General Dentistry

Bonding is a popular method to enhance the aesthetics of your smile. Bonding can be used to correct cracks or gaps in teeth, as a filling after a cavity has been removed, or to cover up stains or discolored teeth.

 

A composite resin is used on the affected tooth or teeth. It is molded and sculpted over an adhesive gel that is placed on the tooth. After the resin has been applied, an ultraviolet light is used to harden the resin, which is then polished to give you a fresh, new smile.

 

Bonding is an obvious improvement over unsightly silver amalgam fillings. With the advancements in dental technology, bonding usually lasts for over 10 years. It is a safe, affordable, and attractive solution for many dental problems.

Over time, our teeth begin to weaken and become more susceptible to problems such as decay, cracks, discoloration, and others. If you feel that your smile isn’t what it once was, crowns can help you recover your smile.

 

If your dentist notices that a tooth is decayed or seems weakened / cracked, a crown may be necessary to make sure that there are no additional problems with the tooth. In cases like this, a filling or bonding will not be sufficient.

 

Crowns can be made from porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or a full gold crown. To maintain a natural look and feel, a porcelain finished crown is best, as it can be matched to the shade of your other teeth. 

 

This will allow it to blend in and appear just like one of your natural teeth.

 

Traditionally, the process of installing a crown takes 2-3 visits to the dentist. On the first visit, the tooth will be reshaped by filing down the enamel so that the crown can be placed over it.

 

You will be given a local anesthetic before this part of the procedure so that you do not experience any discomfort. Once the tooth has been reshaped, a mold will be taken of that tooth and the surrounding teeth. 

 

This mold will be sent to a dental lab so that your new crown can be made that fits in the spot created for it and looks the same relative to the surrounding teeth. Before leaving, your dentist will fit you with a temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready

 

The crown takes about 2-3 weeks to be returned to your dentist. At this time you will have another appointment to place and fit the permanent crown. 

 

You will again have a local anesthetic to numb the area and the tooth will be placed using a cement to ensure the tooth sets in place. 

 

When you look in the mirror, you will see your old smile back. Crowns are durable and will usually last about 10-15 years. You should care for it as you would any of your other teeth with regular brushing and flossing. 

 

Call us today if you would like to learn more about how crowns can help restore your smile.  

 

Recent technological advances have made it possible for many crowns to be designed in the office using our state-of-the-art Planmeca E4D equipment. 

 

This procedure can often be performed in one day, simplifying the process for our patients and eliminating some office visits.

While at our office, we make sure that you receive the highest level of service and ensure that our dental work is of the highest quality. 

 

To ensure that you maintain great oral health, this level of quality needs to extend into your oral hygiene routine. 

 

We can help you establish a dental hygiene routine that will keep your teeth healthy and white. If you have any questions about your current hygiene plan, please ask us.

 

Your teeth are not the only important part of your mouth. Your gums are essential to oral hygiene as well. We can provide periodontal cleanings and treatment, or refer you to one of our recommended specialists. Please let us know if you have any questions. 

Often there is plaque and tartar that accumulates below the gum line. In this scenario, we will clean and smooth this area with special instruments to ensure that the area is completely spotless. 

 

If this area is not kept clean, the entire area can become irritated with the bacteria that resides in the tartar and plaque. It's very important to have your dentist check this area if you have bleeding during brushing.

Dental bridges are a great way to replace missing teeth. Your existing teeth are used to create a bridge to cross the area where your tooth is missing. Bridges are made from gold, metal, alloys or porcelain to ensure that they are strong and durable.

 

The process of creating a bridge begins by creating abutments out of your existing teeth where the bridge will be attached. 

 

The existing teeth are recontoured to provide a base for the bridge. After the abutments have been created, a mold is taken of the area which is sent to a dental lab. 

 

The lab uses the mold to create a bridge that will fit properly and feel as close to your natural teeth as possible. The bridge consists of two crowns on either end to place on the abutments and a pontic, which is the new tooth that replaces your missing tooth.

 

We will fit you with a temporary bridge while we wait for the lab to craft your permanent bridge. This will protect the abutments and the exposed gum areas and look more appealing than having a missing tooth. 

 

When the permanent bridge has been created, you will have a follow-up visit to set the bridge. It will be placed on the abutments and the dentist will then use an adhesive to set the bridge.

 

The bridge may take a little while to get used to, but after a few days, it should feel like you have your teeth back again. 

 

You should eat soft foods for the first few days after having your bridge placed. After the initial phase, you will be able to eat whatever you want with no issues.

 

If you are missing a tooth you should strongly consider having it replaced. In addition to the aesthetic disadvantage of missing a tooth, it could also cause structural changes to your mouth and jaw, as well as making it difficult to eat or speak properly. 

 

Request an appointment today to restore your smile.

Inlays and onlays are often referred to as partial crowns. They use the existing tooth as a base and fit the inlay or onlay onto the tooth. 

 

This is done to strengthen the tooth, restore its shape, and prevent further damage. An inlay is done when there is no damage to the cusps of the tooth and the inlay can be placed right on the tooth. An inlay is used when the damage is a little more extensive. 

 

The decayed area of the tooth is first removed during the procedure. A mold of the tooth is then taken and sent to a dental lab. They create a restoration made from porcelain, gold, or a composite resin. 

 

The restoration takes about 2-3 weeks to make, so a temporary inlay or onlay will be placed on the tooth for that time. 

 

During your next visit, the inlay or onlay will be placed into your mouth and set with cement.  Your tooth will look natural and you or anyone else won't be able to tell the difference. 

 

Recent technological advances have made it possible for many inlays and onlays to be designed in the office using our state-of-the-art Planmeca E4D equipment. 

 

This procedure can often be performed in one day, simplifying the process for our patients and eliminating some office visits.

Oral cancer screenings are a very important part of your dental visit. With the advances in modern technology, we are now able to pinpoint the start of a potential problem much earlier in its evolution. 

 

The ability to do so is extremely important in being able to treat any issues before them becoming a major irreversible problem.

 

The oral cancer screening is often completed with an ultraviolet light or similar device that allows us to view issues that can't always be detected by the human eye under normal conditions. 

 

Certain lifestyle choices can have a great impact on the health of tissues and the overall health of your mouth. If you are a smoker or a heavy drinker, make sure to get regular screenings when you visit the dentist. 

Our office utilizes the Nite White ACP take-home whitening procedure. Nite White ACP has been clinically proven to remineralize teeth while also whitening them. 

 

Over time our teeth tend to become discolored or stained. Whether this is from smoking, coffee, or any other foods, a beautiful smile could be closer than you think. We offer a safe solution to an unsightly smile. 

 

Whitening your teeth is a very simple procedure that can be completed in a relatively short time.

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First, we will take upper and lower impressions of your teeth so custom whitening trays can be fabricated. 

 

Then 3-5 days later you will return for a short appointment, where we will deliver your custom whitening trays and demonstrate how to dispense the solution into them. 

 

Once you begin whitening, you should try to wear your trays for one hour a day for 10-14 days. If you should experience sensitivity, then wait a day and resume whitening on the next day. You should begin to notice a change in the color of your teeth within 5 days.