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Cosmetic Dentistry is all about your looks and your smile. People choose cosmetic dentistry to repair a defect, treat an injury, or simply to enhance their appearance and overall self-esteem.

We offer a broad range of services to correct chipped, discolored, or missing teeth. We realize that having a bright and beautiful smile enhances your confidence. Advances in modern dentistry enable us to improve our smiles with quick, painless and affordable treatments.

Cosmetic dentistry procedures include:

• Fillings
• Tooth Whitening
• Veneers
• Bonding
• Crowns
• Bridges
• Dentures
• Implants

Many different things, including age, heredity, coffee, tobacco, foods, beverages, trauma, and other external factors can dull a once youthfully white smile. We can re-vitalize teeth that have lost that sparkle. If you have discolored, stained or aging teeth we have just the right procedure to bring your smile back to life.

Tooth whitening (or bleaching) is a non-invasive treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel. Whiter teeth are the number one aesthetic concern of most patients. The most popular method is using a home tooth whitening system that will whiten teeth dramatically.

Remember, sparkling white teeth aren’t just for celebrities any more. They are for everyone, including YOU. After all, you deserve it.

Please call for details and to schedule your appointment.

If you have chipped, broken, stained or slightly crooked front teeth, long lasting porcelain veneers might be just what you need to get that beautiful smile back. Made of a thin shell of porcelain, the veneers are bonded to the front surface of your teeth to create a “Glamour Smile”. There is an entire range of shades to choose from beginning with bright white, popular with patients who have had tooth whitening in our office, and extending into the natural shades of teeth.

In some instances we can bond the veneers onto teeth without having to remove any natural tooth structure. This means no numbing! In other cases we might have to remove old fillings, decay or a slight amount of enamel in order to insure that the new teeth do not appear bulky and un-natural.

The explosion of new adhesive materials has made it possible for us to quickly and painlessly repair individual, or multiple, teeth that have cosmetic flaws or trauma.

From closing gaps to repairing chips, the advanced tooth colored composite that is used matches the natural color of tooth enamel and looks like the real deal. In many instances the tooth does not have to be numbed to have a bonding procedure done.

There is no return visit required as the entire procedure is completed in one visit. The result is evident before you leave the office.

We use the most modern bonding techniques and tooth colored composites to restore missing or decayed tooth structure. Bonding these materials, to the tooth surfaces, results in a much stronger tooth than other filling materials.

Many people are requesting that their old silver fillings be removed and replaced with the new composite materials. Sometimes, if the old fillings are large, it is necessary to cover the entire tooth with a porcelain crown to guard against tooth fracture while attaining the desired esthetic result.

Feel free to discuss these options with the doctor if you have questions or concerns about your old fillings or new fillings that need to be done.

Crowns are often referred to as “caps” and can be made of all porcelain, a combination of porcelain and metal, or all metal, usually dental gold. Generally, crowns last fifteen to twenty years, although patient diet, home care, and dental maintenance can have an effect on their longevity.

A crown procedure requires two appointments. Your first appointment will include taking molds (or impressions) that will be used to create your custom crown. The doctor will fit you with a temporary crown which will stay on your tooth for approximately two weeks until your new crown is complete.

At your second appointment your temporary crown will be replaced by your new crown.

Bridges are simply multiple crowns, three or more teeth in length, connected together to form one chewing unit that fills a gap created by one or more missing teeth. The bridge is cemented onto the prepared natural teeth, just as a single crown, and typically lasts fifteen to twenty years if well maintained.

Getting a bridge usually requires two or more visits. A mold is made which will be used to fabricate the new bridge. In addition, a temporary bridge will be made and worn for several weeks until your next appointment.

On the second visit, your temporary bridge will be replaced by the permanent bridge

Proper care, maintenance, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new permanent bridge.

Dental Implants are titanium “tooth roots” that are precisely placed into the jawbones. Since they are anchored into the jawbone, implant supported teeth tend to feel much like natural teeth. Once the implant has “healed” to the surrounding bone, much as a broken bone heals to itself, many different designs of crowns and bridges can be fabricated to attach to the titanium foundation. A single missing tooth or an entire arch of missing teeth can be replaced utilizing dental implants.

Dental implants can also be used to stabilize loose dentures. Utilizing two to five of the titanium anchors in the lower anterior jawbone is an economical and uncomplicated method to turn a “flopping” lower denture into a solidly snapped down denture that will stay in place.

If you think you are a candidate for dental implants, we can schedule a consultation to discuss the possibilities for your particular situation. Step two in the process would be a comprehensive work-up that would include necessary x-rays, plaster models of your teeth and jaws followed by a treatment plan presentation that would outline what you need, how it could be done and how much it would cost.

