Bonding

Bonding involves adhering composite resin material that matches the color of your teeth, to the front of one or more teeth. This is performed to repair damage caused by decay, to alter the alignment of the loath, close gaps between the teeth, or to provide a more pleasing looking smile. First the surface of your tooth will be roughened in order to accept bonding and hold it. A gel is applied to micro-etch the tooth surface, and a primer/bond agent is applied so the material adheres to the surface. Then the material itself is placed on the tooth and hardened with intense light. The last step involves shaping and polishing the resin material to create a lustrous finish.

Bridges

Bonding is an option to fill spaces created by missing teeth. An artificial tooth is formed and is adhered to the two surrounding teeth for support, hence the name "bridge". A bridge replaces the missing tooth, both functionally and cosmetically. Bridge work is as much an art as it is an exact science. The materials used may be gold alloys, porcelain bonded to metal alloy, or all ceramic material. The choice of material depends on requirements for strength, wear, and/or esthetics. If you are missing a tooth, it is important to have it replaced as soon as possible for several reasons, If not treated, your teeth surrounding the gap will begin to shift inward, creating misalignment and other dental problems. Since your teeth use their neighbors for support, if one is absent the others begin to "fall." Your bite may change in response to the pressure, which can eventually result in problems with the entire jaw, such as TMJ. The surrounding teeth deteriorate and it is just a matter of time before they, too, are lost. Gum disease becomes a serious problem and treatment becomes more difficult the longer you wait to seek correct care.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic procedures are performed to correct imperfections in the appearance of your teeth. At our office, a wide array of cosmetic options are offered. These options include whitening, smile design, recontouring the shape of the teeth, veneers, bonding, and all ceramic/porcelain crowns. If you are unhappy with your current smile there are many options to enhance it. Ideally, your upper teeth should show only when smiling, while the lower teeth remain hidden. When speaking the reverse is true, with the upper teeth remaining hidden while the lower teeth show. The color, alignment, spacing as well as uniformity of the teeth are characteristics that tend to a favorable appearance. Any of these aspects can be repaired, altered or enhanced to give a stunning look to your teeth and smile.

Crowns

Crowns are full coverage restorations used to cover a tooth that is likely to break, or is too broken down to be restored with a filling. Crowns are most commonly used after root canal treatment. or when a large filling wears out. If your teeth have large cavities, a crown is more likely to be needed to correct the problem. Keep in mind the jaw muscles are the strongest in the human body and teeth are subject to tremendous pressure. Crowns not only create a nice smile, they ride over weakened teeth to provide strength and protect it from breakage. A broken or cracked tooth is a far more serious matter and more difficult to treat.

Your crown can be restored in just two appointments. In the first appointment decay is removed from the tooth and it is shaped to accept the crown. An impression of your tooth is then made in order to fabricate a crown. Between the two visits the crown is made, usually of high-strength porcelain over gold alloy, all ceramic material, or gold. A temporary crown will be placed over your tooth until your following appointment. In the second visit this temporary is removed and the permanent crown is fitted and cemented in place.

Dentures

There are different types of dentures, but they share their common function. They replace teeth that have become loose or are lost due to bone loss. When bone loss around the roots of your teeth is great enough to loosen them or let them fall out, it's time for dentures. Relax. No one enjoys losing their natural teeth, but with them you will still be able to eat and talk regularly.

If you are a candidate for dentures, you entire mouth will be examined and the dentist will make a determination which teeth will have to be removed. The loose teeth are then extracted. Depending on the type of dentures that are used, they are fitted to sit on top or around the teeth that remain in your mouth. There is an adjustment period to get used to dentures, but once you are accustomed you will be able to carry on as usual and enjoy speaking and eating with no problems. Often implants are used to further stabilize dentures.

Fillings

Fillings are used to replace tooth structure that has eroded because of decay. It is called a filling because new material fills the hole that decay left. Most teeth are treated with a composite resin material that matches your tooth color. Caught early enough, cavities can be treated easily and painlessly with fillings. If not treated, decay can lead to tooth pain or infection, and your tooth may need root canal treatment.

