Services
Teeth cleaning & check-up
Teeth cleaning (scaling & polishing) is a procedure for the removal of tartar (mineralized plaque) that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing, especially in areas that are difficult to reach in routine toothbrushing. It is recommended having the teeth professionally cleaned (and checked) every 6 months with the intention of preventing cavities (dental caries), gingivitis, and periodontal disease.
Dental implants
A dental implant is a surgical component that interfaces with the bone of the jaw or skull to support a dental prosthesis such a crown, bridge, denture..etc. The basis for modern dental implants is a biologic process called osseointegration where materials, such as titanium, form an intimate bond to bone. The implant fixture is first placed, then a dental prosthesis is added. A variable time of healing time is required for osseointegration before the dental prosthesis is attached to the implant.
Ceramic veneers
A veneer is a thin layer of ceramic material placed over a tooth, either to improve the aesthetics of the tooth or to protect the tooth's surface from damage.
Multiple veneers can close spaces between teeth, lengthen teeth that have been shortened by wear, fill the black triangles between teeth caused by gum recession, provide uniform color, shape and symmetry and make the teeth appear straight.
Composite (white) fillings
Initially, composite restorations in dentistry were very prone to leakage and breakage due to weak compressive strength. In the '90s and 2000's, composites were greatly improved and have a compression strength sufficient for use in posterior teeth.
Today's composite resins have low polymerization shrinkage and low coefficients of thermal shrinkage, which allows them to be placed in bulk, while maintaining good adaptation to cavity walls. The placement of composite requires METICULOUS attention to procedure or it may fail prematurely. In our dental clinic we have stopped using amalgam fillings since the early 2000's since composite materials outperform amalgam in every way, if used properly.
Teeth whitening
Usual causes of tooth discoloration include: Tea, coffee, tobacco, wine and cola drinks consumed in excess, genetically darker color, age, tetracyclines, etc.
In-office bleaching procedures usually use hydrogen peroxide as the whitening agent, and the whole session takes about 1.5 hours.
Alternatively a patient can use the home-kit, with whitening trays (containing carbamide peroxide) worn for several hours (usually during night sleep) for 8-10 days.
Teeth whitening is totally safe, and won't harm the teeth if applied following the guidelines.
Dental bridge
A bridge, is a fixed dental restoration used to replace a missing tooth (or several teeth).
The teeth on either side of the missing tooth or teeth, are reduced in size to accomodate the material to be used (porcelain,zirconia etc) to restore the size and shape of the original teeth in a correct alignment and contact with the opposing teeth.
Dental specialties
In Dentistry there are several specialties, like Endodontics, Orthodontics, Oral & Maxillo facial surgery, Pedodontics etc.
Specialists in these fields, warrant exclusive titles such as orthodontist, endodontist, pediatric dentist and limit their practice in that field.
Some patients may require refferal to a specialist depending on their treatment needs.