Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is more than blending form and function to produce an esthetic result. Cosmetic dentistry is an art. The results are only optimal when the Dentist can use the exotic and high tech materials creatively to produce a natural and beautiful smile. In over 24 years of providing dentistry for our patients, our goal has always been to produce a natural result that both the Dentist and patient can be proud to have achieved. We will explain the many cosmetic options to you and show you video clips to help you make a choice that is best for you. Below is a brief explanation of some of the basic cosmetic procedures we offer in our office.

Our practice offers a full range of cosmetic dental procedures. Some of the most popular procedures include ceramic veneers, ceramic crowns, ceramic composition bonding, ceramic composition restorations (fillings), tooth whitening and esthetic dental implants.

Ceramic veneers

A dental veneer is a very thin shell of ceramic that is crafted in a lab to bond to the front surface of the teeth allowing a change in the shape, length and shade as desired. Veneers can also close gaps or spaces between teeth and correct minor chipped or broken parts of a tooth. These are most often placed on the front teeth. We offer several types of veneers including Lumineers

Ceramic Crowns

A ceramic crown is like a veneer except that it covers the entire tooth and gives the tooth additional strength. It is most often used when the tooth has been damaged by decay, chipped, broken or excessively worn. Cosmetically, a crown can improve a tooth like a veneer, and it can improve minor rotations, crowding and misaligned teeth as well.

On molars, esthetic ceramic crowns are are now preferred by most everyone. However, only one type of ceramic crown has the durability and resistance to fracture as a standard metal based crown. This state of the art crown utilizes zirconium as the base for the ceramic. This material is roughly three times stronger then all other ceramic systems. In fact, zirconium is so strong that only a specialized industrial level computer aided milling machine can cut the material. We are thrilled with the high tech in-office computer aided milling machines, but they can not mill the stronger ceramics and it is very unlikely they will ever be able to mill zirconium. Consequently, we have avoided this in-office technology in favor of laboratory computer directed milling of zirconium based ceramic crowns. We feel it is important to create a crown that combines optimal esthetics and durability.

Ceramic Composition bonding

This is an in-office technique that utilizes a highly evolved composite material that can be immediately bonded "free hand" to the teeth. The material is bonded and shaped directly on the teeth to correct the same cosmetic defects as a veneer. This is a one-visit procedure and does not require a lab which means less cost. The results can rival laboratory veneers in the short term. However, the bonding may require refreshing or replacement in 3-7 years. This technique can be used for multiple teeth, but it is most useful when small corrections are needed for a few teeth.

Tooth whitening systems

We have been involved in tooth whitening systems since the late 1980's when they first became available. Over this period many systems have been helpful. Today, the most successful and popular types are: one hour-in office systems and home tray systems.

In our experience, the "in office"  whitening system, which takes about one hour is the most popular. We feel the ZOOM II which recently improved to become ZOOM ADVANCED POWER is the best system. We also include home trays with this system which allows for additional "off the charts" whitening and "touch up" whitening that our patients use to maintain their smile at their original ZOOM level.

The home tray system involves making a special tray that is used daily with whitening gels over a two week period. The results are as good as the "in office" system but require strict compliance with the instructions for best results.

We also offer "PPROFESSIONAL STRENGHT CREST WHITE STRIPS" that whiten your teeth at a higher strength than available at retail stores. Our experience has been that the OTC and Professional white strips work well with persons under 25 years of age. As we get older, the embedded enamel stains require stronger agents to be effective then the white strip systems can deliver.

Esthetic dental Implants

When replacing missing teeth implants are the most natural choice because they emerge thru the bone and gingival tissue just like a tooth. This replacement tooth can have the esthetics and appearance of neighboring natural teeth when zirconium and ceramics are utilized in place of the standard underlying titanium. This system is used in some of the most esthetically demanding situations with awesome results.

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