| Bonding Bridges Cosmetic Dentistry Crowns Whitening |
Dentures Fillings Dental Implants Nitrous Oxide TMJ Treatments |
Gum Treatments Orthodontics Root Canal Therapy Sealants X-Rays |
BONDING
Bonding involves adhering composite resin material to the front of the tooth. This material has been matched to the color of the tooth, so that it looks like part of your natural tooth. Bonding is a procedure that is done to repair damage to the tooth caused by decay; it is done to change the alignment of the tooth, to close gaps between the teeth, or for cosmetic purposes.
First the surface of the tooth is roughened in order to accept the bonding and hold it. A gel is applied to micro-etch the tooth surface, and a primer/bonding agent is applied so that the bonding material adheres to the surface. Then, the bonding material is placed on the tooth and hardened with intense light. It is then shaped, and polished to a lustrous finish.
BRIDGES
A bridge is an option that is used to fill the space created by a missing tooth. It looks like the missing tooth. The sides of a bridge use the tooth in front and the tooth in back of the bridge, for support. A bridge replaces a missing tooth, both functionally and cosmetically. Bridge work is as much an art as it is a science. The materials used for the bridge may be gold alloys, porcelain bonded to a metal alloy, or an all-ceramic material. The choice of material depends on what is needed for strength, wear, and/or aesthetics.
It is important that a missing tooth be replaced as soon as possible. If it is not treated, the teeth surrounding the gap begin to shift inward, which leads to a chain reaction of bad things. Normally, teeth use their neighbors for support, and with one missing, they start to "fall." As this worsens, the bite changes in response to pressure from daily use. This can eventually result in problems with the entire jaw. The surrounding teeth begin to deteriorate and unless this deterioration is handled, it is just a matter of time before they too are lost. Gum disease becomes a serious problem which becomes more difficult to treat as the neglect continues.
COSMETIC DENTISTRY
Cosmetic dentistry is defined as “anything that is done to correct imperfections in the appearance of the mouth.” Have you ever wished that you could change something about the appearance of your smile? Have you ever wanted a brighter, more beautiful smile, with straighter teeth? Have you ever wished that your teeth were larger, or smaller? That is what cosmetic dentistry is for.
Some cosmetic options are: whitening, smile design, recontouring of the shape of the teeth, veneers, bonding, and the use of all-ceramic/porcelain crowns.
CROWNS
A crown is used to cover and protect a tooth which is likely to break, or is too broken down to be restored with a filling. Crowns are most commonly used to protect a tooth after root canal treatment, or when a large filling wears out. The larger the hole in the tooth that was made by tooth decay, the more likely that tooth will need a crown to protect it.
Your jaw muscles are the strongest muscles in your body. Teeth are subject to tremendous pressures in day-to-day use. A crowns covers the weakened tooth, protecting it from breaking under the pressure. A broken or cracked tooth is a serious matter which can be difficult to treat.
It takes two appointments to restore a tooth with a crown. At the first of these appointments, any decay is removed from the tooth and it is shaped to fit the crown. Then, an impression of the tooth is made. This impression is used in making the crown, to ensure that it fits your mouth. Between the first and second visits, the crown is made. It is usually made of high-strength porcelain covering a foundation that is made of either a gold alloy, an all-ceramic material, or gold. In between the two appointments, a temporary crown is worn. At the second visit, this temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown is cemented in place.
DENTURES
Dentures replace teeth that have become loose, or that have been lost due to bone loss around the roots of teeth. With dentures, you can still eat and talk regularly.
In determining the need for dentures, the entire mouth is examined. An evaluation is made regarding which teeth will have to be removed, and which will remain. The loose teeth are then extracted and dentures are fitted. There is an adjustment period after dentures are placed in the mouth, and they can take some getting used to. After this adjustment period, normal dental functions and appearance return. Often implants (see below) can used to further stabilize dentures.
Our office also offers Valplast partials, a fexible, unbreakable, removable partial that is lightweight, practically invisible, and metal free. Just ask us for more information.
FILLINGS
Fillings are used to replace tooth structure that has been removed in order to get rid of decay.
For many reasons more and more dentists are using tooth-colored composite resin material for fillings. Caught early enough, tooth decay can be treated easily and painlessly. If it is not treated, tooth decay can lead to pain and/or infection requiring root canal treatment or extraction.
