When your teeth and gums are in bad condition, you may need a full-mouth restoration that involves several procedures and restorations. Begin by visiting your dentist for a complete examination with medical images to learn more about the health of your gums and teeth. While improving the function of your teeth and gums is the primary focus of a full-mouth restoration, it is also important to improve the appearance of your smile. At our dental office, we want you to understand what happens during full-mouth restoration so that you can prepare for the process of creating a beautiful smile. Here are some of the dental repairs that can occur while you are undergoing a full mouth restoration.

Dental Repair 1: Filling Cavities or Replacing Old Fillings

Our dentist can fill the small cavities in your teeth with color-matching substances. If you have old metallic fillings that are loose or ugly, then we can remove these before inserting an attractive but unnoticeable filling.

Dental Repair 2: Treating Gum Disease to Prevent Tooth Loss

If you have swollen or bleeding gums, then you may have gingivitis, and this condition can lead to a loss of your natural teeth. Our dentist can use special cleaning techniques to remove the bacteria from your gums, but if you have severe periodontal disease, then we may need to remove the contaminated gum tissue. It can take weeks or months to overcome gum disease, but it is worth it to save your teeth.

Dental Repair 3: Whitening Your Teeth

When your dental enamel is discolored, our dentist can whiten your teeth in an hour or less. We will protect your dental restorations before coating your teeth with a strong hydrogen peroxide solution. When water is squirted into your mouth, a chemical reaction occurs that lifts the difficult stains from your teeth.

Dental Repair 4: Repairing Chips

If you have a small chip or scratch on a tooth, then our dentist can mix a color-matching bonding substance to apply to the scratch or chip. After this substance dries, our dentist will polish the tooth’s surface to create a beautiful tooth that looks perfect.

Dental Repair 5: Covering a Tooth’s Surface

When a tooth toward the front of your mouth is discolored or damaged, we can make a thin porcelain dental veneer to place over the tooth. This is a great treatment for the teeth that are located toward the front of your mouth. The veneers are attached with a waterproof resin, and these restorations can also change the size or shape of a tooth.

Dental Repair 6: Dental Crowns

If a tooth has a large cavity or is severely damaged, then our dentist will suggest covering it with a dental crown. First, the natural tooth requires a repair to eliminate decay or other problems. This can include filling the tooth or performing a root canal to remove the interior structures of the tooth. When you have a root canal, our dentist will fill the tooth’s shell with a malleable substance before covering it with the dental crown.

Dental Repair 7: Replacing Lost Teeth

One of the best things about a full-mouth restoration is replacing any missing teeth, but there are several ways to do this. It is possible to replace lost teeth with dental bridges that are made with full-size dental crowns and sturdy supports. When you have teeth that are beyond repair, our dentist can remove these teeth before ordering an upper or lower denture. However, you can also request dental implants that have metal posts and crowns to replace your lost teeth. 

The secret of cosmetic dentistry is that it is almost never simply cosmetic. Beautifully aligned teeth don’t just improve a person’s smile, but help them to speak and eat better. Missing teeth can actually weaken the bone in the jaw and cause the remaining teeth to go out of alignment. Here are some types of cosmetic dentistry we practice:

Dental Implants
Our dentists use dental implants to correct teeth that are cracked, broken, crooked, diseased or missing. The procedure has several steps and usually takes a few months to complete.

First, the patient has a consultation with our dentist, who X-rays the patient’s mouth and the area to be treated. The damaged tooth is removed and replaced by a post that’s made of titanium, a metal that is known for being biocompatible and corrosion-resistant. The dentist covers the post with the patient’s gum tissue, and both the dentist and patients need to wait until the post fuses with the bone in the jaw. This can take a few months, and sometimes the doctor gives the patient a temporary crown.

During the time the post fuses with the jawbone, the crown for the implant is made in a dental laboratory. These crowns can be made of porcelain, porcelain over metal, metal or composite resin. Some porcelain crowns match the patient’s natural teeth so precisely that it is difficult for an observer to know that the crown is not real.

When the post and jawbone are fused, the patient comes back to our office. The dentist opens the gum over the post and inserts an abutment. After the area heals, the crown is installed.

A dental implant can be done with one tooth or more than one tooth at a time.

Veneers
Veneers are also created for people whose teeth are discolored, damaged or gapped. As with a dental implant, our dentist has a consultation with the patient and X-rays their mouth.

During the procedure, the dentist uses a burr to take away a very thin layer of enamel from the tooth that will take the veneer and creates a mold of it. The mold is sent to a dental lab, and the veneer is ready from one week to one month later. In the meantime, the patient wears a temporary veneer.

When the veneer is ready, the patient returns to the dentist’s office. The dentist checks and adjusts the veneer abrade the tooth then attaches the veneer to it with dental cement. They use a blue light to cure it. The dentist removes excess cement and makes tiny adjustments to the veneer until it fits perfectly.

Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is the only cosmetic procedure that can be said to be truly cosmetic, for the color of otherwise healthy teeth does not affect their functioning. Indeed, the color of a person’s teeth largely depends on their genetics. Some people whiten or bleach their teeth themselves, but there are risks to this. Having the dentist whiten their teeth is safer and gets their teeth whiter.

Before the procedure, the dentist evaluates the color of the patient’s teeth. Then, they’ll polish it with pumice to remove plaque and give the patient retractors to make sure the soft tissue of their mouth is protected from the bleach. The dentist also places a barrier over the gums before they paint on the bleach. The bleach is then cured with a special light and left on for about a half an hour to an hour before it’s rinsed off. The patient may need to return to the office once more to achieve the shade of white they want.

