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Specialized Services
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Additional Services |
HOSPITAL DENTISTRY
Patients for whom an in-office sedative may not be effective or who have extensive treatment needs may be treated more effectively using a general anesthetic administered by an anesthesiologist. Dr. Souza is credentialed for treatment of patients at Memorial Hospital, Penrose Hospital, and the Briargate Surgery Center.
FIRST VISIT / “WELL BABY” DENTAL EXAMS
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Dental Association (ADA) as well as other health organizations are all in agreement, recommending that parents or caregivers establish a “dental home” for infants by 12 months of age. This concept parallels that of the “well baby” visits that are recommended by Pediatricians and other health professionals. Our office will provide examinations, advice, guidance and treatment as appropriate for children at any age, and we recommend that a child's first dental exam be scheduled when the first tooth erupts or no later than their first birthday. Our staff and doctors will show you how to care for your baby’s teeth and gums, answer any questions about your child’s oral health, and perform an infant exam and fluoride treatment.
Regardless of your child's age for his/her first visit, we ask that you do not use any words that may create anxiety in your child, such as “hurt,” “drill,” “shot,” or “needle,” and that you stay calm and relaxed as we provide care to your child. Children can easily sense anxiety! Let your child know we will “count” their teeth and maybe “take a picture” of their teeth. Rest assured we will do our best to make this an enjoyable experience!
DENTAL CLEANING
A dental cleaning is a professional cleaning you receive from a dentist or dental hygienist. Most dental cleanings for children take approximately 20 minutes. Cleanings should be performed every six months to prevent excessive plaque buildup. Plaque left untreated can lead to unhealthy gums and tooth decay. During your routine cleaning we will remove excess plaque and polish your teeth.
NIGHTGUARDS AND MOUTHGUARDS
Custom designed mouth guards and night guards are made of flexible plastic and molded to fit the shape of your teeth. In children, custom guards may not be appropriate until the permanent teeth are fully erupted, since changes in the growing child would necessitate making a new appliance often. For growing patients, commercially available mouth guards are recommended to protect the jaw and teeth during physical activity and sports such as boxing, football, basketball, or other activities where your mouth may be hit. Guards also protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips and cheek lining. Night guards are recommended for patients who clench or grind their teeth at night as a way to protect their teeth and bite. These are also available over-the -counter for younger patients whose dentition is changing.
Custom guards are appropriate for patients whose teeth are stable, and offer a higher level of protection than those available in retail stores. If you have decided a custom guard is right for you, we will take an impression of your teeth which will then be sent to a lab to make a custom fit guard. In most cases you can choose from a variety of colors and styles. On average, guards last between 3 and 10 years.
DIAGNOdent
Providing the absolute best service to our patients is of the highest importance to our office. To aid in achieving this goal, we use a high-tech device called the DIAGNOdent. This small tool is a portable laser that allows us to detect cavities that may have otherwise gone undetected by previous methods. Diagnosing cavities in the back of the mouth using traditional methods is difficult; studies even show that 50% of cavities are left undetected in these area However, the DIAGNOdent enables us to locate and treat these cavities, putting a stop to further decay. The laser is easy to use, harmless, and will alert us with an audible signal if it detects a cavity. It will even calculate the approximate size of the cavity so we can better plan treatment. By using this device, you can rest assured that cavities will be accurately detected and treated in their infancy.
PLACE IMPLANTS
Dental implants are used for replacing a missing tooth or teeth. They can help in the retention of an existing or new removable partial or complete denture. The procedure is most commonly a two stage surgery. The first phase is for the placement of the dental implant. A short period of time is allotted between the 1st and 2nd phase to allow for healing and osseointegration. The second phase is for the restoration of the implant with the abutment and full coverage crown.
INVISALIGN
The Invisalign treatment consists of a series of clear, snap-on, custom fit, removable mouth trays that apply a controlled amount of force to your teeth, forcing them to shift. The system provides the same beautiful results as traditional braces, but since the trays are made of clear plastic, they are virtually invisible. In addition, because Invisalign trays are removable, they can be taken out while eating, drinking, brushing and flossing.
The Invisalign System works begins by first creating a series of trays that will each moving your teeth gradually until the end result is achieved. At the end of each two-week period, you will switch trays. Throughout the process, you will visit your dentist every six weeks to ensure treatment is progressing as planned. Once your treatment is complete, you will likely wear a clear retainer to ensure your new smile stays in place.
