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Cosmetic Dentistry:
Cosmetic dentistry is the art of dental procedures focused on restoring teeth to their natural looking beauty, and enhancing a smile’s esthetic appearance, while also maintaining the health and function of the teeth. Cosmetic dentistry improves the patient’s self-image – enhancing the patient’s smile often has a positive emotional and psychological impact on the person’s life.
There are many new dental procedures and techniques used in cosmetic dentistry. They include, but are not limited to:
- Porcelain veneers and inlays to fix broken/cracked, mismatched teeth, or correct gaps between teeth.
- Dental implants to replace missing teeth
- Teeth bleaching and whitening to correct stained teeth.
- Laser dentistry to fix "gummy" smiles - where a disproportionate amount of the gums show when smiling.
- Use of natural looking tooth colored fillings to replace unsightly silver amalgam fillings.
- Using non-metal crowns to replace old crowns that show black lines.
After examining your teeth, Drs. Ray Cros and Sheri Cros can suggest customized cosmetic treatments that are right for your smile. Make an appointment for a consultation today!
Dental Crowns:
A dental crown is tooth-shaped cap that is permanently cemented over a tooth, in order to restore the tooth’s strength, shape and size, and improve its appearance. The crown will cover the visible portion of the tooth above and right at the gum line, once it is cemented into place.
Crowns are used to hold weak, broken or cracked teeth together to avoid further fracturing. Crowns are also used to support large fillings, attach a bridge, or cover discolored or deformed teeth. Crowns may also be placed over dental implants.
The dentist usually requires two dental visits to install a crown. First, the dentist needs to prepare the tooth or implant for the crown. The dentist will grind and shape the tooth so that the crown can be fitted over it. Then, the dentist makes an impression of tooth and surrounding gums, which is then sent to a dental laboratory so that the crown can be created. The dentist fits a temporary crown over the tooth, until the permanent crown is ready. During the second visit, dentist will remove the temporary crown and cement the finished permanent crown onto the tooth.
Crowns generally last about five to eight years, and with good oral hygiene most crowns last longer. Certain habits such as fingernail biting, chewing ice, and grinding teeth can do damage to the crown, and should be avoided.
Schedule a visit at Palm Dentistry today and see if you are a candidate for dental crowns.
Dental Bridges:
A dental bridge is a false tooth (called a “pontic”) used to replace one or more missing teeth. The pontic is centered between two attached porcelain crowns, to create a fixed bridge. The fixed bridge is permanently cemented to the two teeth on either side of the tooth gap.
There are several different types of dental bridges:
- Traditional bridge - a false tooth centered between two attached porcelain crowns
- Resin bonded - also known as a "Maryland" bridge, false teeth are fused together to metal bands and bonded to the back of the teeth on either side of the gap. This type of bridge is ideal when the missing teeth are in the front of the mouth.
- Cantilever – a type of bridge created to attach to only one tooth on either side of the tooth gap.
Root Canal Treatment:
The root canal is the hollow space in the center of the tooth. It contains the pulpy nerve tissue that provides the tooth with a sensory function – the ability to feel hot and cold. There may be up to four canals in the human tooth. When the root pulp becomes damaged from cavity decay or fractures, pain usually results due to the increase in blood flow and cellular activity of the tooth. Bacteria can enter and multiply in the tooth, causing the pulp to die. The tooth must be treated or the pain can get worse, and infection can spread, possible causing an abscess.
Root canal therapy involves first removing the decayed or dead pulp, and cleaning out the canal. The dentist may re-shape the canal and insert medication to kill bacteria, if necessary. Once the dentist has determined that all infection has been cleared, the canal will be filled with gutta percha (a rubber-like material). The tooth then will be permanently sealed with porcelain or a permanent crown. Root canal therapy may take between one to three sessions, depending upon the condition of the tooth.
Implant Dentistry:
A dental implant is a synthetic tooth root, usually in the form of a titanium screw. It is surgically anchored into the jawbone, generally performed in the dental office under local anesthesia. After the implant is inserted, it is allowed to heal for a few months. Once the incision site has fully healed, a crown or bridge is fitted and permanently attached.
Implants are stable, permanent and do not rely on neighboring teeth for support. They are ideal for tooth replacement procedures because they function like natural tooth roots. Implants are perfect for patients who are unable to wear dentures. Implants are made from several different types of metallic and bone-like ceramic materials that are compatible with body tissue, and resemble real teeth.
Schedule a consult at Palm Dentistry and find out if you are a candidate for a dental implant.
Complete & Partial Dentures
A denture is an artificial set of removable teeth made of acrylic resin, sometimes combined with metal. Dentures replace missing teeth and adjacent tissues. Dentures can be either partial or complete. A partial denture serves to fills in the spaces made by missing teeth and prevents the remaining teeth from shifting position in the jaw. Complete dentures replace all of the teeth.
