Lakefront Family Dentistry Provides Many Types of Dental Services. If you do not see something listed here, just give us a call and we’ll be happy to discuss your specific needs with you today.
COSMETIC DENTISTRY
Cosmetic dentistry is a term used to describe the type of dentistry which strives to not only better the appearance of a patient’s teeth, but also look as natural as can be. All dentistry should strive to be cosmetic dentistry.
Dentures and Partial Dentures
Dentures are a removable appliance designed to replace missing teeth and their surrounding tissue. They are designed to closely resemble your teeth and serve to complete the overall dental structure of your mouth, supporting both the normal function of your teeth and the natural beauty of your smile. There are two types of dentures: complete and partial. Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing. Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain, both filling the spaces left by missing teeth and preventing the remaining teeth from shifting out of place.
Complete dentures come in two types: conventional and immediate. Conventional dentures are created after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed; generally a 4 to 6 week process. During this time, the patient must go without teeth, so a set of immediate dentures is prepared in advance and placed right after the teeth are removed. This prevents the patient from having to go without teeth during the healing process. Once healing is complete, a permanent set of conventional dentures can be properly set in place.
What can this procedure repair?
- Loss of all teeth in an arch
- Loss of several teeth in an arch
- Problems with chewing, speech, and digestion
- Dissatisfaction with the appearance of one's smile
How is this procedure done?
Getting dentures requires several appointments over the course of several weeks. At your first appointment, the dentist will take precise measurements and create an individually customized mold that will be used to manufacture your “conventional” dentures. You will then be given a set of “immediate” dentures for use while healing takes place and the “conventional” dentures are prepared. Several “try-in” appointments are often necessary along the way to ensure proper shape, color, and fit. At the final appointment, your dentist will precisely adjust and place the completed denture, ensuring a natural and comfortable fit and restoring your teeth to full function.
What kind of follow up care should I expect?
Shortly after dentures have been put in place, many patients experience increased saliva flow, mild soreness, and possible problems with speech and chewing. This is a normal reaction, and it will subside quickly as the muscles and tissues of your mouth get used to the new dentures. The dentist will provide detailed care instructions, and it is important to remember that proper cleaning, daily brushing and flossing, and regular dental visits all help to aid in extending the life of your new dentures. They are very durable appliances that will last many years with proper maintenance, but keep in mind that they sometimes have to be remade, repaired, or readjusted due to normal wear.
Bonding
Bonding or a composite restoration is a resin filling that is tooth colored. The material is chemically and mechanically bonded to the tooth. This type of restoration allows your dentist the ability to conserve as much natural tooth structure as possible.
Custom Smile Design
While many dentists provide this type of treatment, often times the standard "cookie cutter” veneer approach is utilized which results in a “cookie cutter” looking veneer, resembling a mouthful of white chicklets.
Those unhappy with the shape and size of their teeth, or those who have chipped, worn and discolored teeth are ideal candidates for Porcelain veneers with this design approach.
Treatment is usually completed in just two visits, so If you have ever been embarrassed or unhappy with your smile please inquire about our customized smile design services.
Digital X-Rays
Dental x-rays, known as radiographs, are essential diagnostic tools for the prevention of serious dental diseases and complications. They provide the dentist with valuable information not available through a regular dental exam. Identifying such problems early saves you time, money, and necessary pain. Dental x-rays can reveal:
- Tooth abscesses or cysts
- Bone loss
- Tumors, both cancerous and non-cancerous
- Decay between teeth
- Developmental abnormalities
- Poor tooth and root positions
- Problems inside a tooth and below the gum line
Patients often wonder if dental x-rays are safe. While x-rays do use low-level radiation to capture images, the amount of radiation exposure a patient receives from a full mouth series of dental x-rays is equal to what a person normally receives in a single day from natural sources present in our everyday lives. With precautions in place, x-rays are perfectly safe.
Dental x-rays are not taken on every check-up visit. The dentist regularly reviews each patient’s unique situation and requests the x-rays only when necessary based on medical and dental history, regular screenings, age considerations, and risk for disease. A full mouth series is recommended for new patients and is generally good for three to five years. Bite-wing x-rays (x-rays of top and bottom teeth biting together) are generally recommended once or twice a year.
Inlays and Onlays
Inlay and onlay restorations are custom-crafted fillings traditionally made of composite material, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain. Many patients prefer porcelain inlays and onlays because they resemble your natural teeth much like the composite material, but have the added advantage of being more durable.
Porcelain inlays and onlays can also be utilized to conservatively repair damage that is too severe to be repaired by a traditional filling, but also not severe enough to require a full-crown procedure. In this way, teeth that have large defective fillings or more severe damage caused by decay or trauma can be restored without significant loss to the natural structure of the teeth.
Here is a list of reasons why your dentist might suggest a porcelain inlay or onlay treatment:
- Broken or fractured teeth
- Decayed teeth
- Fractured fillings
- A cavity that requires a large fitting
- A specific cosmetic enhancement for which they might be the best solution
Inlays often make an ideal alternative to conventional silver and composite fillings, while onlays can sometimes be used in place of crowns (caps). For this reason, porcelain onlays are sometimes referred to as partial crowns. The two treatments are essentially identical except that the additional coverage onlays provide is used when one or more of the chewing cusps have been damaged and need to be included in the restoration.
Both porcelain inlays and porcelain onlays are manufactured in a professional dental laboratory and then permanently cemented into place by your dentist. While porcelain inlays and onlays are highly durable, they are not always permanent and may eventually require replacement. That said, these treatments have a long record of providing patients with a beautiful smile that lasts for many, many years.
How are porcelain inlays and onlays applied?
Placing a porcelain inlay or onlay usually requires two appointments. At the first appointment, your dentist will numb the teeth selected for treatment and remove any decay and old filling materials. Once cleared, the teeth will be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared by shaping the surface to properly fit your restoration. With the teeth now set to receive the inlay or onlay, the dentist will take several highly accurate impressions, or molds, that will be used to create both your custom porcelain inlay or onlay and a temporary restoration. The mold will be sent to the dental laboratory, and a temporary filling will be set in place on your tooth or teeth to protect them while your restoration is crafted.
During your second appointment, the dentist will carefully and precisely cement your new restoration in place, making adjustments as necessary to ensure a proper fit and a comfortable bite. You will receive proper care instructions at the conclusion of your treatment, and, of course, good oral hygiene practices, a proper diet, and regular dental visits will significantly prolong the life of your new restoration.
Should you have any questions about porcelain inlays or onlays, just give us a call and we'll be happy to answer any of your questions.
DENTAL HYGIENE
ORAL SURGERY
The removal of a tooth from the mouth. Extractions are performed for a variety of different reasons. Tooth decay that has damaged enough tooth structure to prevent anything from saving the tooth is the most frequent indication for extraction of teeth. Extractions of impacted or problematic wisdom teeth are routinely performed. Usually, when you lose a tooth, it is best for your oral health to have it replaced. Missing teeth can affect you :bite” as well as your ability to speak and chew. Their loss can increase the burden on your remaining teeth and cause extra wear on teeth, headaches, and muscle pain in your jaw. Of course, losing a tooth can affect your appearance as well.
The good news is that, most of the time, we can replace that missing tooth without too much trouble!
ORTHODONTICS
Call (951) 244-9495 to Schedule Your Appointment Today, or Make and Appointment Online and we’ll call you right back! We look forward to giving you the best recommendations for your smile and health.