COSMETIC DENTISTRY
Cosmetic dentistry is anything done to correct imperfections in the appearance of the mouth. Anyone who is unhappy with their smile can have it fixed. The upper teeth show, usually, only when smiling, while the lower teeth remain hidden. This is reversed when talking, with the upper teeth remaining hidden while the lower teeth show. The color, alignment, spacing and proportions of the teeth are the characteristics that give the overall appearance. Any of these can be altered to give the smile a stunning look. We offer a wide variety of cosmetic options such as whitening, smile design, recontouring of the shape of the teeth, veneers, bonding and all ceramic/porcelain crowns.
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WHITENING
Whitening is the process of “bleaching” the teeth to make them appear whiter and therefore more attractive. Our office uses three methods: Custom tray whitening, disposable whitening trays and Zoom! Chairside Whitening System.
The tray method involves having impressions taken from which laboratory fabricated custom vinyl trays are made. A carbamide peroxide gel is placed in these trays and the trays are worn for about 30 minutes each day. After two to four weeks the teeth will be visibly whiter. After the initial whitening, the trays and gel can be used periodically for touch ups.
The Zoom! Chairside Whitening System is a scientifically advanced, patent pending tooth whitening procedure. It is safe, effective and fast. In just 45 minutes your teeth will become dramatically whiter. Zoom! Chairside Whitening is ideal for anyone looking for immediate results. The convenience of Zoom! in comparison to days of wearing trays or strips, makes it the perfect choice for the busy individual.
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VENEERS
Veneers are a dental procedure in which a covering is placed over the outside (facial surface) of the tooth. Veneers are usually only done to the part of the teeth that are visible when talking or smiling. The procedure can be direct or indirect.
The direct technique involves placing composite resin on the outside of the tooth using a tooth colored composite material. This method is usually referred to as bonding.
The indirect technique involves two appointments because the veneers will be fabricated at a dental laboratory. At the first appointment the teeth are prepared, impressions are taken, and the teeth are given a temporary covering. The impressions are sent to a laboratory where porcelain veneers are fabricated. In two to three weeks the veneers are back from the laboratory, the temporaries are removed and the veneers are bonded to the teeth.
When preparing teeth for veneers, very little tooth structure is removed (usually about the thickness of a contact lens) and patients experience little to no sensitivity after treatment.
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INVISALIGN
Invisalign straightens your teeth with a series of clear, virtually invisible custom-molded aligners. By using a series of clear, removable aligners, Invisalign straightens your teeth with results you’ll notice sooner than you think. The course of treatment involves changing aligners approximately every two weeks, moving your teeth into straighter position step by step, until you have a more beautiful smile. Unlike braces you can remove the clear aligners to facilitate proper brushing and flossing.
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CROWNS
Crowns are full coverage restorations that are used to cover a tooth that is too broken down to be restored with a filling. They are most commonly done after root canal treatment, or when a large filling wears out. The larger the hole made by a cavity, the more likely a crown may be needed. Keep in mind that the jaw muscles are some of the strongest in the human body and teeth are subjected to tremendous pressures. When teeth are weakened due to cavities or cracking, a crown can cover the weakened tooth, providing strength and protecting the tooth against breakage. A broken or cracked tooth is a far more serious matter and much more difficult to treat. Crowns prevent this, as well as providing an esthetic result.
It takes two appointments to restore a tooth with a crown. In the first, any decay is removed from the tooth and it is shaped to accept the crown. Then an impression is made of the tooth for use in fabricating the crown. Between the two visits the crown is made by a dental laboratory, usually of high-strength porcelain over gold alloy, all ceramic material, or gold. During this time a temporary crown is worn. At the second visit the temporary is removed and the permanent crown is cemented in place.
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DENTURES
There are different types of dentures, but they share a common function. They replace teeth that have been lost due to cavities or periodontal disease. Complete dentures are indicated when all the teeth in the mouth are missing or must be extracted. Partial dentures are indicated when several teeth are missing but the remaining teeth are cavity free and have good support. When bone loss around the roots of teeth is great enough to loosen them, it’s time for dentures. Relax. No one enjoys losing their natural teeth, but with dentures you can still eat and talk regularly.
