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Porcelain veneers are thin layers of porcelain (even as thin as contact lenses) that are bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth to enhance their colors, shapes, sizes, and positions. Porcelain veneers may be the esthetic solution for you to correct uneven, crooked, chipped, dark-stained, imperfect teeth without orthodontic treatment or braces. In most cases, you can achieve the natural-looking, beautiful smile in 2 to 3 visits.
Whitening is a simple solution to enhance teeth color and lighten stains or discolorations. Whitening options include both in-office and at-home alternatives. In-office procedure usually requires about 1-2 hours and at-home option can range from 1-2 weeks. While results vary from person to person, whitening provide an overall brighter and whiter smile for those of us who have stains from smoking, coffee, tea, red wine, sodas, or aging. Periodic whitening touch-ups can keep your bright smile for many years.
Bonding or Tooth-colored Fillings |
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Natural tooth-colored fillings procedure is an alternative to the traditional silver metal dental fillings (amalgam fillings). They are made of composite resin, glass, silica and quartz mixture to offer a strong, aesthetically-pleasing look and avoid the use of mercury found in the traditional metal fillings. Bonding a tooth can generally be done in a single visit.
Dental crowns are generally required in situations where we have a lack of tooth structure, or in teeth that have large decay or cracks, or root canals. Crowns can be fabricated in gold, precious metals, porcelain or ceramic and they are bonded all around the surfaces of a tooth. A crown can restore a tooth back to its normal size and shape and can even improve the tooth's appearance in shade, size, shape and position if needed. It's also used to cover a dental implant. Crowns are generally done in 2-3 visits.
A bridge literally bridges the gap between teeth and replace the missing tooth or teeth with artificial ones. A bridge is also bonded all around teeth just like a crown and also can be made from gold, precious metals, porcelain, or ceramic. A bridge procedure can generally be done in 2-3 visits.
For some of us when crown, bridge, or partial denture are not our options of replacing missing tooth or teeth, implants can offer us a very natural-looking and long-lasting smile. Implants are biocompatible titanium screws that are surgically placed and fuse to the jaw bone and the top portions of the implants can be covered by crowns. In many cases implants can have the look and feel much like our own natural teeth.
Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease) |
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Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues surrounding teeth. The severity can be classified into two major stages: gingivitis and periodontitis. Warning signs include red, swollen, bleeding gum, bad breath, recession, and loose teeth. Contributing factors that increase risks include poor hygiene, smoking, tobacco chewing, diabetes, and certain types of medications. Genetics may also play a role in periodontal disease. In addition to the potential problems of tooth loss, bleeding gum, and bad breath, research also suggests that there may be a link between periodontal diseases and other health concerns such as diabetes, stroke, heart disease, bacterial pneumonia, and increased risk during pregnancy. That is why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important. Treatment includes surgical and non-surgical approaches depending on the type and severity of the disease.
Root Canal or Endodontics |
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Whenever we have a tooth that has infection of the nerve or pulp of the root, we normally experience pain, discomfort, or even swelling for days or even weeks. Root canal therapy eliminates the infection, alleviates the pain and eventually saves the tooth. The procedure usually takes 1-2 visits depending on the severity of the infection and the anatomy of the root.
With the advance of modern dentistry, fewer people now have the need to wear dentures. However, if you need dentures or would like to replace your old worn-out dentures, modern denture technology can provide a more sophisticated tooth color, tooth arrangement, surface textures and better fit of the dentures. Most denture repairs or relines (tightening) can be done within the same day. Partial dentures can be very aesthetically-pleasing without the metal hooks and bars.
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