Prevention

97% of the population suffer from some level of gum disease and it is this (and not tooth decay) that is the major cause of tooth loss in adult patients.

Toothaches and gum problems are common but usually can be prevented by taking good care of your teeth and gums. Keeping your teeth, gums, and the bones around your teeth healthy requires regular brushing, flossing, and good nutrition. Brush your teeth twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Clean between teeth daily with floss or an inter-dental cleaner.

Our hygienists are skilled and trained in the latest periodontal treatments and they use advanced screening methods to determine the levels of bacteria and infection in your mouth. The capability they possess to keep your mouth infection-free goes far beyond scaling and polishing your teeth.

For this reason, Water’s Edge Dental places the need for regular hygiene visits on equal terms with regular dental visits.

Fluoride is safe, effective and supported by every major health organization in the fight against dental disease.

Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and water. Every day, minerals are added to and lost from a tooth's enamel layer through two processes, demineralization and remineralization. Minerals are lost (demineralization) from a tooth's enamel layer when acids - formed from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth — attack the enamel. Minerals such as fluoride, calcium and phosphate are redeposited (remineralization) to the enamel layer from the foods and waters consumed. Too much demineralization without enough remineralization to repair the enamel layer leads to tooth decay.

Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth. It also reverses early decay. In children under six years of age, fluoride becomes incorporated into the development of permanent teeth, making it difficult for acids to demineralize the teeth. Fluoride also helps speed remineralization as well as disrupts acid production in already erupted teeth of both children and adults.

At Water’s Edge Dental, our hygienists routinely offer topical fluoride applications to improve your protection against decay.

Dentures

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and adjacent tissues. It is made of acrylic resin, sometimes in combination with various metals.

Complete Dentures

Complete dentures can be either "conventional" or "immediate." Made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has begun to heal, a conventional denture is ready for placement in the mouth about 8 to 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed.

Immediate Dentures

Unlike conventional dentures, immediate dentures are made in advance and can be positioned as soon as the teeth are removed. As a result, the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums shrink over time, especially during the healing period following tooth removal. Therefore a disadvantage of immediate dentures compared with conventional dentures is that they require more adjustments to fit properly during the healing process and generally should only be considered a temporary solution until conventional dentures can be made.

Partial Dentures

A removable partial denture or bridge usually consists of replacement teeth attached to a pink or gum-colored plastic base, which is connected by metal framework that holds the denture in place in the mouth. Partial dentures are used when one or more natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw. A fixed (permanent) bridge replaces one or more teeth by placing crowns on the teeth on either side of the space and attaching artificial teeth to them. This "bridge" is then cemented into place. Not only does a partial denture fill in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from changing position. A precision partial denture is removable and has internal attachments rather than clasps that attach to the adjacent crowns. This is a more natural-looking appliance.

Are There Alternatives to Dentures?

Yes, dental implants can be used to support permanently cemented bridges, eliminating the need for a denture. The cost is usually greater, but the implants and bridges more closely resemble the feel of real teeth. Dental implants are becoming the alternative to dentures but not everyone is a candidate for implants. We are happy to consult with you to determine what solution would be best.

Children

High quality care and education can result in each child keeping their teeth for life.

We encourage our young patients to visit us from the earliest age in order to help develop the confidence and trust that is essential between patient and dentist.

Those children who come to Water’s Edge Dental receive all necessary treatment as well as preventive treatments deemed appropriate for their age.

Crowns

Significant tooth decay or fractures can adversely affect your appearance. But today's technology provides us with crowns that are beautiful and natural looking.

They last for years and unlike old fashioned crowns, there is no metal band to begin showing after a few years if your gums begin to recede. Beautiful, natural colored porcelain crowns are used at Water’s Edge Dental to protect weak teeth from breaking or to restore teeth without anyone ever knowing it is not your natural teeth.

What Is A Crown?

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" that is covering the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and/or to improve its appearance. The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.

Why Is a Dental Crown Needed?

A dental crown may be needed in the following situations:

1. To protect a weak tooth (for instance, from decay) from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth.
2. To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down.
3. To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn't a lot of tooth left.
4. To hold a dental bridge in place.
5. To cover misshaped or severely discolored teeth.
6. To cover a dental implant.

