There are many dental procedures used to treat
diseases and conditions of the teeth and mouth. Following are some of the
procedures that we perform in our state of the art dental office.
Teeth Whitening
Crowns
Veneers
Sealants
Dentures
Dental Implants
Root Canal
Digital X-Rays
Teeth Whitening:
Whitening of the teeth is performed for patients who desire a brighter smile.
Teeth whitening can be performed to reduce discoloration and staining, or
simply to provide the patient with whiter, brighter teeth.
What causes discoloration of the teeth?
Teeth enamel discoloration can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage
to teeth. Some of the more common causes of teeth discoloration are
medications, coffee, tea or cigarettes. People who drink significant amounts of
cola soft drinks can experience similar staining.
Apart from staining, there are other factors that can affect the color of an
individual's teeth. Genetics can play a role. Some people have naturally
brighter enamel than others. Disease can also be a factor and certain
medications can cause a discoloration of the teeth.
Tooth Whitening:
Sometimes a single tooth becomes discolored causing it to look out of place
with the rest of your smile. In these cases you may want to consider having the
tooth whitened to match the rest of your teeth.
Crowns:
A crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" placed over a tooth that is badly damaged or
decayed. A crown is made to look like natural tooth.
Crowns are used when the teeth are extensively damaged by decay or breakage. A
crown may hold together parts of a cracked tooth and can be used to hold a
bridge in place. Crowns also are used for cosmetic purposes to cover misshapen
or badly discolored teeth.
Crowns can be prefabricated or made in a laboratory. Prefabricated crowns are
made of acrylic or stainless steel and can be used as a temporary restoration
until a permanent crown is manufactured. In some cases, prefabricated crowns
can be used as a permanent restoration.
Crowns can be all metal, porcelain fused to metal (PFM), or all ceramic. Metals
include gold alloy, other
alloys (palladium) or a base-metal alloy (nickel or chromium). The all-metal or
PFM crowns are stronger
and are better choices for back teeth. PFM and all-ceramic crowns look just
like normal teeth.
Veneers:
Dental veneers, sometimes called tooth veneers, can be used to correct both
color and shape problems
Who is a candidate for Dental Veneers?
Veneers, porcelain or plastic, are placed over the front teeth to change color
shape of the teeth. Veneers are ideal for teeth that are too small, too big, or
have uneven surfaces. It is very common for people to
have imperfect teeth, either oddly shaped teeth, chipped teeth, crooked teeth,
teeth with small holes in them, or an inappropriate sized tooth or teeth that
have an odd appearance. Veneers solve such irregularities and create a durable
and pleasing smile.
Typically costing less than crowns, veneers won't stain, making veneers a very
popular solution for many people seeking that perfect smile. Strong and very
durable, veneers last from ten to fifteen years, and come in colors that will
brighten dark teeth without the worry of them changing color.
There are two tooth veneers procedures available that correct discoloration of
the teeth by removing the brown and yellow staining. While each work
effectively, there are advantages and disadvantages to each procedure dependent
upon your objectives and commitment to the processes.
Composite Veneer Procedure:
Composite (direct) veneers are usually performed in a single visit. The
procedure is an application of a bond and enamel directly to the tooth's
surface.
Porcelain Veneer Procedure:
Porcelain (indirect) veneers are a very thin porcelain material. Usually
porcelain veneers require two visits and also require a dental laboratory to
create the final tooth restoration piece
Sealants:
Dental sealants are thin, plastic films painted on the chewing surfaces of the
back teeth - molars and premolars - and are highly effective in the prevention
of tooth decay (caries and cavities). Dental sealants are particularly
effective on the back teeth, as the back teeth contain more hard-to-reach pits
and grooves that serve as a host to food debris and plaque build-up.
Sealants are generally used with children, but they
can be helpful for adults as well.
The procedure is very easy for both the dentist and the patient. It basically
consists of cleaning the teeth and placing the sealant material. A curing
light, generally of the blue spectrum, is then allowed to shine on the sealant
material. This light starts the chemical process that hardens the sealant
material. It is important to keep the tooth dry during the curing process so
the sealant will stick to the tooth. No anesthetic is required. Sealants are a
safe, effective and economical way to prevent cavities.
