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DERMAL FILLERS

If you are looking for a non- surgical face lift or you just want to smooth out a few fine lines or fill in deep set wrinkles, injectables are for you. Millions of people use dermal fillers to achieve a more relaxed and smooth facial appearance while still having the freedom of expression.

Dermal fillers are smooth injectable gels made from naturally occurring hyaluronic acid. Dermal fillers add volume to weakened facial features and can stimulate collagen growth. Each dermal filler is unique in its own way but similar in two. First, they plump skin and gently lift it to restore collagen loss due to the normal aging process. Secondly, dermal fillers motivate the body to create its own natural collagen and restore your face to a more natural, youthful appearance.

Dermal fillers approved by the FDA are minimally invasive and very safe. As with any procedure, there are possible risks, the most common being post-procedure bruising and swelling which are usually very minimal and resolve quickly.

Dermal filler treatments typically take 20-40 minutes and the amount of dermal filler needed will depend on volume loss and the areas you would like to restore to its natural beauty. You will see maximum results in aproximately two weeks after treatment.

Oral Sedation

Anti-Anxiety Medication

Most commonly, oral sedation (usually in the form of anti-anxiety pills also known as “happy pills”) is prescribed for relieving anxiety in the hours immediately before a dental appointment. An anti-anxiety or a sleeping pill taken the night before the appointment, an hour before going to bed, can help with falling asleep and getting some rest.

Anti-Anxiety Pills

In dentistry, the most commonly prescribed drugs for (or rather against!) anxiety belong to the “benzodiazepine” family. You’ve probably heard of them by their tradenames – for example, Valium, Halcion, Xanax, or Ativan.

Benzos decrease anxiety by binding with receptors in the brain which tone down activity in those parts of the brain responsible for fear.

Travel Warning!

You shouldn’t travel on your own after you’ve taken benzodiazepines in the doses mentioned here – make sure you have an escort, even if you’re walking there! It’s easy to become disorientated and miss your stop if going by bus or train, or walk straight in front of a car – or you might even forget that you’re on your way to your dentist’s (“hey cool” I hear you say :wink:)… So find someone to accompany you. And please don’t pop pills and drive!

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Nitrous Oxide Relaxes You

A typical visit with nitrous oxide

Controlling the effects

Root Canals

Root Canal Therapy

When the pulp of a tooth becomes infected or dies, root canal therapy is necessary to save the tooth. It is generally comfortable treatment that can save your tooth and keep your mouth healthy.

Symptoms of infection

You may realize that you have an infected tooth when—

• The tooth is sensitive to hot or cold.
• The tooth hurts with biting or pressure.
• There is throbbing, severe tooth pain.
• The area is swollen.
• You have a bad taste in your mouth.

You may also be unaware of the problem because there are no symptoms at all.

Causes of infection

The pulp becomes infected when bacteria invade the inner layers of the tooth. The tooth pulp is a soft tissue made up of nerves and blood vessels. It is contained in the pulp chamber that extends from the middle of the tooth down through the tooth roots.
Infection occurs most commonly through a deep cavity that allows bacteria through the enamel and dentin layers and into the pulp. Sometimes the pulp simply dies due to a fracture or a blow to the tooth.

Diagnosis and treatment

When tooth extraction is needed

Generally, we recommend treatments that will save teeth, but when a tooth is so damaged that it cannot be saved, extraction is the best choice. Extraction might be best for

• Teeth that are fractured below the gum line.
• Severe tooth decay.
• Advanced periodontal disease.
• Primary teeth that are too crowded or not falling out properly.
• An impacted wisdom tooth.

Taking care of yourself after the extraction

To minimize problems after your tooth is removed, you’ll need to follow our post-operative instructions carefully, especially for the first 24 hours. These instructions will explain how to control bleeding, how to relieve pain and minimize swelling, how to prevent dry socket, and what to eat and not eat.