What Types of Crown Materials Are Available?

Permanent crowns can be made from all metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, all resin, or all ceramic.

Metals

Metals used in crowns include gold alloy, other alloys (for example, palladium) or a base-metal alloy (for example, nickel or chromium). Compared with other crown types, less tooth structure needs to be removed with metal crowns, and tooth wear to opposing teeth is kept to a minimum. Metal crowns withstand biting and chewing forces well and probably last the longest in terms of wear down. Also, they rarely chip or break. The metallic color is the main drawback. Metal crowns are a good choice for out-of-sight molars.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal

Porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns can be color matched to your adjacent teeth (unlike the metallic crowns). However, more wearing to the opposing teeth occurs with this crown type compared with metal or resin crowns. The crown's porcelain portion can also chip or break off. Next to all-ceramic crowns, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns look most like normal teeth. However, sometimes the metal underlying the crown's porcelain can show through as a dark line, especially at the gum line and even more so if your gums recede. These crowns can be a good choice for front or back teeth.

All-resin

All-resin dental crowns are less expensive than other crown types. However, they wear down over time and are more prone to fractures than porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.

All-ceramic or all-porcelain

All-ceramic or all-porcelain dental crowns provide the best natural color match than any other crown type and may be more suitable for people with metal allergies. However, they are not as strong as porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns and they wear down opposing teeth a little more than metal or resin crowns. All-ceramic crowns are a good choice for front teeth.

Temporary versus permanent

Temporary versus permanent. Temporary crowns can be made in our dental office whereas permanent crowns are made in a dental laboratory. Temporary crowns are made of acrylic or stainless steel and can be used as a temporary restoration until a permanent crown is constructed by the dental laboratory.

Fillings

New white fillings can be matched to the tooth’s natural color giving a beautiful and virtually invisible result.

To treat a cavity we will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and then "fill" the area on the tooth where the decayed material once lived.

Fillings are also used to repair cracked or broken teeth and teeth that have been worn down from misuse (such as from nail-biting or tooth grinding).

What Steps Are Involved in Filling a Tooth?

First, we will numb the area around the tooth to be worked on with a local anesthetic. Next, we will remove the decayed area. Then, we will probe or test the area during the decay removal process to determine if all the decay has been removed. Once removed, we will prepare the space for the filling by cleaning the cavity of bacteria and debris. After the filling is in, we will finish and polish it.

Root Canals

We use the highest quality instruments to meet the endodontic standard of care.

By providing root canal therapy in office we are able to reduce the amount of appointments to treat teeth that have been fractured or decayed to the point that endodontic procedures are necessary to restore the tooth. We are also able to relieve the pain and discomfort of an abscessed tooth since 90% of teeth needing root canals are treated quickly and effectively in office.

What Is A Root Canal?

A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed.

The pulp or pulp chamber is the soft area within the center of the tooth. The tooth's nerve lies within root canals, which lie within the roots or "legs" of the tooth. The root canals travel from the tip of the tooth's root into the pulp chamber, which also contains blood vessels and connective tissue that nourish the tooth.

A tooth's nerve is not vitally important to a tooth's health and function after the tooth has emerged through the gums. Its only function is sensory - to provide the sensation of hot or cold. The presence or absence of a nerve will not affect the day-to-day functioning of the tooth.

Why Does the Pulp Need to Be Removed?

When nerve tissue or pulp is damaged, it breaks down and bacteria begin to multiply within the pulp chamber. The bacteria and other decayed debris can cause an infection or abscessed tooth. An abscess is a pus-filled pocket that forms at the end of the roots of the tooth. An abscess occurs when the infection spreads all the way past the ends of the roots of the tooth. In addition to an abscess, an infection in the root canal of a tooth can cause:

1. Swelling that may spread to other areas of the face, neck, or head.
2. Bone loss around the tip of the root.
3. Drainage problems extending outward from the root.
4. A hole can occur through the side of the tooth with drainage into the gums or through the cheek with drainage into the skin.

