Procedures

Crowns are dental restorations also known as "caps" which are coverings that fit over teeth. Crowns may be necessary due to broken fillings, fractures or chips, large cavities or after a root canal treatment . Crowns are also used as a cosmetic treatment to enhance the appearance of natural teeth that are malformed, malpositioned or discolored.

Crowns are made of natural looking porcelain which blends in with your own teeth. Sometimes an underlying metal shell is used under the porcelain if additional strength is needed.

Some of the indications for a crown are:

1. A previously filled tooth where there now exists more filling than tooth. The existing tooth structure becomes weakened and can no longer support the filling.
2. Extensive damage by decay.
3. Discolorations and compromised esthetics.
4. Fractures
5. Root canal - After root canal, teeth tend to become brittle and are more apt to fracture. These teeth need to be protected by a crown.
6. Bridges - When missing teeth are replaced with a bridge, the adjacent teeth require crowns in order to support the replacement teeth.

Fitting a crown requires at least two appointments. During your first visit, the tooth is prepared for the crown, an impression or mold is made of the tooth, and a temporary crown is placed over the prepared tooth. At the subsequent visit, the temporary crown is removed and the final crown is fitted and adjusted and cemented into place.

Most of us start out with sparkling white teeth, thanks to their porcelain-like enamel surface. Composed of microscopic crystalline rods, tooth enamel is designed to protect the teeth from the effects of chewing, trauma and acid attacks caused by sugar. But over the years enamel is worn down, becoming more transparent and permitting the yellow color of dentin — the tooth’s core material — to show through.

During routine chewing, dentin remains intact while millions of micro-cracks occur in the enamel. It is these cracks, as well as the spaces between the crystalline enamel rods, that gradually fill up with stains and debris. As a result, the teeth eventually develop a dull, lackluster appearance.

Teeth whitening consists of the application of a peroxide gel which removes the stains and debris that build up overtime. This can be accomplished by either an  in-office treatment or a home whitening kit depending on each case.

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays / Onlays are more conservative restorations when compared to crowns.  The preparation requires only the removal of the affected tooth structure allowing you to keep more of your natural tooth.
On the first appointment the old filling and/or decay is removed and the tooth is prepared. At this point an impression of the tooth is made and a temporary is cemented.

At the second visit, the temporary is removed and the tooth is cleaned. Then the onlay is cemented , adjusted and polished

The first step in the procedure is to take an X-ray to see the shape of the root canals and determine if there are any signs of infection in the surrounding bone. Before starting the procedure, local anesthesia is used to numb the tooth.

Next, to keep the area dry and free of saliva during treatment, a rubber dam is placed.

An access hole will then be drilled into the tooth. The pulp along with bacteria, the decayed nerve tissue and related debris is removed from the tooth. The cleaning out process is accomplished using root canal files. A series of these files of increasing diameter are each subsequently placed into the access hole and worked down the full length of the tooth to scrape and scrub the sides of the root canals. Sodium hypochlorite is used periodically to flush away the debris.

Once the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, it is sealed. In most cases the treatment can be completed in one appointment.

The final step may involve further restoration of the tooth. Because a tooth that needs a root canal often is one that has a large filling or extensive decay or other weakness, a crown, crown and post or other restoration often needs to be placed on the tooth to protect it, prevent it from breaking and restore it to full function.

Implants take several steps, but you will be able to continue your regular professional and social routines. Initially, the dentist will evaluate your mouth, teeth and jaw to determine whether dental implants are a good option for you.

For most patients, there are two surgical procedures involved. First, in the actual tooth implant placement, the implants are surgically inserted by an implant dentist into the jawbone. In most cases over the next three to six months, the implants are left alone, so that the anchor can bond to the bone, creating a strong foundation for the teeth to come.

Second, the new tooth or teeth are created and attached to the anchored dental implant. You now have teeth implants that might as well be your own: they look natural, are comfortable, and withstand the rigors of grinding and chewing. No one will know that your tooth has an artificial, man-made tooth implant root.

Veneers are a fantastic way to fix front teeth. You can whiten your teeth, close spaces, and create a great smile.  In some cases we can even do virtually instant orthodontics to straighten crooked teeth.

• Spaces between the teeth (diastemas)
• Broken or chipped teeth
• Unsightly, stained or washed out fillings
• Permanently stained or discolored teeth
• Mis-shapen or crooked teeth
• Whiten dark yellow or stained teeth

Have you ever wished you had better looking teeth without all the hassle of braces (orthodontics) or crowns (caps)? NOW YOU CAN! Porcelain veneers are the answer for instant orthodontics to straighten smiles, close spaces, reshape, and accomplish minor realignment of your teeth.You can even have that "Hollywood" smile you've always wanted.