Restorative
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Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are one of the most efficient ways to improve your smile. Also referred to as laminates, veneers are ultra thin, extremely durable shells placed over existing teeth. Veneers can be used to alter tooth size, shape and color. They also strengthen and protect teeth from further weakening and fracture, thus preventing the need for more radical treatments like tooth removal or crowns.
Read information about cosmetic treatment using veneers.
See more before and after photos.
Read Frequently Asked Questions.
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Porcelain Crowns
Also referred to as 'jackets,' porcelain crowns are used in situations where a tooth is weakened or worn beyond minor repair. Porcelain crowns, like veneers, look natural, are extremely durable, and will retain their brilliance for many years. They are translucent, allowing light to pass through naturally, and are bonded to the tooth for strength and a lifelike appearance.
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Porcelain Inlays, Onlays & Tooth-Colored Composites
Inlays and onlays provide an attractive and effective alternative to silver amalgam, which can weaken teeth and make them look gray and unnatural. Because the materials used are extremely durable and bond to teeth, inlays can protect teeth from further weakening, and can restore their strenght, natural beauty and brilliance. Many of our clients opt to replace old fillings with inlays or onlays for these reasons. We recommend solutions based upon how much restoration is required. The less tooth structure that needs to be restored, the more conservative the restoration can be. Generally, composites are used for smaller restorations, inlays and onlays for larger ones.
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Bonding
Bonding is actually a method (not a solution) of attaching something to the tooth. First, the tooth is etched to create microporosoties in the tooth structure. A bonding resin is placed over the etched tooth and cured. This resin locks into the microporosities, which causes it to adhere to the tooth, much like pouring glue onto a sponge. On this resin, anything can be bonded, i.e. metal, enamel, plastic or porcelain. We bond metal bridges, porcelain laminates, composite resins and orthondontic brackets. The bonding process is considered 'additive,' meaning nothing is taken away from the tooth. The term, bonding has come into common usage to mean restoration of missing tooth structure with a tooth-color composite material, and is used interchangeably by dentists and patients alike.
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Silver Amalgam & Our Philosophy on Old Silver Fillings
While we have not used this material for new fillings in more than ten years, it has historically been proven as an adequate restorative solution where indicated. A well-placed silver filling should never be removed arbitrarily to treat medical conditions. However, over time, if they are worn, broken or fractured, they should be replaced. In ninety percent of replacements, we find decay below the old silver filling. It is also acceptable to replace them for cosmetic reasons. Their replacement with tooth-color restorations can dramatically improve a smile.
Restorations today utilize adhesive technology for inlays or onlays. The advantage is that these natural-looking materials bond to the teeth, and can completely restore them in both strength and structure. Moreover, the strength of a restored tooth can actually increase, as an onlay covers the biting surface of a tooth, and redirects the biting force downward and inward, rather than outward. Additionally, the risk of leakage is eliminated, as can occur with silver amalgam.
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Gold Inlays or Onlays
Restorative dentists agree that properly placed gold inlays or onlays, which can last up to 50 years, can offer the ultimate solution. Many patients request gold for its historic longevity or perceived beauty.
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