COSMETIC DENTISTRY
Tooth – Colored Fillings
For years, silver fillings or amalgams were used to restore teeth that had sustained minimal decay or small fractures. Today, patients are electing tooth-colored fillings to improve esthetics, replace amalgam filling that have failed, and to address their concerns about the mercury content of metal fillings. Advances in composite resign allow for tooth-colored fillings that serve the same purpose as the metal fillings that are virtually undetectable. The cost for tooth-colored restorations is relatively the same as that for metal fillings.
Inlays and Onlays
A dental inlay or onlay is a solid one piece that is cemented into or onto the tooth. When there is not enough tooth structure remaining in the tooth to support a filling but the tooth is still healthy enough that it doesn’t need a crown to completely cover the tooth, inlays or onlays are used. An inlay or onlay is one way to restore a damaged or decayed tooth.
Crowns
A dental crown, or dental cap as it also known, is used when the tooth has been badly damaged or decayed. Dental crowns are used when the tooth decay or damage is too severe to be filled successfully. Dental crowns are tooth-shaped coverings that are placed over the damaged or decaying tooth. Dental crowns can also be used to cover discolored teeth. For more information about crowns, please contact our office today.
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ORTHODONTICS
Dr. Cruz is devoted to the practice of orthodontics, which is the branch of dentistry devoted to correcting tooth alignment and bite problems. Braces and retainers used in orthodontics put pressure on teeth and/or jaw, straightening teeth and correcting over and under bites to create beautiful smiles. Straight teeth should be gap and overlap-free, and align top teeth with the bottom.
Often, orthodontics problems occur because the teeth and mouth are growing at different speeds. Mouth injuries prolonged pacifier use in infancy, thumb sucking in early childhood and impacted teeth can also cause misalignment. Many adults nowadays opt for orthodontics to correct problems that were left untreated as adolescents- the results are the same, although coming later in life, a great smile with straight teeth.
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DENTAL IMPLANTS
A dental implant is an option if you don’t want to wear a crown or a conventional bridge because of missing teeth. Dr. Cruz can provide you with a consultation to determine if implant dentistry is right for you. An implant is made from metal, called titanium that is secured into and eventually fuse with your jawbone, anchoring an artificial tooth or bridge. There are some advantages to dental implants that include
- Long lasting fixed alternative to removable dentures
- Provide highly stable support for the replacement of several teeth
- Avoids grinding down adjacent teeth as required by bridgework
- Predictable, natural looking and natural feeling results
Implant dentistry does require careful planning to ensure a successful and comprehensive treatment plan that includes surgery. If you are able to receive dental implants, you will undergo two stages of implant therapy.
1. Surgical Phase – The implant is surgically placed into the jawbone and allowed to heal for 3-6 months. A conventional restoration is used temporarily until the implants are integrated during the next phase.
2. Restorative Phase – The implant is uncovered, impressions are taken and the final restoration is fitted.
If you opt for dental implants, you must have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant, otherwise, you must consider other tooth replacement options. From start to finish, it can take up to nine month to complete, but implants are well worth because it has a high success rate and feels like natural teeth. A thorough evaluation by Dr. Cruz is needed to ensure that implants are right choice for you.
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TMJ TREATMENT
Many Canadian adults suffer from chronic facial pain. Symptoms include pain in or around the ear, tenderness of the jaw, clicking or popping noises when opening the mouth, or even headaches and neck aches. Two joints, one of each side of the head – the temporomandibular joints (TMJ)- and several jaw muscles make it possible to open and close the mouth for chewing, speaking and swallowing. Many symptoms can be traced to problems that prevent the TMJ and jaw muscles from working properly together that can be called TMJ disorder.
Treatments vary according to TMJ condition. Occasional TMJ pain because of heavy clenching will go away when they stop doing it – ibuprofen or similar anti-inflammatory medicines will stop the pain. For chronic TMJ pain due to muscle overuse during clenching, balancing the jaw is the best solution. Typically, one side of the jaw has to squeeze harder to close the jaw joints while clenching – this is done during sleep as well- and when doing repeatedly, the muscles that are over used will become spastic and painful, which then simulate headaches of all kinds, migraines, neck aches, and earaches.
In severe TMJ cases, your dentist must perform procedures to allow the jaw to return to proper function where teeth are balanced, so that the jaw can close properly and all teeth are fitting together perfectly. Equilibration is the procedure of making teeth fit together perfectly that involves selective grinding to reshape teeth. It may even require reshaping a tooth with a cap. When the jaw can close properly and teeth fit together naturally, TMJ pain should disappear.
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ROOT CANAL
In the past if you’ve had a “root canal” it meant that you lost that tooth because of a diseased nerve. Today, with root canal therapy at Dr. Cruz dental practice you may save that tooth. Each tooth has inside a pulp, which provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth, running like a thread down through the root. If the pulp dies because of disease or injury, it has to be removed or your tooth gets infected and you could lose it.
Root canal treatment begins when the dentist removes the pulp. The root canal is then cleaned and sealed off to protect it. A crown is placed over the tooth to help make it stronger. Most of the times, a root canal is a fairly simple procedure with little or no discomfort and can take one to three visits.