 Implants

 A dental implant is an option to replace a missing tooth. In this procedure, a small titanium shaft is surgically implanted into the bone and allowed to set. The bone grows around it forming a tight connection, which additionally 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 then works to attach the replacement tooth onto the top of the shaft. This permanent solution has the advantages over bridge work in that it does not stress the surrounding teeth for support, and, should the tooth wear out, another crown can simply be replaced on the shaft. Implants can also be used to support part of an implant bridge. This is an alternative to partial dentures, and has several advantages. First, there is no adjustment period to adjust to implants because once treatment is over, your implant will feel and look like a natural tooth. Second, implants slow bone loss which often accompanies missing teeth. Third, there is no discomfort or difficully in eating. Best of all, implants remain a permanent part of the mouth and do not have to be taken out.

We also offer mini dental implants. These implants are about half the diameter of traditional implants are used mainly to stabilize lower dentures. These implants can be placed in one appointment and be immediately used. The cost is 50-70% of standard dental implants. Call for a free consultation.

Invisalign

Invisalign is the invisible way to straighten your teeth using a series of custom-made, nearly undetectable aligners. Invisalign has been proven effective in both clinical research and in practices nationwide. Whether your teeth are crowded, too far apart, or have shifted since wearing braces, you'll have a new reason to smile.

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing gas)

Nitrous Oxide isn't a procedure but a service we offer to make other treatments more comfortable for you. It's safe, pleasant, and has proven effective over a long period of time, 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.

Non-Surgical Gum Treatments

The gums, ligaments, and bone around the teeth form the foundation for your teeth. This foundation for your teeth is referred to as periodontium. When the periodontium is not healthy, it jeopardizes the stability of your entire dental health. Signs of unhealthy periodontium (gum disease) include gums that are red and bleed easily, persistent bad breath, gums that are pulled away from the tooth, loose teeth, and changes in the position or bite of the teeth. Any of these signs may indicate unhealthy gums. With the proper care and appropriate gum treatments, it may be possible 10 return them 10 a heallhy slate. If you experience the conditions above or believe your gums may be unhealthy, call to schedule an appointment so we can begin treatment. The treatment usually involves a deep cleaning or root planing done under a local anesthetic, along with local antibiotic agents. If the gum disease is severe it may need to be treated through surgery or extraction. This is why it is important to have it treated at the first sign of a problem.

Oral Surgery

Unfortunately, some teeth need to be extracted. This can be done at our facility.

Root Canal Treatment

Rool canal trealment (also referred to as root canal therapy or endodontic therapy) is made necessary when a cavity is allowed, through neglect, to reach all the way to the pulp, Regular cleanings and checkups prevent and detect problems early. Sometimes deep restorations or trauma to a tooth cause the nerve to be damaged to the point it may also require root canal therapy. When this occurs the pulp becomes infected, and can even extend through the root tip and begin to eat away at the surrounding bone. This condition is called abscess, By the time the pulp is infected it cannot heal on its own and must be treated. This condition is painful, dangerous and can weaken the entire immune system. Symptoms that the pulp has become infected may include sensitivity to hot/cold or sweets, pain, swelling, pain to biting or pressure, and a bad taste in the mouth. Sometime, however no symptoms are apparent and the person is unaware of any problem until a checkup. A root canal is performed to clean out the infected tooth pulp and disinfect the canals of the tooth. The only alternative treatment is to extract the tooth. Once the infection is resolved, the canal(s) are filled to prevent any further infection. Usually a core build-up and crown is recommended to restore a tooth that has had root canal therapy.

Sealants

Sealants are used to fill in narrow grooves in a tooth that cannot be adequately cleaned by brushing. In some cases, the tooth structure has fine grooves or pits which accumulate plaque. not because you haven't brushed. but because the grooves are too narrow to allow even one bristle into them In order to prevent cavities from developing, the dentist will brush on a coating that seals the grooves and pits, making it possible to brush off plaque and keep your teeth healthy.

