Procedures

Veneers | Whitening | White Fillings | Crowns & Bridges | Implants

Here at Smile Designers we are pleased to provide many of the restoration procedures dentistry has to offer. We are committed to keeping you pain free with a healthy smile. Some of the procedures offered include: cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, sedation dentistry, as well as cosmetic restorations and teeth whitening.

Veneers

Dental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored material designed to cover the front surface of teeth. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size or length and resulting in a greatly improved appearance.

Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or from resin composite materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth. Resin veneers are sometimes thinner and may require removal of less of the tooth surface before placement, but every case is different. We will be happy to discuss the best choice of veneer material for you. Call to schedule your consultation appointment today!

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Whitening

Teeth can often be whitened by several new techniques of "bleaching" available today. The most common method used is the "in-office" method where a strong bleaching agent is placed over the isolated teeth and a special light is used to assist the bleaching material in lightening your teeth. This method is generally more controlled and probably better for people who have tetracycline stains or streaks on their teeth. The "home" techniques involve making trays which fit into the mouth and these are then filled with bleaching materials. When worn for a few hours a day, noticeable results are seen generally within a few days to a couple weeks.

Results vary from individual to individual and we will be happy to to help you decide which method works best for you. Some of the factors involved include the intensity of the stains, whether or not you have fillings or crowns on your front teeth as well as what may have caused the stains.

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White Fillings

When you need a small filling but don't want ugly silver in your teeth, direct resin or white fillings are the way to go. Their most obvious advantage is beauty - a well-done white filling can be indistinguishable from the natural tooth. They have many advantages. White fillings can change the appearance of teeth, strengthen teeth, and more conservatively treat teeth - all things that silver fillings cannot do.

White fillings are bonded to tooth structure - this means that they actually integrate with the tooth, thereby sealing the gap between tooth and filling and adding their strength to the tooth. This allows for the more varied uses of resin beyond just regular fillings - like placing thin layers over front teeth to change their color, shape or general appearance; or repairing small chips or fractures in teeth; or even being placed in the grooves of teeth to prevent decay from ever occurring. Bonded white fillings are an extremely beautiful advance in the creation of fantastic and healthy smiles.

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Crowns & Bridges

Bridges
A dental bridge is a device used to fill the space where a tooth has fallen out or been removed. A typical dental bridge consists of a pontic (a filler tooth) that is attached to two surrounding crowns (abutments). Once complete, this bridge structure is bonded or cemented into the mouth. Without the use of a bridge, spaces in the mouth from missing teeth can cause multiple teeth to shift, lead to malocclusion (bad bite) and/or jaw problems, and may spur periodontal (gum) disease. Dental bridges safeguard the integrity of existing teeth and help maintain a healthy, vibrant smile.

Crowns
When a tooth is cracked, decayed, or damaged, a dental crown may need to be fitted onto the tooth. A dental crown is a permanent covering that fits over the original tooth. Crowns can be made of porcelain, gold or a combination of both materials. Porcelain crowns typically have the most realistic appearance, although they tend to be less durable than other materials when used on your back molars. Dental crowns can whiten, reshape and realign existing teeth, adding to a healthy and vibrant smile.

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Implants

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that a dentist places into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option if you have good general oral health and have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.

While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.

Dental implants are so natural-looking and feeling you may forget you ever lost a tooth. You know that your confidence about your teeth affects how you feel about yourself, both personally and professionally. Perhaps you hide your smile because of spaces from missing teeth. Maybe your dentures don't feel secure. Perhaps you have difficulty chewing. If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to smile, speak and eat again with comfort and confidence there is good news! Dental implants are teeth that can look and feel just like your own! Under proper conditions implants can last a lifetime. Make sure to ask us about any of your dental implant questions.

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