|
The Art of Cosmetic Dentistry
|
Your first visit to our office will be an opportunity for us to get to know you and for us to listen to your concerns
and goals. The initial comprehensive oral examination consists of a complete visual examination of your teeth and supporting
tissues, radiographs, a cancer screening, and periodontal assessment.
Porcelain Veneer Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front surfaces of the teeth. Placing custom veneers requires a high degree of technical skill as well as attention to cosmetic detail. We design and fabricate each case of porcelain veneers individually to enhance each patient's smile. Porcelain veneers require less tooth reduction than conventional crowns and can conservatively transform a smile. Porcelain veneers are a cosmetic alternative for a variety of dental conditions, including: How are Porcelain Veneers done? Veneers require two visits to complete the
process. The teeth are prepared by shaping the surface to allow for the thickness of the veneer. A mold of the
teeth is taken and a shade (color) will be chosen by you and your dentist. On the second visit the teeth are cleansed with
special liquids to achieve a durable bond. Bonding cement is then placed between the tooth and veneer and a special
light beam is used to harden and set the bond. As with most dental restorations, veneers
are not permanent and may someday need replacement. They are very durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful
long lasting smile.
Dental Implants Are you missing one or more teeth? Would you like to replace the missing teeth with fixed teeth that look and function like your natural teeth? Dental implants are very small titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone. Over several months the titanium bonds with the bone, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. Because the implants fuse to your jaw, the replacement teeth feel very natural and function just like your own teeth. Implants can also be used to attach full or partial dentures. What is involved in placing implants? After a careful examination, diagnosis and treatment plan we will refer you to an implant specialist who will surgically place the implant in the bone. The surgeon will place a healing cap to protect the implant. After the healing period, we take an impression of the implant and the dental laboratory fabricates a custom abutment and a custom porcelain crown. We then seat the abutment into the implant and cement the crown onto the abutment. Are you a candidate for implants? Because implants require surgery, the implant patient must be in good health. The patient needs to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant and be committed to meticulous oral hygiene and regular dental visits. We will do a thorough evaluation to help determine whether you are a good candidate for dental implants. Dentures & Partial Denture A denture
is a removable dental appliance replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. There are two types of dentures available-Complete
and Partial Dentures. Complete Dentures can be either "conventional" or "immediate." A conventional type is made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed, usually taking 6 to 8 weeks. The patient will go without teeth during the healing period. Immediate dentures are made in advance and can be placed after the teeth are removed, thus preventing the patient from having to be without teeth during the healing process. Once the gum tissues are healed, adjustments will be needed. Partial Dentures are used when one or more natural teeth remain in the upper and lower jaw. A partial denture fills in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevents other teeth from shifting. The process of getting dentures requires several appointments, usually over several weeks. Impressions (molds) and measurements are taken and used to create custom denture. Several "try-in" appointments are necessary to assess the denture for color, shape, and fit. At the final appointment, adjustments are made to ensure natural and comfortable fit. Tooth Whitening: In Office or At Home A bleaching process can be employed to brighten discolored smiles. Depending upon the type of discoloration, Dr. Lee will select a particular method for whitening your teeth. One method is performed entirely within the dentist's office using a bleaching gel which is activated by a power light. This method most often produces results after one visit. At-home methods show results within 3-7 days with the daily use of a custom-fitted mouth appliance that is filled with dentist-dispensed gel. Both techniques effectively remove stains and discoloration to attain a brighter smile. Tooth Colored Fillings Do you have old worn out silver fillings? Are you bothered by the grey shadow cast on your teeth by those old fillings? Do you have worn out yellow fillings in between your front teeth? Tooth-colored or composite fillings might just what you are looking for. Composite fillings are used to repair teeth that are affected by decay, cracks, fractures, noticeable spaces, and worn enamel. The decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled with a composite filling. Because composite fillings are tooth colored, they can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth. Composite fillings are used to restore front teeth because they provide very smooth and life-like appearance. As with most dental restorations, composite fillings are not permanent and may someday have to be replaced. It is normal to experience sensitivity to hot and cold when composite fillings are first placed, but this will subside after the tooth acclimates to the new filling. Porcelain Crowns and Bridges A crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" that is placed over a tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and to improve its appearance. Crowns can be either all ceramic or porcelain fused to a metal core. Depending upon your needs, we will discuss appropriate options for you. Reasons for crowns:
A crown procedure usually requires two appointments. The first appointment involves with preparing the tooth by removing any decay and shaping the surface to properly fit the crown. Impressions or accurate molds are taken for the dental laboratory to fabricate a custom (porcelain) crown. Second appointment involves with seating the new (porcelain) crown onto your tooth. Your bite is checked to ensure you are biting properly. You will be given care instructions and encouraged to have regular dental visits to check your new crown. A bridge can be used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. It consists of two or more crowns connected to artificial teeth in-between to fill out the space left by a missing tooth. It is important to fill in empty spaces to prevent neighboring teeth from drifting. A bridge can be either all porcelain or porcelain fused to a metal core depending your needs. The first appointment involves with preparing the teeth by removing any decay. Impressions are taken for the dental laboratory. The second appointment involves with seating the bridge onto your teeth. Non-Surgical Gum Treatment What is gum disease (periodontal disease)? The warning signs of periodontal disease are bleeding gums when you brush, gums are red, swollen or tender, gums have pulled away from teeth, permanent teeth are loose or separating, and changes in the way your teeth fit when biting. Periodontal disease may increase your risk for a variety of health concerns. Researches have shown a link between gum disease and some health problems.
In our dental office we use a non-surgical approach to treating periodontal disease. It is a special periodontal cleaning called Scaling and Root Planing (deep cleaning). It is usually done one quadrant of the mouth at a time while the area is numb. In this procedure, tartar, plaque, and toxins are removed from above and below the gum line (scaling) and rough spots on root surfaces are made smooth (planing). This procedure helps gum tissue to heal and pockets to shrink. Medications, special medicated mouth rinses, and an electric tooth brush may be recommended to help control infection and healing. If the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery may be needed to reduce pocket depths, making teeth easier to clean. The patient is referred to see a Periodontist for further evaluation and treatment. Root Canal Treatment (Endodontic Therapy) Root canal therapy is a safe and effective procedure to save abscessed and infected
teeth and avoid extractions. A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes
infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed.
Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form. When nerve tissue or pulp is damaged, it breaks down and bacteria begin to multiply
within the pulp chamber. The bacteria and other decayed debris can cause an infection or abscessed tooth. An abscess is a
pus-filled pocket that forms at the end of the roots of the tooth. An abscess occurs when the infection spreads all the way
past the ends of the roots of the tooth. In addition to an abscess, an infection in the root canal of a tooth can cause swelling
that may spread to other areas of the face, neck, or head. What Are the Signs that a Root Canal Is Needed? Sometimes no symptoms are present; however, signs to look for include:
With our use of modern technologies, we can perform root canal therapy comfortably in two visits for our patients. |
|
(626) 335-5114
410 S. Glendora Ave., Suite 210 Call 626-335-5114 to schedule an appointment.
|
