| Aesthetic Dental Services offer a variety of comprehensive dental services to suit your needs. Below you will find descriptions for some of the services we offer and the conditions we treat. |
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Bruxism and TMJ
Statistics currently show that one in four patients are diagnosed with bruxism, which is the grinding of your teeth or clenching your jaw. It can be caused by stress and anxiety, sleep disorders, abnormal bite, or missing or crooked teeth. Other symptoms may include a dull headache or sore jaw. Severe grinding can lead to fractures of your teeth, and treatment may include root canal therapy and a crown. Occlusal splints (nightguards) can often alleviate grinding or clenching, and eliminate the possibility of fractures occurring.
Occlusal disease develops when upper and lower teeth do not fit together properly. “TMJ” problems including pain may occur as teeth wear against each other. Grinding teeth can make this problem much worse. Even in the absence of pain, the uneven bite is affecting tooth structure, bone, roots, gum tissue, and jaw joints. Excessive wear, cracks, fractures, tooth movement, tooth sensitivity, cavities, and gum disease can all be part of the occlusal disease process.
With appropriate therapy, tooth wear and premature aging of the mouth can be minimized. The highest standard of care consists of customized treatment, appropriate to the individual patients circumstance. Treatment of occlusal disease may include one or more of the following: bite splint therapy, equilibration (reshaping of the teeth to fit evenly together when biting), orthodontics, and replacement of missing teeth or restoration of damaged teeth. Diagnosing and treating occlusal problems is essential to optimal health, maximum comfort, ideal appearance, and to dentistry that lasts. Having a smile redesign or “cosmetic makeover” that is beautiful is not enough. Teeth need to function properly for long-lasting results.
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Composite Bondings
Long gone are the days of unsightly silver amalgam fillings. If you wish to replace your old silver fillings with natural looking tooth colored bondings, we can replace them for you. In some instances the white bondings may even be covered by your insurance.
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Crowns and Bridges
Crowns (also called caps) can be placed over a tooth that has experienced significant loss of tooth structure. Crowns may be done following root canal therapy, or if a tooth is so weak that a normal filling would fail. A bridge is simply three or more connected crown units.
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Dentures
We use the Simply Natural denture System for our denture patients. This system is more natural looking, and resists staining and discoloration. They are stronger, longer-lasting and fit more comfortably than traditional dentures. Custom dentures are made in three to four appointments. At the first appointment, you have a consultation with our dentist and impressions are taken. The models are sent to the lab for fabrication of your esthetic guide. During the second appointment, the dentist readjusts the bite, and special consideration is taken to ensure proper lip support and facial contour. At the third visit, a wax copy of your denture is tried-in, to ensure the bite and tooth placement is correct. Any changes can be easily made at this visit. When you are satisfied with the denture, it is sent to the lab for final processing. Your final visit will be the delivery appointment! You will receive your new dentures. You’ll find the Simply Natural Dentures are the most lifelike dentures you’ve had.
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Implants
Crowns and conventional bridges or dentures may not be your only options when replacing missing teeth. For some people, dental implants offer a smile that looks and feels very natural. Surgically placed below the gums over a series of appointments, implants fuse to the jawbone and serve as a base for individual replacement teeth, bridges or a denture.
Implants offer stability because they fuse to your bone. Integration of the implants into your jaw also helps your replacement teeth feel more natural and some people also find the secure fit more comfortable than conventional substitutes.
Candidates for dental implants need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. A thorough evaluation by your dentist will help determine whether you are a good candidate for dental implants. Although the actual implant is placed by a periodontist or oral surgeon, we can do the final restoration.
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Invisalign
Invisalign®, and the new Invisalign Express, is the invisible way to straighten teeth using a series of custom-made, nearly undetectable Aligners. And it's been proven effective in both clinical research and in practices nationwide. So whether your teeth are crowded, too far apart or have shifted since wearing braces, you'll have a new reason to smile.
At your comprehensive exam, we can start a treatment plan and take an impression of your teeth. This information is submitted to Invisalign. Using the latest advances in 3-D computer technology, Invisalign carefully translates with our instructions into a series of precisely customized Aligners. You then wear each set of Aligners for about two weeks, moving your teeth gradually - week by week, millimeter by millimeter - until the intended result: straighter teeth. Generally, you visit our office no more often than you would with braces and the length of treatment is about the same.
Invisalign treatment fits into your life however you want it to. Since your aligners are virtually invisible, most people won't even notice anything different. (Until your new smile is revealed, of course.) You can eat your favorite foods, brush and floss when you want and most importantly, smile whenever you want! With Invisalign, there's nothing to hide when you smile.
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Preventative Care
Preventative care is the most important dental care there is. Attending regularly scheduled cleaning and exam appointments with annual x-rays are important to monitor your oral health. The American Medical Association and the American Dental Association have linked oral health and systematic diseases; such as heart disease, diabetes, lower birth weight babies, and respiratory infections, making your oral health more important. In addition, preventative visits are imperative for early detection and treatment of periodontal disease, oral cancers, and tooth decay. While most people attend two preventative appointments per year, it is not uncommon for some people to need additional care due to unusual bleeding, heavier build-up or periodontal conditions.
Although most insurance companies only pay for 2 preventative appointments per year, insurance benefits shouldn’t dictate your treatment.
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Root canal therapy
Inside each tooth is the pulp which provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth, it runs like a thread down through the root. When the pulp is diseased or injured, the pulp tissue dies. If you don't remove the pulp, your tooth could get infected. If this infection goes untreated, you could lose your tooth. The solution is root canal therapy. The dentist removes the pulp, and the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to protect it. Then your dentist places a crown over the tooth to help make it stronger. Root canal therapy is a simple procedure with little or no discomfort.
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Sensitive Teeth
Pain from sensitive teeth is not always constant, it can come and go. Constant pain is an indication of a problem, and it is important to discuss tooth sensitivity with your dentist or hygienist. Sensitive teeth can be caused by receding gums, fractured or chipped teeth or clenching and grinding. Sensitivity occurs when there is a breakdown in tooth enamel, exposing dentin (the porous tissue inside the tooth). Common triggers to tooth sensitivity are hot or cold food or beverages, and sweets.
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Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin layers of porcelain that are adhesively bonded to your teeth to give you a natural, beautiful smile!
They can be used to close gaps, lengthen shortened teeth, repair unsightly & stained bonding, brighten discolored teeth and restore function.
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Whitening
Tooth discoloration can occur from a variety of factors. Genetics, smoking, certain medications, and drinking coffee, wine and dark beverages can all be contributors. Whitening is an easy way to brighten your smile! There are two different types of whitening offered: take home and in-office.
Contact the office to discuss which type of whitening is best for you. 508-695-3719 |
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