From a routine cleaning to full implant reconstruction — here's what each treatment involves, in the same detail we'd give you in the chair.
Advanced Aesthetic Dentistry begins with a thorough examination — including physical and digital X-ray screening for tooth decay, gum disease, jaw and tooth alignment problems, and oral cancer — and continues through any necessary treatment and regular check-ups. Our comprehensive dental services help you maintain healthy teeth and gums and a winning smile.
Coming in for cleanings is an essential part of keeping your mouth healthy and preventing decay and disease. Exams also aid in the early detection of developing problems, so they can be treated sooner and more effectively. Advanced Aesthetic Dentistry includes restorative and implant dentistry, cosmetic procedures, oral surgery, complete and partial dentures, and TMJ and periodontal treatment.
The healthiest thing to do when you lose a tooth is have it replaced. Otherwise, you risk problems with biting, chewing, and speaking, along with headaches, muscle pain, and an unattractive appearance. Fortunately, there are many comfortable, secure, natural-looking types of dental implants for tooth replacement.
Dental implants serve as the base for many tooth-replacement options, including bridges, dentures, and individual artificial teeth. Implants are surgically placed in the jaw to provide a comfortable, secure fit and a natural look. In the first one or two appointments, the post or anchor is implanted in the jaw; the replacement tooth, bridge, or denture is fitted once the bone and gums have healed. Surgery may be performed in-office or in a hospital, with local or general anesthesia.
Chronic facial pain — pain in or around the ear, a tender jaw, clicking or popping when opening the mouth, headaches, and neck aches — may arise from many identifiable and treatable causes, including a sinus infection, tooth decay, or gum disease. Sometimes the source is more elusive, and it may be TMD: a group of often-painful disorders affecting the jaw and chewing muscles.
Common causes include trauma to the head or neck, clenching or grinding of the teeth, a "bad" bite or missing teeth, arthritis, and malalignment of the jawbones. Reversible treatments include arthrocentesis (lavage), stress-reducing exercises, muscle relaxants, mouth protectors, soft foods, and heat/ice packs. More extensive cases may require correctional surgery, though this is not usually the first recommendation.
Veneers are very thin, tooth-colored shells that are custom-fit and bonded to the front of teeth to close gaps, cover stains and discoloration, and correct chipped or misshapen teeth — giving you a bright, even, attractive smile.
Bleaching products brighten teeth that have been stained or darkened by food, tobacco use, age, or injury. There are in-office and take-home whitening options to reduce or eliminate stains. In-office bleaching takes place over a series of one-hour appointments: teeth are examined and cleaned first to rule out cavities, loose fillings, or gum issues, then a custom-fit mouthtray is made and bleaching gel is applied.
Bridges are natural-looking tooth replacements that help maintain facial structure, reduce stress on the jaw, and fill gaps caused by missing teeth. Bridges may be made of porcelain, gold, or a combination of both. Removable bridges can be taken out and cleaned at home, while fixed bridges are bonded to the teeth with crowns or caps.
Crowns strengthen and improve the shape, size, or color of teeth. They support broken or weak teeth or those with large fillings, provide a smooth, attractively contoured surface for damaged teeth, and aid in the placement of bridges and other implants.
Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth — a leading cause of tooth loss in American adults. Plaque left on the teeth produces toxins that attack below the gum line, breaking down the bond between teeth and gums.
In the early stage (gingivitis), gums may become red and swollen and bleed easily; in the more advanced stage, teeth can loosen and fall out. Good oral hygiene and regular exams are essential for prevention and early detection — especially since gum disease can progress without obvious warning signs.
Endodontists are specially trained to diagnose and treat problems with the inside of the tooth, including the soft tissue known as dental pulp. The most common procedure is the root canal, performed to save a tooth when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected due to decay, repeated procedures, cracks, chips, or other injuries.
Other surgical endodontic procedures help diagnose fractures too small to appear on X-rays, clean and seal calcified teeth, and remove or repair bone or dental root — most commonly an apicoectomy, or removal of the tip of the root.
Lasers allow many dental procedures to be performed with little noise and very little pain. They're versatile tools used in oral surgery, curing restorative materials, and removing hard and soft tissue.
The mere sight of a syringe makes many patients wish they were somewhere else. The WAND Computer Controlled Local Anesthesia Delivery System is designed to eliminate the fear, pain, and anxiety associated with needles and injections — no matter how good a dentist's technique, patients often respond to the syringe itself with fear.
What patients have said: "...that was easy. Wow!" · "...it was different — I didn't have to wait, you could go right to work." · "...I felt a little, but I liked that my lip wasn't numb."
Bone availability is the key to successful implant placement in the posterior maxilla (upper back teeth). When the bone between the sinus and alveolar crest is less than 10mm thick, increasing the thickness of the sinus floor helps provide sufficient support for implants and prosthetic crowns and bridges.
When a patient is missing posterior teeth and wants a fixed prosthesis, bone grafting is often needed. Since 1994, our clinical experience indicates that sinus grafting can provide good restoration of the posterior quadrants.