The benefits of extracting teeth

An extraction is sometimes the best treatment choice for preventing many future dental problems. Depending on your situation, these problems might include the risk of infection, the spread of periodontal disease, cysts in the jawbone, or severely crowded or misaligned teeth.

Gold Crowns

When a tooth needs a restoration, sometimes the best choice is a gold crown. A gold crown is precision-crafted in a dental laboratory, so it may take two or more appointments to restore your tooth with a gold crown.

Placing a gold crown

On your first visit, we numb the area to make you comfortable. We may also use a rubber dam to protect your mouth and the back of your throat while we work. Using the handpiece, we remove any decay and shape the tooth, so it will securely hold the crown. Next, we take an impression of your teeth. The dental lab uses this impression to make an accurate model of your mouth; then they use the model to create a crown that precisely fits your tooth and bite. In the meantime, we often place a temporary crown to protect your tooth. On your next visit, we remove the temporary crown and try in your new gold crown. We check the fit and your bite, and when everything is right, we cement the crown in place.

The benefits of a gold crown

A gold crown has several benefits. Like all crowns, it covers and protects your tooth. But in addition, a gold crown is

• Gentle on opposing teeth when you chew.
• Very strong, so it withstands heavy biting forces.
• Durable and long-lasting.

Composite Fillings

Composite resins, or tooth-colored fillings, provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small- to mid-size fillings that need to withstand moderate pressure from the constant stress of chewing. They can be used on either front or back teeth. They are a good choice for people who prefer that their fillings look more natural. Tooth-colored fillings are now used more often than amalgam or gold fillings, probably due to cosmetics. In a society focused on a white, bright smile, people tend to want fillings that blend with the natural color of their teeth.

What’s in Your Mouth?

How Your Teeth Decay

Conventional Dentures

The benefits of a full denture

Dentures have many benefits. When your natural teeth are missing, dentures enable you to eat nutritious foods more easily and to speak more clearly. In addition, they support your lips and cheeks for a more attractive and youthful appearance.

Partial Dentures

Removable Partial Dentures

Veneers

Veneers Improve Teeth

Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to the front of your teeth. They can be a great choice to improve teeth that are stained, crooked, worn or have gaps. Veneers can give you straighter, whiter, and more even-looking teeth.The porcelain has a translucent quality that resembles your natural teeth.

Procedure

Malocclusions and orthodontics

Importance of treatment

A malocclusion that isn’t corrected can affect your profile and appearance. Poorly aligned teeth can also contribute to tooth decay, bone destruction, loss of teeth, and jaw joint problems. These may, in turn, cause headaches, difficulty in opening and closing your mouth, clicking and popping sounds, and sore, painful jaw muscles.

Correcting your bite through orthodontic treatment can improve your dental health, and it has the added bonus of boosting your self-confidence and giving you a terrific looking smile.

Causes and types of malocclusions

Some people are lucky and naturally have straight teeth. Others aren’t as lucky. The size of your teeth and how they fit into your jaw are inherited traits, and malocclusion can often affect several generations. Besides genetics, malocclusions can also be caused by—

• Accidents or disease.
• A missing tooth, which allows the teeth around the open space to shift.
• Habits such as thumb sucking, which can put pressure on teeth.

SureSmile

Looking for an alternative to metal braces?

SureSmile is the clear and simple choice. No wires. No brackets. Just clear, convenient comfort—every reason to smile.
With SureSmile, your dentist or orthodontist can straighten your teeth using a series of clear, custom, removable aligners. Each aligner moves your teeth just a little bit at a time until you eventually get straight teeth.

Common Problems that SureSmile Addresses

Crossbite

The Goal of Esthetic Dentistry

Several options

The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to turn a dull smile into a dazzling one. We have several options to restore teeth that—

• Are crooked.
• Are chipped.
• Are stained or discolored.
• Have a gap.
• Have uneven gums.

We also have several ways to replace missing teeth.

