Cosmetic Dentistry

A composite is a tooth colored filling that is used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, fractures, etc. The decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled with a composite filling.

There are many types of filling materials available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. You and your dentist can discuss the best options for restoring your teeth. Composite fillings, along with silver fillings, are the most widely used today. Because composite fillings are tooth colored, they can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth, and are more aesthetically suited for use in front teeth or the more visible areas of the teeth.

As with most dental restorations, composite fillings are not permanent and may someday have to be replaced. They are very durable, and will last many years, giving you a long lasting, beautiful smile.

Reasons for composite fillings:

• Chipped teeth.
• Closing space between two teeth.
• Cracked or broken teeth.
• Decayed teeth.
• Worn teeth.

How Are Composite Fillings Placed?

Composite fillings are usually placed in one appointment. While the tooth is numb, your dentist will remove decay as necessary. The space will then be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared before the new filling is placed. If the decay was near the nerve of the tooth, a special medication will be applied for added protection. The composite filling will then be precisely placed, shaped, and polished, restoring your tooth to its original shape and function.

It is normal to experience sensitivity to hot and cold when composite fillings are first placed, however this will subside shortly after your tooth acclimates to the new filling. After any trauma has been sustained by the tooth it is possible the tooth will need a root canal in the future. This includes but is not limited to cavities, drilling, polishing, wear, or facial accident.

You will be given care instructions at the conclusion of your treatment. Good oral hygiene practices, eating habits, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new fillings. The best filling is no filling at all.

A crown or cap is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.

Although there are several types of crowns, porcelain or tooth colored crowns are the most popular, because they resemble your natural teeth. They are highly durable and will last many years, but like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced. Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape, size, and color of your teeth giving you a natural, long-lasting beautiful smile.

Reasons for crowns:

• Broken or fractured teeth.
• Cosmetic enhancement.
• Decayed teeth.
• Fractured fillings.
• Large fillings.
• Tooth has a root canal.

What Does Getting a Crown Involve?

A crown procedure usually requires two appointments. Your first appointment will include taking several highly accurate molds (or impressions) that will be used to create your custom crown. A mold will also be used to create a temporary crown which will stay on your tooth for approximately two weeks until your new crown is fabricated by a dental laboratory.

While the tooth is numb, the dentist will prepare the tooth by removing any decay and shaping the surface to properly fit the crown. Once these details are accomplished, your temporary crown will be placed with temporary cement and your bite will be checked to ensure you are biting properly.

At your second appointment your temporary crown will be removed, the tooth will be cleaned, and your new crown will be carefully placed to ensure the spacing and bite are accurate.

You will be given care instructions and encouraged to have regular dental visits to check your new crown.

A dental bridge is a fixed or non-removable appliance and is an excellent way to replace missing teeth. There are several types of bridges. You and your dentist will discuss the best options for your particular case. The PFM or PBM is the most popular type and is usually made of porcelain fused to metal. Porcelain fixed bridges are most popular because they resemble your natural teeth. This type of bridge consists of two crowns that go over two anchoring teeth or abutment teeth and are attached to pontics or artificial teeth, filling the dark gap created by one or more missing teeth.

Dental bridges are highly durable and will last many years, however they may need replacement or need to be re-cemented due to normal wear.

Reasons for a fixed bridge:

• Fill space of missing teeth.
• Maintain facial shape.
• Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position.
• Restore chewing and speaking ability.
• Restore your smile.
• Upgrade from a removable partial denture to a permanent dental appliance.

What Does Getting a Fixed Bridge Involve?

Getting a bridge usually requires two or more visits. While the teeth are numb, the two anchoring teeth are prepared by removing a portion of enamel to allow for a crown. Next, a highly accurate impression or mold is made which will be sent to a dental laboratory where the bridge will be fabricated. In addition, a temporary bridge will be made and worn for several weeks until your next appointment.

