Cosmetic Dentistry

CROWNS

Crowns (Caps) and Bridges

In dentistry, crowns (caps) and bridges refer to the restoration of natural teeth that have been damaged, decayed or lost. A crown can be made to restore an individual tooth damaged by decay or fracture back to its original form and function, while a bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth. These restorations are cemented onto the teeth and are referred to as "fixed" dentistry as opposed to a restoration of missing teeth with a removable appliance or partial denture.

Both procedures require the use of a local anesthetic and the grinding or preparation of the teeth: They are pain free ! With a crown, only the damaged tooth is being prepared. With a bridge, the adjacent teeth have to be prepared in a certain way. A badly decayed or broken tooth may require that the tooth needs a build up or sub filling before the crown can be fabricated. In our office we never use mercury fillings as build up materials as commonly seen.

With a fixed bridge, the prosthesis will span the area of a missing tooth while the two or more adjacent supporting teeth - called abutments - will hold the replaced tooth in its place to fill the gap. It is an easy and very predictable procedure and I have done thousands of three unit bridges replacing one missing tooth only (see picture ) or up to ten unit bridges were many gaps had to be restored. Crowns and bridges can be made of several materials. Full gold crowns are normally done on the very last teeth in the mouth where strength is most important and appearance is less important. While cheaper non-precious metals and lower quality alloys are available, I use "very high noble gold" as a substructure under the existing porcelain crowns.

The picture above shows 3 crowns :

Left : porcelain fused to metal inside, grey metal will show grey magin around the gum line after a few years.

Middle : porcelain fused to gold. Very biocompatible. No grey margin around he gum line.

Right : all porcelain crown, no metal inside. The most esthetic solution.

Porcelain is layered and fired in a ceramic oven at over 2000 degrees, till the desired shape and size is achieved. Most of my crowns are porcelain crowns, since esthetics is of the outmost importance for most of my patients. The key to success is not only a talented dentist but also an excellent dental laboratory with an artistry dental technician. The communication via computer is critical.

Lumineers

Lumineer

Now, with dental advancements we are able to perform veneers, a specialty of mine, without drilling or injections. You can change your smile, whiten them permanently, close gaps, realign your teeth, lengthen or shorten them, avoid wearing braces for 2 years in most cases and fixed chipped teeth. I have a smile catalogue in my office which determines what shape you like: Hollywood, natural, oval, aggressive, sharp and many more. We then decide together, which one is YOUR custom smile. Here are just a few possibilities of what can be done with Lumineers, without drilling and with no shots. As a licensed Lumineers dentist, I have the knowledge and best materials to get the best out of the lumineer system for you..

Are you a candidate for veneers? Yes. LUMINEERS are the biggest breakthrough ever in achieving the smile that you've always wished for. These contact lens-thin "smile shapers" are so thin, yet so strong, that there is no need for the removal of any sensitive tooth structure, no shots, no drilling, and therefore, NO PAIN. No matter what your problem is, LUMINEERS are the perfect solution to your smile issues!

Do you have a diastema (gap) between your front teeth or some other space that you really don't love?

In just two visits, we will finish the treatment and these contact lens-thin "smile shapers" will eliminate the spaces, while keeping your original teeth intact.

Tetracycline Stained, Discolored Teeth

Tetracyline, is an antibiotic commonly used to fight bacteria, has a common side effect of darkening and staining teeth permanently. Unlike stains caused from food or drink, tetracycline stains can be difficult if not impossible to remove. Lumineers are the perfect solution for tetracycline stains because they will permanently whiten teeth without having to remove any of your natural tooth structure. We can also correct any spaces, gaps, or misaligned teeth you have at the same time.

Renewing Old Dental Work

No matter your age, sometimes it can just take a few years for crowns and bridgework to add many years to your face. Lumineers porcelain can easily be placed on top of crowns and bridgework, with absolutely no pain, drilling or sensitive tooth structure removal.

From good to Beautiful

Your smile may look pretty good, but you want even better. You want your favorite celeb's smile, we can evaluate your smile and desires and will help you achieve the look you want with no pain, shots, drilling or removal of sensitive tooth structure.

Fanged Teeth

Pointy teeth can really detract from your appearance. You've probably been reluctant to have a traditional veneer procedure for fear that your teeth will be ground down. A contact lens-thin LUMINEERS is simply placed over your original tooth without the need for the removal of any sensitive tooth structure.

Crooked Teeth

Crooked and crowded teeth are a common problem. You've probably been thinking for years now the only solution is orthodontics. No longer the case. Lumineers can eliminate the need for braces by the placement of this ultra-thin Cerinate porcelain, which permanently covers and corrects misaligned teeth. In this case only one tooth required a little shaving to correct the misalignment. It is the dark yellow tooth left to the middle incisor which is rotated. Look at the outcome !

Chipped Teeth

Do you have a chip on one of your teeth, like right in the front where everyone can see? While bonding may offer a temporary fix, it may not be the most reliable way to ensure an attractive smile for the long run. LUMINEERS offers a painless, permanent and pleasant way to fix your chipped tooth for good.