DENTAL IMPLANTS
A dental implant is an option that can be used to replace a missing tooth. In this procedure, a small titanium shaft is surgically implanted into the bone. The bone grows around it, forming a tight connection which slows or stops the bone loss that occurs when the root of a natural tooth is missing. Once the implant is firmly set in the mouth, the dentist works to attach a replacement tooth onto the top of the titanium shaft. Dental implants are a permanent solution that does not place stress on surrounding teeth for support, the way that a bridge does. In the event that the replacement tooth wears out, another can simply be placed on the shaft.
Dental implants can also be used as support anchors for an “implant bridge.” An implant bridge is an alternative to partial dentures, and it has several advantages. First, there is no adjustment period for the patient after the bridge is placed on the titanium shaft(s). Second, it slows the bone loss that accompanies missing teeth. Third, there is no discomfort or difficulty in eating. Fourth, and best of all, they don't have to be taken out like dentures.
NITROUS OXIDE
Nitrous oxide is a common option that can be used to make other treatment more comfortable. You will be given a mask that allows you to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. In about 30 seconds to 4 minutes you will notice a more sedate feeling, and your cheek and gums may go numb. After this any needed local anesthetic is applied and treatment begins. Afterwards, you will be given pure oxygen to breathe for about five minutes to dissipate the effects of the nitrous and return you to a normal state.
Our office offers several flavors of nitrous oxide: strawberry, grape, bubble gum, and mint. Just ask us for the flavor you prefer.
NON-SURGICAL GUM TREATMENTS
The foundation of your teeth are the gums, ligaments and bone that surround them at the base. When this foundation is not healthy, when there is gum disease present, the teeth are jeopardized, just as a bad foundation would threaten the stability of a house. Gum disease has many symptoms: gums that are red and bleed easily, persistent bad breath, gums that have pulled away from the tooth, loose teeth, and changes in the position or bite of the teeth. Any of these signs may mean that something is wrong.
With proper treatment it may be possible to return gums to a healthy state. This usually involves a deep cleaning, or root planing, which is done under a local anesthetic, along with local antibiotic agents. Gum disease which has gotten too severe may need to be treated through surgery or extraction. This is why it is important to get it treated at the first sign of a problem.
Our office now offers the Perio Protect Method. This state-of-the-art, FDA approved medical device delivers medicine directly to the source of the periodontal disease for more effective control of the disease. Many of our patients have found this to be an easy and very effective method to control their periodontal disease. Just ask to view the Perio Protect video to see how this system can work for you.
ORTHODONTICS/FUCTIONAL ORTHODONTICS/ORTHOPEDICS
Seventy-five percent of all twelve-year-olds need orthodontic treatment. By that time, though, Ninety percent of a child’s facial development has already taken place.
Functional Appliances can help correct many orthodontic conditions: bite problems, underdeveloped jaws, narrow arches, crowded teeth, deep overbites, jaw joint problems, airway problems, and thumb-sucking habits. They can also prevent the need for cosmetic removal of adult teeth, fang-like tooth appearance, lengthy use of braces, speech difficulties and crowding.
By starting a child's orthodontics program earlier and guiding facial development with the use of a functional appliance, 80% of the situation needing later orthodontic treatment can often be corrected before the child's adult teeth are present.
Functional orthodontics utilizes the muscles that are used for chewing to promote the proper growth and development of the teeth and jaws. Using various dental appliances, proper tongue and jaw positions are created that eliminate the negative forces on the teeth. Functional appliances are exceptionally good at aligning the upper and lower jaws in growing children.
Usually, functional orthodontic treatment involves aligning the upper and lower jaws using a functional appliance, and then using standard braces to align the individual teeth. The long term results of this combined type of treatment tend to be more aesthetically pleasing and more stable than results from using only standard braces.
Our office also offers Invisalign, a virtually invisible solution to orthodontic treatment. By using a series of clear removable aligners, Invisalign straightens your teeth right before your eyes. It is comfortable to wear and it doesn’t require you to change your busy lifestyle.
ROOT CANAL THERAPY
Root canal therapy or endodontic therapy, is necessary when decay has been neglected to the point that the infection reaches all the way to the pulp of the tooth. This is a good reason to have teeth checked regularly and decay treated as soon as it is detected.
In some cases, in order to treat decay, a dental restoration is required to go so deep into the tooth that the nerve is injured and needs root canal therapy. It may also be required if there is trauma to a tooth that damages the nerve.
Damage to the nerve can result in an infection which, if left untreated, can spread past the root tip and begin to eat away at the bone that surrounds the tooth. At this point, the infection can even begin to weaken the entire immune system. This is dangerous, and also very painful.
Symptoms that the pulp has become infected may include: sensitivity to hot or cold, to sweets or pressure on the tooth. There may be pain, swelling, and a bad taste in the mouth. Sometimes, however, there are no symptoms and the person is unaware of any problem until they have a checkup.
