Dental implants are small titanium cylinders that are embedded in the bone of the jaw. They act as a replacement for the tooth's original root system. Bone is continuously lost after teeth have been lost. Implants help keep the bone from receding . Dental implants are more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.. Some people are just not able to comfortably wear an upper or lower denture, dental implant provide support for a denture, making it more secure and comfortable.

Bleaching is a treatment that whitens discolored teeth. There are two methods of bleaching teeth: at-home or in-office treatments. Under their dentist's supervision, the at-home treatment requires patients to place a bleaching agent in their custom fitted tooth tray. Patients are required to wear the tray daily, for 1-2 hours, from 1-2 weeks. However, the in-office treatments take approximately 1 hour. The results are immediate. The dentist will cover your gums and apply a bleaching solution to the teeth. A light is then applied to the teeth in order to activate the solution and whiten teeth.

Bridges are fixed or removable artificial teeth spanning a space where one or more teeth have been lost in the dental arch. The teeth adjacent to the area of missing teeth will be prepared for crowns in order to support the bridge.

Bonding restores teeth that are discolored, chipped, cracked, or misaligned. This technique restores teeth to their natural appearance. The dentist will apply a bonding fluid on the tooth, place a tooth colored resin onto the tooth, then sculpt and polish the tooth.

Cleaning is a treatment done by a dental hygienist. The hygienist removes stains, plaque and tartar from teeth and finishes with a polishing.Through regular dental visits, your dentist will clean and examine your teeth, including diagnosis and treatment of early symptoms. Between dental visits, patients can use dental hygiene products and techniques to maintain a healthy mouth.

Crowns are made from a variety of materials that strengthen and protect the tooth structure. There are three types of crowns: a full-porcelain crown (Empress), a porcelain fused-to-metal crown (PFM) and the all-metal crown. Your dentist will discuss and help you decide which type of crown is suitable for you.

Typically porcelain crowns are made by bonding the porcelain to a metal support in a process called Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM). The drawback is that unlike a natural tooth that allows light to pass through it, the metal support underneath blocks out the light.

The Empress system, unlike its predecessors, has developed a method of making a porcelain crown without metal that is both durable and strong. Since the crown is made entirely out of porcelain, light is able to pass through just like a real tooth giving a more natural look.

However, the Empress crown is still not as strong as a PFM crown. Therefore, we use PFM crowns on back teeth and for bridgework for the added strength the metal support lends, and we use the PFM and Empress crowns on anterior teeth.

If a crown (Empress or PFM ) is made for a cosmetic reason , THAT WILL NOT BE COVERED BY ANY INSURANCE COMPANY.

If a crown (Empress or PFM ) is made for any of the following reasons, (this will be covered by your insurance):

-Severe damage from decay
-A filled tooth can no longer support the filling
-Root Canal - after a root canal, the tooth becomes brittle and requires the protection of a crown
-Bridges - when teeth are replaced by a bridge, the adjacent teeth need crowns in order to support the bridge.

Extraction is the process of removing teeth. Teeth need to be removed because they are causing pain, swelling, infection, cavities or gum disease. Extractions are usually performed in cases of impacted wisdom teeth, which cause crowding and misalignment of other teeth.

Gum disease, known as periodontal disease, is caused by plaque, a colorless film of bacteria, which can harden to form tartar around the teeth. Over time, if plaque is not removed, the tissue that attaches the gums to the teeth will cause the gums to be red and swollen. Eventually, the gums will recede from the teeth and create pockets between the teeth and gums allowing for an increase in plaque build up. To be diagnosed with gum disease, your dentist will have to examine your teeth and gums then measure the space in between them.

Root canal treatment is performed when a tooth's pulp (nerve and blood supply) become infected or inflamed. With local anesthesia, the tooth is opened and the pulp and bacteria are removed, leaving an empty pulp chamber. The chamber is filled with a sealant and a filling. The tooth may require additional protection and reinforcement with a crown.

Veneers are form-fitted porcelain shells applied to the front of the teeth. Veneers are used to restore teeth from chips, gaps and stains. The tooth is prepared for a veneer by removing the enamel from the front of the tooth. An impression is made of the tooth and a veneer constructed from the impression. The veneer will then be bonded to the front of the tooth, and then shaped and polished.

White fillings are known technically as composites. They have virtually replaced silver and gold fillings because of their extreme durability. Composites are made up of a combination of quartz resin and a light sensitive agent and come in different shades in order to match the color of your natural teeth.