note the lifelike appearance of a bridge in the photograph. Depending on the circumstances bridges can be fixed or removable. An excellent result!

Porcelain Veneers, the thin custom-made shells that attach directly to teeth, are similar in concept to applying a new layer of enamel or a shield. They are used to treat gaps and teeth that are permanently stained, poorly shaped, or out of alignment. Porcelain Veneers can give you a smile makeover or smile lift, making you look years younger. Veneers permanently whiten your teeth. back to top

Step 1

The teeth are prepared by cleaning them and removing all old restorations. In this case, a small amount of enamel is removed from the front of the tooth to accommodate the thickness of the veneer.

Step 2

The shape, size and shade of the teeth are determined. An accurate impression is taken of the prepared teeth, and a bite registration is taken to assure a correct correlation between the upper and lower teeth.

Step 3

Using the information in step one, the lab makes the laminate veneers.

Step 4

The color, shape and size of the teeth are checked to assure they are correct. The teeth are etched and rinsed and the veneers are applied with bonding, which is light-cured to set the material. Finally, the teeth are shaped and polished.

Porcelain Veneers can turn your smile into a masterpiece. back to top

Bonding is the joining of different materials. In dentistry, the term is used to describe a number of techniques of attaching, or bonding, plastic or porcelain materials to a tooth surface. Old silver fillings can be replaced with attractive white porcelain fillings for a more aesthetic and natural look. These fillings are bonded in so they can strengthen teeth as well as make them beautiful. Tooth bonding is used to close small gaps, fill in chips, and cover stains on teeth and can usually be done in a single visit. Look at the difference.

Silver fillings need to be replaced because cavities form underneath them.
Cavities can and do develop under your old silver fillings.

Endodontics or Root Canal Therapy is probably the most dreaded dental term known to the layperson. Despite its bad reputation endodontics therapy has a general success rate between 90 and 95 percent. By removing the decay and infection and sealing the tooth, the goal of saving the tooth versus extracting it is achieved. Saving a tooth prevents a domino effect of teeth tilting and shifting and becoming more sensitive and prone to decay. Saving teeth helps prevent the unfortunate situation of having to wear dentures or the expensive replacement of teeth with implants. New nickel titanium files have helped tremendously in speeding up the porcelain and resulting in much less discomfort. Most patients are very pleasantly surprised and appreciate the advances in modern dentistry. back to top

Periodontitis also known as gum disease, is a bacterial infection in the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. Periodontal (gum) disease can go on for years destroying bone and never be painful until the advanced stage. Many times at this point it's too late. With no supporting structure (bone) the teeth become loose and painful to chew on. Loss of teeth often causes a feeling of loss of wholeness and a sense of deterioration and aging. This disease can be prevented through regular cleanings and/or special cleanings with anesthesia and sometimes gum surgery.

Unhealthy gums are a red flag warning of future tooth loss and the potential for stroke and heart disease. Gum disease surpasses cavities as the main reason for tooth loss in adults. back to top

By age 16, if the jaws are not long enough, wisdom teeth stay trapped (impacted) inside the bone. Wisdom teeth that are impacted can cause:

• Infection of the gums, and/or infection in the bone around them.
  
• Destruction of the tooth beside it.
  
• Formation of a cyst.
  
• Crowding of the remaining teeth.

Early removal of impacted wisdom teeth can be the key to avoiding many problems.

Why Early Removal?

Before you reach adulthood, the roots of your teeth are not totally formed and the surrounding bone is shorter, so there is less chance of damaging nerves and other nearby structures during oral surgery. The operation itself also may be more difficult as you get older, when risks are greater and healing is slower. If you wait until your wisdom teeth cause you trouble, you may have to be treated for complications, such as infection, before they can be removed. In short, early removal of your wisdom teeth is likely to prevent problems later on. back to top

Dental implants can be an effective method to replace one tooth or several missing teeth, to support a bridge or replace a denture. Not every patient is a candidate for an implant, though. Your general and dental health are factors that are considered. If you want a dental restoration that looks and feels as though it's really part of your mouth, dental implants may be right for you. Used successfully for many years, dental implants anchor prosthetic (artificial) teeth into your jawbone to provide a secure, stable fit. Implants can meet your individual needs whether you're missing all, a few, or only one of your teeth. Your dental implants may be positioned and your prosthesis (artificial teeth) constructed by one or more dentist. Your surgical specialist (an oral surgeon or periodontist) prepares your jaw and places the implants, which will hold your new teeth in place. Then your restorative dentist (a prosthodontist or general dentist) makes your prosthesis. Your commitment, both during and after the implant process, is also important. For the best long-term results, you'll need to have regular checkups and practice good oral hygiene. Dental implants work by mimicking the structure of natural teeth, so the condition of your mouth can affect the success of your implant procedure. Like natural teeth, most dental implants are secured in the jawbone. If your mouth is healthy, you're likely to be a good candidate for dental implants. back to top

