Services

Cosmetic Services:

Smile Whitening
Whitening is a safe and effective way to brighten your smile. As we have had tremendous interest in this service, we have included it in the FAQ page.

Veneers
Porcelain Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are custom made to compliment each patients smile. The veneers are cemented to the front of teeth to improve their appearance. An advantage to porcelain veneers are that they are stain resistant and long lasting, as opposed to bonded resin.
Since veneers are custom made for each smile, they can correct minor defects in a patients smile such as spacing or teeth which are out of position. This capacity to cover teeth makes porcelain veneers a quick alternative to some minor orthodontic procedures.
A new system we have implemented are porcelain veneers which require very little, if any, modification to the teeth in order to be placed. This system has the advantage of being minimally invasive and pain-free and we are very excited to offer it to our patients.

Bonding
Bonding teeth can have significant cosmetic results in one office visit. Bonding can hide natural flaws by placing a thin plastic coating on the visible surface of the teeth. Bonding is applied directly to the surface of the tooth and then shaped and contoured for a natural looking smile. Bonding can lighten stains, improve crooked or malformed teeth, and close gaps between teeth. It has a disadvantage of being more susceptible to staining, however, it is significantly less expensive than porcelain and can be completed in one visit.

White Fillings
White (composite) fillings are not only used for restoring decay, but also for cosmetic improvement for the smile. These restorations can change the color and shape of the teeth. Cost varies, but most dental insurance carriers cover the cost of the white fillings up to the price of a silver (amalgam) filling, with the patient paying the difference. Please contact the office if you need an explanation of this variation in insurance coverage.


Restorative Services:

Implants
Missing Teeth may be permanently replaced with dental implants. Dental implants are a very conservative option to a bridge or denture because they are permanent as well as look and feel like natural teeth. Please contact the office to learn more about this exciting way to replace missing teeth!

Crowns
Crowns are used to improve the cosmetic appearance, strengthen, or to restore a tooth to its natural shape. Teeth with excessive wear or cracks can benefit from being covered by a dental crown. Dental Crowns can be made out of ceramics like porcelain, gold or metal alloys, or a combination of both. The newest technologies being applied to crowns include computer aided design (CAD) and very strong non-metal based materials.

Bridges Dental Bridges are replacements for lost permanent teeth which can restore normal chewing abilities. They are designed to be anchored permanently to the neighboring teeth with a false tooth covering the space left by the missing tooth.

Dentures Dentures are used as removable replacements for missing teeth. There are 2 kinds of denture: complete and partial. Both dentures are custom fitted and, if cared for properly, will appear natural. Dentures can also strengthen facial muscles and aid in chewing.

Sealants
A sealant is a thin plastic film painted on the chewing surface of the teeth to prevent decay. Studies show by age 19, 70% of America’s children have tooth decay. Sealants are a great preventive measure for a child’s oral health.

Root Canal Treatment
Root canal therapy is a procedure done to save damaged or dead teeth by cleaning out the diseased pulp and reshaping the nerve chamber of the tooth. This chamber is then filled with a substance called gutta–percha to prevent recontamination of the tooth. The tooth is finally permanently sealed, with a crown made of porcelain or metal alloy. Root canal therapy allows patients to keep their original teeth even though they may be severely damaged due to fracture or decay.
Root canal therapy is done when the tooth will not heal by itself. Without treatment, the infection will spread, bone around the tooth will begin to degenerate and the tooth may fall out. Pain usually worsens until you are forced to seek emergency dental attention. The only alternative is usually extraction of the tooth, which can cause surrounding teeth to shift crookedly. Though an extraction is cheaper, the space left behind will require an implant or a bridge, which can be more expensive than root canal therapy. If you have the choice, it's best to keep your original teeth.

Periodontal treatment
Periodontal disease is a major contributor to tooth loss. We have an easy to read explanation of periodontal disease in the FAQ section. In the early stages of gum disease, most treatment involves a special cleaning called scaling and root planning, which removes plaque and tartar around the tooth and smoothing the root surfaces. Antibiotics or antimicrobials may be used with scaling and root planning. In most cases of early gum disease, called gingivitis, scaling and root planning and proper daily cleaning achieve a satisfactory result. Some advanced cases may require surgical treatment designed to smooth root surfaces and reposition the gum tissue so it will be easier to keep clean.

Mouth Guards
Mouth guards can prevent serious injuries such as broken teeth, jaw fractures, cerebral hemorrhage and neck injuries by helping to avoid situations where the lower jaw gets jammed into the upper jaw. Mouth guards are effective by moving soft tissue in the oral cavity away from the teeth, preventing laceration and bruising of the lips and cheeks, especially for those who wear orthodontic appliances. They may also reduce the severity and incidence of concussions. Anytime there is contact with other participants or hard surfaces, it is advisable to wear a mouth guard.