Services

The services we provide are:

	Whitening		Veneers & Cosmetic dentistry		Crowns		Periodontal & Gum Therapy
	Bad Breath Therapy		Root Canal Therapy		White Fillings		Bridges & Implant Restoration

 

We provide same day emergency dental care treatment for patients in pain.


We especially enjoy doing full mouth restorations which can change a persons look, his/her self confindence and his/her self image.

Whitening

This is the procedure of making teeth whiter, and therefore more attractive. Our office uses several methods: Zoom!, passive tray whitening, and professional strength white strips.

Zoom! is a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure. It's safe effective and fast, very fast. In just over an hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter. The convenience of Zoom! in comparison to days of using strips or wearing trays makes it the perfect choice for the busy individual. The Zoom! Whitening procedure is simple. It begins with a short preparation to isolate your lips and gums. The clinician then applies the proprietary Zoom! whitening gel that is activated by a specially designed light. Teeth typically become at least six to ten shades whiter, sometimes more. A fluoride treatment completes the procedure. You'll be amazed with the results. In most cases, teeth get even whiter the first few days after the procedure. Trays with gel are recommended afterward for maximum whitening and maintenance.

The tray method involves having impressions taken from which laboratory fabricated custom vinyl trays are made. A carbamide peroxide gel is placed in these trays and the trays with gel are worn for about 3 hours, 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 reactions or tooth sensitivity. 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 Zoom! is the same. The cost of the tray method is about half compared to Zoom!, and there is usually less post-treatment sensitivity.

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Veneers & Cosmetic dentistry

Veneers are a dental procedure in which a covering is placed over the outside (visible area) of the tooth. Veneers are usually only done to the part 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. Veneers are recommended for teeth that have large fillings or little tooth structure.

INVISALIGN

Invisalign straightens your teeth with a series of clear, virtually invisible custom-molded aligners. By using a series of clear, removable aligners, Invisalign straightens your teeth with results you'll notice sooner than you think. The course of treatment involves changing aligners approximately every two weeks, moving your teeth into straighter position step by step, until you have a more beautiful smile. And unlike braces, these clear aligners can be removed while you eat and brush your teeth as usual.

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Crowns

Crowns are a type of dental restoration which, when cemented into place, fully cup over the portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line. In comparison, fillings are dental restorations that fill in or cover over just a portion of a tooth. Since dental crowns encase the entire visible aspect of a tooth, a dental crown in effect becomes the tooth's new outer surface.

Crowns can be made out of porcelain (meaning some sort of dental ceramic), metal (a gold or other metal alloy), or a combination of both. Other terms that are used to refer to dental crowns are "dental caps" and "tooth caps."

Why do teeth need dental crowns?

A dentist might recommend placing a dental crown for a variety of reasons but, in general, most of these reasons will usually fall within one of the following basic categories:

• To restore a tooth to its original shape.
• To strengthen a tooth.
• To improve the cosmetic appearance of a tooth.

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Periodontal & Gum Therapy

For adults, periodontal (gum) diseases, not tooth decay, are the major cause of tooth loss. Perio- dontal diseases are caused by bacterial infections that attack gums, ligaments and bone. Often painless, these diseases may develop slowly or progress quite rapidly, and can occur at any age.

The warning signs include:

Gums that bleed easily; red, swollen or tender gums; gums that have pulled away from the teeth; persistent bad breath or bad taste; permanent teeth that are loose or separating; any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite; or any change in the fit of partial dentures.

Treatment methods depend upon the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed. The first step is usually a thorough cleaning that may include scaling to remove plaque and tarter deposits beneath the gum line. When deep pockets between teeth and gums are present, surgery may be needed. Our Periodontist is extremely qualified, and can recommend appropriate treatment.

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Bad Breath Therapy

Bad breath can create socially embarrassing moments and/or can ruin relationships. Bad breath could be a manifestation different factors.

