Services

How Are Porcelain Veneers Done?

Porcelain veneers generally require two office visits. On the first visit, the enamel on the existing tooth may be reduced to help make room for the veneer. An impression of the reduced tooth is taken so that the porcelain veneer can be constructed. On the second visit, the remaining enamel surface of the tooth and inside portion of the constructed veneer are etched and coated with a resin cement, and the veneer is bonded to place on the tooth. Once paced, a high-intensity light is projected on the veneer to harden the bonding material that cements it in place. The resulting veneer looks like a natural tooth, and the surrounding gum tissue is healthy.

Am I a Candidate for Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are considered the ideal choice for enhancing most smiles. Veneers can be used to correct an array of cosmetic issues such as worn teeth, discoloration, and chipped or uneven teeth. Porcelain veneers can provide more proportional accuracy than bonding and will not stain or chip as frequently as bonding.

Maintaining Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers should be treated like normal teeth with a few exceptions. Avoid ripping or tearing motions such as using your veneers as a tool for biting nails or opening plastic bags. Avoid biting down on nuts, ice, finger nails, or other hard items, as this can damage dental veneers. Remember, veneers are attached to the front of your tooth, so any movement that causes a veneer to twist or pull away from your natural tooth is to be avoided. A yearly fluoride treatment is also recommended.

How Is Crown Lengthening Done?

The gum is reduced or reshaped by moving small amounts of gum tissue in desired areas. The goal is to lengthen the appropriate teeth and create greater symmetry at the gum line.

Am I a Candidate for Crown Lengthening?

Candidates for crown lengthening are those in good general health, specifically those with healthy gums. Those with a gummy smile, decay, or a crack near the gum line are also strong candidates. If you suffer from periodontal disease or have insufficient bone you may not be eligible for this procedure.

After Surgery

Healing time varies from patient to patient depending on the amount of tissue removed during the procedure.

Resin or Composite

Average longevity 6-15 years, tooth colored, moderate to high cost. Best used in small- to medium-sized restorations for front or back of teeth.

Ceramic

Average longevity 10-20 years, tooth colored, moderate to high initial cost. Best used in moderate- to large-size restorations for back of teeth.

Gold Inlays and Onlays

Average longevity 20 years or longer, gold colored, moderate to high initial cost. May be used in most locations where metal is not displaced to an objectionable level.

All-Ceramic

These restorations are fabricated from various ceramics. Average longevity is under study, moderate to high initial cost. All-ceramic fixed prostheses may be used in some clinical situations. These materials are being improved constantly. Their use is growing rapidly and they are expected to eventually replace metal-containing restorations.

Advantages of Ceramic Crowns and Fixed Prostheses:

1. They can be constructed to a highly acceptable esthetic level. These restorations are the most beautiful and natural-appearing restorations in dentistry.

2. Ceramic restorations do not have metal undercopings, as do porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. Therefore, these crowns are biologically compatible and have extremely low allergenicity or toxicity.

Disadvantages of Ceramic Crowns and Fixed Prostheses: 

1. In the past, some of these restorations were not as strong as metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations. If the bite was especially abusive, some ceramic restorations did not have adequate strength. However, the use of extremely strong ceramic materials, introduced in the last few years, are now becoming the most-used materials for crowns.

2. Some types of ceramic restorations can be made into fixed prostheses (bridges) with adequate longevity expectations and others cannot

Porcelain-fused-to-metal


Average longevity 20 or more years, tooth colored, moderate to high initial cost. May be used in any area where extreme biting stress is not present, and patient does not have severe tooth grinding habit.

Metal Alone

High-noble, noble, or base metal. Average longevity 20 years to life, gold or "silver" color, moderate to high initial cost. May be used in any area where metal display is not objectionable.

Advantages of Gold Alloy Restorations:

1. The longevity of cast gold restorations is greater than any other tooth restoration. Many patients and dentists report 40-50 years of service. Average longevity for gold restorations is at least 20 years.

2. Wear of opposing teeth is minimal with cast gold restorations. Gold alloy wears almost exactly like tooth enamel.
3. Gold restorations are strong and can be made to fit teeth exactly. When cemented with decay-preventative cement, the restorations resist further decay.

Disadvantages of Gold Alloy Restorations:


1. Gold restorations are not tooth-colored, and most people object to placing them in areas of the mouth that display the metal.

2. The cost of cast gold restorations is higher than some other types of restorations because of the cost of the gold alloy.

Resin/Composite

These restorations may be used for single crowns. Average longevity is several years. Research on its longevity is still underway.

Advantages of Resin/Composite Restorations:


1. They do not wear opposing teeth during chewing.

2. Resin/composite restorations have very low allergenicity or toxicity.

3. Some brands of resin/composite restorations can be constructed into fixed prostheses (bridges) when teeth are missing.


Disadvantages of Resin/Composite Restorations:


1. Opposing tooth structure wears the resin/composite restorations over a period of years.

2. It is more difficult to achieve optimum tooth color matching with resin/composite than with ceramic.

3. Resin/composite restorations are not as strong as all-ceramic or porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations.

Tooth Polishing

Tooth polishing is the best option for those with slight surface staining and those seeking a natural look rather than a bright white smile, and those looking for a cost-effective way to brighten their smile. The result is achieved by using a combination of a slow-speed hand piece and a special stain removing polish.

Teeth Bleaching

The bleaching process uses a strong oxidizing agent to lighten the teeth such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. It can be done in the dental office with a more concentrated solution with a special bleaching light or laser, or at home using a customized tray with a less concentrated bleaching gel.

Microabrasion

Microabrasion is the process of rubbing a special concentrated stain-removing compound on the teeth to remove very white or brown enamel stains over a series of appointments.

• Bleaching is the most conservative and least expensive procedure available to whiten live, stained teeth.

• Bleaching teeth at home is an alternative to in-office bleaching, and it should be considered.

• Bleaching in the dental office requires one or more 30- to 60-minute appointments.
• Slight to moderate tooth discolorations can usually be removed successfully.


• Some teeth whiten easily, but others bleach less successfully. The only way to determine the bleaching potential of your teeth is to accomplish the bleaching procedure and evaluate the results.

• Bleaching in the dental office may be somewhat uncomfortable during bleaching and for a short time after the procedure.

• If discoloration is severe, crowns or veneers are usually more acceptable treatment to lighten tooth color.

• Your bleached teeth will require retreatment occasionally to maintain the color to which they have been bleached.