At the second visit, you permanent bridge will be carefully checked, adjusted, and cemented to achieve a proper fit. Occasionally your dentist may only temporarily cement the bridge, allowing your teeth and tissue time to get used to the new bridge. The new bridge will be permanently cemented at a later time.

You will receive care instructions at the conclusion of your treatment. Proper brushing, flossing and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new permanent bridge.

An inlay restoration is a custom made filling made of composite material, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain. Porcelain inlays are popular because they resemble your natural tooth. A porcelain inlay is made by a professional dental laboratory and is permanently cemented into the tooth by your dentist.

Inlays can be utilized to conservatively repair teeth that have large defective fillings or have been damaged by decay or trauma. Inlays are an ideal alternative to conventional silver and composite fillings. Also, they are more conservative than crowns because less tooth structure is removed in the preparation of inlays.

As with most dental restorations, inlays are not always permanent and may someday require replacement. They are highly durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful long lasting smile.

Reasons for inlay restorations:

• Broken or fractured enamel
• Cosmetic enhancement
• Decayed teeth
• Fractured fillings
• Large fillings

What Does Getting An Inlay Involve?

An inlay procedure usually requires two appointments. Your first appointment will include taking several highly accurate impressions (molds) that will be used to create your custom inlay and a temporary restoration.

While the tooth is numb, the dentist will remove any decay and/or old filling materials. The space will then be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared, shaping the surface to properly fit an inlay restoration. A temporary filling will be applied to protect the tooth while your inlay is made by a dental laboratory.

At your second appointment your new inlay will be carefully and precisely cemented into place. A few adjustments may be necessary to ensure a proper fit and that your bite is comfortable.

You will receive care instruction at the conclusion of your treatment. Good oral hygiene practices and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new inlay.

An onlay restoration is a custom made filling made of composite material, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain. Porcelain onlays are popular because they resemble your natural tooth. An onlay is sometimes also referred to as a partial crown. Porcelain onlays are made by a professional dental laboratory and is permanently cemented onto the tooth by your dentist.

Onlays can be utilized to conservatively repair teeth that have large defective fillings or have been damaged by decay or trauma. Onlays are an ideal alternative to crowns because less tooth structure is removed in the preparation of onlays. Onlays are essentially identical to inlays with the exception that one or more of the chewing cusps have also been affected and need to be included in the restoration.

As with most dental restorations, onlays are not always permanent and may someday require replacement. They are highly durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful long lasting smile.

Reasons for onlay restorations:

• Broken or fractured cusp
• Cosmetic enhancement
• Decayed teeth
• Fractured fillings
• Large fillings

What Does Getting an Onlay Involve?

An onlay procedure usually requires two appointments. Your first appointment will include taking several highly accurate impressions (molds) that will be used to create your custom onlay and a temporary restoration.

While the tooth is numb, the dentist will remove any decay and/or old filling materials. The space will then be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared, shaping the surface to properly fit an onlay restoration. A temporary filling will be applied to protect the tooth while your onlay is made by a dental laboratory.

At your second appointment, your new onlay will be carefully and precisely cemented into place. A few adjustments may be necessary to ensure a proper fit and that your bite is comfortable.

You will receive care instruction at the conclusion of your treatment. Good oral hygiene practices, a proper diet, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new onlay.

These ultra-thin porcelain slips fit perfectly over the teeth making them look cosmetically perfect, white and completely beautiful. A wonderful pearly-white smile is important for a wide variety of reasons. Beautiful teeth can boost self-esteem and self-confidence, and a stunning smile is often the most recognized feature of a person. Ceramic veneers can cover even the most unsightly blemishes on the teeth, and treatment can be completed in two or three visits.

Who Is a Good Candidate For Prepless Veneers?

Veneers are ideal for the nervous patient because they need little or no anesthesia to apply. They’re also highly resistant to staining agents like tobacco, coffee and red wine. Veneers look completely natural, feel fantastic and can instantly cover the most severe cosmetic defects.