After the entire mouth is examined, a determination is made as to which teeth will be removed and which, if any, will remain. The loose teeth are then extracted, impressions are taken and the dentures are fabricated. There is an adjustment period after dentures are placed in the mouth and they can take some getting used to. Once accustomed to the dentures, most of the normal function and appearance return. If needed, implants can be used to further stabilize the dentures.
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IMPLANTS
A dental implant is another option to replace a missing tooth. In this procedure, a small titanium shaft is surgically implanted into the bone and allowed to set. Eventually, the bone grows around it forming a tight connection. Once the implant is firmly set in the mouth, the dentist attaches the replacement tooth or crown on top of the shaft.
There are several advantages to implants. The first is permanence because implant crowns are cemented or screwed in place. The second is that adjacent teeth are left alone and thus unaffected. Third, implants stimulate the surrounding bone preventing further bone loss which can occur after tooth extraction. Should the implant tooth ever wear out, another can simply be replaced on the implant.
Implants can also be used as support for a bridge or denture. This has several advantages. First, there is less adjustment period to acclimate the patient who, once the procedure is done, only feels teeth, not metal supports intruding into the mouth. Second, implants stimulate the surrounding bone which prevents continued bone loss that occurs after a tooth is extracted. Third, there is no discomfort or difficulty in eating with implants. Best of all, of course, they don’t have to be taken out all the time.
We also offer mini dental implants. These implants are about half the diameter of traditional implants and are used mainly to stabilize lower dentures. These implants can be placed in one appointment and a denture can be placed on them immediately. The cost is 50%-70% of standard dental implants.
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ROOT CANAL TREATMENT
Root canal treatment (also referred to as root canal therapy or endodontic therapy) is necessary when a cavity reaches all the way to the nerve of the tooth. Sometimes deep restorations or trauma to a tooth may cause the nerve to be damaged to the point it needs root canal therapy. Once the nerve is damaged it begins to die and the dead nerve must be removed. If the dying nerve is not removed an abscess can form which can be a dangerous and painful situation. Symptoms that the pulp has become infected may include sensitivity to hot/cold or sweets, pain, swelling, pain when biting and tooth discoloration. Sometimes, however, no symptoms are apparent and the person is unaware of any problem until a checkup.
A root canal is performed to clean out the infected tooth pulp, and disinfect the canals of the tooth. Once the infection is resolved, the canal(s) are filled to prevent any further infection. After a root canal, a tooth is restored with a filling or a crown.
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BRIDGES
A bridge is made up of two crowns for the teeth on either side of the space created by a missing tooth with a false tooth in between. A bridge replaces the missing tooth, both functionally and cosmetically. Bridge work is as much an art as it is an exact science. The materials used may be gold alloys, porcelain bonded to metal alloy, or all ceramic material. The choice of material depends on requirements for strength, wear, and/or esthetics.
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TMJ TREATMENTS
TMJ stands for temporal-mandibular joint. Temporal, in temple area of skull; mandibular, the mandible, or lower jaw; joint, where the head and jaw meet. Aside from the two bones that meet there is cartilage which buffers them and five muscles are involved in the area. Problems in this joint may be caused by a misalignment of the teeth, trauma, or excess muscle tension. If something goes wrong a good deal of trouble can result.
Problems in this area can cause:
- Headaches
- Earaches
- Trouble/soreness in opening and closing the mouth
- Clicking or popping of the jaw
- Pain in the jaw muscles
- Soreness in the area, sometimes extending to the face
Dental treatments for the condition can include moving teeth, (through orthodontics), polishing teeth to adjust the bite or night guards. There is no one solution that is right for all cases. Sometimes a plastic mouthpiece is used to prevent clenching or grinding that is contributing to the problem. If untreated and taken to extremes, surgery may be required to repair a badly damaged joint.
