Our Treatments
Cleanings
Your cleaning appointment will include a dental exam, all appropriate x-rays, and the removal of all tartar, plaque, and stain. We recommend a minimum of 2 cleanings per year. The application of fluoride is also available for all patients, and recommended annually for all patients under the age of 16.
Sealants
Dental sealants act as a barrier, protecting the teeth against decay-causing bacteria. The sealants are usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars and molars) where decay occurs most often. At Smiley Dental, we highly recommend sealants as a preventative step for children as well as any adult who is at high risk for cavities.
Crowns
Occasionally, a tooth weakened by advanced decay or a significant crack requires a dental crown. The crown covers the damaged tooth, restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations. We offer several excellent materials for creating custom-made crowns – ceramic, all porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, and gold. Depending upon the location of the compromised tooth, your doctor will recommend the best option.
Cerec Machine Restoration
CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) is a computer-aided design that allows our doctors to construct, produce, and insert individual ceramic restorations directly chairside in a single appointment, rather than over multiple appointments with lab side work in-between. In addition to being more convenient than other types of crowns, CEREC crowns are made from a single block of material, making them considerably stronger than many other types of crowns.
Fillings
A filling is used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, fractures, etc. The decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled with a filling.
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There are many types of filling materials available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Composite and silver amalgam fillings are the most widely used today. Because composite fillings are tooth colored, they can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth, and are more aesthetically suited for use in front teeth or the more visible areas of the teeth. Please discuss the best options for restoring your teeth with Dr. Smiley.
As with most dental restorations, fillings are not permanent and may someday have to be replaced. They are very durable, and will last many years, giving you a long lasting, beautiful smile.
There are many reasons why fillings maybe recommended, including, but not limited to: chipped teeth, closing space between two teeth, cracked or broken teeth, decayed teeth, worn teeth.
Veneers
Veneers are very thin pieces of durable, tooth shaped porcelain that are custom made (for shape and color) by a professional dental laboratory. They are bonded onto the front of teeth to create a beautiful and attractive smile.
Veneers can completely reshape your teeth and smile. They can often be alternatives to crowns and the ideal solution in treating many dental conditions.
As with most dental restorations, veneers are not permanent and may someday need replacement. They are very durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful long lasting smile.
There are many reasons why porcelain veneers may be recommended, including: cosmetic improvement to create a uniform, white, beautiful smile, crooked teeth, misshapen teeth, severely discolored or stained teeth, teeth that are too small or large, unwanted or uneven spaces, worn or chipped teeth.
Root Canals
Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection. In order to save the tooth, the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and any decay are removed and the resulting space is filled with special, medicated dental materials, which restore the tooth to its full function.
Having a root canal done on a tooth is the treatment of choice to save a tooth that otherwise would die and have to be removed. Many patients believe that removing a tooth that has problems is the solution, but what is not realized is that extracting (pulling) a tooth will ultimately be more costly and cause significant problems for adjacent teeth.
Root canal treatment is highly successful and with proper care, usually lasts a lifetime, although on occasion, a tooth will have to be retreated due to new infections.
Signs and symptoms that you may need a root canal include, but are not limited to: an abscess (or pimple) on the gums, sensitivity to hot and cold, severe toothache pain, swelling and/or tenderness, though sometimes no symptoms are present.
Bridges
A dental bridge is a fixed (non-removable) appliance and is an excellent way to replace missing teeth.
There are several types of bridges. We will discuss the best options for your particular case. The “traditional bridge” is the most popular type and is made of a row of fused crowns, some of which anchor the bridge, and some of which fill the space of the missing tooth/teeth.
Dental bridges are highly durable and will last many years, however they may need replacement or need to be re-cemented due to normal wear.
Indications for the placement of a fixed bridge include: fill space of missing teeth, maintain facial shape, prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position, restore chewing and speaking ability, restore your smile, upgrading from a removable partial denture to a permanent dental appliance.
Dentures/Partials
A denture is a removable dental appliance replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and may even enhance your smile.
There are two types of dentures - complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. A partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from shifting. A complete denture may be either “conventional” or “immediate.” A conventional type is made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed, usually taking 4 to 6 weeks. During this time the patient will go without teeth. Immediate dentures are made in advance and immediately placed after the teeth are removed, thus preventing the patient from having to be without teeth during the healing process. Once the tissues shrink and heal, adjustments will have to be made.
Dentures are very durable appliances and will last many years, but may have to be remade, repaired, or readjusted due to normal wear.
Some reasons for recommending a denture or partial denture are the restoration of all, or some teeth, enhancing your smile and facial tissues, improving chewing, speech and digestion.
Implant Restoration
Dental implants are synthetic structures that are placed in the area of the tooth normally occupied by the root. Implants are anchored to the jawbone or metal framework on the bone and act as a foundation for an artificial tooth or permanent bridge. In some cases, implants can be used to attach dentures.
Not everyone is a candidate for a dental implant, however. For a successful implant to take hold, a candidate must have proper bone density and have a strong immune system. In all cases, dental implants require strict oral hygiene.
Implants are so well designed that they mimic the look and feel of natural teeth. Implants are usually made of a synthetic yet biocompatible material like metal or ceramic.
Surgery is necessary to prepare the area for an implant and place the implant in the mouth. Following the procedure, a period of time is required for the implant to take hold and for bone tissue to build up and anchor the device. In some cases, metal posts are inserted into the implant during a follow-up procedure to connect the tooth.
Because implants require surgery, patients are administered anesthesia and, if necessary, antibiotics to stave off infection following the procedure. Like any restoration, implants require diligent oral hygiene and proper care to ensure they last a long time.
At Smiley Dental we work in conjunction with several area specialists to the implant placed, then restored in our office.
Whitening
Tooth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile.
Because having whiter teeth has now become the number one aesthetic concern of most patients, there are a number of ways to whiten teeth. The most popular method is using a home tooth whitening system that will whiten teeth dramatically. Since tooth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. Replacement of any restorations will be done after bleaching so they will match the newly bleached teeth.
Tooth whitening is not permanent. A touch-up maybe needed every several years, and more often if you smoke, drink coffee, tea, or wine.
Mouth Guards
It is important to use a mouth guard during any activity that could result in a blow to the face or mouth. A properly fitted mouth guard can help prevent broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face or jaw. It will stay in place while you are wearing it, making it easy for you to talk and breath. While similar products are available at sporting goods stores, only a professional can give you the custom fit you'll surely prefer.
If you suffer from clenching or grinding (bruxism), it is recommended that you wear a mouth guard at night. Clenching and grinding often leads to cracked teeth, which could result in the need for a root canal and/or crown.
Please talk to Dr. Smiley about having a custom mouth guard made specifically for you. This will fit comfortably and offer the best protection for your smile.
Extraction
An extraction is performed when there is no other alternative for saving a tooth. This is needed if the tooth cannot be saved with a root canal or other treatment. Simple extractions may be done in our office, though on occasion, it is necessary to work with an oral surgeon for removal of the tooth. Extraction of 3rd molars (wisdom teeth) is also recommended to be done by an oral surgeon.
If you must have a tooth extracted, there are options to restore that missing tooth. Please talk to Dr. Smiley about your options.
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