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CEREC 3 D
CEREC by Sirona Dental Systems is the world's only system for the fabrication of all ceramic dental restorations in one office visit. With CEREC at your dentist's side, you can be in and out in a single visit with a permanent, all ceramic crown, onlay, or veneer! For you, the patient, this means fewer injections, less drilling, and less time out of your hectic schedule for dental care.
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PORCELAIN VENEERS
Porcelain veneers can dramatically improve facial appearance. Porcelain veneers are used to enhance tooth color and shape.
When teeth have darkened or discolored and whitening procedures did not have favorable results or when teeth have been chipped, broken or are uneven but do not require crowns, veneers are recommended. Veneers can last up to ten years and color shades can vary from a natural look to a movie star bright white. In some cases, veneers can be alternative to orthodontics or they can be used to enhance orthodontic results.
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PORCELAIN CROWN
Should you a have a tooth that is discolored, badly shaped weak or broken; you may need a crown to cover a dental implant, a large filling or to attach a bridge.
If you are missing one or more teeth, you’ll notice a difference in chewing and speaking- in addition to the less-than-ideal appearance Dr. Cruz can correct this with a bridge that helps maintain the shape of your face, as well as alleviating the stress in your bite with artificial replacement teeth. The material can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination. Depending on the support of surrounding teeth, your dentist can recommend different types of bridges. A bridge can be bonded onto other teeth- this type of bridge is sometimes called a fixed partial denture, which can only be removed, at our dental office. You could be a candidate for removable bridge, which you can take out and clean yourself. Finally, if Dr. Cruz recommends and implant bridge, artificial teeth will be attached directly to the jaw or under the gum tissue.
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COMPLETE AND PARTIAL DENTURE
If you have lost all of your natural teeth, whether for periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury, a viable option is a complete denture that allows you to appear and function in a normal manner. An immediate complete denture is custom made by Dr. Cruz’s trained staff during preliminary visits and immediately placed in patient’s mouth after the remaining teeth are removed. The denture can be worn while tissues are healing which may take several months. Typically, within six months, this denture will require relining or be completely remade, as gums will shrink while healing.
If you have healthy teeth left, removable partial dentures should be considered. A partial denture consists of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases, which are connected by metal framework. Removable partial denture attach to your natural teeth with metal clasps or devices called precision attachments, which are nearly invisible. Crowns on your natural teeth that will be used for support may improve the fit of a removable partial denture and they are usually required with attachments.
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ZOOM WHITENING
Our goal in this practice is to provide you with the quality dental and oral care. We want to make sure your wonderful smile is as sparkling and as healthy as it can possibly be. To this end we are proud to announce that we offer the radically new in-office whitening system. It’s safe effective and fast …. very fast! In just over one hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter.
Zoom Whitening is ideal for anyone looking for immediate results. The convenience, in comparison to the days of wearing trays for gradual whitening, makes it the perfect choice for the busy individual.
Zoom is the culmination of extensive research into light technology, chemical reaction to light and years of traditional tooth whitening experience.
WHY ZOOM
There are other competitive one hour whitening systems on the market, such as Brite Smile and Rembrand’s Virtuoso Lightening System, however we feel that Zoom! is the best. It was developed by the leader and pioneer in whitening products, Discus Dental, and is the most complete tooth whitening system available today. In just over one hour your teeth will be dramatically whiter. Zoom! is ideal for anyone looking for immediate results without the inconvenience of wearing trays. It’s the perfect choice for busy individual.
The proprietary light technology and light activated gel were scientifically designed to work together for faster in-office whitening and reduced sensitivity.
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PERIODONTICS
Gingivitis has been publicizes in the media – if left untreated you would eventually need to consult with a dental specialist skilled in periodontics. Periodontics is the dental specialty involved with the prevention diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease. The disease, also known as gum disease, is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting teeth. It can affect one tooth or many teeth, that begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth) causing the gums to become inflamed.
In the mildest form of disease, gingivitis, the gums redden, swell and bleed easily. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Gingivitis can be reversed with treatment at our dental office and we will provide you with advice for good oral home care. Untreated gingivitis can advance the gum disease. If a tooth has to be extracted, Dr. Cruz can also perform cosmetic periodontal procedures such as dental implants, to help you achieve the smile you desire. Often, dentists refer their patients to a periodontist when their periodontal disease is advanced.
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BONDING
Dental bonding, also known as composite bonding, can be used to repair chipped, cracked, or discolored teeth. Composite bonding can also be used to fill in the gaps between your teeth or to protect the root of your tooth. As an alternative to amalgam fillings (which contain mercury), composite bonding can be used. Bonding is one of the most common of all cosmetic dentistry procedures and generally takes about 30 minutes to one hour to complete.
PERIOWAVE™
Periowave™ is a quick and painless technology that works to kill the bacteria associated with periodontal diseases, without the promotion of antibiotic resistance.
Periowave™ utilizes a non-thermal laser light combined with a photosensitizing solution designed to kill bacteria associated with the diseases. Killing the bacteria halts the progression of the disease and allows healing to begin.
PERIOWAVE™ is:
• Painless
• Non-Antibiotic
• Quick
• Effective
• Safe
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