By now everyone is aware that various forms of whitening are available both in office and at home. The former boasts, with the aid of a light, a one-hour in office procedure to lighten your teeth several shades. However, if not followed by a three day at home regime the color regresses!! Research has shown conclusively that lights do nothing to quicken or enhance whitening procedures. There is newly available three-day at home whitening formula that combines the results of both procedures with less discomfort and cost!!

Depending upon the size of the chip or fracture, a tooth can often be repaired with simple white composite filling material. This same material can also be used to replace unsightly silver fillings, but only if they are small and toward the front of the mouth. If these fractures or fillings are too large, porcelain inlays/onlays should be used to restore these teeth. These restorations are bonded to the remaining tooth structure reinforcing and strengthening these teeth. These are far more conservative and much less traumatic to surrounding gums and bone than conventional crowns. The bonding of porcelain is highly sensitive technique and must be accomplished with extreme care. Porcelain inlays/onlays are beautiful, undetectable and very conservative, we’ve be placing them for over fifteen years! Worn or cracked teeth, may be a sign of a more serious problem, that of nocturnal bruxing or nighttime grinding. See headaches.

With modern implant technology there are other options besides cutting down healthy teeth to replace missing teeth. A patient at our office is given all treatment options, and educated on the advantages, and alternatives to treatment/non-treatment. They then have the tools to make an informed decision.

With the assistance of colleagues or specialists we are able to comprehensively address all cosmetic and/or restorative concerns for a highly effective result without compromise. The specialist may be an orthodontist that will place teeth in a little better position allowing a more stable foundation for treatment, or a periodontist who can place implants if the patient decides that direction, or simply recontour the gums for a more natural look.

Many times, dentistry is a team effort and we never hesitate to tap into that rich source of talent and knowledge available for an uncompromising end result. Remember, whatever your decision, you will always have full knowledge and understanding of all treatment options available in order to make a comfortable decision as to treatment choice.