As with all orthodontic appliances, the cost of Invisalign varies according to the complexity of the case. However, Invisalign is generally more expensive than traditional braces. Insurance policies generally cover Invisalign to the same extent that they cover traditional braces.
ORAL HYGIENE CARE
Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the most important things you can do for your teeth and gums. Healthy teeth not only enable you to look and feel good, they make it possible to eat and speak properly. Good oral health is important to your overall well-being. Daily preventive care, including proper brushing and flossing, will help stop problems before they develop. In between regular visits to the dentist, there are simple steps that each of us can take to greatly decrease the risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease and other dental problems. These include:
The following are indications of good oral hygiene:
IMPLANT RESTORATION
A dental implant is an ideal tooth restoration for people who are missing one or more teeth as a result of injury, periodontal disease, or any other reason. A dental implant is a metal post that a periodontist or oral surgeon surgically positions into the jaw. Once in place and bone surrounding the implant has had time to heal, a replacement tooth is attached to the post. While implants are typically more expensive than other methods of tooth replacement, they provide superior benefits. Implants are stronger than natural teeth and generally last 10-20 years. They are also a more favorable approach than bridgework since they do not depend on neighboring teeth for support.
To receive implants, you need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. You must also be committed to excellent oral hygiene and regular dental visits as these are critical to the long-term success of dental implants.
LASER DENTISTRY
Laser dentistry is the latest advancement in dental technology, treating a wide range of dental and cosmetic problems from cavities to gum disease to teeth whitening. The lasers we use in our practice are an alternative to the common hand-held scalpel, drills, or other tools. These lasers direct an invisible energy beam onto problem areas and allow us to efficiently treat decayed teeth, and perform minor soft tissue surgery. The benefit of lasers is that they minimize the pain most often associated with dental procedures, meaning more comfort to our patients. Dental lasers have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and are safe for both adults and children.
SOFT TISSUE LASER
Soft tissue lasers are used to safely remove soft tissue, such as excess gum tissue. Minor soft tissue treatment, such as correction of tongue-tie, can usually be done with only topical anesthetic (no injections) and provides for faster healing with less postoperative soreness. The soft tissue laser enables the dentist to treat our patients with extreme accuracy and eliminates the need for most stitches.
HARD TISSUE LASER
Hard tissue lasers are used to remove old resin fillings, repair cavities, and prepare teeth for bonding. As with soft tissue lasers, they dramatically minimize discomfort and allow the dentist to treat teeth with more precision. Our experience has shown that a high percentage of patients require no anesthesia when lasers are being used during dental treatment of the permanent teeth, and virtually 100% require no anesthesia for treatment of the primary teeth.
X-RAYS AND DIGITAL X-RAYS
X-rays are a focused beam of x-ray particles passed through bone which produce an image on special film, showing the structure through which it passed. This provides the familiar black and white images doctors and dentists use to diagnose problems and disease. Without an x-ray of the whole tooth and supporting bone and gum tissues, there would be no way to detect infection or pathology that requires attention.
In our office we use digital radiography which allows us to take x-rays using up to 90% less radiation than conventional film x-rays. Using this technology, we are able to take an x-ray of your mouth by using a small sensor which records the image of your teeth and is then scanned in to a computer. The result is a highly detailed image of your mouth that can easily be enhanced to better diagnose dental concerns and determine the very best treatment for each case
BONDING
Bonding involves adhering composite resin material that is matched to the color of the tooth, to the tooth. This is performed to repair damage caused by decay, to alter the alignment of the tooth, close gaps between the teeth, or for other cosmetic purposes.
First the surface of the tooth is roughened in order to accept the bonding. A gel is applied so a composite resin material will adhere to the surface of the tooth. The resin is then placed on the tooth and the bonding agent hardens with intense light. The last step is shaping and polishing to give a lustrous finish.
DENTURES
A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. There are two types of dentures available, including partial and complete dentures. Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain, while complete dentures are used to completely replace all teeth. Dentures are made to resemble your natural teeth so there should be no noticeable change to your appearance. In fact, dentures may even improve your smile!
Complete Dentures - This restoration method is used to restore your smile and mouth function if all your teeth have been lost. The dentures are custom created to resemble natural teeth and are positioned into a patients mouth to take the place of where the natural teeth used to be. Complete dentures are removable and may require adjustments in order to create a proper fit with the gums and mouth.