Determining your goals

Before we begin any treatment, we talk with you about your personal goals for your smile and perform a thorough exam to check your oral health. It is important that we maintain good function in addition to enhancing beauty.

In planning treatment, there are specific measurements we take to achieve the best facial harmony.

We take a number of things into account including the—

• Individual teeth.
• Width of your smile.
• Shape of your face.

Improving your smile may be as simple as a whitening process, or it might require more involved treatments such as placing veneers, crowns or orthodontics.

We will discuss what is best for your particular case and answer all your questions.

Every smile should also include fresh breath. If you have a concern about this, we can determine the cause and discuss solutions.

Cosmetic dentistry can help enhance your confidence, improve the health of your teeth, and often, give you a more youthful smile.

If you have unattractive teeth, we can design a plan to help you get the smile you have always wanted.

Home Whitening

Teeth Darken and Stain

No matter how well you take care of your teeth, they can darken and stain over time. Before we begin any whitening treatment, we check the health of your teeth and repair any damage.

At home procedure

Place a small amount of the whitening gel on the front surface of the trays and place them over your teeth. If gel gets on your gums, simply wipe it off. You wear the trays for about two weeks. Depending on your situation, we may recommend that you wear the tray an hour a day or overnight. You should see results in just a few weeks.

A home whitening system can—

• Lighten teeth stained by coffee, tea and wine.
• Be done at your convenience.

Because the trays are custom made, they fit securely over your teeth. Home whitening can be an easy way to help brighten your smile.

Digital radiography

The computer era has brought us an exciting new technology called digital radiography.
With this technology, we use computerized equipment and software to capture x-ray images of your mouth and teeth. We do this by exposing a small sensor or plate that feeds the image into a computer.

The advantages of digital radiography

Digital radiography has many advantages over traditional dental x-rays:

• It’s faster.
• It’s safer, with no chemical development and less radiation.
• We can view images instantly.
• We can enhance images to improve viewing.
• Images can be stored electronically and e-mailed to specialists and insurance companies.

Taking x-rays is faster because the sensor is merely moved from tooth to tooth, and your x-ray can be seen on a computer monitor just moments after exposure. There’s no waiting for chemical development, as with film packets.

The lack of chemicals also makes digital x-rays safer for the environment. Digital radiography is safer for you because the unit is so sensitive, the amount of x-ray radiation is up to 80% less than with conventional films.

Digital x-ray technology enables more efficient diagnosis and treatment because it provides a large, easy-to-see image, and it allows us to make adjustments and see details in the x-ray images. The digital x-rays can then become part of your dental record and be easily e-mailed to spets and insurance companies.

With digital radiography, we can offer you faster and safer diagnosis and dental treatment.

Sealants

Sealant Purpose

A sealant is a clear or white plastic coating that is placed on the biting surfaces of back teeth to help prevent tooth decay.

The benefits of sealant

Back teeth have deep grooves and pits that are very difficult to keep clean. Plaque, which is a sticky, colorless film of food and bacteria, collects in these grooves.

Every time you eat, the bacteria in plaque forms acid. Without a protective sealant, this acid attacks the enamel that protects your teeth and causes the enamel to break down. Then, you get a cavity.

Placing sealant

To place the sealant, we thoroughly clean and dry your teeth. Next, a conditioning solution is applied. Then we brush the sealant material into the grooves of your back teeth. The sealant is hardened when exposed to a special light. A sealant is an effective shield that can defend your back teeth against cavities and help preserve your oral health.

Flouride

Oral Healthcare Breakthrough

One of the greatest breakthroughs in preventive dentistry is the use of fluoride. Almost all water naturally contains some fluoride, but not in sufficient quantity to protect teeth. Many American cities add some fluoride to the water supply to bring it up to the levels that help prevent tooth decay.

The Benefits of Fluoride

Fluoride has many benefits for people of all ages. When children are young and their teeth are forming, fluoride joins with the structure of the tooth, making the enamel surface harder and more resistant to decay. The benefits for adults are also important. Fluoride can help repair a cavity in its earliest stage before it has become visible in the mouth. Fluoride rebuilds the enamel layer of the tooth.

