Dental Veneers are contact-lens thin porcelain coverings that cover the front smile area of your teeth. There are many reasons people in Phoenix are not satisfied with the look of their teeth and opt for Dental Veneers; some have accidents, broken, chipped, fractured or misshaped teeth. Others have discolorations or gaps. Not everyone has the ideal smile they are content with. Dental Veneers are a perfect way to obtain the ideal “Hollywood” smile that many people desire.

What is the difference between braces and veneers?

Both treatments straighten teeth and improve your smile. Ideally, braces have been the preferred and standardized method to straighten teeth. However, braces often require two years of treatment, veneers are completed in two weeks. In addition, braces can collect food, and home care compliance can be difficult for some patients. Braces also do not improve discolorations or stains, and sometimes lead to decalcification stains. Veneers can cover and improve discolorations. In some cases, Veneers have to be placed after braces anyways to further enhance the smile.

How long do Veneers take?

Veneers usually require two dental visits, approximately one hour each. It generally takes two to three weeks between each visit for the laboratory work to prepare the Veneers, so temporary Veneers are placed.

Do Veneers affect your tooth structure?

Some tooth structure is reduced (usually a minor amount) except for extremely misshaped teeth.

What about Lumineers?

Lumineers are similar to Veneers but thinner. Lumineers require little or no tooth adjustment and no drilling. No temporary veneers are needed for Lumineers.

Dental Implants are an ideal option for people in good oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, injury or other reasons. Dental Implants are titanium posts surgically placed in the jaw to replace the original lost tooth or teeth. Through a process called “Oseointegration” the implant becomes fused with the jawbone to provide tremendous tooth stability. Dental implants can be used to replace one missing tooth, multiple missing teeth, or a mouth without any natural teeth (edentulous).

How many appointments are necessary?

Two appointments are required for the two phases of implant restorations. Phase one is the surgery where an Oral Surgeon or Periodontist places the implant in the desired location.  Healing times can vary from three to six months; temporaries are often used during this time.  The second phase is the restorative phase, performed by a General Dentist. During this phase, a crown is attached to the implant via cementation, or sometimes requires a small screw (cosmetically hidden) to attach the implant.

What are the benefits of Dental Implants?

Most people that have implants experience a renewed sense of self-confidence once they realize they can chew better, talk, laugh, and smile without an embarrassing incident. Implants prevent other natural teeth from shifting. When a tooth is removed, an empty void is created and the adjacent teeth can shift and tip into the empty void. By filling the void, implants keep teeth straight, prevent unwanted tooth movement, and overburdening of the remaining teeth. In addition, the loss of teeth overtime can cause the jawbone to shrink and Implants prevent this from happening.

How comfortable are Implants?

Implanted teeth feel just like natural teeth and are very comfortable. Patients enjoy the feel of having their teeth back.

How strong are they and how long do they last?

Implants are made of titanium, one of the strongest metals in the world. Dental implants can withstand the same amount of biting pressure as natural teeth With proper oral care (brushing & flossing) dental implants typically last 20 + years. Of course as with anything, if you don’t take care of them, their longevity decreases. Also, smoking and diabetes can reduce the implants longevity and could cause implant loss from periodontal gum disease. Implants never develop cavities.

Crowns and bridges are an effective treatment for broken and/or missing teeth: 

What are Crowns?

A Crown is a protective covering in the shape of the tooth.
When a significant portion of a tooth is lost due to large cavities, or the tooth breaks or is fractured, the usual treatment is to place a Crown or a Cap on the tooth. Often, the tooth has lost a significant amount of the tooth structure, and a foundation must be added back to the tooth, this is called a “Buildup”. The crown is permantly cemented on to the buildup/tooth structure.

How long do Crowns last?

The average length of time a Crown lasts is between 15 and 25 years. However, if a person rarely brushes and flosses, every crown or tooth may only last a few years.

What are Bridges?

When teeth are lost due to severe decay, fractures, extractions, or gum disease, a gap or space occurs between two teeth. This gap creates problems with chewing and tipping of bordering teeth, not to mention the undesirable look of a missing tooth. The missing tooth can cause other teeth to shift and increases the chances of periodontal (gum) disease. Bridges are used to fill the gap by creating a new tooth and connecting it to the support of the bordering teeth via a bridge. Bridges are cemented with permanent cement to provide strength and retention to the teeth. Bridges look and feel natural and crowns and bridgesare a very effective treatment for missing teeth. With proper oral care they can last 15 to 25 years like Crowns.