Root Canal treatment has been given a bad reputation over the years, but recent innovations in techniques, technology, and local anesthetics have revolutionized the procedure. It becomes necessary if the nerves and blood vessels of a tooth have been damaged by decay or trauma.

In the past, many teeth were extracted that could have been saved with root canal treatment, assuming that there is sufficient tooth structure remaining to be restored to function.

We use the latest techniques and specialized equipment to make your visit for root canal treatment comfortable and relaxed. Most patients experience little or no discomfort or pain, and enjoy a restored tooth that can last as long as its healthy original.

Dentures, both full and partial, are a less expensive alternative to dental implant supported crowns and bridges. They can be used to replace a few missing teeth or an entire arch of missing teeth.

The benefits of full and partial dentures are ease of production and less cost, but the disadvantages include an unnatural feel and taste along with diminished chewing strength.

Should you initially choose this method of treatment, and be dissatisfied with the results, the option of having dental implants and implant supported teeth is still available to you. Many patients use full and partial dentures as an interim treatment on their way to non-removable teeth.

The process of getting dentures requires several different appointments. Follow-up appointments may be necessary to ensure proper fit.

Keep in mind that dentures require regular care. This means daily brushing and regular dental visits.

Orthodontics is a field of dentistry that deals with jawbone and tooth alignment. An Orthodontist is a specialist who’s practice is limited to tooth movement.

Orthodontic appliances (braces) are applied for multiple reasons, including crooked, crowded or missing teeth, or poorly aligned jaws.

Children between the ages of 7 and 14 are typical candidates for orthodontics because their facial structures are still developing and can be taken advantage of. Adult orthodontics usually entail more time and a more stringent “retainer” regimen.

A relatively new innovation in Dentistry, the Invisalign® technique of realignment utilizes ultra-thin, clear, removable appliances that are similar to a sports mouth guard. No one will even know that you are wearing the aligners and you can take them out to eat and clean your teeth and gums.

Our gentle and professional Dental Hygienists will help you protect your smile for a lifetime. In addition to cleaning your teeth, taking necessary x-rays and assisting the doctor in examining your teeth and gums, they will help you master the proper brushing and flossing techniques to help you successfully fight tooth decay and gum disease.

We recommend routine cleaning and examination twice a year for most of our patients. However, some like to come in more often to have the stain from smoking, tea, or coffee removed by one of our hygienists utilizing the gentle air polisher.

Recommendations:

• Brush your teeth twice a day as directed
• Floss every night as directed
• Eat a balanced diet
• Avoid sugary foods
• Avoid smoking
• Use antiseptic and fluoride rinses as directed

Dental x-rays are essential, diagnostic tools that provide valuable information not visible during a regular dental exam. Dentists and dental hygienists use this information to safely and accurately detect hidden dental abnormalities and complete an accurate treatment plan.

How often dental x-rays should be taken depends on your individual health needs. Your medical and dental history will be reviewed and your mouth examined before a decision is made to take X-rays of your teeth.

Abscessed Tooth

An abscessed tooth is characterized by inflammation, which is due to the accumulation of pus in the local tissues, and often painful swelling. It is usually caused by some kind of infection and the spread of bacteria from the root of the tooth to the tissue just below or near the tooth. An abscessed tooth can be an extremely painful condition.

Antibiotics are typically administered in an attempt to kill the infection before treatment begins.

Bad Breath

Over forty-million Americans have “chronic halitosis” which is persistent bad breath.

What causes bad breath? It is usually the result of a gum disorder, tooth decay, smoking, indulgence in aromatic foods, or a mild digestive upset. Halitosis may also be indicative of lung or sinus infection, uremia, or cirrhosis of the liver. Successful treatment of halitosis consists of eliminating or controlling the underlying cause. Proper diet and dental hygiene are often helpful. Mouthwashes and scented toothpastes mask the condition but do not alleviate it. A physician should be consulted for persistent cases of halitosis.

Plaque

Plaque is a clear, sticky substance made in the mouth. It clings to the teeth and gums. Plaque has bacteria that make acids and other chemicals that can damage the teeth, gums, and bone if the plaque is not removed. Plaque forms all the time, but it can be controlled by proper brushing and flossing.

If plaque is not properly removed from the teeth it calcifies into calculus (tartar) and has to be mechanically removed by our Dental Hygienists.

