Veneers

What are porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front surfaces of the teeth. They are an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity, strength, and versatility.

Placing custom porcelain veneers requires a high degree of technical skill, as well as attention to cosmetic detail. We place veneers routinely, and design each case individually to match and enhance the characteristics of each patient's smile.

Will they look like normal teeth?

When bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers are virtually undetectable and highly resistant to coffee, tea, or even cigarette stains. For strength and appearance, as well as minimal tooth removal, their resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel is unsurpassed by other restorative options.

How durable are porcelain veneers?

With proper care, porcelain veneers will brighten your smile for well over a decade. Dr. West will ensure that your veneers are crafted from the highest quality porcelains and are bonded with the most advanced and proven materials available.

Inlay / Onlay  

When more than half of the tooth’s biting surface is affected by a defective filling or tooth damage, Dr. West often recommends an inlay or onlay to restore the tooth.

What are inlays and onlays?

Inlays and onlays can be made of porcelain, gold, or composite resin. These artistically created restorations are bonded to the damaged area of the tooth. An inlay, which is similar to a filling, is used inside the cusp tips of the tooth. An onlay is a more substantial reconstruction, similar to the inlay but extending out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth.

For years, gold was the material of choice for inlays and onlays. In recent years, however, porcelain has become increasingly popular due to its strength and color, which can often match the natural color of your teeth.

How are they applied?

Inlays and onlays require two appointments to complete the procedure. During the first visit, the filling being replaced or the damaged or decaying area of the tooth is removed, and the tooth is prepared for the inlay or onlay. To ensure proper fit and bite, an impression of the tooth is made by Dr. West, and sent to a lab for fabrication. We will then place a temporary filling on the tooth and schedule the next appointment.

At the second appointment, the temporary filling is removed. Dr. West will then make sure that the inlay or onlay fits correctly. If the fit is satisfactory, the inlay or onlay will be bonded to the tooth with a strong resin and polished to a smooth finish.

Considerations

Traditional fillings can reduce the strength of a natural tooth by up to 50 percent. As an alternative, inlays and onlays, which are bonded directly to the tooth using special high-strength resins, can actually increase the strength of a tooth by up to 75 percent. As a result, they can last from 10 to 30 years. In some cases, where the damage to the tooth is not extensive enough to merit an entire crown, onlays can provide a very good alternative.

Composite Resin Bonding

Bonding is an alternative to porcelain veneers, and can be used as a restorative procedure for teeth that have minor chips, cracks, or discolorations.

How does it work?

The tooth is prepared for the procedure by lightly etching the surface and applying a bonding liquid. Once the liquid sets, a plastic resin is applied and sculpted into the desired shape by the dentist. Once set, the resin is trimmed, smoothed and polished to a natural appearance.

Considerations

The bonding procedure can often be completed in a single office visit, and can improve the appearance of a tooth significantly. However, since the plastic resin used is not as strong as your natural tooth enamel, it is more likely to stain, chip or break than natural teeth or porcelain veneers. Bonding typically lasts two to five years before replacement is necessary.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are designed to replace missing teeth. They provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that their teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. The implants are tiny titanium posts which are placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. In addition, implants can help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration which occurs when teeth are missing.

Dental implants are changing the way people live! With them, people are rediscovering the comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh and enjoy life.

Evaluation

If, like many others, you feel implant dentistry is the choice for you, we ask that you undergo a dental/radiographic examination and health history. During these consultation visits, your specific needs and considerations will be addressed by Dr. West. Your questions and concerns are important to us and our team will work with you very closely to help make your procedure a success.

Procedure

Dental implants are metal anchors which act as tooth root substitutes. They are surgically placed into the jawbone. Small posts are then attached to the implant which protrude through the gums. These posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth.

For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures. First, implants are placed within your jawbone. For the first three to six months following surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums, gradually bonding with the jawbone. You should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a modified diet during this time. At the same time, your restorative dentist designs the final bridgework or denture, which will ultimately improve both function and aesthetics.

After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, the second phase begins. The surgeon will uncover the implants and attach a small healing collar. Dr. West can then start making your new teeth. An impression must be taken. Then posts or attachments can be connected to the implants. The replacement teeth are then made over the posts or attachments. The entire procedure usually takes six to eight months. Most patients do not experience any disruption in their daily life.

Invisalign

INVISALIGN HAS HELPED PEOPLE all over the world achieve the smiles they have always wanted, without metal braces. Schedule an appointment today and we will show you happy patients that have improved their smiles with Invisalign. If the photos aren't enough we have also included patient testimonials of those that have completes Invisalign treatment.

What is Invisalign?
Invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces.
Series of clear, removable, custom-made Aligners.
Uses no metal wires or brackets.
Custom-made for comfort.

How does Invisalign Work?
Wear each set of custom-made Aligners for about 2 weeks
Remove only to eat, drink, brush, and floss.
Your teeth will move gradually each week.
Visit your doctor roughly every 6 weeks.
Total treatment time averages 6-15 months.