Dentures:
Dentures are also known as artificial teeth. A denture is a removable
replacement for missing teeth and adjacent tissues. Dentures definitely provide
a great smile with a very natural appearance. They arre made of very durable
materials (like acrylic resin) and last very long when properly taken care of.
Typically dentures last from five to ten years. They also correct several
problems, from speech to chewing, for many
patients,
There are two types of dentures, Complete dentures and Partial dentures.
Complete dentures replace all the teeth, while a partial denture fills in the
spaces created by missing teeth and prevents other teeth from
changing their position.
Complete dentures are called "conventional" or "immediate" according to when
they are made and when they are inserted into the mouth. Immediate dentures are
inserted immediately after the removal of the remaining teeth. To make this
possible, the dentist takes measurements and makes the models of the patient's
jaws during a preliminary visit.
An advantage of immediate dentures is that the wearer does not have to be
without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums can shrink
over time, especially during the period of healing in the first
six months after the removal of teeth. When gums shrink, immediate dentures may
require rebasing or relining to fit properly. A conventional denture can then
be made once the tissues have healed. Healingmay take at least 6-8 weeks.
The procedure begins with a wax bite impression of your mouth that will give
your dentist exacting measurements. A try-on appointment will fine tune color,
shape, and custom-fit.After your final dentures are fabricated in the lab, they
will be placed and informed of their required care.
Dental Implants:
Dental implants are fixtures of titanium which are surgically screwed into your
jaw bone. The implant is an anchor for a naturally-appearing false tooth or a
set of false teeth. Implants are great for replacing missing teeth. It is
important that you have enough bone in the area of the missing teeth for the
implants to be attached to. Implants are not only used to replace one tooth,
but rather people missing most, if not all, of their teeth benefit greatly as
well. Implants are increasingly being used to replace certain types of bridges
and removable partial dentures.
Who is a candidate for dental implants?
If you're missing one tooth or all of your teeth, implants may well be for you.
So long as you have enough bone in the area of the missing tooth to facilitate
the anchorage of the implants, this procedure can yield terrific results. If
you don't have enough bone for this purpose, a bone graft may be necessary. If
you have a small dental bridge or partial dentures (removable type), implants
will be a welcome alternative. Implants are an alternative to a fixed bridge.
The implant will last a lifetime, but the crown on top of it will last ten to
fifteen years.
Implants are surgically placed in your jaw bone while under anesthesia.
Root Canal Therapy:
What is root canal therapy?
Root canal therapy is designed to correct disorders of the dental pulp, (Dental
pulp is the soft tissue around the tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels,
and connective tissue). Teeth with abscessed, or
infected, nerves were once removed with corrective therapy. But now, in 95
percent of these cases of pulpal infection, the natural tooth can be saved
through modern endodontic procedures.
What are the symptoms of pulpal nerve damage?
The following are the most common symptoms of pulpal nerve damage. However,
each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may
include:
.pain in the
tooth when biting down
.tooth pain while chewing
.over sensitivity of the teeth with hot or
cold drinks
.facial swelling
Why is root canal therapy necessary?
Without treatment, the infection of the dental pulp will spread to the bone
around the tooth, making it not longer able to hold the tooth in place.
What does the root canal procedure involve?
Treatment begins with the initial removal of the tooth crown, or top, to allow
access to the pulpal tissue. Once the affected pulpal tissue is exposed, the
affected area is removed. The area surrounding and
containing the pulpal tissue is carefully cleaned, enlarged, and shaped to
provide a clean, bondable surface for filling with a permanent filler to
prohibit any further infection and discomfort. After filling, a crown is
fabricated to complete the rescue and restoration of the natural tooth. The
procedure is generally spread over several visits to assure the infected pulp
and associated bacteria have been adequately drained.
Digital X-Rays:
Digital X-ray (up to 90% less exposure to radiation): We use state of the art
digital x-rays to provide our patients with the safest alternative existing
today.
Unlike traditional x-rays, no film is required, and no toxic developing
solution is needed. Instead, the image is quickly saved inside of our
state-of-the-art computer system.
In fact, digital x-rays are so advanced, they need much less radiation than
traditional film; up to 90% less radiation. This is safer for you and for your
family.
The digital image also helps the staff better diagnose your dental health.
Since it is a computer image, it can be made larger, enhanced, and even
colorized.
|
|
Appointment Request