What does your smile say about you? Do you smile wholeheartedly or do you try to hide dental imperfections? Since your smile is one of the first things someone notices, it’s important that you feel good about smiling. However, what do you do if you are less than satisfied with your smile?

Finding a cosmetic dentist is easier said than done. You need to feel comfortable with them and know that they have your best interest at heart.

Continue reading to learn what a cosmetic dentist is and five things to look for when searching for one.

What is a cosmetic dentist?

A cosmetic dentist is very similar to a general dentist with the only differences being the focus and expertise. Unlike general dentists who primarily focus on repairing and treating teeth, cosmetic dentists aim to improve the appearance of your teeth. They accomplish this by using braces, teeth whitening methods, implants, veneers and crowns. However, it’s important you understand the scope of their experience and training before entrusting them with your smile. 

Patient-Centric

As you go through your consultation, keep an eye out for whether or not the dentist and staff are focused on your best interest. Dedicated cosmetic dentists listen intently and want to know about your aesthetic goals. They do not try to push unwanted or unnecessary procedures simply to generate profit.

Always make sure that the cosmetic dentist explains each and every option there is with simple, yet detailed terms. On top of that, they should also give you the privilege of choosing what you would like to have done.

Commitment to Their Education

The technology used and procedures performed in cosmetic dentistry are constantly evolving, which helps dental professionals find better, less invasive ways to enhance your smile. It’s essential that you find out whether your chosen dentist stays updated on cosmetic dentistry advancements with continuing education.

Does the dentist have positive reviews?

Reviews, referrals, and testimonials by previous patients say a lot about the service, success of procedures and the overall atmosphere of the dental office. You can find out more by asking your friends and neighbors for referrals. You can also perform an internet search and look for reviews from previous patients.

History of Satisfied Patients

A reliable cosmetic dentist should have no problem showing you examples of past procedures with satisfied patients. Be sure to ask for any before and after pictures to get a feel of the dentist’s skill. Furthermore, make sure that the quality and style that you see in the pictures is up to your standards before going any further.

Multi-Faceted

educate yourself about services the cosmetic dentist offers and what they specialize in. Most cosmetic dentists have knowledge and expertise in general dentistry, so having one that specializes in multiple procedures is extremely convenient. It keeps you from having to go back and forth between dentists who aren’t aware of your dental history.

If you require extensive dental work, then having a cosmetic dentist that specializes in various procedures is an all-around win for you. However, make sure that the dentist you’re considered is trained in the specifications that you require.

If you’d like to know more information about what cosmetic dentistry can do for you, contact Lipkowitz Dentistry today. 

Having good dental health is a personal reflection of who you truly are. A nice smile is one of the most sought-after characteristics for most logical-minded individuals. Teeth that are straight and white is an attribute that everyone would love to have, but life tends to throw us all a few curb balls here and there. Unfortunately, there are millions of people worldwide who don’t possess a set of great-looking teeth. Whether the issues come from a genetic level, or the issues come from personal choices, the things you do on a consistent basis will affect the health of your mouth, including the teeth and gums.

Why Go The Cosmetic Dental Route?

One of the best ways to achieve a stunning smile is by obtaining some form of a cosmetic dental procedure. The list of procedures is vast, but everyone may not qualify for a specific treatment. Unlike standard-dental procedures, these advanced procedures can potentially provide long-term results. Here are some of the top cosmetic-dental procedures in modern-day times.

1. Dental veneers are a gamechanger, especially when it comes to drastically improve the look of your teeth. Veneers are wafer-thin shells that are bonded onto the surface of the teeth. These custom-made shells are about a half-millimeter thick, and they can perfectly match your teeth’s natural color. Dental veneers generally range between $500 – $1,300 per tooth.

2. Dental implants provide the most structurally sound components in cosmetic dentistry. These types of implants are inserted into the tooth’s socket via titanium posts. The titanium post will provide a rock-solid grip as the jaw bone begins to heal around the post. Dental implants are great for replacing missing teeth. You won’t find a more solid foundation than this as dental implants can range between $1,250 – $3,000.

3. Dental bonding is a tooth-colored putty that’s bonded to an area of the tooth. For bonding the material to the tooth, ultraviolet light is utilized. Dental bonding works great for repairing misshaped, cracked, chipped or decayed teeth. This treatment is one of the top alternatives to silver fillings. Price ranges are between $100 – $400 per tooth and the procedure can last up to an hour.

4. In-office teeth whitening has produced stunning results that can be experienced immediately. Unlike store-bought whitening products, in-house teeth whitening uses professional-grade materials to produce the best results. This might be the simplest form of cosmetic dentistry, but it delivers some of the absolute best results in a matter of minutes. Individuals can expect to pay anywhere between $300 – $500 for this advanced-dental treatment.

5. Laser-gum therapy works great for removing stuck-on plaque. This special type of treatment specifically utilizes a laser to access and remove inflamed gum tissue. Of course, this gum tissue will be removed down to the root for producing the best possible outcome. Once the tooth’s root is exposed, the dentist will partake in root scaling, which is basically removing calculus build-up. The last step is when your dentist smooths the root to prevent future infection. Laser-gum therapy is pain-free, and its cost can vary greatly depending on your personal needs. You can expect to pay as little as $300, but also as much as $1,000 for ongoing therapy in the end.

Lipkowitz General, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry utilizes some of the most advanced technologies to meet your dental goals. Dr. Robert Lipkowitz and his team of dental professionals have many years of experience as well as copious amounts of education to produce the most comfortable environment.