Partial Dentures - A removable partial denture is a device used when one or more natural teeth still remain in the upper or lower jay. They usually consist of replacement teeth attached go a gum-colored plastic base which is held in place in the mouth. A fixed partial denture acts the same as a removable denture, but it is cemented into place using the adjacent teeth for support. This fills the space created by missing teeth, as well as creates a support for remaining teeth to prevent shifting.
PAPERLESS CHARTING
Our office is a completely digital (paperless) dental office. This means all x-rays and charting are made and recorded with the aid of the computer. This technology allows us to maintain your dental records electronically, and cuts down the unnecessary paperwork used with traditional paper charting. Traditional paper charting is difficult to keep standardized from doctor to hygienist to assistant. Even handwriting differences and coding make the charts look different. The computer eliminates this problem by using consistent charting methods that are accurate and precise, making it easy to read your dental chart and see up-to-date information. Digital charting standardizes the charting process so it is clear, easy to understand, and enables us to provide on the most accurate and precise care to our patients. When needed, this method also allows us to quickly and securely share information with your other health care providers.
INTRAORAL CAMERA
We use small cameras about the size of a pen, called intraoral cameras, to help clearly see the condition of your teeth and gums.
With this advanced technology we can zoom in on small diseased areas, cracks, chips and worn metal fillings with extreme precision. The full-color images taken with the intraoral camera are sent to a computer screen so we can clearly see and diagnose dental problems much earlier than with traditional dental technology. Because images are displayed on our screens, patients will also be able to see areas being worked on and are able to gain a better understanding of dental procedures being performed.
SEALANTS
Sealants are used to fill deep, narrow grooves in a tooth that cannot be adequately cleaned by brushing. In some cases, the tooth structure has fine grooves or pits which accumulate plaque, not because the person doesn't brush, but because they're too narrow to allow even one bristle into them. To avoid cavities developing over time, the dentist will widen and clean the grooves and pits, then brush on a coating that fills and seals the pits / grooves, making it possible to brush off all the plaque and keep your teeth healthy.
WHITENING
Tooth whitening is a popular procedure to make teeth whiter and brighter, and therefore more attractive. Bleaching can be used to whiten stained and discolored teeth, or simply to enhance a dull smile. Either way, tooth whitening is a safe and relatively painless procedure ideal for most patients. Our office offers a simple tray whitening system that is safe and effective for use in younger (teen) patients, and does not require fabrication of custom trays. Tres-white is a less expensive whitening treatment you can use while in the comfort of your own home. At the end of the treatment period, you will see very good whitening results that are more effective than over-the-counter systems such as White Strips. Occasional “touch-up” treatment can be used at your convenience to maintain your new smile.
AUTOMATED APPOINTMENT REMINDER
We use an automated appointment reminder system that will email you prior to your scheduled appointment time reminding you of your appointment. We also text your phone ahead of time to remind you. You, as the the patient, can also go online and econfirm your appointment. If you do not respond to the messages, our office staff will contact you to confirm your scheduled visit. If you are not home, a message will be left on your voicemail. Failure to notify our office of a cancellation may result in a charge. See our missed appointment policy for more information.
TELESCOPIC LOUPES
The dentist performs most of her dental procedures while wearing a pair of funny looking glasses called surgical telescopes. These powerful glasses have magnifiers on them, allowing the dentist to see fine details that would go unnoticed to the naked eye.
FILLINGS
A filling is a way to restore a tooth damaged by decay to its normal function and shape. If you have a tooth that requires treatment for decay, the dentist will first remove the decayed tooth material, clean the affected area, and then fill the cleaned out cavity with a filling material or cover the tooth with a crown.
For Pediatric dentistry, repair materials for treating decay include silver and resin (white) fillings and stainless steel crowns. The dentist will work with you to determine which material is best, depending on the extent of repair, where the repair is needed, and cost. Each material is briefly explained below:
If decay or a fracture has damaged a large portion of the tooth, or is in a location that does not lend itself well for repair with a filling material, a stainless steel crown (or "cap") may be recommended. A stainless steel crown typically would be used for primary teeth, and normally lasts the lifetime of the tooth once it is placed. For anterior primary teeth, the crowns have a white facing that gives a natural appearance to the crowns.
Decay that has reached the nerve may be treated through root canal therapy or through a procedure called pulpotomy.
VENEERS
Veneers are a dental procedure in which a covering is placed over the outside (visible area) of the tooth. Veneers are usually done only to the part of the tooth that is visible when talking or smiling. The procedure can be direct or indirect.