What Damages a Tooth's Nerve and Pulp in the First Place?

Nerve and pulp can become irritated, inflamed and infected due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on a tooth and/or large fillings, a crack or chip in the tooth, or trauma to the face.

What Are the Signs that a Root Canal Is Needed?

Sometimes no symptoms are present; however, signs to look for include:

1. Severe toothache pain upon chewing or application of pressure.
2. Prolonged sensitivity/pain to heat or cold temperatures (after the hot or cold has been removed).
3. Discoloration (a darkening) of the tooth.
4. Swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums.
5. A persistent or recurring pimple on the gums.

How Painful Is the Procedure?

Root canal procedures have the reputation of being painful. Actually, most people report that the procedure itself is no more painful than having a filling placed.

At Water’s Edge Dental we take every care to insure not only your comfort during the procedure but during the days after. If you have any questions or concerns regarding a root canal please feel free to call or visit our office. We will take every opportunity to answer your questions and address your concerns until you are satisfied.

Tooth Extraction

Removing a tooth prevents gum disease from spreading and damaging nearby teeth and bones.

An extraction is necessary when gum disease has damaged a tooth so badly that there is no other way to prevent the infection from spreading and damaging nearby teeth and bones or when a wisdom tooth poses problems. The wisdom tooth may be extracted to correct an actual problem or to prevent problems that may come up in the future. When wisdom teeth come in, a number of problems can occur:

1. Your jaw may not be large enough to accommodate them, and they may become impacted and unable to break through your gums.
2. Your wisdom teeth may break partway through your gums, causing a flap of gum tissue to grow over them. Food and germs can become trapped under the flap and cause your gums to become red, swollen, and painful.
3. More serious problems can develop from impacted teeth, such as infection, damage to other teeth and bone, or the development of a cyst.
4. One or more of your wisdom teeth may come in at an awkward angle, with the top of the tooth facing forward, backward, or to either side.

How Well It Works

Wisdom tooth removal usually is effective in preventing:

1. Crowding of the back teeth.
2. A wisdom tooth becoming stuck in the jaw (impacted) and never breaking through the gums.
3. Red, swollen, and painful gums caused by a flap of skin around a wisdom tooth that has only partially come in.
4. Gum disease and tooth decay in the wisdom tooth, which may be harder to clean than other teeth, or in the teeth and jaw surrounding the wisdom tooth.

At Water’s Edge Dental we take every care to insure not only your comfort during the procedure but during the days after. If you have any questions or concerns regarding a tooth extraction please feel free to call or visit our office. We will take every opportunity to answer your questions and address your concerns until you are satisfied.

Nitrous Oxide

We work very hard to provide a relaxing environment in which our patients feel comfortable receiving dental care.

We also offer Nitrous Oxide for those patients who need additional assistance to relax. If Nitrous Oxide is unable to help us achieve our goal of providing the necessary environment for our patients to feel comfortable we can also look at several anti-anxiety medications at our disposal.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are one option for replacing missing or badly diseased teeth.

If you are self-conscious about missing teeth or wearing dentures, there's an alternative that may be right for you: dental implants.

A dental implant offers comfort and stability and, by virtue of the artificial tooth it supports, is a restoration that is the closest thing to a natural tooth.

What is an Implant?

Implants are small metal anchors that are surgically placed in the alveolar (jaw) bone that allow us to restore areas of either a single tooth, several teeth, or support a complete denture. Improvements in implant dentistry over the last decade has resulted in success rates in the mid 90% range. Implants allow us to replace missing teeth without disrupting the teeth on either side. We work closely with the surgical specialists who place the implants to restore the dentition to a nature state in both form and function.

The Implant Process

Treatment generally is a three-part process that takes several months.