There are two types of complete dentures: immediate and conventional. An immediate denture is fitted onto the gums as soon as the teeth are surgically removed. One disadvantage of an immediate denture is that adjustments may be necessary after the gums have completely healed. A conventional denture is fitted onto the gums after the gums have had a period of time to heal after surgery.
Dentures can take approximately five dental visits. First, the dentist takes an impression of the gums and a wax bite - these are necessary to determine the vertical dimensions and proper jaw position. The dentist may make a trial denture or “try-in” to make sure of the right shape and color as well as proper fit. Minor adjustments are usually needed when the denture is placed.
Teeth Whitening:
Everybody likes a bright white smile. Tooth whitening is a process that bleaches the enamel to lighten and remove tooth discoloration and stains from teeth. Tooth discoloration can be caused many factors, including: beverages that stain (such as coffee, teas, and colas), tobacco, trauma, tetracycline (antibiotic) staining, excessive fluoride, and nerve degeneration.
Many dentists consider the teeth bleaching process the safest cosmetic procedure available today. Research and clinical studies show that under the supervision of your dentist, whitening teeth with carbamide peroxide and/or hydrogen peroxide is safe for both teeth and gums. These whiteners usually come in a gel form and are applied by the use of a custom-fitted mouth guard, which Drs. Raymond Cros and Sheri Cros will make for you, fitting your teeth precisely.
If you are a candidate for tooth whitening, you should consider chair side tooth whitening at Palm Dentistry . Sessions generally take from 30 minutes to one hour. We can also provide you with a bleaching kit for home use.
Zoom! Teeth Whitening:
Zoom! is a chair side bleaching process that lightens the discoloration of tooth enamel through the use of a special light and a whitening gel containing hydrogen peroxide. First, a protective coating is painted on to the patient’s gums surrounding the treatment area. This protective coating is allowed to harden, and serves to shield the gums. The whitening gel is then applied, and a special light is applied to enhance the whitening process. This light aids in activating the hydrogen peroxide and helps it penetrate the surface of the tooth. Use of the Zoom! light increases the effectiveness of the whitening gel by 26%, providing whitening improvement by up to eight shades.
Post treatment, the dentist can provide the patient with a tooth tray, home whitening kit and instructions for touch ups.
Schedule a consultation at Palm Dentistry and see how Zoom! can brighten your smile!
Family & General Dentistry:
Palm Dentistry is dedicated to general and family dentistry. As your primary dental care providers, Drs. Raymond Cros and
Sheri Cros are responsible for the general diagnosis, treatment, and management of dental services for everyone in your entire family. They are highly educated and trained on all dental procedures and will consult with you for the best course of treatment for your dental needs.
Oral cancer screening check ups should be a routine part of a patient's dental maintenance. Regular check-ups, including an examination of the entire mouth, are essential in the early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions.
Common symptoms of oral cancer or pre-cancerous cells can include:
- A tiny white or red spot/sore anywhere in the mouth
- A sore that bleeds easily or refuses to heal
- A color change of the oral tissues
- A lump, thickening, rough spot, or crust
- Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue.
- A change in the way the teeth fit together
During an oral cancer exam, your dentist will carefully examine the inside of your mouth, tongue and lips. The dentist will be looking for spots or sores that are flat, painless, white or red. Although most of these spots or sores are harmless, some aren't. Only a test will be able to determine this. Your dentist may choose to perform a brush test. The dentist will scrape a miniature brush across the suspicious sore or discolored area in the patient's mouth. The cells collected on the brush are sent to a lab for analysis. If suspicious cells are detected, a biopsy can then be performed.
Periodontics - Gum Disease:
Gum disease is inflammation and infection of the gums and the tissue. Generally caused by bacterial plaque, it is the major cause of adult tooth loss. Left untreated, bacterial plaque will harden to tartar. Tartar is a rough, porous mineral buildup that is usually yellow or brown in color. Tartar forms at and underneath the gum line, and because it is porous, it absorbs stains. Tartar excretes the toxins that cause gum inflammation, resulting in the development of periodontal pockets that hold even more toxins and bacteria. This condition can leads to the loosening of the teeth, or even the teeth falling out. And as the condition worsens, the accumulated toxins and bacteria move deeper into the jaw to destroy the bone that holds the tooth in place.
Signs of gum disease include:
- Red, inflamed gums
- Bleeding while brushing or flossing
- Receding gums
- Loose or separating teeth
- Presence pus between the gum and tooth
- Chronic halitosis
Periodontics is the focus in treatment of gum disease. Gum disease is reversible if caught while in the early stages. The dentist will scale the tooth to remove plaque and calculus, and plane the tooth roots to smoothing them. The dentist may prescribe antibiotics to clear up any infection or inflammation. Advanced cases may require the dentist to surgically trim the gums, remove the hardened plaque build-up, and re-contour the damaged bone.
