A crown is a specific type of tooth restoration that covers, or “caps” (another common name for a crown), a tooth to restore it to its natural shape and size.

• to restore a tooth when there isn’t enough remaining tooth to support a large filling

• to protect a weakened tooth from fracturing

• to restore a fractured tooth

• to cover dental implants

• to attach bridges

• to cover poorly shaped or discolored teeth

• after root canal treatment

Crowns can be made of a number of different materials: porcelain or ceramic, gold alloys or non-precious alloys, composite resins, or a combination of these materials. The dentist will help you choose which material is best for your specific situation.

The placement of a crown will usually take two dental visits. During the 1st visit, the dentist will remove any old filling and replace this with a new material called a “build-up” to serve as the foundation for the crown. Next, the dentist will remove the outer portion of the tooth to accommodate for the thickness of the crown that is to be placed. An impression is then taken to provide a dental laboratory with all the necessary information to fabricate the custom fitted crown. A “temporary” crown is placed over the tooth while the permanent crown is being made. At your second appointment, usually scheduled two weeks after the first, the temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown is placed. Minor adjustments are often made to insure a proper fit, before the crown is permanently cemented into place.

It is very important once a crown is placed to brush it twice daily and clean between with floss or interdental brushes. If plaque accumulates in between the gum and the crown, it can cause dental decay or gum disease. To prevent fracturing or damaging crowns, avoid chewing hard objects, such as ice. Also, avoid sticky candies that have been known to pull crowns off. It is important to go to the dentist for your regular check-ups. The dentist can check your crowns and all of your teeth at these appointments.

A bridge is a restoration that replaces one or more teeth. It is bonded or cemented to the natural teeth that are next to the space left by the missing tooth or teeth. Crowns are cemented on the natural teeth next to the space, these are referred to as the abutments. Attached to these crowns (or abutments) is a crown (called a pontic) that replaces the missing tooth. This abutment-pontic-abutment is cemented in as one unit. Different types of materials can be used like gold, and porcelain fused to metal. The dentist will show you how to clean and floss your new bridge.

A Complete Denture is one treatment used when you have lost all your natural teeth, whether from tooth decay, periodontal disease, or injury. Replacing your teeth with a denture will not only improve your appearance and smile, but your overall health as well. It becomes very difficult to eat and speak without teeth, something often taken for granted in a healthy mouth. A conventional full denture is placed several months after the teeth are removed and the tissue has healed. An immediate denture is placed as soon as the remaining teeth are removed. The dentist will work with you to restore your smile, picking out the shape, size and color of the denture teeth. Before the dentures are placed, it will still be important to clean the soft tissue and return for regular check-ups and necessary adjustments.

A Removable Partial Denture is a replacement for one or more teeth that can be removed by the patient (as opposed to a bridge, that is permanently cemented). Removable partial dentures have replacement teeth attached to gum-colored acrylic bases connected by a metal framework. The partial attaches to your natural teeth with metal clasps. The dentist will teach you how to remove and insert the partial so you can clean it.

A dental implant is a titanium screw surgically placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw used to replace a missing tooth. An implant looks and feels like a natural tooth. A single tooth implant allows the dentist to replace a missing tooth without involving treatment of the teeth next to the spaces (as in a bridge).

The placement of an implant generally takes place over several months and involves a three-part process. A specialist, such as a periodontist or an oral surgeon will be involved in the surgical process. The dentist will refer you to the specialist for an “implant consultation”. In the first phase, the specialist will place the implant into the jaw. The gum is covered over the implant while it heals for three to six months. During this healing period the implant will fuse with the bone. This process is called osseointegration. In the second phase, the specialist will uncover the gum to expose the implant and an attachment called a “post” (also called an abutment) will be placed. This “post” serves as an extension of the implant on to which the new tooth will be placed. In the final phase, the specialist will refer you back to the dentist who will then take an impression of the post to fabricate the crown that will replace the tooth. Once completed, the crown is attached to the implant post.

A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain that is placed over a natural tooth to improve its appearance, whether it be stained, damaged, or misshaped. Veneers can dramatically enhance the way you feel about your smile.

Veneers generally take three appointments. It is important to have a consultation first to talk to the dentist about your cosmetic needs and to determine if you are a good candidate for veneers. At the second appointment, the teeth to receive veneers are prepared either by removing a small layer of enamel (the outer layer of tooth), or lightly re-contouring the teeth to provide a surface for bonding the veneer. Tooth shade is selected, an impression is taken for the lab, and temporary veneers are placed. About two weeks later, the third appointment is made. The veneers are tested for fit and shade, and then bonded to the teeth. They will look and feel like natural teeth.

Call 781-762-0053 or contact us for a consultation.

A dental sealant is a plastic material that is applied to the chewing surface of a back tooth to act as a barrier to decay. The chewing surface of a molar has pits and fissures. The toothbrush bristles can’t always reach into these microscopic areas, but food particles and plaque bacteria can. A sealant is placed into these pits and fissures to protect the tooth from cavities.

The procedure is very simple. First the teeth are thoroughly cleaned and conditioned. The sealant is then applied to the tooth by bonding it with a special curing light which hardens it. The sealants are then checked by the dentist at routine visits. Prevention is key to maintaining a healthy smile.

