A smile makeover can be any combination of cosmetic dental procedures where the intent is to enhance the beauty and appearance of the smile. The makeover will focus on correcting various problems, including teeth that are crooked, chipped or broken, missing teeth, gaps, discolored teeth and even unsightly gums. We can dramatically change the length, width, color and shape of a tooth to create a smile that is straight, white and even. Smile makeovers are typically created through the use of porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns and porcelain onlays, all of which offer a natural look and feel.

An inlay is a dental restoration that can be made from gold, resin, or porcelain. They are stronger than composite fillings, and more conservative than crowns since less natural tooth is required to be removed during the treatment. Since the margins are invisible, it does not need to be placed below the gum line, which is healthier and easier on the gums. They are bonded to the teeth to create a tight fit and restore the tooth’s strength. Porcelain inlays wear better than composite fillings, and are usually less expensive than crowns.

Veneers are a thin shell of porcelain custom made to fit precisely over the front of an existing tooth. Although they are very thin, veneers become very strong once bonded to the tooth with a special resin. Porcelain veneers are used to whiten teeth, close spaces, fix broken/chipped teeth, and correct misshapen or misaligned teeth. Veneers allow light to transmit through the tooth, resulting in a more translucent and natural appearance. Veneers have advantages over other treatments in that little tooth structure needs to be removed, a healthy, natural look is achieved with little or no discomfort, and they are strong, durable, and color stable.

Over time, teeth may darken or become discolored. Smoking, coffee, tea and certain fruits can stain teeth. Tooth whitening is a bleaching process that reverses discolorations of the enamel to create a whiter, brighter smile After determining the exact cause of your tooth discoloration, we will recommend a whitening regime to meet your specific situation.

Tooth colored fillings (also known as composite fillings) are made from materials that designed to match the appearance of the natural tooth. After the decayed part of the tooth is removed, the surface is cleansed and etched with a mild acid. An adhesive is applied, followed by several thin layers of the composite. Once filled, the composite is chemically cured with a special light, and polished .

Since composite fillings blend well with tooth enamel, they often best suited for teeth closest to the front of the month. Since composite fillings bond to teeth adhesively, less of the healthy natural tooth needs to be removed to hold the filling in place.

A crown (also called a cap) is a prosthetic covering that is used to restore teeth where the structure is too weakened or damaged to accept amalgam or dental composite fillings. The most common type of crown is made out of porcelain fused to metal (PFM). After a few years, recession of the gums can expose the metal, causing black margins against the gum. And for some, the metal can cause allergic reactions and gum tissue irritation.

A metal free crown is solely composed of reinforced porcelain, which creates a more natural looking smile. These crowns allow the natural tooth color to show through, aiding in more effective color matching. Since porcelain is a very strong material, it can actually increase the strength of the tooth.

Also known as composite bonding, tooth bonding is one of the most affordable ways to cosmetically correct damaged and flawed teeth. Bonding is used to restore broken chipped or discolored teeth, and to fill in gaps between the teeth. First, any decay, old fillings or stains are removed from the tooth. The tooth is then etched using a mild acidic solution to enhance to strength of bonding medium. A shade of composite material that most closely matches your natural tooth is applied, shaped and hardened (cured) by applying a special light. The surface of the composite is then polished to create a natural looking, perfect tooth.

Complete dentures are sets of artificial teeth intended to replace all of the natural teeth in the upper or lower jaw. The denture is made out of pink or gum-colored plastic with plastic or porcelain teeth. The shape of the jaw bone and fit of the denture affects the comfort and stability of the appliances. Often, the addition of dental implants can dramatically improve the comfort and stability. A partial denture is a removable appliance that replaces only a portion of the teeth. This type of replacement uses both the soft tissue ridge and the remaining natural teeth to secure it in place. It can be attached to the natural teeth with clasps or attached using crowns with hidden clasps. Dentures and partial dentures are necessary to keep facial muscles and lips from sagging, and to allow the patient to speak and eat normally.