Veneers are wafer-thin, which means that the eating, speaking and biting functions are seldom affected by their placement. Veneers can only be applied to healthy underlying teeth and gums. If the dentist notes tooth decay or gum disease, these issues need to be addressed before the placement of dental veneers. Prepless veneers are so thin that proper case selection or pre treatment with orthodontic invisible retainers may be required to position your teeth for the most minimal and conservative tooth reduction.

Reasons for veneers:

• Cosmetically, to create a uniform, white, beautiful smile.
• Crooked teeth.
• Misshapen teeth.
• Severely discolored or stained teeth.
• Teeth that are too small or large.
• Unwanted or uneven spaces.
• Worn or chipped teeth.
• Large gaps between the teeth.
• Misaligned teeth.
• Uneven gums and teeth.
• Unnatural looking bridges and crowns.

Here are some of the main advantages associated with prepless veneers:

• High resistance to staining agents.
• Incredibly strong bonding agent.
• Little or no anesthesia required.
• Quick, natural looking results.
• Unsurpassed whiteness.
• Wafer thin veneers.
• Minimal to no tooth reduction

What Is the Procedure For Placing Prepless Veneers?

The dentist will plan on three visits, though treatment may be completed in two. The first visit involves a thorough investigation of the teeth and the planning of forthcoming treatments. The planning stage is an ideal opportunity to ask questions. Objectives and potential end results will be discussed, and the dentist will ensure that teeth are healthy enough for veneer placement.

The second visit may last several hours. The teeth need to be aligned or minutely reduced before the prepless veneers are placed. Preparation generally involves the light buffing of the teeth to create space for veneer placement. Since prepless veneers are wafer-thin, little of the tooth needs to be altered.

When the teeth are ready, impressions are created. These impressions or molds are then sent to the laboratory. It generally takes around two weeks for the custom-made veneers to be fabricated. In the meantime, a temporary measure is placed to ensure the teeth look pleasant and are fully functional.

During the final visit, the prepless veneers are bonded to the teeth. Before bonding permanently, the dentist temporarily places the veneers on the teeth with glycerin. This helps to determine whether the shade and fit are agreeable. If the shade requires alteration, this can be adjusted using colored dental cement.

The veneers are permanently placed with specialized dental cleansers and bonded using a visible light beam. The light beam hardens the cement and ensures that an ultra-secure affixation occurs. Once the veneers are placed with cement, the color can no longer be altered.

Prepless veneers produce a stunning result that transforms the smile with minimal discomfort.

Veneers are very thin pieces of durable, tooth shaped porcelain that are custom made by a professional dental laboratory with guidance from your dentist. They are bonded onto the front of teeth to create a beautiful and attractive smile.

Veneers can completely reshape your teeth and smile. They can often be alternatives to crowns and the ideal solution in treating many dental conditions.

As with most dental restorations, veneers are not permanent and may someday need replacement. They are very durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful long lasting smile.

Reasons for porcelain veneers:

• Cosmetically, to create a uniform, white, beautiful smile.
• Crooked teeth.
• Misshapen teeth.
• Severely discolored or stained teeth.
• Teeth that are too small or large.
• Unwanted or uneven spaces.
• Worn or chipped teeth.
• Large gaps between the teeth.
• Misaligned teeth.
• Uneven gums and teeth.
• Unnatural looking bridges and crowns.

What Does Getting Porcelain Veneers Involve?

Getting veneers usually requires two visits to complete the process, with little or no anesthesia required during the procedure. The teeth are prepared by lightly buffing and shaping the surface to allow for the thickness of the veneer. A mold or impression of the teeth is taken and a shade or color will then be chosen by you and the dentist.

On the second visit the teeth will be cleansed with special liquids to achieve a durable bond. Bonding cement is then placed between the tooth and veneer and a special light beam is used to harden and set the bond.