The direct technique usually involves placing composite resin on the outside of the tooth using bonding. This method is usually referred to as bonding.
The indirect technique usually involves two appointments because the veneers will be fabricated at a dental laboratory. At the first appointment the teeth are prepared, impressions taken, and the teeth are given a temporary covering. In two to three weeks the veneers are back from the laboratory, the temporaries are removed and the veneers are bonded to the teeth. The laboratory fabricated veneers are usually made using porcelain or pressed ceramic, and are very esthetic.
The advantage of veneers versus crowns is that much less tooth material is removed, and the procedure is generally less uncomfortable. Veneers are recommended for teeth that have large fillings or little tooth structure.
DIGITAL IMAGING
We use digital imaging software in our office, which allows us to take a digital picture of you and use our imaging system to predict how a particular treatment or cosmetic procedure would change the appearance of your teeth. This software is beneficial for patients who are considering cosmetic procedures but are not sure if they're ready for dramatic changes. Digital imaging also allows us to document your dental case and procedures very well. We take digital images of your face, teeth and smile to provide us with a permanent dental record and to provide a visual documentation of treatment.
ELECTRONIC CLAIMS
Our office utilizes electronic claims processing. This means that rather than sending your dental claim through the mail, it is sent electronically to your insurance company with the click of the button. By filing your claim electronically, information is submitted more efficiently and with fewer errors. This benefits our patients because the turn around time on claims is faster and fewer claims are returned or denied. We are happy to submit your dental claims to your insurance company on your behalf.
CROWNS
Crowns are used to restore and enhance teeth that are damaged, or to take the place of missing teeth. A crown, also referred to as a cap, is used to entirely cover a damaged tooth. A crown not only strengthens a tooth, but it can dramatically improve a tooth's appearance, shape and alignment.
Crowns may be used to:
BRIDGES
A bridge is an ideal method to fill the space created by missing teeth. A bridge is one or more artificial teeth that are cemented into place using the teeth on either side for support, hence the name. This is an option for filling the space created by a missing tooth. A bridge replaces the missing tooth, both functionally and cosmetically. Bridge work is as much an art as it is an exact science. The materials used may be gold alloys, porcelain bonded to metal alloy, or all ceramic material made to match your natural tooth color. The choice of material depends on requirements for strength, wear, and/or esthetics.
NON-SURGICAL GUM TREATMENT
The gums, ligaments, and bone around the teeth form the foundation for ones teeth. All structures are also referred to as the periodontium. When the periodontium is not healthy, it jeopardizes the teeth just as a bad foundation would threaten the stability of a house. Signs of unhealthy periodontium include: gums that are red and bleed easily, persistent bad breath, gums that are pulled away from the tooth, loose teeth, and changes in the position or bite of the teeth. Any of these may be a sign of problem. With proper gum treatments, however, it may be possible to return gum tissue to a healthy state. If you're having a problem, come in and see us so we may treat it right away. The treatment usually involves a deep cleaning or root planing done under a local anesthetic, along with local antibiotic agents. If the gum disease gets too severe it may need to be treated through surgery or extraction. This is why it is important to have it treated at the first sign of a problem.
TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
Good oral hygiene should always be practiced since the loss of a single tooth can have major impact upon your oral health and appearance. Although dentists will use every measure to prevent tooth loss, there are still sometimes necessary occasions when a tooth may need to be extracted. A tooth may need to be extracted for the following reasons:
After careful examination and treatment, the dentist may advise to have a tooth extracted. Before a tooth is removed, the dentist will typically take an x-ray in order to understand the shape and position of the tooth and surrounding bone. Based on the degree of difficulty, we may refer you to a specialized oral surgeon.
For a simple extraction, we will first apply a local anesthetic to prevent pain and discomfort. The tooth will be loosened with a tool called an elevator and then removed with dental forceps. We will then provide you with care instructions to alleviate discomfort and ensure proper healing.
ROOT CANAL TREATMENT
Root canal treatment (also referred to as root canal therapy or endodontic therapy) is made necessary when an untreated cavity reaches all the way to this pulp. Treatment may also be needed when deep restorations or trauma to a tooth cause nerve damage. Once the pulp becomes infected, it can begin to eat away at the surrounding bone (this is known as an abscess). If the pulp is infected, not only is it painful but it will require treatment as it cannot heal on its own. Symptoms that indicate the pulp has become infected may include sensitivity to hot/cold or sweets, pain, swelling, pain to biting or pressure, and a bad taste in the mouth. However, sometimes no symptoms are apparent and you may be unaware of any problem until a checkup.
