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Whitening (Bleaching):
Some patients are dissatisfied with the color of their teeth,
perhaps from staining caused by the use of tobacco, coffee and
other beverages and foods, the result of
aging, injury, excessive fluoride, certain illnesses and use of
tetracycline, an antibiotic, in early childhood. Bleaching can
remove many discolorations and stains, but some are harder to
remove than others.
The procedure takes from 30 minutes to one hour in the dental
office, and teeth can become slightly sensitive just after
the treatment. Bleaching features a chemical solution that is
painted on the teeth, and a special light often is used at
five-minute intervals to help activate the solution, which is an
oxidizing agent.
Patients also can have their teeth whitened at home in a
procedure called night guard bleaching. This approach involves a
custom-fitted mouth guard that holds a bleaching gel in close
contact with the teeth and is worn about two hours daily, day or
night, for about two weeks, although the
amount of time and the duration of the treatment can vary
depending on individual needs.
The ADA does not recommend over-the-counter tooth bleaching
products that are self-administered. Although such products may
cost less, bleaching should be done only under the supervision of
a dentist after an oral examination and diagnosis of the
discolored teeth.
Some people with certain dental conditions may
not be good candidates for bleaching, such as patients with gum
recession that has left sensitive tooth roots exposed.
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Bonding: Thanks to a
dental technique called bonding, you don't have settle for
a smile that is less than ideal. Gone are the days of living with
chips, cracks, stains or gaps in your teeth.
Before bonding your tooth, the dentist prepares it
with an etching solution. Then special composite resin materials
are blended in colors carefully chosen to match your own teeth.
These materials are applied to your teeth, then shaped into just
the right contours. Finally they're hardened or bonded in place.
Teeth that have been bonded look just like your
own teeth. And bonding can be an affordable way to have the smile
you've always wanted.
Ask the dentist if bonding is an option for you.
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White Fillings (Invisible):
If you want your fillings to be invisible, composite resins can
restore a decayed tooth or repair a defect. Composites are
composed mainly of two primary ingredients: a binder of plastic
resin and a filler of finely ground, glass-like particles that
give them a lifelike appearance and durability.
Composite fillings can be placed in one visit, just like a
traditional amalgam filling.
Composite fillings provide good durability and resistance to
fracture in small-to-mid size restorations that need to withstand
moderate chewing pressure. Less tooth structure is removed when
the dentist prepares the tooth, and this may result in a smaller
filling than that of an amalgam.
Composites can also be “bonded” or adhesively
held in a cavity, often allowing the dentist to make a more
conservative repair to the tooth.
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Veneers:
Are you tired of putting up with gaps in your teeth
or with teeth that are stained, badly shaped or crooked? Than
veneers might be for you.A veneer is
placed on top of your teeth to correct nature's mistake or the
results of an injury giving you a beautiful smile.
What is a veneer? Veneers are thin, custom-made
shells crafted of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the
front side of teeth. They're made by a dental technician, usually
in a dental lab, working from a model provided by the dentist.
Important! You should know that this is usually an
irreversible process, because it's necessary to remove a small
amount of enamel from your teeth to accommodate the shell.
The dentist may recommend that you avoid some foods
and beverages that may stain or discolor your veneers such as
coffee, tea or red wine. Sometimes a veneer might chip or
fracture. But for many people the results are more than worth it.
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Implants:
Dental implants can provide artificial teeth that
look natural and feel secure. Dental implants can also be used to
attach full or partial dentures. Implants, however, are not
an option for everyone.
Implants require surgery, so patients must...
- Be in good health.
- Have healthy gums.
- Have adequate bone to support the implant.
- Be committed to meticulous oral hygiene and
regular dental visits.
If you are considering implants, a thorough
evaluation by your dentist will help determine if you would be
a good candidate.
What is involved in placing implants?
First, surgery is performed to place the anchor. Surgery can take
up to several hours, and up to six months may be required for the
bone to grow around the anchor and firmly hold it in place.
Some implants require a second surgery in which
a post is attached to connect the anchor to the replacement teeth.
With other implants, the anchor and post are already attached and
are placed at the same time.
After the gums have had several weeks to heal, the next step is
begun. The artificial teeth are made and fitted to the post
portion of the anchor. Because several fittings may be required,
this step can take one to two months to complete.
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Crowns:
If you want a smile that's your crowning glory, you may need a
crown to cover a tooth and restore it to its normal shape and
size.
A crown can...
 | make your tooth stronger and improve its
appearance. |
| cover and support a tooth with a large
filling when there isn't enough tooth left. |
| be used to attach a bridge, protect a weak
tooth from breaking or restore one that's already broken.
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| cover teeth that are discolored or badly
shaped. |
| cover a dental implant. |
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