A root canal is then performed to clean out the infected tooth pulp, and disinfect the canals of the tooth. Once the infection is resolved, the canal or canals involved are filled in to prevent any further infection. Usually a core build-up and crown are recommended to restore a tooth that has had root canal therapy. The alternative to root canal therapy is extraction.
SEALANTS
In some cases, the tooth structure has fine grooves or pits which accumulate plaque, not because the person doesn't brush, but because they are too narrow or small to allow even one bristle of a toothbrush into them. These areas will develop decay if they are not cleaned. Sealants are used to prevent decay by filling in these pits and grooves. This coating seals the grooves and pits, making it possible to brush off all the plaque and keep your teeth healthy.
TMJ TREATMENTS
TMJ stands for temporal-mandibular joint – the joint where the jaw joins the skull. Problems in this joint may be caused by a misalignment of the teeth, trauma like the impact of an accident, or by excess muscle tension.
Problems in this area can result in:
- Headache
- Earache
- Difficulty or soreness in opening and closing the mouth
- Clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing the jaw
- Painful jaw muscles
- Soreness in the area, sometimes extending into the face
Dental treatment for the condition can include: replacing missing teeth, moving teeth, adjusting the bite, and filling gaps between teeth. Sometimes a plastic mouthpiece is used to prevent clenching or grinding which contributes to the problem. If left untreated, surgery may be required to repair a badly damaged temporal-mandibular joint.
WHITENING - INCLUDING Zoom!
Whitening is the procedure of making teeth whiter and more attractive. Our office uses several methods, including Zoom!, Rembrant Laser, and passive tray whitening.
Zoom! and Rembrant Laser are revolutionary tooth whitening procedures. They are safe, effective and fast. In just over an hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter. This convenience makes Zoom! and Rembrant Laser the perfect choice for the busy individual. The Zoom! and Rembrant Laser Whitening procedure begins with a short preparation to isolate your lips and gums. Then a whitening gel is applied. It is activated by a specially designed light. Teeth typically become at least six to ten shades whiter. A fluoride treatment completes the procedure. In most cases, teeth get even whiter the first few days after the procedure. Trays with whitening gel are recommended afterward for maximum whitening and maintenance.
Passive tray whitening: Impressions of your teeth are made and custom vinyl trays are created for you by our dental laboratory. A carbamide peroxide gel is placed in these trays and they are worn for about 1 hour, or overnight. The entire process takes 3-4 weeks of daily use. Three different strengths of gel may be used, however the higher the strength, the greater the likelihood of reaction or tooth sensitivity. The tray method is recommended for teeth which are badly stained, such as those with tetracycline staining. It may take several months of use to see significant color improvement. For maintenance of whitened teeth the trays should be used every several months.
The end results of using trays at home is about the same as Zoom! and Rembrant Laser. The cost of the tray method is about half the cost of Zoom! and Rembrant Laser, and there is usually less post-treatment sensitivity.
X-RAYS
In our office we use digital radiography which allows us to take x-rays using 90% less radiation than conventional x-rays. This digital technique also allows us to enhance the images for better diagnosis of any dental concerns.
X-rays are a focused beam of x-ray particles which passes through bone and tissue and which produces an image on special film. This gives the familiar black and white image that doctors and dentists use to diagnose problems. X-rays are a necessary part of the diagnostic process. Without an x-ray of the tooth and the supporting bone and gum tissues, there is no real way to detect infection or pathology that requires attention.
VENEERS
This is an aesthetic process in which a covering is placed on the part of a tooth that is visible when talking or smiling. This covering recreates the effect of a new tooth. There are two approaches to this procedure: the direct technique and the indirect technique.
The direct technique usually involves placing composite resin on the outside of the tooth using bonding (see Bonding, above).
The indirect technique usually involves two appointments. At the first appointment the teeth are prepared, impressions taken, and the teeth are protected with a temporary covering. The impressions are sent to our dental laboratory which creates the veneers, usually out of porcelain or pressed ceramic. At the second appointment, the temporary covering is removed and the veneers are bonded to the teeth.
One advantage of using veneers instead of crowns is that much less tooth material is removed, which is better for the tooth, and the procedure is generally more comfortable. Veneers are generally recommended for teeth that have large fillings or little tooth structure.
Our office also offers Lumineers, the contact lens thin porcelain veneers that provide both beauty and strength without the need for extensive tooth structure removal. For most patients, no removal of their natural tooth structure or anesthesia is required.