Tooth Colored Fillings:
For more natural looking teeth, tooth colored fillings are used to give the appearance perfect teeth. Today’s composite resins are tooth-colored, plastic materials (made of glass and resin) used both as fillings and to repair tooth defects. These tooth-colored materials are difficult to distinguish from natural teeth. Composites are often used on the front teeth where a natural appearance is important. They can be used on the back teeth as well depending on the location and extent of the tooth decay—and they are more costly than traditional amalgam fillings. Schedule an appointment with Drs. Raymond Cros and Sheri Cros to see if tooth colored fillings match your needs.
Porcelain Veneers:
A porcelain veneer is a thin shell of ceramic material placed over the natural tooth surface. The dentist will first prepare the tooth by removing half a millimeter of the natural tooth, to allow for the thickness of the veneer. Next the dentist will take a mold of the teeth, and the veneers will be fabricated from the mold. Finally, the veneers are permanently bonded or cemented to the natural tooth.
Veneers are used to cover discoloration and imperfections. Porcelain veneers are also an effective substitution for crowns for the front teeth, as they can aesthetically change the size, color and shape of the teeth. The dentist can mount the veneer using little or no anesthesia. Porcelain veneers are resistant to staining – including stains from coffee, tea, and cigarettes, and last for years.
Digital Radiography:
Digital radiography is the latest form of x-ray imaging, which involves the use of digital X-ray sensors instead of traditional photographic film. Digital radiography helps dental professionals make the most accurate and efficient diagnosis, and quickly develop treatment plans. A small sensor is connected directly to a computer instead of a film packet. When taking x-rays, the sensor is moved from tooth to tooth. The x-rays are available immediately on the computer monitor, with no development step in between. Since the digital x-ray exposure is shorter than conventional x-rays, the amount of x-ray radiation is reduced by up to 90 percent.
The benefits of digital X-rays over traditional x-rays include:
- Faster and more efficient
- View images instantly
- Less radiation exposure
- Images can be enhanced to improve viewing
- Images can be stored electronically
- Avoid the use of chemicals used in the traditional developing process
Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery:
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a specialty involving the diagnosis, surgery and treatment of injuries and defects in the mouth, teeth, face, jaws and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. An oral surgeon is required to obtain 6 additional years of hospital based surgical and anesthesia training. An oral surgeon has specialized knowledge in pain control and advanced training in anesthesia to provide quality care with maximum patient comfort and safety in the office setting.
Types of procedures performed by an Oral-Maxillofacial Surgeon include:
- Dental implants
- Cyst or tumor removal
- TMJ surgery to repair/realign jaw
- Facial and jaw reconstruction due to cancer surgery
- Re-align facial bones resulting from facial trauma
- Tooth extractions
Lumineers:
Lumineers are a type of porcelain veneer used in cosmetic dentistry to correct stained, chipped, discolored or misaligned teeth. Lumineers are unique in that less of the natural tooth needs to be removed, since Lumineers are much thinner than traditional veneers. With less tooth removal, the need for dental anesthetic is minimized. Lumineers are made out of Cerinate porcelain, which is extremely durable. This allows the veneers to be fabricated as thin as .2 to .3 millimeters.
Give us a call today and schedule a consult, to see if you are a candidate for Lumineers.
Invisalign:
Invisalign® is an orthodontic treatment that is a great alternative to traditional braces. Unlike traditional braces, there are no painful and ugly metal wires or bands, and they are virtually invisible. Invisalign works through the use of a series of clear teeth aligners. These aligners are custom-molded for each patient, to be changed every two weeks. The aligners gradually reposition the teeth little by little until they are perfectly straight.
The obvious advantage of Invisalign® is that they are removable - the patient can remove them to eat, brush and floss. They are convenient and easy to use.
Prosthodontics:
Prosthodontics is a dental specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of oral ailments. Missing, broken, chipped teeth and facial deformities are treated with the help of prosthodontic reconstructive surgery. A person trained in prosthodontics is called a prosthodontist.
Prosthodontists are trained for procedures such as restoring natural teeth, crowns, veneers, cosmetic dentistry, bridges, as well as partial and complete dentures. Poor oral hygiene is often a big reason for seeking reconstructive surgery. Sometimes when the tooth decay is too deep, the tooth has to be extracted and an implant placed for the missing tooth.
Maxillofacial prosthodontics is a super-specialization in the field of prosthodontics. It involves the use of prosthetics to treat defects in the face and neck region. The defects can be from birth, surgery, or from an accident. Prosthodontists develop a treatment plan that will take care of the esthetics and the functional aspects of your facial region. The treatment may require expert work from dental specialists such as endodontists and orthodontists.
Intra Oral Cameras:
An intraoral camera is a camera designed for use inside the mouth. It is a lightweight hand piece that can be directed to any nook or cranny. The camera is connected to a computer screen for viewing live images and can be connected to the hard drive of a PC for saving any images captured. The images can also be stored on a USB device. Intraoral cameras use LED lights for illuminating the inside of the mouth.
With the help of an intraoral camera, dentists can record more detailed information and make an accurate diagnosis. The patient can also view the images recorded on the video to get an understanding of the best possible treatment plan for his dental problem.