TMJ Treatments

TMJ stands for temporal-mandibular joint. Temporal, as in temple area of skull: mandibular as in mandible. or lower jaw: joint as in it's where the head and jaw meet. Problems in this joint may be caused by a misalignment of the teeth, trauma, or excess muscle tension. Aside from the two bones that meet there, cartilage buffers them and five muscles are involved in the area. Problems in this area can lead to a number of unpleasant conditions which include:

• Headaches
• Earaches
• Trouble/soreness in opening and closing the mouth
• Clicking or popping of the jaw
• Pain in the jaw muscles
• Soreness in the area. sometimes extending to the face

Dental treatments can include, replacing missing teeth, moving teeth, adjusting the bite, and filling gaps between teeth. There is not one single solution right for all cases. Sometimes a plastic mouthpiece is used to prevent clenching or grinding if that is contributing to the problem. If untreated and taken to extremes, surgery may be required to repair a badly damaged joint.

Teeth Whitening

This process makes teeth whiter, and therefore more attractive. Our office uses several methods: In- Office Whitening - Lumibrite, take home custom tray whitening, and professional strength white strips.

Lumibrite is a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure. It's safe, effective and extremely fast. In just over an hour, your teeth can become dramatically whiter. The convenience of Lumibrite in comparison to whitening strips or wearing trays makes it the perfect choice for your busy lifestyle. The Lumibrite Whitening procedure is simple. It begins with a short preparation to isolate your lips and gums. The clinician then applies the proprietary Lumibrite whitening gel that is activated by a specially designed light. Teeth typically become at least six to ten shades whiter in one visit.  You'll be amazed with the results. In most cases, teeth get even whiter within the first few days following the procedure. Trays with gel are recommended afterward for maximum whitening and maintenance (which are included in the in-office whitening kit!)

The tray whitening method involves having impressions taken from which fabricated custom vinyl trays are made. A carbamide peroxide gel is placed in these trays and the trays with gel are worn for as little as 3 minutes to 30 minutes per day. The entire process takes 3-4 weeks of daily use. Three different strengths of gel may be used. The tray method is recommended for badly stained teeth, such as tetracycline staining and 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 whether using trays at home or doing Lumibrite is the same.

X-Rays

X-rays are a focused beam of x-ray particles through bone which produces an image on special film, showing the structure through which it passed. This gives the familiar black and white images that doctors and dentists use to diagnose dental problems. X-rays are a necessary part of the diagnostic process to diagnose disease. X-rays of your teeth are crucial to detect infection or pathology that requires attention.

Our offices uses digital radiography which allows us to take x-rays using 50-70% less radiation versus conventional X-rays. This digital technique also allows us to enhance the images for better diagnosis.

Veneers

Veneers are a dental solution in which a covering is placed over the outside (visible area) of the tooth. Veneers are recommended for teeth that have large fillings or little tooth structure. Veneers are usually applied to the portion of the teeth that are visible when talking or smiling. The procedure can be direct or indirect.

The direct technique usually involves placing composite resin on the outside of the tooth using bonding. This method is usually referred to as bonding.

The indirect technique usually involves two appointments because the veneers will be fabricated at a dental laboratory. At the first appointment the teeth are prepared, impressions taken, and the teeth are given a temporary covering. In two to three weeks the veneers are back from the laboratory, the temporaries are removed and the veneers are bonded to the teeth. The laboratory fabricated veneers are usually made using porcelain or pressed ceramic, and are very esthetic.

The advantage of veneers versus crowns is that much less tooth material is removed, and the procedure is generally less uncomfortable.

Lumineers

Lumineers are ultra-thin veneers that can be bonded directly over your existing tooth structure to create a new beautiful smile. There is no need to remove sensitive tooth structure so you will not be required to have anesthetic injections and endure the traditional pretreatment tooth preparation.