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Whitening
Tooth
whitening is a safe and effective bleaching process that lightens discolorations
of tooth structure. The system uses a mild gel solution that is applied
to the teeth utilizing a custom-fitted appliance. The process involves simply
placing the gel into the bleaching tray that fits directly over your teeth.
The treatment is applied daily at home for a specified period of time. As
the active ingredient in the solution, carbomide peroxide, is broken down,
oxygen enters the tooth and releases the stain. The structure of the tooth
is not changed; only the tooth color is made lighter.
While not everyone may be a candidate for whitening, almost everyone will achieve effective, dramatic results. Ask us to evaluate your smile to see if you would benefit from tooth whitening! Return to the top.
Bonding
Composite
bonding is a versatile and effective way to restore and enhance a smile.
Tooth colored composite resin materials are used to replace older worn fillings,
change the color of your teeth, close spaces between teeth, or reshape and
recontour chipped or worn teeth. Most times this procedure is accomplished
in one appointment. Because composite materials are durable even in small
amounts, aggressive tooth preparation is usually not required. Once the
preparation is completed different conditioning agents are applied to the
tooth to enhance the bond strength. The tooth colored composite resin material
is then applied, shaped and sculpted. A harmless high intensity light is
used to set the material, and it is then smoothed and polished. Once completed,
the restorations are very strong and provide a very natural appearance.
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Crowns
A crown is a restoration that completely covers and protects a tooth on
all sides. Crowns are usually recommended when there are existing large worn fillings, cracks or fractures in teeth, or when large cavities are present. The use of crowns is essential in any situation where maximum strength and esthetics are required. Materials used in the fabrication of crowns are typically ceramic, or ceramic and metal, which once completed yield restorations that are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth.
Having crowns completed usually takes two or more appointments. On the first visit, the teeth are prepared and impressions are made. These impressions are used by a dental lab to make exact duplicate models of your prepared teeth. The dental lab technician then meticulously applies porcelain and other materials to the model to build the crowns. While the final crowns are being fabricated, temporary crowns maintain your function and appearance. On the final visit, the temporary crowns are easily removed and the final crowns are cemented. Once placed, crowns are typically one of the longest lasting restorations. As with any type of dental treatment, crowns require proper brushing and flossing techniques to maintain their longevity.
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Veneers
 A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that is bonded to a tooth. Veneers are usually recommended to close spaces between teeth, reshape or recontour chipped or worn teeth, or change the color of dark or stained teeth. Veneers are very conservative restorations, requiring only the minimal preparation to the front and the top of the teeth.
Having veneers completed usually takes two or more appointments. On the first visit the teeth are roughened and shaped and impressions are made. These impressions are used by a dental lab to make exact duplicate models of your prepared teeth. The dental technician then meticulously applies porcelain to the models to build the veneers. While the final veneers are being fabricated, temporary veneers maintain your function and appearance. On the final visit, the temporary veneers are removed and the porcelain veneers are placed with dental adhesives. Once bonded, veneers are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth and are very strong and long lasting. Return to the top.
Sealants
A sealant is a plastic layer of material that is applied to the chewing surface
of back teeth. Back teeth have deep grooves and pits that are difficult to keep clean. Plaque, which contains bacteria, easily builds up in these areas. Without sealant protection in these deep pits and grooves, acid release from plaque can lead to cavities.
Sealants are applied in one simple appointment. First the teeth are isolated
and a conditioning gel is applied. The gel is then rinsed and the teeth
thoroughly dried. The sealant material is flowed into the deep grooves
and pits and a harmless high intensity light is used to harden the material.
Sealants are an important part of preventive dental care. Once placed
sealants add a layer of protection that will help avoid cavities. Return to the top.
Implants
A dental implant is a small titanium cylinder that is surgically placed in the bone of the jaw. It is a very conservative and effective way to replace a single missing tooth, replace several missing teeth, or implants can be used to support and help retain removable dental appliances. The placement of implants requires two phases. The first phase is the surgical insertion of the implant into the jawbone. The implant remains below the gum tissue for several months to allow bone attachment. Once completely healed the second phase begins. The implant is surgically re-exposed and a special extension is placed which helps properly shape the gums to accept the new restoration. Next a series of appointments is initiated to fabricate the new tooth that will attach to the implant. The number of implants used and the type of restoration being made determines how many appointments will be necessary. Usually on the first visit impressions of the mouth are made. From these impressions a dental lab fabricates precise models which are used to create the final restoration. The last appointment is the placement of the restoration. As with any type of dental treatment, the success of implants requires proper brushing and flossing techniques to maintain their longevity.
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Root
Canal Therapy
When
the nerve within a tooth becomes infected, performing a root canal is the
only way of saving the tooth. Within each tooth is a hollow space called
the pulp chamber, which contains the pulp. The pulp is a soft tissue component
of the tooth, which is made of blood vessels and nerves. The pulp tissue
extends into the root structure of a tooth through narrow channels called
root canals. The pulp can become infected from any form of trauma or a deep
cavity. The infection spreads from the pulp chamber to the root canals and
may eventually extend outside the root structure to the jawbone creating
an abscess. An infected tooth will never heal spontaneously and frequently
causes severe pain.
Root canal therapy effectively removes the infected nerve tissue from within the tooth. First an opening is created through the chewing surface of the tooth to gain access to the pulp chamber. Next, using irrigating solutions and a series of small dental instruments called files, the diseased, infected nerve tissue is removed and the root canal system of the tooth is shaped to accept the root canal filling material. After root canal therapy it is often necessary to protect and restore the tooth with a full coverage crown. Root Canal Therapy is a very effective way to save and maintain natural teeth that have become compromised by infection. Return to the top.
©Copyright
2003 Dr. Garry Salvaggio. All rights reserved.
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