A crown is a tooth – shaped cap that is placed over a weakened/damaged tooth in order to restore the tooth’s shape, size, and strength and improve its appearance. Crowns are also used to hold a dental bridge in place, cover misshaped or discolored teeth, or cover a dental implant. Crowns can be made from all metal (I.e. gold alloy or chromium), porcelain-fused-to-metal, resin or ceramics.

Bridgework is a dental appliance used to replace one or more missing teeth, when there are teeth remaining on either side of the space. A dental bridge is composed of at least two crowns (called abutments) connected to each other by the replacement teeth (known as pontics) The two porcelain crowns are secured to teeth on each side of the space, securing the bridge in place. Bridges can be fabricated from gold, porcelain, or porcelain-fused-to-metal.

Digital X-rays offer the technological advancement over the old x-ray development process. A dental digital X-ray (radiography) system allows the dentist to take a picture of the patient’s teeth, and immediately view the image on a computer monitor with up to 90% less radiation. A small, flat sensor is inserted into the patient’s mouth similar to the conventional x-ray film. This sensor, connected via a thin wire to a computer, captures the image of the tooth and displays it immediately on the computer screen The digital images can then be enlarged (zoomed), rotated, focused and even colorized, aiding in the dentist’s diagnosis.

An implant is a small metal anchor,usually made of titanium that is surgically placed into the jawbone to provide a secure foundation for artificial teeth or bridges Dental implants provide a long lasting alternative to removable dentures, avoids the wear and tear on adjacent teeth that can happen with bridgework, and provides natural looking and natural feeling results. Healthy gums and adequate bone structure are necessary for successful implants.

Periodontics is the dental specialty involved with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal gum diseases. The disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. If left untreated, this infection can lead to tooth loss. Affecting one tooth or many teeth, it begins when the bacteria in plaque (the colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth) causes the gums to become inflamed and bleed easily. Persistent bad breath may also accompany these symptoms.

Depending on the progression of the disease, we will apply non-surgical periodontal treatments, such as scaling and root planning. These procedures clean the tooth and root surfaces to remove plaque and tartar, and smooth the tooth root to remove bacterial toxins. We may also flush the periodontal pockets with antibiotics or prescribe oral medications or a special anti-germ mouth rinse.

In severe cases of gum disease, referral to a periodontal specialist may be necessary.

A professionally fitted mouthguard can prevent injury to the mouth during athletic activities. It is estimated that over 5 million teeth are lost annually in sporting activities in the United States. Mouthguards are essential equipment for athletes of all ages who participate in sports. When carefully fitted, they provide a cushion protecting the teeth and mouth,and absorbing the shock of a blow to the jaw reducing the risk of concussion.

TMJ (temporpmandibular dysfunction) is a condition that can involve the jaw joint, ears, head, face and teeth. The most common symptom of TMJ is a popping or clicking in front of the ear. Although pain may not always be involved, a displaced disc causes the jaw muscles to tense more than normal. This tenseness can cause facial, neck and head pain. Some patients experience “lock jaw”, where the jaw hinge catches when the patient opens his mouth. Treatments for TMJ focus on diagnosing and identifying a comfortable position for the patient’s jaw. In order to stabilize the patient’s jaw, the dentist may recommend the use customized mouthpieces, orthodontics (braces), or dental prosthetics.

Root canal therapy (endodontics) is generally the only option to save a tooth that has severe decay that exposes the nerve (pulp) or has become infected. The diseased pulp tissue is removed using small instruments that will fit into the tiny canals of the root of the tooth The cleansed and disinfected canals are permanently sealed with a rubber filling called gutta percha Without the nerve, the tooth can become dry, brittle and easy to break. It is normally necessary to install a crown over the tooth to properly restore it and ensure its strength.

Reconstructive dentistry is a comprehensive approach to treating severely worn, broken, and debilitated mouths. It is a dental makeover that may involve many areas of dentistry including implants, orthodontics, endodontics, periodontics, veneers, crowns, bridges and cosmetic dentistry.