Tooth Decay

The combination of bacteria and food causes tooth decay. A clear, sticky substance called plaque, that contains bacteria, is always forming on your teeth and gums. As the bacteria feed on the sugars in the food you eat they produce acids. The acids attack the teeth for 20 minutes or more after eating. Over a period of time, these acids destroy tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay.

The best defense against cavities is good oral hygiene, including brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing and rinsing. Chewing a good sugarless gum will stimulate saliva production between brushing which helps rinse away many harmful materials.

Gingivitis

Early-stage gum disease (gingivitis) starts when bacteria are left on teeth and gums, and plaque forms. Plaque and the acids it produces irritate the gums, causing them to become red and swollen. Untreated gingivitis can progress to advanced gum disease, causing gums to pull away from the teeth or recede down the root.

Sensitive Teeth

Tooth sensitivity is caused by the stimulation of cells within tiny tubes located in the dentin (the layer of tissue found beneath the hard enamel that contains the inner pulp). When the hard enamel is worn down or gums have receded, causing the tiny tube surfaces to be exposed, pain can be caused by eating or drinking food and beverages that are hot or cold, touching your teeth, or exposing them to cold air.

Hot and cold temperature changes cause your teeth to expand and contract. Over time, your teeth can develop microscopic cracks that allow these sensations to seep through to the nerves. Exposed areas of the tooth can cause pain and even affect or change your eating, drinking and breathing habits. Taking a spoonful of ice cream, for example, can be a painful experience for people with sensitive teeth.

Tooth sensitivity can be reduced by using a desensitizing toothpaste, applying sealants and other desensitizing ionization and filling materials including fluoride, and decreasing the intake of acid-containing foods. Tartar control toothpastes will sometimes cause teeth to be sensitive as well as drinking diet soft drinks throughout the day.

Teeth Grinding

Bruxism is the dental term for grinding, gnashing or clenching your teeth. The condition affects both children and adults.

Some people with bruxism unconsciously clench their teeth together during the day, often when they feel anxious or tense. This is different from tooth grinding or clenching that occurs at night, which is called sleep bruxism. Most children who are bruxers do so at night, while adults are either daytime or nighttime bruxers.

Bruxism may be mild and may not even require treatment. However, it can be frequent and severe enough to lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth and other problems. Unfortunately, people with sleep bruxism usually aren’t aware of the habit, so they aren’t diagnosed with the condition until complications occur. That’s why it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of bruxism and to seek regular dental care.

If you or your child has bruxism, our office may suggest a mouth guard or protective dental appliance (splint) to prevent damage to the teeth. We can make a custom mouth guard to fit your mouth. Over-the-counter mouth guards are available but they generally don’t fit well and can dislodge during bruxing.

Early treatment of gum disease is very important. The goals of treatment are to prevent gum disease from permanently damaging tissues, control infection, and prevent tooth loss.

Periodontitis is an advanced form of gum disease. Early gum disease causes the gums to pull away from the teeth, which leaves deep pockets where plaque and bacteria can build up. Periodontitis can progress until the bones that support the teeth are damaged.

Periodontitis requires prompt treatment to get rid of the infection and stop damage to the teeth and gums, followed by long-term care to maintain the health of your mouth.

Your dentist will remove the plaque and tartar both above and below your gum line. This procedure, called root planing and scaling, makes it harder for plaque to stick to the teeth.

Your dentist may give you antibiotics to kill bacteria and stop the infection. They may be applied directly on the gums, swallowed as pills or capsules, or inserted into the pockets in your gums.

The Invisalign® system is the virtually invisible way to straighten your teeth and achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of. Using advanced 3-D computer-imaging technology, Invisalign depicts your complete treatment plan, from the initial position of your teeth to the final desired position. Then a series of clear aligners are custom-made for your teeth – and your teeth only – to move them little by little. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks before being replaced by the next in the series, until the final position of your teeth is achieved. Your Invisalign treatment time will be determined by your doctor, based on your specific needs.

What are the primary benefits of Invisalign?

Invisalign aligners are practically clear. No one may even notice that you’re wearing these virtually invisible “braces,” making Invisalign a seamless fit with your lifestyle and day-to-day interactions with others.

Invisalign is removable. Unlike braces, you have the flexibility to eat and drink what you want during treatment by simply removing the aligners. And you can also remove the aligners to brush and floss as you normally would for fresh breath and good oral hygiene.

Unlike braces, there are no metal brackets or wires with the Invisalign system that could cause irritation to your mouth. Plus since your office visits during treatment don’t involve metal or wire adjustments, you’ll likely spend less time in the doctor’s chair.

And finally, Invisalign allows you to view your virtual results and treatment plan before you start so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

For more information please visit the Invisalign website.