You will receive care instructions for veneers. Proper brushing, flossing and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new veneers.

Teeth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile.

Because having whiter teeth has now become the number one aesthetic concern of most patients, there are a number of ways to whiten teeth. The most popular method is using a home teeth whitening system that will whiten teeth dramatically. Since teeth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. Replacement of any restorations will be done at least 2 weeks after bleaching so they will match the newly bleached teeth.

Teeth whitening is not permanent. A touch-up may be needed every several years, and more often if you smoke, drink coffee, tea, or wine.

Reasons for teeth whitening:

• Fluorosis (excessive fluoridation during tooth development).
• Normal wear of outer tooth layer.
• Stained teeth due to medications (tetracycline, etc.).
• Yellow, brown stained teeth.

What Does Home Teeth Whitening Involve?

This type of teeth whitening usually requires two visits. At the first appointment, impressions (molds) will be made of your teeth to fabricate custom, clear plastic, trays.

At your second appointment, you will try on the trays for proper fit, and adjustments will be made if necessary. The trays are worn with special whitening solution either twice a day for 30 minutes or overnight for a couple of weeks depending on the degree of staining and the desired level of whitening. It is normal to experience tooth sensitivity during the time you are whitening your teeth, but it will subside shortly after you have stopped bleaching. If further discomfort is encountered please discontinue use and talk to your dentist.

You will receive custom care instructions for your teeth and trays, and be encouraged to visit your dentist regularly to help maintain a beautiful, healthy, white smile.

What Preparation Is Necessary Before the In Office Treatment?

In office whitening procedure elicits the best results on clean, healthy teeth. Therefore, a thorough cleaning is recommended prior to the treatment, to rid the teeth of plaque, tartar and rotting food particles. The dentist will always thoroughly examine the teeth while performing the cleaning to check for any fractures, inflammation or decay. Photographs might also be taken of the teeth prior to the bleaching procedure. This makes “before and after” comparisons more evident.

What Does In Office Whitening Treatment Involve?

None of the steps in the in office system should cause discomfort but if sensitivity develops, fluoride and other dental treatments can be applied to manage the situation. The in office steps are as follows:

• A retractor is placed inside the mouth to fully expose the teeth.
• A hardening resin is applied to the gums to prevent the bleaching gel from irritating them.
• The gel and blue light are applied to the teeth for twenty minutes or so.
• The dentist checks whitening progress.
• The gel is removed and then more gel is applied for another twenty minutes if necessary.
• The gel is again removed and then more gel is applied for an additional twenty minutes if necessary.
• The retractors are removed when the final gel application is complete.
• The mouth is rinsed and the new tooth color is measured immediately.
• The teeth may look incredibly white immediately after treatment due to mild dehydration. The actual color of teeth will become apparent when the teeth have had 48 hours to rehydrate.

Some in office whitening systems are applied to custom trays with a special high concentrated gel while you are in the office and do not require the steps listed above.

Chairside whitening system that can reduce sensitivity, decrease treatment time, and require professional experience include using visual light and lasers.

It is important to seek advice from the dentist prior to beginning a bleaching regime. Women who are pregnant or lactating should not seek bleaching treatment.

How Do Bleaching Products Whiten the Teeth?

Bleaching process that lighten the dentin and enamel of the teeth. They contain a hydrogen peroxide component, which is the active ingredient in the gel. When hydrogen peroxide is applied to the teeth, the peroxide component breaks down into tiny oxygen bubbles. It is these bubbles that eliminate yellowing and staining.

What Happens After Treatment?

The same external factors that caused the discoloration in the first place can quickly work their way back onto the teeth. For this reason, the dentist recommends flossing once a day, thorough cleaning with anti-sensitivity toothpaste twice a day, and occasional retreatment. These post-treatment measures will ensure that the smile stays at its whitest for a long time. Whitening toothpastes are simply abrasive materials that aggressively remove extrinsic stains on the surface of the tooth.