Fluoride treatments

Check-ups are important

• Infected teeth.
• Tooth loss and shifting teeth.
• Receding gums.
• Loss of bone in the jaw.
• Painful jaw joints.

Gingivitis

Symptoms of Gingivitis

• Bleeding when brushing or flossing.
• Redness where the gums and tooth meet.
• Swollen gums.
• Bad breath.

Causes of gum disease

Treatment

Periodontal disease and diabetes

If you have diabetes, you have an increased risk of developing periodontal disease. Diabetes contributes to periodontal disease in several ways. It can—

• Lower your body’s ability to fight infection.
• Slow healing.
• Cause dry mouth.
• Often result in high blood sugar levels.

Your blood vessels bring oxygen and nutrients to your tissues, including your mouth, and remove wastes. Diabetes causes the blood vessels to thicken and become less elastic, making you less resistant to infections, like periodontal disease. Diabetics often experience a decrease in the flow of saliva. This can lead to a condition called dry mouth, or xerostomia. A lack of saliva allows plaque, the sticky film of food and bacteria, to build up easily on teeth. This accumulation of plaque is the main cause of periodontal disease, which can result in bone loss.

Having poorly controlled diabetes also means that there is often an excess level of glucose in the blood and saliva. Some think a higher glucose level may encourage the growth of the bacteria that live in plaque and are responsible for periodontal disease. We will work with your physician to monitor your diabetes and keep you in good health. You have to do your part by maintaining a meticulous oral homecare routine. Together, we can help keep you healthy and free of periodontal disease.

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is a serious infection and the number one reason adults lose teeth. As periodontal disease advances, the infection can destroy the ligaments and bone that support your teeth.

What are the symptoms?

If you have periodontal disease—

• • Your gums may bleed when you brush or floss.
  • Your gums may be soft, swollen, or tender.
  • Your gums may start to pull away from your teeth.
  • Your teeth may become loose.
  • You may have persistent bad breath.

It is also possible to have no noticeable symptoms. In fact, most people who have periodontal disease are not even aware of it.

What causes periodontal disease?

The main cause of periodontal disease is the long term build-up of plaque, the sticky, colorless film of food and bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth.

It is hard to see plaque, but plaque can clearly be seen after it is stained with a disclosing tablet. When plaque stays on your teeth for two or three days, it hardens into calculus, or tartar.

The bacteria in plaque invade the spaces between your teeth and gums and produce toxins. These toxins, combined with your body’s reaction to them, destroy the bone around your teeth. And once lost, bone never grows back on its own.

If there is not enough support for the teeth and they become loose, they might have to be removed.

Diagnosis and treatment

To determine if you have periodontal disease, we perform a thorough examination which includes taking x-rays to determine how much bone has been lost.

We measure the depth of the sulcus (a tiny groove between the tooth and gum) with a probe. A reading of more than 3 millimeters could be a sign of periodontal disease, and we pay careful attention to those areas.

If we find periodontal disease, we discuss your treatment options and proper homecare. We want to help you maintain the health of your teeth, gums and bone and restore your healthy smile.

Dental Cleanings

Prophylaxis

Freshen Your Mouth and So Much More!

Dental prophylaxis is more than just a tooth cleaning. During the exam, several measures are used to monitor and improve the health of your teeth. First, the dental hygienist will take X-rays to look for any signs of tooth decay. Your dentist will review the X-rays and also check for any dental problems with a thorough oral exam. Next comes the removal of deposits from your teeth with an ultrasonic dental cleaning or scaling and root planing. Your dentist will most likely discuss with you any treatment plans he or she feels are necessary. Once you’re in the clear, the dental hygienist may polish your teeth to give you a gleaming smile.