Bad breath can be caused by foods such as garlic that could last 24 to 48 hours. Another source of bad breath is a result of bacteria in the mouth and on the tongue which produce volatile sulphur compounds in the form of hydrogen sulfide. Furthermore, bad breath is caused by gum disease or even problems with the digestive system.

Depending on the cause of the bad breath, there are different solutions available. However, the cause of it could be determined first.

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Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy refers to the process by which a dentist treats the inner aspects of a tooth, specifically that area inside a tooth that is occupied by its "pulp tissue." Most people would probably refer to a tooth's pulp tissue as its "nerve." While a tooth's pulp tissue does contain nerve fibers it is also composed of arteries, veins, lymph vessels, and connective tissue.

For the purposes of this discussion, so to use terminology that people seem to be most familiar with, we will use the terms "nerve" and "nerve tissue" to refer to a tooth's pulp tissue.

Where precisely in a tooth is its nerve?

Teeth are hard calcified objects but their inner aspects are not completely solid. Inside every tooth there lies a hollow space which, when a tooth is healthy, contains the tooth's nerve tissue. Dentists use the following terms to refer to various portions of this nerve area

The pulp chamber. This is a hollow space that lies more or less in the center of the tooth.

The root canals. Each tooth's nerve enters the tooth, in general, at the very tip of its root(s). From this entry point the nerve then runs through the center of the root in small "root canals" which subsequently join up with the tooth's pulp chamber.

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White Fillings

A composite resin filling (white filling) is:

• mercury free
• made of a tooth colored plastic mixture filled with glass particles
• used for restoring decay
• used for cosmetic improvements

New technological advancements in dentistry has allowed us to do white (composite or resin) natural tooth colored filling.

The advantages of white fillings are:

• Composite filling integrates with the tooth...it doesn't weaken the tooth as a silver filling does.
• We now can make a smaller hole, since the white material can flow into small places.
• Due to the smaller hole, there is more of your own tooth left, leaving it stronger.
• Secondary decay is easier to spot beneath tooth colored fillings.
• If damaged, they can be easily fixed.
• They are temperature and electrical insulators-resistant to extremes of heat and cold.
• Environmentally safe-no hazardous metal wastes to dispose of and no risk of mercury allergy.
• Allowing us to fix smaller cavities.
• You don't have to wait till a cavity gets "big enough to fill".
• In some cases we can do an almost microscopic filling just when it starts by using air abrasion instead of the drill. These are often done without anesthetic if we catch them early enough.
• They are a more natural, attractive choice.
• Composites bond to the tooth to support the remaining tooth to help prevent breakage.
• Composite insulate the tooth from excessive temperature changes.
• Composites (white fillings) last about 8 years with a range of 7-10 years.

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Bridges & Implant Restoration

1 a single- or multiple-tooth implant crown or bridge that replaces a missing tooth or teeth.

2 use of an elastomeric material to physically record a prepared tooth impression. Artificial dental stone (gypsum) is poured into the impression, making an exact replica of the tooth/mouth for the construction of a prosthesis. See also indirect restorative method.

 

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DENTAL EMERGENCIES & INJURIES

Tips for Dealing with Dental Emergencies

Clean the area gently with a cloth and apply cold compresses to reduce any swelling. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, go to a hospital emergency room immediately.

Broken Tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Use cold compresses on the area to keep any swelling down. Call your dentist immediately.

Jaw-Possibly Broken
Apply cold compresses to control swelling. Go to your dentist or a hospital emergency department immediately.

Knocked Out Tooth
Hold the tooth by the crown and rinse off the root of the tooth in water if it’s dirty. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket. If that isn’t possible, put the tooth in a cup of milk and get to the dentist as quickly as possible. Remember to take the tooth with you!

Objects Caught Between Teeth
Try to gently remove the object with dental floss; avoid cutting the gums. Never use a sharp instrument to remove any object that is stuck between your teeth. If you can’t dislodge the object using dental floss, contact your dentist.

Toothache
Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss or an interdental cleaner to ensure that there is no food or other debris caught between the teeth. Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue. If the pain persists, contact your dentist.