A root canal is performed to clean out the infected tooth pulp and disinfect the canals of the tooth. Alternate treatment would be to extract the tooth. Once the infection is resolved, the canal is filled in to prevent any further infection.
HALITOSIS
Halitosis is sophisticated word for "bad breath". Depending on the cause, bad breath may strike on occasional or may be a more persistent condition. The most common cause of bad breath is bacteria. Because the mouth is moist and warm, it creates perfect conditions for the millions of bacteria that live in the mouth. In fact, approximately 80% of bad breath is caused by something in the mouth.
Bad breath caused by bacteria in the mouth can easily be treated. Brushing your teeth, tongue and gums after meals as well as flossing and rinsing with mouthwash will usually take care of the problem. Regular visits to the dentist should be made for dental examinations and for professional teeth and gum cleaning.
Some types of bad breath, such as "morning mouth," are considered fairly normal and are not usually health concerns. However, persistent bad breath may be a sign of more serious problems with the gums and teeth.
Bad breath may be caused by the following:
Call our office promptly if you have bad breath with painful, swollen gums that bleed easily or loose teeth. We will perform a physical examination of your mouth to determine the cause. If we discover that systematic problems are the cause, we may refer you to your family physician. In severe cases of gum disease, we may recommend a doctor specialized to treat gum disease called a periodontist.
AIR ABRASION
Air abrasion is a drill-less and more gentle approach to remove decay from the teeth. An air abrasion unit is a small instrument that blasts a fine stream of air and particles onto the teeth to spray away decay. The small particles are made of silica, aluminum oxide or baking soda and aid in cleaning the tooth surface. Air abrasion allows for decay to quickly be removed while conserving healthy tooth structure. The particles and decay are then suctioned out of the mouth.
Air abrasion is gentle because it generates no heat, sound, pressure or vibration. In addition, it reduces the need for anesthesia, making it an ideal choice for children and those who experience dental anxiety.
TMJ TREATMENTS
TMJ stands for temporal-mandibular joint. Temporal, as in temple area of skull; mandibular as in mandible, or lower jaw; joint as in it's where the head and jaw meet. Problems in this joint may be caused by a misalignment of the teeth, trauma, or excess muscle tension. Aside from the two bones that meet there, cartilage buffers them and five muscles are involved in the area. If something goes wrong a good deal of trouble can result.
Problems in this area can cause:Dental treatments for the condition can include replacing missing teeth, moving teeth, adjusting the bite, filling gaps between teeth, etc. There is no one solution that is right for all cases. Sometimes a plastic mouthpiece is used to prevent clenching or grinding that is contributing to the problem. If untreated and taken to extremes, surgery may be required to repair a badly damaged joint.
INTERCEPTIVE (EARLY) ORTHODONTICS AND SPACE MAINTENANCE
Some tooth alignment or jaw growth problems should be treated when a child is younger, rather than waiting until the appropriate age for full orthodontic treatment (braces). Such conditions include cross-bites, poor tooth position due to oral habits, some types of crowding, and loss of the space needed for a permanent tooth. Also, when a primary molar must be removed well before the permanent replacement tooth is due to erupt, a space maintainer is usually needed to prevent space loss. We will evaluate your child, and advise you of any conditions that may require orthodontic treatment. If early / interceptive treatment is advisable, we can provide the treatment or may refer for an orthodontic specialist to do so.
CEREC
CEREC is an acronym for Charismatic Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. This high-tech equipment allows us to restore damaged teeth with beautiful custom ceramic crowns in a single visit, completely eliminating the need or multiple appointments over a several week period. The process can create a ceramic dental crown, inlays, onlays or veneers using a variety of technologies including 3D photography and computer-aided design and manufacturing known as CAD/CAM (see below). Using an intra-oral camera, a photograph is taken of the tooth and the picture is loaded onto the computer. Using Computer Aided Design technology, the dentist is able to design the restoration and transform the image into a three-dimensional model. This valuable program then allows the dentist to easily calculate the appropriate restoration shape and size to create near perfect restoration. When the model is ready, a milling machine then creates the restoration using a high-speed diamond bur and calculated precision. The restoration is then bonded to the tooth using a resin material. The result is a beautiful and custom designed and produced restoration, made entirely to fit your mouth. CEREC crowns are metal-free and have been used for over 20 years.