Ask your doctor today about how you can become an Invisalign patent.
For more information please go to the Invisalign web site at:

Bleaching

Having a beautiful smile may be even easier than you think. Many people achieve the look they've been dreaming of with our simple "bleaching" procedure.

What are the details?

It's safe, quick, and inexpensive. Just let us know at any appointment if you would like to begin bleaching. You can lighten only your upper teeth or both the upper and lower, depending on how much you show when you talk and smile.

In only a day or two your custom bleach splints will be ready for you to pick up. We provide you with a special bleaching agent that you put into the clear splints. With only a few hours of wear per day, our special bleaching agent bubbles stains right out of your enamel in a very short time without altering tooth structure or existing dental work in any way. When your teeth reach the desired brightness, only occasional treatment is needed to maintain your new smile. We'll want to take "after" photos at your next appointment.

Dental bleaching can be used to correct tooth discoloration. Discolorations can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Using the latest in bleaching technology, we can offer a safe method for creating a beautiful "brilliant" smile. In cases of extreme tooth discoloration, crowns or veneers may be the only choice but, because of the low cost of bleaching treatments, bleaching is worth a try.

Key Benefits

* Corrects brown, yellow and mottled tooth staining
* Works on people of any age.
* Is a near permanent solution for a "dull" smile, restoring brightness and brings a smile alive.

How is it done?

An impression is taken to make a specialized ultra-thin "mouthguard" or "stent" to hold the special whitening agent against the teeth. The material is used each night for about 3-4 hours for a week or two, and at the end of this time, significant whitening will occur. In some cases, the change is nothing short of brilliant. For confidence in appearance, bleaching technology allows us to promise improvements in yellowing, aging or stained teeth. For very severely stained teeth, crowns or veneers may be more appropriate.

Considerations

Over the counter bleaching agents are available for purchase at drug stores and pharmacies. However, since these products can cause harm to the gums and teeth, and do not use a custom mouth stent, it’s better to use products that have been approved for safety.

Bridges

All of your teeth play an important role in speaking, chewing and in maintaining proper alignment of other teeth. Tooth loss doesn't necessarily have to occur as you age, but if you do lose teeth, they must be replaced to maintain proper function of your mouth. Fortunately, there are options for correcting tooth loss.

Options

A bridge — a device used to replace missing teeth — attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, called abutment teeth.

Fixed bridges are applied by either placing crowns or onlays on the abutment teeth or by bonding the artificial teeth directly to the abutment teeth. Removable bridges are attached to the teeth with metal clasps or by precision attachments.

If you're missing one or more teeth, you may be aware of their importance to your appearance and dental health. Your teeth work together for many daily functions from eating to speaking. With missing teeth, it's difficult to do these things. Missing teeth can and should be replaced. Fixed bridges are a great way to restore your dental health and appearance.

Why do I need a bridge?

Oral functionality and appearance are important reasons for placing a bridge. A bridge helps support your lips and cheeks. The loss of a back tooth may cause your mouth to cave in and your face to look older.

Dental health is the most important reason for a bridge. Teeth were designed to complement each other. Unusual stresses are placed on the gums and other oral tissues when teeth are missing, causing a number of potentially harmful disorders.

Increased risk of gum disease has proven to be one of the worst side effects of missing teeth and can be minimized with a bridge.

The premature loss of a single tooth can cause a domino affect of deterioration of the remaining teeth, such as tipping over, growing out of the jaw bone, increased decay and gum disease, and additional loss of teeth.

Missing teeth can cause speech disorders as they are used to make many of the sounds we use to speak clearly.

How is a bridge attached?

The attachment procedure usually takes two or three appointments to complete. At the first appointment Dr. West will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin.

Since the bridge must be fabricated very precisely to ensure correct bite and to match the opposing tooth, impressions of the teeth are taken and sent to a lab where the bridge will be constructed.

Fixed bridges are typically cemented to the natural teeth next to the space left by the missing tooth. A pontic (false tooth) replaces the lost tooth. Crowns or onlays, which are cemented onto the natural teeth, provide support for the bridge.

What materials are used?

Bridges can be constructed from gold alloys, non-precious alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Porcelain is often bonded to either precious or non-precious metal.

How do I take care of my bridge?

A strict regimen of brushing and flossing will keep the bridge and surrounding teeth clean. This is of critical importance as the bridge relies on the neighboring teeth for support.

Crowns

Some dentistry looks like dentistry. Our goal is to provide dentistry that is undetectable. We replace existing crowns and fillings with restorations that look and feel like your natural teeth.

Where damage to a person's teeth is extreme, and apparently beyond repair, we can use porcelain or porcelain bonded to gold crowns to make the smile appear "as new". This is an extremely reliable technique for repairing the most severe of dental problems. We are known for the quality of our work and the fantastic changes we make for people using this technology.

How long does it take?

Fitting a crown requires two visits to our office. Initially, we will remove decay, shape the tooth, and fit it with a temporary crown.

On the second visit, we will remove the temporary crown, and then place and adjust the final crown. We will cement the crown into place and you will have a new beautiful looking tooth.

Key Benefits

* Offers support to misshapen teeth or badly broken teeth
* Looks and feels natural
* Enhances your smile