1: Your First Surgery:

During your first surgery, the surgical specialist places the implants in your jawbone. Much of the success of the entire implant process depends on how tightly your jawbone grows around the implants (osseointegration). The dental implant acts as an artificial tooth root in the jaw bone preventing further bone loss. You can help the implants "take hold" avoiding pressure on your jaw and by keeping your gums and teeth especially clean over the next three to six months. This is a more effective method than dentures and bridges that people usually choose in the past as they did not prevent bone loss. back to top

2: Your Second Surgery:

(There are cases that can be done in one surgery)
You're ready for your second surgery when your jawbone has firmly healed around the implants, usually three to six months after placement. This procedure attaches the abutments that join the implants and the prosthesis. In some cases, your surgical specialist may put temporary abutments into position, replacing them with permanent ones later. back to top

3: Making Your New Teeth:

Your restorative dentist begins making your prosthesis when your gums have healed around the abutments, usually two to four weeks after surgery. Several visits may be spent analyzing the new structure of your mouth. Then, it may take several more weeks or months to create the prosthesis. back to top

4: Caring For Your New Teeth:

Once your dental implant is in place, you can chew in comfort and smile with confidence again. Your new teeth can serve you well for many years if you keep your mouth healthy and take care of your implants. This means taking the time to clean all your teeth regularly and keeping appointments with your dentist. back to top

Tooth Whitening is an amazing way to look younger and feel better about yourself. A bright sparkling smile can make a big difference for anyone. People will notice a big difference in your looks although they may not know exactly what.

Tooth discoloration has many causes. Most common are consumption of coffee, tea, tobacco, colas and red wine. Some teeth are stained internally from consumption of antibiotics as a child. Fortunately, all of these respond to whitening procedures.

Whitening teeth is a safe procedure. Extensive research shows no tooth damage from whitening when done under the supervision of a dentist. Many dentists consider it the safest cosmetic dental procedure. It is not recommended for children under 13 or for pregnant or lactating women.

In-office whitening is very different than over-the-counter products. Over-the-counter tooth whitening strips, brush-on gels, and toothpastes take weeks or months to lighten your teeth just a few shades. The ZOOM in office system has been clinically proven to whiten teeth eight shades in just over an hour. Your teeth will be dramatically whiter and brighter. The convenience of ZOOM in comparison with wearing trays and gradual whitening makes it the perfect choice for the busy individual. Remember, only a dentist can get your teeth this white, this fast!

We offer music with noise-cancelling headphones. You bring your favorite CDs and relax during the procedure. back to top

Lumineers

Have the smile of your dreams with no pain in as little as two visits. Lumineers are contact-lens-thin porcelain veneers. They are permanent, pleasant and painless. Lumineers can transform your teeth. They will strengthen teeth, close gaps, straighten crooked teeth, chipped teeth, rejuvenate old crowns and bridges and permanently whiten teeth. back to top

Sealants

Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings which are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent decay. Most tooth decay in children and teenagers occurs on the chewing surfaces with pits and grooves which tend to trap food and bacteria. Sealants fill in these pits and grooves so that bacteria cannot multiply and cause decay.

Applying sealants is quite simple and may be done by a dental hygienist or dentist. First, the teeth are cleaned. Then the teeth to be sealed are dabbed with a very mild acid solution similar in strength to vinegar or lemon juice. This roughens the tooth surface slightly so that the sealant will bond to it. After the tooth is prepared, the sealant is painted onto the tooth. It flows into the pits and grooves and hardens in about 60 seconds. Sealed teeth do not allow bacteria to reach the pits and grooves and cause decay. Applying sealants requires no drilling or removal of the tooth surface. back to top

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Nitrous oxide or "laughing gas" is a very safe and effective way of relieving anxiety during dental procedures. It allows you to be awake but dreaming. It is excellent for kids. Many times we don't have to use anesthetic for small cavities, And you can drive home right after because the effect wears off within minutes. back to top

TMJ

Many people suffer from TMJ or jaw joint pain. Some symptoms include clicking and popping upon opening the mouth, headaches and neck aches. Many of these problems arise due to an incorrect bite or clenching and grinding the teeth during sleep. Our teeth function like gears of a car. If the gears are not properly aligned you will soon have a whole lot of problems. Many times a conservative treatment involving adjusting the bite, use of a nightguard to prevent clenching and grinding, and muscle relaxers can resolve the problem. A thorough head, neck and bite exam along with a history of the symptoms will usually reveal the problem. back to top