Cosmetic Dentistry
Teeth Whitening
All of our teeth whitening (bleaching) procedures begin with a dental checkup. It is important to ensure that the teeth are healthy before applying any whitening product. Tooth decay, sensitive or cracked teeth, infections, or periodontal (gum) problems should be diagnosed and treated first. Otherwise, the whitening process could be painful and even make certain problems worse.
Our dentists will evaluate, diagnose and treat any existing oral health conditions and advise you about different options to safely and effectively whiten your teeth. They can also determine whether whitening will work for you. When the dentist diagnoses the cause of the discoloration- stains from food or tobacco, injury, antibiotic treatment as a child or other causes-a suitable teeth whitening recommendation can be made. The diagnosis is important; otherwise, you could be wasting time and money because whitening treatments work only on natural tooth enamel, not on crowns, veneers, bonding materials or tooth-colored fillings. That being said, teeth whitening is safe and effective for the vast majority of patients and it can turn your healthy smile into one that shines as well.
Interested in teeth whitening? Schedule an exam with one of our dentists to get started!
Crowns
When a tooth is fractured, has a large, old filling, or is severely damaged by decay, the dentist may recommend the placement of a crown. Crowns strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure and can improve the appearance of your smile. Types of crowns include the full porcelain crown, the porcelain-fused-to-metal crown and different variations of these. Unlike a veneer, which just covers the visible surface of the tooth, crowns surround the entire tooth.
In addition to cavities, a tooth may require a crown due to age, wear, or fracture. With age, teeth tend to turn yellow, wear down, chip, and become less attractive. Alternatively, teeth can fracture from over-use or by accident. In these situations as well, crowns are a great way to restore function and beauty to a smile.
Teeth are part of your body, and an extremely important part at that. Extraction should be a last resort and is not necessary in the majority of cases. In two easy visits, crowns can transform your smile back to health and esthetic beauty, and keep it that way for many years if not the rest of your life.
Bridges
Bridges are used to fill in the space of a missing tooth with a natural looking substitute. Bridges can be supported by adjacent teeth, by implants, or by a combination of both. When done correctly, a bridge can make an otherwise ugly gap in your smile look natural and untouched.
Although implants are an extremely viable option for replacing missing teeth, they can be expensive, and are sometimes not practical, especially if the 2 teeth adjacent to a gap need to be crowned anyway. In that situation, bridges are a great way to fix a gap in your smile!
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding utilizes a composite resin and is used for a variety of structural as well as cosmetic purposes. This resin comes in many shades so that it can be matched to the color of your natural teeth. Basically, bonding will cover any natural flaws by applying a thin coating of resin to the tooth. After this, the dentist will apply a bonding material and color and shape it to provide a pleasing result. A high-intensity light then hardens the resin and the surface is polished.
If you have a chipped tooth or small gaps between your front teeth, you may be a candidate for bonding. Bonding is also used for patients who have uneven teeth, gum recession, tooth decay, or discolored teeth.
Porcelain Veneers
Dental procedures, such as fillings, cleanings, and root canals, are commonly employed to achieve and maintain a healthy mouth and beautiful smile. However, the advanced technology of cosmetic dentistry enables patients to attain white, straight, and natural looking teeth. Porcelain veneers are one of the most highly effective ways to help cosmetically develop or restore an impressive smile.
Porcelain veneers last longer than bleaching or bonding and, in some cases, are a good alternative for achieving the cosmetic results of orthodontics. They are resistant to stains and chips, are extremely natural looking, and will not discolor over time. This method of aesthetic enhancement has the capacity to completely transform your smile into one that you will be proud of for years to come.
Veneers have numerous advantages over other cosmetic techniques:
A wide spectrum of patients can qualify for veneers, though in some circumstances, veneers might not be the best approach for restoring a smile. If you are missing teeth, need major orthodontic work, or have weak teeth, it may be necessary to have additional or alternative work done by a dentist or orthodontist. However, with the advent of implants, the wonders of orthodontic treatment, and modern therapies such as root canals and more, the majority of patients can be viable candidates for porcelain veneers.
Porcelain Inlays/Onlays
For some large fillings a full crown may not be necessary. Inlays and onlays are fit into a tooth similar to a filling, but they are made in a lab, much like a crown. Inlays are placed on the topside of rear teeth, in between the edges, while onlays fit over one or more of the edges. Inlays and onlays allow the patient to retain more of the natural tooth structure, which is always best. Not every situation is right for an inlay or onlay, but the dentist will assess your problem and determine the best solution for you.
At the first visit, the dentist will prepare your tooth by removing your tooth decay or old filling and cleaning the affected area. We will then take a dental impression and send it to our dental lab so that a technician can create a custom inlay or onlay for you. Once the restoration has returned from the lab the dentist will remove the temporary restoration and permanently cement your final inlay or onlay into position. After polishing and adjusting the restoration as necessary to ensure proper bite alignment, you’ll enjoy a stronger, healthier smile for years to come
Implants & Dentures
Dental implants are simply small titanium cylinders placed into the jawbone to support replacement teeth. These titanium dental implants fuse with your bone and provide a permanent anchorage for a prosthetic reconstruction which looks and feels like a natural tooth. More than 800,000 patients have received implants around the world since 1965 and the first implant patient still has them today.
Dental implants are metal posts that are surgically placed in the bone under your gums. During a healing period, the bone grows around the implant. Then a replacement tooth, or crown, is attached to the metal post, giving you a restoration that is a lot like your natural tooth. Implants also can be used to secure bridges and dentures when more than one tooth is missing.
Benefits of Implants
The alternative to dental implants is full or partial dentures. As the denture is not attached directly to the bone, the jawbone will shrink and this may result in slight rocking or slippage of the denture, which can be uncomfortable. Additionally, with dentures there may be exposed nerves and gum tissue which will add to the discomfort. By attaching the prosthetic tooth directly to the jawbone, dental implants avoid these issues entirely. Moreover, once the implant has been placed, the bone thinks that there is a real tooth there and shrinkage of the bone is stopped. This preserves the bone mass of your jaw, which in turn ensures that your facial profile remains unaffected. In some cases, the implant can actually reverse bone loss by transferring pressure through the tooth and strengthening the bone.
Most importantly, dental implants can improve your quality of life in myriad ways:
Because the implants fuse to the jawbone and offer a secure base for the replacement teeth, some patients find this a comfortable option in restoring their smile. In many cases, implant-supported teeth may look and feel more like natural teeth.
Implant Requirements and Next Steps
Successful implant candidates need to meet a few criteria:
If you are interested in implants or other restorative procedures, the first step is to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists. During this appointment the dentist will examine your condition and provide you with a diagnosis and treatment plan. Our dentists would be happy to evaluate your case and discuss your options with you, so make an appointment for a consultation today!