Dentures can be described as artificial appliances added to the mouth replacing a patient’s missing teeth. Both the upper & lower jaw can have a Denture.

When a significant number of teeth are lost due to gum disease, cavities, fractures, extractions or neglect, there are “limits” to the possible treatments. Dentures become the treatment of choice if this occurs.

Some people are missing all of their teeth, which require a “complete” Denture; others are only missing a few, which can be treated with a “partial” Denture.

There are two main types of complete Dentures, “Immediate Dentures” and “Permanent Dentures”. Immediate Dentures are designed and placed on the same appointment as when the teeth are extracted. Permanent Dentures the second type of dentures, are constructed and placed typically a year after all of the teeth are extracted. The name “permanent” is used relative since permanent dentures need replacement on occasion.

Upper (Maxillary) complete Dentures hold into place by an adhesion between the edentuous (toothless) gums and the Acrylic (plastic) Denture. The adhesive strength is compared by imagining 2 glass plates with water between them. The adhesive force allows the 1st glass plate to lift the other plate. Lower complete dentures have more difficulty holding into place due to the tongue being a strong muscle force and constantly pushing against the denture, as well as the minimal adhesive force in the lower jaw.

What are Partial Dentures?

Partial Dentures are prosthetic appliances used to correct the spaces between teeth. They also replace missing teeth. Partials are made of metal with acrylic (plastic) teeth and metal clasps (hooks) that hold them in place, depending on the dentists design. Partials can be used for many types of missing tooth combinations, however, too many missing teeth may affect the partial’s retention.

Partials, like complete dentures are custom fit for a patient’s mouth. They are very useful for allowing a patient to chew hard foods. They do have a few drawbacks though; some patients have difficulty adjusting to them with a gagging reflex. The Partials can also collect food between them and the natural teeth after meals.

Are there other types of Partials?

Teeth are made of the hardest bone in the body and each tooth is comprised of several layers; Enamel, Dentin and an inner canal. The inner central canal contains many nerves and blood vessels.

Tooth decay, which is made up of bacteria can becomes deep enough, and invades the inside canal. This results in significant pain and the need for a Root Canal. 

A Root Canal procedure is basically the removal of all the inside nerves of the tooth, while maintaining the outer structure. The inside of the tooth is basically dead and the outside remains alive surrounded by the periodontal ligament. A rubberized material sealant is placed inside the root of the tooth, filling the gap where the nerves were removed.
After the Root Canal is complete, the pain goes away and the tooth usually feels immediately better. However, sometimes a residual soreness can last for a few days, but will then disappears altogether. A Root Canaled tooth will require a crown covering for protection and support.

Fillings have been the mainstay of treatment of Dental problems for many years and most people are very familiar with the process for filling cavities. Cavities are a result of all teeth being susceptible to decay caused by bacteria. The bacteria in the mouth utilize the sugar that we eat to convert it into an acid that destroys the outer enamel and inner dentin of our teeth. With fillings, the decay is removed and a composite (white) or silver filling is placed in the area of the tooth for support and protection. Some fillings are necessary on teeth without cavities, such as tooth chips or for a variety of other cosmetic reasons.

Composite/bonding fillings are becoming more common. Although, silver (amalgam) fillings are still used in many offices, our office only places composite fillings that bond to the tooth.

At Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we strive to provide our patients with the industry’s leading products and technology. Our in-office teeth whitening is the most effective product available in the industry, that can safely and quickly lighten and whiten your smile!

Over time your teeth can become discolored from smoking, coffee, teas or other staining foods and products. Our affordable in-office teeth whitening can help decrease the effects in a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere. You can even watch a high-definition movie while we whiten your smile!

The benefits of our in-office whitening system don’t end there! We also make our patients custom bleaching trays to keep your smile it’s whitest and brightest! The take home whitening system is customized just for you to fit your smile and lifestyle allowing you to whiten from the comforts of your home!

While there are many other over the counter whitening systems to choose from, most have minimal effects. Family and Cosmetic Dentistry offers a system that does not utilize a light gimmick that has been shown to have no effect on whitening. That’s right, Zoom’s blue light has no proven teeth whitening effects or benefits except psychological. Don’t be taken by marketing lights. We have the teeth whitening system that really works! Our whitening system uses a combination of 2 whitening agents activated together. Unlike other whitening systems, our in-office teeth whitening products contain fluoride which helps strengthen teeth and decrease sensitivity along with delivering a prescription strength formula. This means more effective results.

Whitening your smile is a great way to enhance your appearance so why not take advantage of this affordable way to gain more confidence in your smile. Call today to schedule your in-office whitening session today!