Porcelain Crowns & Bridges
Crowns
A crown is a lab-fabricated restoration that fits over an original tooth that is either decayed, damaged or cracked. A crown is necessary in many situations to restore a tooth back to natural function and appearance. Crowns are made of a variety of different materials such as porcelain, gold, acrylic resin or a mix of these materials.
The treatment plan for a patient receiving a crown involves:
- Numbing the tooth to remove the decay in or around it.
- Preparing the tooth to provide an ideal fit for the crown.
- Making an impression of your teeth in order to create a custom-made crown (usually takes 2 to 3 weeks).
- Making a temporary crown out of acrylic resin and fitting it onto the tooth during the interim period when the final custom-made crown is being created.
- Finally, removing the temporary crown and fitting the lab-fabricated crown onto the tooth.
- After ensuring that the crown has the proper look and fit, the dentist cements it into place.
This process generally consists of a minimum of two to three visits over a three to four week period. Once the procedure is completed, proper dental hygiene, including daily brushing and flossing, is required to maintain healthy, bacteria-free teeth, gums and crowns. This helps in the prevention of gum disease. Given proper care, your crowns can last a lifetime.
Bridges
A bridge is a fixed dental restoration that fills a space that a tooth previously occupied. A bridge may be necessary to prevent:
- Shifting of the teeth that can lead to bite problems (occlusion) and/or jaw problems and resultant periodontal disease.
- Bridges safeguard the integrity of existing teeth and help maintain a healthy, vibrant smile.
- A fixed bridge is the most popular and consists of a filler tooth that is attached to two crowns, which fit over the existing teeth and hold the bridge in place.
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Veneers
Veneers are thin, semi-translucent “shells” typically attached to your front teeth. Veneers are customized from porcelain material and bonded to your teeth. Veneers are a great alternative to otherwise painful dental procedures to improve the appearance of your smile.
Common problems that veneers are used for:
- Spaces between the teeth
- Broken or chipped teeth
- Unsightly, stained or discolored teeth
- Permanently stained or discolored teeth
- Crooked or misshapen teeth
Veneers are a great aesthetic solution to your smile that may even help you avoid orthodontic treatment. Subtle changes to your smile can be achieved with veneers, and in most cases, veneer application is completed in only two office visits.
Please contact our office if you have any further questions on veneers.
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Tooth Colored Resin & Glass Ionomer Fillings
The concept of a “filling” is replacing and restoring your tooth structure that is damaged due to decay or fracture with a material. We offer tooth colored resin and glass ionomer fillings to help restore your tooth. The location, type of cavity and patient expectations will help determine which type of filling would be most suitable for you.
Tooth Colored Resin Fillings - Tooth colored fillings are ideal for patients wishing to maintain the natural beauty of their smile. Composite fillings are closely matched to the natural color of your teeth and bond well to the tooth. Composite fillings are usually used on the front teeth offering optimal aesthetics.
Glass Ionomer Fillings – Glass ionomer fillings are also designed to closely match the color of the teeth, but sometimes doesn’t match as well as tooth colored fillings. They release fluoride to help protect the tooth from further decay and bond directly to the tooth.
We will work with each patient individually to determine which type of filling would be best for you.
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Dental Sealants
The grooves and depressions that form the chewing surfaces of the back teeth are extremely difficult (if not impossible) to clean of bacteria and food. As the bacteria reacts with the food, acids form and break down the tooth enamel, causing cavities. Recent studies indicate that 88 percent of total cavities in American school children are caused this way.
Tooth sealants protect these susceptible areas by sealing the grooves and depressions, preventing bacteria and food particles from residing in these areas. Sealant material is a resin typically applied to the back teeth, molars and premolars and areas prone to cavities. It lasts for several years but needs to be checked during regular appointments.
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Zoom2! Tooth Whitening
Your teeth will darken over time. Changes in the color of your teeth can be caused by such factors as the food and beverages consumed (like coffee, tea and soda). Other known factors for discoloration may include childhood medications or illnesses, tobacco use or improper oral hygiene.
If you're looking for a fast way to dramatically whiten your teeth, Zoom2 Chairside Whitening System may be the answer for you.
In just 45 minutes, this safe and effective system can give you the instant results you've been wanting – an average of eight shades! A specially designed light activates the Zoom! Whitening Gel to gently break down stains on your teeth to put the sparkle back in your smile! Also with the new Zoom2 system, our patients experience up to 67% less sensitivity than with the previous Zoom! system.
Zoom2 Whitening is very safe while under the supervision of a trained dentist. It is one of the safest procedures in cosmetic dentistry. However, we do not recommend this procedure for pregnant women or children under age 13.
You will be given some post-whitening care instructions after your procedure. It is important to maintain a good oral hygiene regimen post-whitening to preserve your bright, white smile. We also recommend occasional touch-ups with the Zoom! Take-Home Gel. Your smile will always be brighter than it was before the procedure, but by following these simple instructions, you can retain your results for a long time!
Although the Zoom2 System can help almost anyone, it may not be as effective in every case. We can determine if tooth whitening is a possible option for your case.
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Conventional Complete & Partial Dentures
Replacing your missing or damaged teeth will benefit not only your appearance but your overall health. Using state-of-the-art technology and updated materials, dentures can now be custom designed to look more natural and feel more comfortable.
It may take some time to adjust to your dentures. Speaking and eating will feel different at first, but these regular activities will improve once you are accustomed to your dentures.
Complete Dentures
Complete dentures are artificial, removable replacements for the natural teeth of the upper or lower jaw or both.
- Upper dentures
Upper dentures are held in place by a vacuum created between your appliance and the palate of your mouth.
- Lower dentures
Lower dentures are horseshoe-shaped to accommodate the tongue, and, due to lack of suction, are often held in place by implants placed in the jaw for support.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are removable appliances that replace missing teeth by attaching via a metal framework to your natural teeth.
Caring for your removable appliances:
Proper denture care is essential to the durability of your dentures and the overall health of your mouth.
- Brush your dentures daily with a soft-bristled tooth brush. (Don’t forget to brush your gums and tongue as well.)
- While not being worn, keep your dentures in denture solution and/or water (not hot) to prevent warping.
- Handle with care and keep out of the reach of children and pets
- If your dentures become loose, chip, break or crack, see your dentist.
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Implant Supported Fixed & Removable Dentures
Patients with conventional complete dentures often struggle with loose dentures and inability to eat and smile confidently. Dental implants are an ideal prosthetic solution for ill-fitting denture patients.
With proper planning, placement, and routine cleaning, dental implants offer a predictable, long term treatment to restore patients to ideal function and aesthetics. The number and size of dental implants surgically placed will vary based on several factors for each individualized treatment plan.
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