Bonding is an alternative to veneers, and is used as a restorative procedure for teeth that are chipped, cracked, discolored or misarranged.
The tooth is prepared for the procedure by lightly etching the surface and applying a bonding liquid. Once the liquid sets, a plastic resin is applied and sculpted into the desired shape by the dentist. The resin is trimmed, smoothed and polished to a natural appearance.
Bridges (a restoration similar to a crown but for multiple teeth) are used to provide a lasting replacement to missing natural teeth. Your dentist will cement the bridge in place as a "fixed" restoration, attached to the adjacent teeth to replace missing teeth but also to prevent additional loss of "pink" gum tissue.
Crowns or "caps" are designed to look and feel like natural teeth, and they can be the best option when you desire a more dramatic change in your appearance. Using crowns, your dentist can significantly lighten the shade of your teeth, correct spacing that porcelain laminate veneers cannot, and achieve a beautiful smile.
Dental implants can replace missing teeth much like an orthopedic surgeon can replace a deteriorating hip. Your dentist will work with an oral surgeon to place the implant where it will later retain an artificial tooth (or crown). Growing numbers of patients elect to receive implants in order to regain the ability to bite, chew, and talk naturally, and to smile with confidence.
Highly effective in preventing decay on the biting surfaces of your chewing teeth, dental sealants are a simple procedure in which a tooth-colored acrylic "coating" is painted onto the surface of the tooth. This effectively "seals" the deep grooves, acting as a barrier and protecting enamel from plaque and acids.
Sealants protect the depressions and grooves of your teeth from food particles and plaque that brushing and flossing can't reach.
Easy to apply, sealants take only a few minutes to seal each tooth. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and can last several years before a reapplication is needed.
Sealants usually are applied to baby teeth, and also to adult teeth as they erupt.
Dentures are an option when it is impossible to restore your natural teeth, with options ranging from full to partial dentures, your dentist can change almost anything in your smile. Over time, your denture may need to be adjusted due to the natural changes your mouth undergoes as you age. Often, dentists can make necessary adjustments or repairs in a single visit.
You and your dentist may determine that you need a tooth extraction for any number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed; others may have advanced periodontal disease, or have broken in a way that cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need removal because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth), or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.
The removal of a single tooth can lead to problems related to your chewing ability, problems with your jaw joint, and shifting teeth, which can have a major impact on your dental health.
A filling is a dental restorative material used artificially to restore the function, integrity and morphology of missing tooth structure. The structural loss typically results from caries (decay) or external trauma. Dental restorations may be fabricated out of a variety of materials.
When over 1/2 of the tooth’s biting surface is damaged a dentist will often use an inlay or onlay. Inlays and onlays can be made of porcelain, gold, or composite resin. These pieces are bonded to the damaged area of the tooth. An inlay, which is similar to a filling, is used inside the cusp tips of the tooth; an onlay is a more substantial reconstruction, similar to the inlay but extending out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth.
Night Guards are recommended for people afflicted with bruxism, or teeth grinding.
Some people may do this consciously during the day, but it is a larger problem at night while you are asleep. Grinding your teeth can damage enamel, wear down teeth, cause jaw pain, or irritate your gums. Symptoms of teeth grinding include: dull headaches, jaw soreness, teeth that are painful or loose and fractured teeth.
All night guards are custom fitted for comfort and to allow for proper breathing. During your appointment, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth and have the night guard created by a dental lab. Night guards are very durable and can be used for a number of years.
Nitrous Oxide is an odorless, non-irritating, colorless gas which you can breathe.
Nitrous Oxide has been the primary means of sedation in dentistry for many years. Nitrous oxide is safe, the patient receives 50-70% oxygen with no less than 30% nitrous oxide.
The patient is able to breathe on their own and remain in control of all bodily functions.
The patient may experience mild amnesia and may fall asleep, not remembering all of what happened during their appointment.
Advantages:
Reasons not to use:
You should not utilize Nitrous Oxide if you have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Though there are no other major contraindications to using nitrous oxide, you may not want to use it if you have emphysema, exotic chest problems, M.S., a cold or other difficulties with breathing.
You may want to ask your dentist for a “5-minute trial” to see how you feel with this type of sedation method before proceeding.
Root canals are valuable dental procedures used to treat and preserve teeth with badly infected roots. The pulp is the live portion of the tooth that extends into the root and contains nerve endings and tissues. When it becomes infected, patients can experience pain, swelling and even total tooth loss unless treated. Root canals remove the damaged parts of the tooth and infected root. In some cases, an antibiotic is prescribed to help prevent further infection within the tooth. The organic portion of the tooth that remains may be restored using a crown that provides a natural appearance and normal tooth function. Depending on the patient diagnosis, they may be referred to an endodontist, who specializes in advance root canal treatments.
Many people achieve the look they’ve been dreaming of with our simple “bleaching” procedure.
It’s safe, and quick. Just let us know at any appointment if you would like to whiten your teeth. You can lighten only your upper teeth or both the upper and lower, depending on how much you show when you talk and smile.
We will make you custom bleach splints and provide you with a special bleaching agent that you put into the clear splints. With only a few hours of wear per day, our special bleaching agent bubbles stains right out of your enamel in a very short time without altering tooth structure or existing dental work in any way. When your teeth reach the desired brightness, only occasional treatment is needed to maintain your new smile.
Dental whitening can be used to correct many tooth discolorations (brown, yellow and spotted tooth staining). These discolorations may have been caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Using the latest in bleaching technology, we can offer a safe method for creating a beautiful, “brilliant” smile. In cases of extreme tooth discoloration, crowns or veneers may be the only choice.
Note:
Over-the-counter bleaching agents are available at drug stores and pharmacies. However, since these products can harm the gums and teeth, it’s better to use products that our practice recommends.