Dental prophylaxis is essential not only for maintaining your teeth, but is also used to treat the early stages of gum disease. Your dentist uses special tools to remove dental tartar, which you can’t do on your own. Without regular dental visits, dental tartar can build up and start to form under the gum line. This eventually can lead to periodontal disease, which left untreated, may cause tooth loss. Advanced stages of gum disease may allow bacteria from the mouth to enter the bloodstream and travel to other parts of the body. Studies have shown that gum disease has actually been linked to heart disease and stroke!

Here are other reasons to see your dentist for prophylaxis on a regular basis:

Consider This

There are no ifs, ands or buts about it: If you have teeth, you need prophylaxis. It’s recommended that most patients receive prophylaxis at a dental office at least every six months, and patients with periodontal disease should have it every three to four months. Like any dental procedure, there are some things to consider before your dental checkup:

1. You may experience some sensitivity following prophylaxis. Plaque and tartar form a layer over teeth, and their removal may expose teeth to sensitive elements, such as cold or sweet, for a short time. Proper brushing and flossing will limit plaque and tartar from forming on teeth, making your dental visits a little easier.

2. For patients with heart conditions, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to be taken prior to the dental cleaning. Tell your dentist about your medical history, allergies and prescription medications you are taking prior to your first appointment. Be sure to update your medical records as needed.

3. Most dental plans cover two dental cleanings a year, but be sure you check your dental insurance coverage before accepting treatment. If you’re hesitating to make an appointment because you’re paying out-of-pocket, consider this: Prophylaxis is a preventive measure that can help prevent tooth decay and other dental problems. Without it, many dental conditions will go unnoticed and grow out of control. A dental exam twice a year can reduce the need for major dental treatments at a much greater expense down the line.

Dental prophylaxis is probably one of the greatest investments your can make in your dental and overall health.

All Porcelain crowns

Natural Looking

Some crowns are lined with metal, called a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown. This can create a dark line at the gum, making the teeth look unnatural.
All-porcelain crowns do not contain a metal lining, so you will have a natural-looking smile for years to come.
If an all-porcelain crown is right for you, we will work with you to get the perfect fit for a beautiful smile.

Gold Crowns

When a tooth needs a restoration, sometimes the best choice is a gold crown. A gold crown is precision-crafted in a dental laboratory, so it may take two or more appointments to restore your tooth with a gold crown.

Benefits of crowns

Crowns can—

• restore teeth that are chipped.
• protect weak teeth.
• cover a large filling.
• cover a dental implant.
• cover teeth that are severely misshapen or discolored.

Dental Implants

A dental implant is an excellent treatment for replacing missing teeth. A root form implant is the most common kind of dental implant. It is a small, titanium post that replaces the roots of a missing tooth. A custom-fitted foundation, called an abutment, artificial tooth, called a restoration, is secured to the implant, which holds the restoration firmly in place.

How is an implant used?

An implant can support a variety of restorations, such as a single crown, multi-unit bridges, and full arch dentures. Some restorations, like a single crown and most bridges, are not removable. Others, like many full-arch dentures, can be removed for sleeping and cleaning.

Diagnosis and treatment

Depending on the situation, placing an implant involves several phases, and treatment times can widely vary. First, we determine if an implant is right for you. We discuss your health history and treatment goals and perform a comprehensive examination to check the health of your gums and jawbone. We determine if you need any additional procedures, such as bone grafting or gum surgery.

To begin the procedure, a channel is shaped in the jawbone, and then the implant is placed into the prepared space. At this point, it may be possible to place a temporary restoration. Over the course of the next few months, the implant will become securely fused to the bone. The last step is to attach your beautiful final restoration to the implant.

Bridges

• Shifting teeth.
• Difficulty keeping teeth free of plaque and bacteria.
• Loss of bone in the jaw.
• Difficulty chewing.
• Grinding and clenching.
• Pain in the jaw joint, the TMJ.

Why missing teeth need to be replaced

Determining the need for a bridge