Cosmetic Dentistry:
Crowns and Bridges
When teeth are heavily decayed they may be too weak to survive with just a
filling. By placing a crown, a tooth may be given a new lease of life. Even when
a single tooth is lost a denture may not be required as a bridge can be made
which spans the gap with a tooth attached to those next to the space. Sometimes
when a single small tooth is lost at the front of the mouth a simple bridge can
be made which has 'wings' that are glued to the back of the adjacent teeth. This
results in less tooth being damaged by the drill.
Dental Veneers
Porcelain veneers, often alternatively termed dental veneers or dental porcelain
laminates, are wafer-thin shells of porcelain which are bonded onto the front
side of teeth so to make a cosmetic improvement in their appearance. Porcelain
veneers are routinely used to idealize teeth that are discolored, worn, chipped,
or misaligned.
Two of the greatest advantages of porcelain veneers over other types of cosmetic
dental bonding are:
A) Porcelain veneers create a very life-like tooth appearance.
You might be surprised to learn that while yes, a major component of teeth is
enamel, they are not solid enamel. The enamel component of a tooth is actually
only an outer shell.
B) Porcelain veneers resist staining.
Cosmetic dental bonding materials utilized in the past had the shortcoming of
being susceptible to staining and discoloring. This was especially a problem for
those people whose teeth had excessive exposure to tea, coffee, red wine, or
cigarette smoking.
A significant advantage of porcelain veneers over other types of cosmetic dental
bonding is related to the fact that a porcelain veneer's surface is just that,
porcelain. Since porcelain is a ceramic, and therefore glass-like, its surface
is extremely smooth and impervious. This means that the surface of a porcelain
veneer will not pick up permanent stains.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that a specialist places into your
jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option
for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to
periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.
Implants are very durable and will last many years. They require the same
"maintenance" as real teeth, including brushing, flossing and regular dental
check-ups. Dental implants can help restore almost anyone's smile even if
natural teeth have been lost to injury or disease.
A very common reason people consider implants is because a sliding lower denture
makes chewing and talking difficult. Implants can also replace individual teeth
and partial bridges in the upper and lower jaws. The majority of patients
treated with dental implants experience a significant improvement in their
ability to chew food and feel more comfortable.
Dental implants are permanent fixtures of titanium posts anchored to the jawbone
and topped with individual replacement teeth or a bridge that screws or cements
into the posts. Implant technology and materials used today in the United States
were developed more than 30 years ago in Europe. The success rate for implants
is remarkable: 98 percent for lower implants and 91 percent for upper implants.
At Attractive Smiles Dental, we work with a large network of periodontists and
oral surgeons who specialize in Dental Implants.
Zoom Whitening
Zoom!® is a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure. It's safe effective and
fast, very fast. In just over an hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter.
The convenience of Zoom! in comparison to days of using strips or wearing trays
makes it the perfect choice for the busy individual.
The Zoom! Whitening procedure is simple. It begins with a short preparation to
isolate your lips and gums. The Zoom! clinician then applies the proprietary
Zoom! Whitening Gel, which is activated by a specially designed light. Teeth
typically become at least six to ten shades whiter, sometimes more. A
five-minute fluoride treatment completes the procedure. You'll be amazed with
the results. In most cases, teeth get even whiter the first few days after the
procedure.
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