Crowns (CEREC)
Crowns are placed for a variety of reasons, but are most commonly used to restore the tooth when the decay extends more than a filling is able to adequately replace. Crowns are also placed when teeth have become weakened by a root canal therapy or have fractures in them. The teeth are prepared for crowns by removing all decay and weakened tooth structure, as well as old filling material, with a minimal amount of tooth structure removed as necessary. Crowns can either be full coverage, meaning they cover the entire tooth similar to a cap, or partial coverage where only a part of the tooth structure is removed and replaced.
Through the use of the CEREC technology, the preparation is scanned into the computer and your crown is ready the same day. By using CEREC, temporary crowns are no longer necessary.
Dentures (Complete)
At the point when all of the teeth in an arch are no longer restorable, it becomes necessary to create a complete, or full, denture. Dentures restore not only functionality for eating, but also provide a vast esthetic difference. By placing a denture many patients experience a much more youthful look as the denture returns the normal bite location and provides support to the cheeks. In addition, denture teeth are custom set to return the smile you always wanted, or even the smile you remember from your youth.
By combining a complete denture with implants, the denture becomes vastly more stable and virtually eliminates the need for any adhesives. Implant retained dentures are therefore quickly becoming the standard in restoration.
Dentures (Partial)
Partial dentures are an esthetic, functional, and cost efficient way to replace several missing teeth when multiple other teeth are present in the same arch. A custom metal framework is designed and created to fit around the existing teeth, allowing for maximum retention of the partial denture. Acrylic and teeth are then added to the framework to provide the esthetic and functional part of the partial denture.
Partial dentures may also be combined with implants to provide increased retention, but are not always as necessary in partial dentures.
Fillings
When tooth decay has progressed far enough to form a cavity, it becomes necessary to remove the infected tooth structure and place a filling. Our office places only white filling materials, and provides an aesthetic restoration of all removed tooth structure. White filling materials may either be composite or glass ionomer according to patient choice and doctor recommendation. Composite fillings allow for maximum aesthetics, while glass ionomer fillings tend to be a slightly less aesthetic, but aid in the further prevention of future decay.
Implants
Quickly becoming the standard in missing tooth replacement, implants provide the structural support for restorations. By integrating with the bone, implants provide a solid base for any restoration and have the added bonus of maintaining the bone around them. Restoring an edentulous area with implants, rather than a bridge or removable appliance, provides a much more predictable long term solution. Through the use of Galileos Cone-Beam CT technology, our implants are commonly placed using a guide which allows for a much more precise implant placement for maximum esthetics.
Single tooth replacement implants require the addition of an abutment, or crown base, and a crown. Multiple tooth replacement may be accomplished by creating an implant supported bridge. By placing two or more implants and connecting them via a bridge the implants may be used to replace more teeth than implants placed.
In the case of dentures, implants are often used to aid in the retention of the denture while it is functioning. Often times an implant that had been previously used to replace teeth can be converted over to a denture retentive function.
The ability to remove the restoration at any time and place a new restoration or attachment makes implants one of the most versatile options.
Veneers
Veneers are a simple way to correct staining, chips, or otherwise cosmetically deficient teeth without sacrificing a large portion of the tooth. Only a small amount of tooth reduction is necessary in order to allow for a thin porcelain piece to be attached to the tooth. Using the CEREC technology, veneers are completed in a single visit and are computer designed to fit perfectly on your teeth and allow for maximum aesthetics.
Whitening
It is quite common for teeth to become discolored or darkened over the course of daily use. Whether its coffee, tea, soda, or smoking, the teeth can take on a yellow to brown hue. By whitening the teeth, the stained color is shifted to a more aesthetically pleasing white. This process ranges from slow to rapid depending on the concentration of the bleach material used. In office bleaching offers the fastest color change while over the counter strips will take considerably more time. It is important to note that every person’s teeth are different and the maximum whiteness is accordingly different. The stable color of the teeth is established approximately two weeks after the last bleaching and can be maintained with periodic at home bleaching. If you are considering whitening your teeth please let your dentist know, as it may be best to hold off on elective dental treatment until your final, stable, color is reached. Since restorations do not bleach, bleaching may make restorations stand out more.