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Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is branch of dental services that contains mainly elective procedures which are intended to improve the overall aesthetics of your teeth and smile. Not all cosmetic procedures will necessarily be covered by insurance, but you may be surprised at how many of them are typically covered! Feel free to ask our staff for assistance in determining what you covering would be.
Some cosmetic procedures include teeth whitening, bonding, dental implants, veneers, crowns, fillings, bridges, Invisalign (clear braces – no wires!) and “instant” orthodontics.
Not all dentists who perform procedures that fall under cosmetic dentistry are specially-trained cosmetic dentists. However, at Sierra Dental, our dentists have extensive training in cosmetic dentistry, and are up to date on the latest technologies used as well!
Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry simply refers to the services required to restore your dentitions so they can be functional and aesthetically pleasing again. Sometimes, teeth decay, get damaged or even lost! Maybe you had an injury or accident and lost a tooth. Then you might be a candidate for a restorative procedure to bring back your smile. Dr. Sierra or one of our other trained dentists will do a full evaluation of your mouth, and then determine the proper diagnosis and lay out full treatment options with you.
Teeth Whitening Treatments
Teeth whitening is a very common cosmetic dental treatment. It has the ability to brighten someone’s smile without much time or effort! People are usually trying to get a whiter smile, whether it be for work, a special occasion, or for every day! A common form of whitening is to come into the office for a whitening procedure which uses a prescription-strength gel, applied to your teeth under the supervision of a licensed dentist. We usually do this treatment in 15 minute sessions, and may do 3 or more sessions for each person, depending on the circumstances. However, you can usually see great results after just 1 hour of whitening!
How do I know I am going to get the whitening results that I want, and what happens if I don’t?
You have to understand that no two mouths are the same, and no two sets of teeth will respond to whitening the same. One person may only require one session, while another may need 4-5. It’s best to try it out and see how it goes. If you desire a whiter smile, you can always continue whitening at home with take-home trays!
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are an ever popular cosmetic dental treatment. Technically, they are thin layers of a ceramic material that are permanently affixed to your teeth. They are very durable due to the type of material that is used, as well as the bonding procedure. They are custom-made so that they match your surrounding teeth. These are a great way to fix minor chips, stains and minor alignment issues.
Using porcelain veneers are a much quicker way to correct alignment issues than traditional braces or even Invisalign. You can get an almost instant new smile with veneers; a smile that is straighter, whiter and more beautiful! Porcelain veneers are durable, and can be treated just like you would natural teeth, as they are resistant to stains from coffee, red wine and nicotine. With regular brushing, flossing and bi-annual check-ups, your veneers should last for many years.
What can be fixed with porcelain veneers?
Veneers can fix many of the same types of issues as dental bonding, however veneers can fix more severe problems and are much stronger than just bonding. Veneers can be used to cover stains and spots, chips and cracks, crooked or worn teeth, small gaps and crowded teeth without the use of orthodontics.
Dental Crowns
A Dental Crown is basically a cover or cap that is placed on top of a tooth that is too decayed to do a filling. The tooth must have a healthy root to get a crown. Other reasons to use a crown vs a filling are: a crack in the tooth or too much of the structure broken off to support any type of filling. Decay can come from poor dental hygiene, or even an accident that caused damage to the teeth. Crowns cover the damaged tooth, making them fully functional again.
Of the different types of crowns, which one is best?
While there are many different types of crowns, we recommend you talk about this with Dr. Sierra or whomever is treating you. They’ll be able to explain the options clearly, and help you decide which is best based on your priorities. Some things to consider are cost, durability, appearance, etc.
Dental Implants
A Dental Implant is essentially an artificial root, used when the original root is no longer functional. They are used with crowns on top, and make it possible to place a crown or denture where there was no tooth there before. They can be used to support a number of prostheses, including crowns, dentures or implant-supported bridges or dentures.
Implant dentistry is not necessarily a recognized specialty amongst the many areas of dentistry. However, all doctors that are placing implants should have extensive training in both surgical and prosthetic phases. You should know that Dr. Sierra and our other dentists at Sierra Dental are specially trained in implant dentistry, and can provide the latest implant techniques and procedures for you.
Do I have enough bone and enough room for a dental implant?
That is a great question! It is the sort of thing you want to ask your doctor during you no-cost, no-obligation consultation to find out if implants are the right thing for you. We’ll take x-rays and do a full exam so that we understand your particular situation, and then we’ll be able to answer that question, and more, for you.
Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry refers to using sedatives during dental treatments. They are mainly used to calm the patient and relax the mind and body.
The different types of sedation are:
Minimal – this just relaxes the body and relieves the patient of any anxiety. The patient is still fully conscious.
Moderate – the patient is in an even more relaxed state, but can still respond to some stimulation.
Deep – the patient is not able to respond to anyone or anything and may even appear to be unconscious.
What are the pros of using sedation?
Here are a few of the main reasons that patients consider sedation during their dental procedures:
It can quickly and safely calm heightened anxieties or nerves that may be associated with the sheer smell, sight and sounds that come from a dental office. It can completely change the way patients feel about visiting a dentist.
Sedation can help patients relax, allowing extra comfort.
Procedures that would normally take two or three visits can now be completed in a single visit with sedation.
Most dentists use an oral medication so there are no IVs or needles involved in the process.
For most, aches and pains are associated with a trip to the dentist. Now patients can have relief from mouth pain, as well as neck and back pain that can occur from sitting in a dental chair.
Natural Looking Fillings
At Sierra Dental, we typical use natural-looking, metal-free fillings. They are safer than the old metal fillings that used to be used widely in dentistry. They are also known as composite fillings.
Natural-looking fillings consist of white dental bonding that can be made to match the natural tooth color. This makes the fillings smooth and virtually unnoticeable. They provide a solid chewing surface for your back teeth, and a smooth finish to your front teeth.
If I currently have metal fillings, can I have them replaced?
Yes, you sure can!
Invisalign
Invisalign is a great, new way to achieve a straighter, aligned smile. This treatment works by gradually moving your teeth into the proper alignment with clear, almost invisible, removable aligners.
Invisalign treatments consist of a series of aligners you switch out every couple of weeks. Each aligner is custom-made and they are precisely measured with exact calculations to gradually and gently guide your teeth into the proper placement. The end result is a perfect smile that fits you, without the use of retainers or highly-noticeable metal braces.
Because invisalign is completely removable, you can remove the aligners when you eat, brush, floss and for special occasions. They allow you to keep your teeth cleaner and eliminate the staining that brackets from metal braces may cause.
Am I a good candidate for Invisalign?
Good question! Not everyone is a perfect candidate for Invisalign, or even a candidate at all. More severe alignment issues can only be resolved with traditional orthodontics. Others may need to use a combination of Invisalign and metal braces. You can determine the answer for your particular situation by doing a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with one of our doctors.