Debbie B.
|
Cosmetic Smile Makeovers
Sometimes our patients are looking for a more dramatic change; this is where our cosmetic smile makeovers come in. Through the use of porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns, we can transform your smile into the one you’ve always wanted, making it beautiful for years to come.
Whether you are looking to replace lost teeth or simply whiten your smile, we can offer you several options to give you the great smile you desire. Contact our office for more information on our smile makeovers if you are unhappy with the aesthetics of your smile.
Back to Top
Computer enhanced imaging is available, which allows you to see what your smile could look like before any definitive treatment is done.
If you like what you see, the next step is to have a diagnostic wax-up created on your teeth.
|
|
|
BEFORE |
AFTER |
|
|
BEFORE |
AFTER |
Both veneers and bonding are used in circumstances where there are minor cosmetic problems that need to be addressed, like whitening, slightly crooked teeth and gaps between teeth.
Veneers are wafer-thin pieces of porcelain or composite resin that act like a jacket to your tooth. To place the veneers, the doctor removes a small amount of the surface of the tooth to allow space for the veneer to be placed. The thickness of the veneer is about that of an average fingernail - this is about the amount of surface of the original tooth that will be subtracted. Due to the fact that the underlying tooth is altered in order to fit the veneer, veneers are an irreversible treatment.
Veneers are very durable and slightly transparent, so they look and last just like your real teeth, but unlike your real teeth, they will never become discolored! Some precautions should be taken to ensure their lasting beauty, but veneers usually need don’t need any special maintenance to remain beautiful and white.
Bonding is used to easily correct color, gaps or chips in your teeth. Using a malleable “paste,” the doctor will color match, sculpt, harden and polish the bonding material to look just like your other teeth! Done without the need for anesthetic, bonding application can usually be completed in a very short amount of time. While less expensive, quicker, and in most cases more reversible than veneers, bonding is usually less durable than veneers or other types of cosmetic treatment. Bonding has a wide range of applications, although it sometimes cannot be used for some of the more radical restorative measures that veneers can. Consult with the doctor to determine which of these amazingly realistic techniques is best for your smile!
Back to Top
Crowns or bridges are placed when your dentist feels that your tooth or teeth are damaged beyond the help of fillings.
Crowns are used in circumstances where just one tooth needs to be restored. First, the doctor removes decay and then shapes the tooth so that the crown can be placed on top of the old tooth. At this point, the doctor will take an impression of the new shape of the tooth and place a temporary covering (like a crown) over the tooth.
That impression will be sent to a lab, where the permanent crown will be shaped and polished to look nearly indistinguishable from the rest of your real teeth. On a subsequent visit, you will have your temporary crown removed and your permanent crown placed. Now you are on your way to a new and beautiful smile!
Bridges are used when one or more teeth are missing. Much like a crown, bridges require the surrounding teeth to be prepared by removal of decay and reshaping the teeth. After the tooth/teeth surrounding the space is prepared to receive the anchoring crowns, an impression is made of the whole area.
Then, like with a crown, the impression is sent to the lab to have the bridge sculpted to fit the new shape of the teeth. In the meantime, a temporary bridge will be fitted in anticipation of the new permanent bridge, which will be placed at your next follow-up visit. If you follow your dental professional’s instructions for care of your new dental work, you will be able to chew and smile better than ever for a long time to come!
Back to Top
Do you wish that you could replace one or more of your teeth but don’t want to get dentures?
Dental implants are a natural looking, long lasting, comfortable and safe alternative to bridgework or dentures. For people with good oral health, replacing a lost tooth with an implant is an ideal option.
Implants look like your natural teeth, and because of their “root” being secured to your jaw like a real tooth, neither you nor anyone else will know the difference. You don’t have to worry about implants coming loose and embarrassing you; you won’t have to take them out to soak; and you won’t worry about losing them, either.
Not everyone is a candidate for implants. We will inform you about the different factors that determine whether or not you fit the criteria for an implant. Factors like pre-existing disease and bone loss can affect a patient’s ability to receive implants.
Back to Top
Although silver or amalgam fillings have been the norm for many decades, our office proudly uses porcelain and composite fillings that will last longer and look more natural. Mercury fillings can eventually reduce the strength of the tooth and lead to cracking or breakage later, and although the mercury levels have been concentrated over time, nearly 50 percent of the fillings still contain the substance. Porcelain and composite fillings are tooth-colored restorations that are bonded to your teeth and can strengthen the tooth by restoring most of its original shape.
Back to Top
Talk to me or my staff about our one and half hour bleaching process in the office, or one of our many take home whitening systems. Everyone wants a brighter, whiter smile! Over time, age, dark beverages and food can discolor your teeth, leaving you with a dull, yellow smile. Today, there are options that can help you achieve a megawatt smile in almost no time!
Over-the-counter bleaching products have some of the same ingredients as the products I offer. However, these products are not allowed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to contain the same levels of active ingredient as those administered by licensed professionals. Also, the methods of applying these solutions to your teeth (strips, make-at-home molds, trays) usually don’t fit or adhere properly to the teeth, causing uneven or insignificant bleaching to occur.
At-home products offered by our office offer amazing results and are easy to use. These products typically require you to have impressions made at the office, and when you return you receive custom-fitted trays made from those impressions. At home or work, you can wear these trays filled with a peroxide gel as they are nearly invisible when they are in place. Optimal results are usually achieved in 1-2 weeks. The benefit of this kind of system is that you can purchase refill gel whenever you need, allowing you to keep your smile fresh and bright.
People often want to know if tooth whitening can harm them in any way. We tell them that with proper use, whitening treatments have shown no adverse effects on teeth, gums or dental work (like crowns or fillings).
However, you may experience some increased sensitivity to heat or cold following treatment. This sensitivity usually lasts no more than a few days after treatment and can be easily alleviated. Ask us about your options if the sensitivity hasn’t disappeared quickly or is bothersome to you.
Even if you experience a little sensitivity, don’t worry. Tooth-whitening gels have no adverse effect and often improve the health of your gums.
What is Zoom! Tooth Whitening?
Zoom! is a bleaching process that lightens discoloration of enamel and dentin.
How does the Zoom! In-Office System work?
The Zoom! light-activated whitening gel's active ingredient is hydrogen peroxide. As the hydrogen peroxide is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin, bleaching colored substances while the structure of the tooth is unchanged. The Zoom! light aids in activating the hydrogen peroxide and helps it penetrate the surface of the tooth. A study has shown that use of the Zoom! lamp increases the effectiveness of the Zoom! gel by 33% or more, giving an average improvement of eight shades.
What causes tooth discoloration?
There are many causes. The most common include aging and consumption of staining substances such as coffee, teas, colas, tobacco, red wine, etc. During tooth formation, consumption of tetracycline, certain antibiotics or excessive fluoride may also cause tooth discoloration.
Do many people whiten their teeth?
More people then you might imagine. A bright sparking smile can make a big difference for everyone. The Zoom! Chairside Whitening System makes it easier and faster than ever before.
Is whitening safe?
Yes. Extensive research and clinical studies indicate that whitening under the supervision of a dentist is safe. In fact, many dentists consider whitening the safest cosmetic dental procedure available. As with any tooth whitening product, Zoom! is not recommended for children under 13 years of age and pregnant or lactating women.
How long do the results last?
By following some simple post-whitening care instructions, your teeth will always be whiter than they were before. To keep your teeth looking their best, we recommend flossing and brushing twice daily, regular cleanings and occasional touch-ups with Zoom! Take-Home Gel. These are professional formula products designed specifically to keep your teeth their brightest. They are available only through your dental professional.
Back to Top
Print this Page