There are three different ways we provide our patients with the opportunity to whiten their teeth:

1. One-Hour In Office Whitening

2. Take Home Bleaching Trays

3. Professional Crest Whitestrips

1.One-Hour In Office Whitening is the newest and most popular way to whiten teeth. In one visit we can whiten your teeth without pain or discomfort, mouthguards, or multiple visits. The One-hour teeth whitening system uses a professional strength gel of carbamide peroxide that is applied directly to your teeth to achieve rapid results.

The carbamide peroxide (the active ingredient in the gel) acts upon stained organic deposits, oxidizing them into a white color. Years of clinical testing have demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of this system.

For most people, the results will last for many years. Exposure to certain foods, drinks (coffee, tea, soda, red wines), and tobacco will gradually darken teeth again over time. After initial treatment, many patients will do touch-ups with take-home kits every 6-12 months.

The most common side effects, if any are seen at all, are an increase sensitization to hot and cold, and an irritation of the gum tissue. Usually these side effects are minimal and will go away in 24 hours. A protective coating is placed over your gums while the bleaching gel is applied to the teeth. This protective coating is removed after the gel is removed from the teeth. We also recommend desensitizing toothpaste to help minimize any sensitivity you may experience after the bleaching process.

No. Teeth display a very wide range of shades of white. Each patient will achieve some lightening of their teeth to a different degree. Many people have an unrealistic idea of what constitutes a natural tooth shade. “Movie star white” is often achieved by means other than bleaching, such as the placement of veneers.

Tooth colored fillings, also called composite fillings, are made from tooth-colored materials that help restore the natural appearance of adecayed or previously filled tooth. The appointment time will vary depending on the location of the tooth and the size of the filling. A bonding agent is used to adhere the filling to the tooth. The dentist will isolate the tooth from saliva to insure a proper bond. After the bonding agent is placed, the dentist will fill the tooth with several layers of the tooth colored composite material which is then hardened with a special light for less than a minute. At the end of the appointment the dentist will check your bite and polish the tooth.

The Invisalign system has been successful in giving hundreds of thousands of amazing smiles to both teens and adults. We will create your individual treatment plan using Invisalign’s clear, custom-molded aligners to solve a range of issues, including:

• Overly crowded teeth

• Widely spaced teeth

• Overbites

• Underbites

• Crossbites

Because Invisalign offers you comfort, convenience and virtual invisibility during treatment, with Invisalign, you can:

• Be as active as you like because Invisalign won’t hold you back

• Remove your aligners for special events, eating and brushing

• Feel more confident everywhere you go

• Look your best during treatment.

Invisalign is clear and practically invisible, so nothing gets in the way of your new smile. Invisalign is the choice of over half a million people.

• Unobtrusive in business meetings or social gatherings

• No metal wires or bands to irritate your mouth

• Many people won’t notice you’re wearing aligners

• Find a certified Invisalign provider near you.

Come in to see if you’re a candidate for Invisalign treatment. For more information, go to www.invisalign.com.

Call 781-762-0053 or contact us for a consultation.

An inlay or onlay restoration is a custom made filling made of composite material, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain. Porcelain inlays are popular because they resemble your natural tooth. A porcelain inlay is made by a professional dental laboratory and is permanently cemented into the tooth by your dentist.

Inlays can be utilized to conservatively repair teeth that have large defective fillings or have been damaged by decay or trauma. Inlays are an ideal alternative to conventional silver and composite fillings. Also, they are more conservative than crowns because less tooth structure is removed in the preparation of inlays. They are highly durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful long lasting smile.

Onlays can be utilized to conservatively repair teeth that have larger defective fillings or have been damaged by decay or trauma. Onlays are an ideal alternative to crowns (caps) because less tooth structure is removed during the preparation of onlays. They are also highly durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful long lasting smile.

• Broken or fractured teeth

• Cosmetic enhancement

• Decayed teeth

• Fractured fillings

• Large fillings

Help protect your child’s teeth by starting dental check-ups early. Generally we suggest bringing your child in anytime between 2-3 years of age. Obviously, if there are any concerns or questions, we would be happy to meet them earlier. It is often beneficial to bring in an apprehensive child with you to your scheduled cleaning appointment so they can meet everyone in the office and see how everything works. Usually at their 1st visit we will familiarize them with the room and instruments. We will count their teeth, check for cavities, clean their teeth, and apply a fluoride treatment. When the 1st adult molars arrive, generally around the age of 6, we usually recommend sealing them to prevent dental decay (See #7 Dental Sealants to learn more).

• Schedule the 1st visit between the ages of 2-3

• Don’t tell your child scary stories about the dentist, instead try reading a positive children’s book about going to the dentist (ex: Berenstein Bears)

• Schedule a morning appointment when children are well rested

• Try not to relay any anxiety you may have about going to the dentist

• Don’t bribe your child to go to the dentist

• Don’t use the visit to the dentist as a punishment or threat

• Try to make it an enjoyable outing and we will do our best to make it a fun and pleasurable experience for them as well.

 

There are many other dental procedures and advanced techniques that we routinely perform in our office. Our Doctors and their dental team will discuss the treatment that is right for you.

Call 781-762-0053 or contact us for a consultation.