I Don't Want Braces

Despite the fact that braces are readily available for adults and have a great success rate, most of us doesn't want to endure the pain and suffering. Now you can have a completely corrected smile in just 2 short visits and eliminate wearing braces for 2 years. Veneers are not less expensive than braces but much faster. Ask us if you are a candidate for veneers instead of braces.

Veneers

Porcelain Veneers and Lumineers

What is a Veneer ? Veneers are ultrathin porcelain laminates which can change an entire smile. A Veneer is as thin as 0.2 mm.

Porcelain laminate veneers are probably the most esthetic means of creating a more pleasing and beautiful smile. They require a minimal amount of tooth reduction (approximately 0.3 mm ) and are, therefore, a more conservative restoration than a crown(cap). Porcelain veneers allow us to alter tooth position, shape, size and color. They are not the only alternative for all esthetic abnormalities but are truly a remarkable restoration when they are the treatment of choice. This is why they are often referred to as "instant Orthodontics". This means you can alter your teeth within two weeks instead of waiting two years with conventional braces! This is a revolution is modern Dentistry!

We do not use mercury (silver fillings) at ALL!!

Lumineers :

I started doing Lumineers Veneers in 2001, long before their marketing efforts made them popular and selective dentists are now choosing to join the philosophy. The concept is that these veneers are made from a special porcelain material which allows the dentist to place these veneers with no or almost no preparation. That mean the tooth is virtually untouched. It does not necessitate the use of a local anesthetic.

The laboratory time required for the fabrication of a porcelain laminate veneer is approximately two weeks. Due to the minimal or no amount of tooth reduction, it is usually not necessary to fabricate any type of temporary restoration. Should a temporary be needed, they can, in most circumstances, be made at the time of treatment.

Six Veneers on a model from our world class dental lab. Note the beautiful polished surface, the very natural translucency at the tip of the tooth and the overall very natural looking appearance. A lot of experience, knowledge, art, craftsmanship and creativity go into creating such beautiful smiles. When it comes to porcelain Veneers, there are two very different views: The preparation and the no preparation veneers, also known as Lumineers. ™

The traditional preparation veneers usually requires 0.8 -1 mm of reduction of the front tooth surface in contrast to the no preparation (no cutting, no filing of tooth structure) Veneers such as Lumineers™

The difference lies however in the detail. No preparation veneers are not suitable for everyone. It depends on your situation, your current bite, your occlusion and the current shape and form of your own teeth. Over the years I have learned from world class dentists and pioneers in the US and Europe that a more conservative approach, a very minimal preparation technique, can achieve very beautiful results. This requires a perfect harmony between the dentist and his laboratory. Therefore a dentist can avoid gross reduction of tooth structure (enamel and dentin) and protect the underlying nerve.

If experienced in all three categories, the no preparation, conventionally preparation and the very minimally preparation veneer technique, a dentist can give you the most informed consent available to your benefit.

All the veneers on this page were done in our office. Please come and visit us so we can show you many more before and after pictures in our office.

Veneers

Types of Crowns:

1. Traditional grey inside, 40% gold
2. Bio crown, 99% gold
3. All porcelain, inside and outside

Please refer to our Smiles Gallery to view our work.

Tooth Whitening

Tooth whitening with Hydrogen Peroxide is currently very popular. There is a number of different treatments available ranging from a plastic tray which the patient wears overnight at home or the special laser teeth whitening procedures called Zoom or Bite Smile, which is done in the office

New breakthrough technology allows you to whiten your teeth comfortably and effectively, in only 45 minutes.

These pictures are not touched up. They are real. The trays our office supplies are a clear plastic form, custom made to the exact shape of your teeth. Simply place a small amount of the gel into the tray and insert the tray into your mouth. Usually the best time to wear the tray is during the evening, although your own individual schedule will give you the best times for wearing it.

The laser teeth whitening is usually done in one hour. A gel (a harmless gel, based on hydrogen peroxide, H2O2) is placed on your teeth and the dental laser activates the gel. This is done for 15 minutes, then the gel is removed and fresh gel is reapplied. The entire procedure is a 3 to 4 times 15 minutes procedure.

Teeth become whitener because hydrogen peroxide has the ability to open the dental tubules (comparable to pores and openings in your skin) and the peroxide cleans the teeth from the inside, which makes them become whiter and brighter. Since the dental tubules are opened, teeth also become more sensitive to cold, but rest assured this is only temporary, since they will close again shortly after this treatment.

Darkened teeth can be lightened noticeably (6+ increments on a dental shade guide) in a relatively short period. Success of treatment depends on how often patient wears the bleaching trays should you decide to do trays, or how many 15 minutes session you do with the dental laser. We use the latest version, called Zoom Advanced Power III and have three machines ready for you. If you like, they can be used at at the same time so you and a partner/ friend can get the treatment done at he same time

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