SEDATION DENTISTRY/DENTAL ANXIETY
Dental sedation is a technique that can be used when a patient is too young to allow for cooperation to complete treatment, or suffers from dental anxiety or dental phobia. We are happy to offer a number of solutions for our patients to make their dental visit as comfortable as possible. Sedation dentistry techniques enable patients who might otherwise be unable to cope with dental treatment, to receive dental treatment necessary for a healthy smile. Depending on the extent of the anxiety or phobia, varying degrees of dental sedation can be utilized as described below.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous Oxide sedation, also known as “laughing gas” is commonly used to make treatment more comfortable. This sedation is inhaled through a mask that allows you to breathe in the medication and induces a state of relaxation. If needed, local anesthetic will be administered in conjunction with nitrous oxide to eliminate pain.
Oral or IM Sedatives
Sedative medications can be given to a patient in our office 30 minutes to an hour prior to the dental treatment. Different sedative medications or combinations may be recommended, depending on the age of the patient, treatment needed, and severity of the anxiety. Oral sedatives are most commonly used, but the medications can be administered by IM injection for patients that cannot or will not take medications orally. Sedatives do not provide pain relief, so an injection of local anesthetic will also be administered.
WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
Wisdom teeth are the last molars, or "third molars" that develop on each side of the jaws. Wisdom teeth usually emerge in the back of the mouth between the ages of 16-20.
Wisdom teeth are a valuable asset to the mouth when they are healthy and properly positioned. Often, however, problems develop that require their removal. When the jaw isn't large enough to accommodate wisdom teeth, they can become impacted (unable to come in or misaligned). Wisdom teeth may grow sideways, emerge only part way through the gum or remain trapped beneath the gum and bone.
A wisdom tooth extraction is a relatively routine procedure. The dentist will numb the area in your mouth with a local anesthesia or use IV sedation so you are asleep during the procedure.
After the tooth (or teeth) is removed, you may be asked to bite down softly on a piece of gauze for 30 to 45 minutes after you leave the office, to limit any bleeding that may occur. Some pain and swelling may occur but it will normally go away after a few days; however, you should call your dentist if you have prolonged or severe pain, swelling, bleeding or fever.
COMPUTERIZED
Our office uses computerized shade matching to make restorations that perfectly match the color of your natural teeth. Old methods of shade matching can be inaccurate and inconsistent. Our shade matching system is a small hand-held device that captures tooth hue, value and chroma to create precise color matches. With this technology, you can be confident that your restorations will beautifully match your natural teeth.
AQUA ABRASION
Aqua abrasion is a new cutting and polishing systems that works in the same fashion as air abrasion. In addition to removing decay and preparing restorations, it can be used to effectively clean and polish the teeth through a fine stream of water that is sprayed onto the tooth surface. The aquabrasion system can replace the drill in many dental procedures and it quickly removes decay while conserving healthy tooth structure. Its gentle nature can eliminate the need for local anesthesia in many procedures.
CAD/CAM CHAIRSIDE RESTORATION SYSTEM
Our office utilizes CAD/CAM technology. CAD/CAM stands for "computer-aided design" and "computer-aided manufacturing". This technology allows the dentist to use an intra-oral scanner inside your mouth to take a digital scan of a tooth that has been prepared to receive a crown. Using special software, the data from the scan is used to generate a design (CAD) for a custom crown. This program will also generate a custom blue print and guide lines to manufacture the new crown (CAM). This software, paired with a state-of-the-art milling machine, enables our office to create precise and custom crowns, inlays and onlays in one single dental visit.
LUMINEERS
LUMINEERS® BY CERINATE® are porcelain veneers that offer the painless way to a permanently whiter and perfectly aligned smile. These contact lens-thin "smile shapers" can be applied to teeth without any grinding or shaving, transforming teeth into a naturally beautiful smile that looks perfect for every individual. LUMINEERS can even be placed over existing crown or bridgework without having to replace them.
Our team has taken numerous advanced training courses on this procedure. To see if you are a candidate, call our office for a complimentary consultation.
Click here to learn about LUMINEERS.PARTIAL
Our office does denture and partial repairs in office from cracked and fractured dentures and partial bases to replacement of teeth. Doing repairs in house offers patients quick repairs in a professional dental setting where occlusion (bite), fit and function of the denture or partial are checked.