1. In the first step, the dentist surgically places the implant in the jaw, with the top of the implant slightly above the top of the bone. A screw is inserted into the implant to prevent gum tissue and other debris from entering.
2. The gum then is secured over the implant. The implant will remain covered for approximately three to six months while it fuses with the bone, a process called "osseointegration." There may be some swelling, tenderness or both for a few days after the surgery, so pain medication usually is prescribed to alleviate the discomfort. A diet of soft foods, cold foods and warm soup often is recommended during the healing process.
3. In the second step, the implant is uncovered and the dentist attaches an extension, called a post, to the implant. The gum tissue is allowed to heal around the post. Some implants require a second surgical procedure in which a post is attached to connect the replacement teeth. With other implants, the implant and post are a single unit placed in the mouth during the initial surgery. Once healed, the implant and post can serve as the foundation for the new tooth.
4. In the third and final step, the dentist makes a crown, which has a size, shape, color and fit that will blend with your other teeth. Once completed, the crown is attached to the implant post.

Are Implants right for you? Who's a good candidate for implant treatment?

You are, if you're in good health and have healthy gums and adequate bone to support an implant. You must be committed to thorough oral hygiene to keep your mouth healthy and to scheduling regular dental visits. We are happy to consult with you to determine if implants are an option for you.

Restoration

Our priority is to provide comprehensive, preventive and restorative care that achieves proper function, optimal health and maximum tooth retention.

We'll do much more than patch your teeth and remove disease.

We will use the latest advances in dentistry together with exceptional clinical skills to give you every option and every possibility of a healthy smile for life.

The recommendations we make will have benefits that can increase the health of your teeth, reduce the need for return visits, remove discomfort and produce a healthy looking smile.

Gum & Periodontal Therapy

Periodontal disease can occur at any age. Over half of all people over the age of 18 have some form of the disease. Unfortunately, the disease process is usually asymptomatic and painless. The disease can be easily detected during regular dental examinations.

Periodontal Disease is a bacterial infection of the gums, bone and ligaments that support the teeth and anchor them in the jaw. The bacteria are normal inhabitants of the mouth and form a film of dental plaque and calculus (tartar) which stick to the teeth. The bacteria produce poisonous toxins which stimulate the immune response to fight the infection. If the disease process is not stopped, the supporting structures of the teeth will continue to be destroyed. This eventually leads to tooth loss.

The most common type of periodontal disease are GINGIVITIS and PERIODONTITIS.

HEALTHY GUMS AND BONE

Gums appear light pink and are sharply defined. Bone completely surrounds the roots of the teeth. Teeth are firmly anchored into the bone.

GINGIVITIS is infection of the gingiva (gum tissue), and is the initial stage of the disease process. Gums become red, swollen and may bleed easily. Underlying bone levels are unaffected.

PERIODONTITIS is classified as being Mild, Moderate or Severe, depending upon the amount of destruction to the gums, ligaments and bone that surround teeth. As the disease progresses, gums separate from the teeth and form gum pockets. These pockets get deeper as more underlying bone is destroyed. Gum pockets will collect increasing amounts of bacterial plaque and calculus (tartar) as the disease process worsens. Teeth will loosen as more bone is lost.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO PERIODONTAL DISEASE

The response of the gums and bone to dental plaque may be modified by one or more of the following factors.

1. Poorly fitting dental restorations
2. Smoking
3. Crowded teeth, improper bite alignment
4. Clenching or grinding of teeth
5. Hormonal changes, including pregnancy, menstruation and menopause
6. Diet
7. Systemic diseases, including blood disorders and diabetes
8. Medications, including calcium channel blockers and anti-convulsants

WARNING SIGNS OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE

1. Bleeding gums
2. Tenderness, swelling, red color
3. Abscess ( pus oozing from the gums )
4. Foul odor
5. Loose teeth
6. Pain

DIAGNOSIS OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE

Periodontal disease can be easily detected by a general dentist or periodontist during regular examinations. A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of gum disease. A periodontal charting should be performed for all teeth. A periodontal probe, with ruled millimeter markings, is used to measure the depth of the space between the teeth and gums. Ideally, normal measurements range between 1 and 3 millimeters. Depths greater than this may signify the presence of periodontal pockets and associated gum disease. X-rays should be taken to see if bone damage has occurred as a result of the disease process.

TREATMENT OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE

The main goal of periodontal treatment is eradication of the disease process from the gums, ligaments and bones that surround the teeth, and restoration of health that can be predictably maintained in the future.

PHASE I

Initial treatment involves educating patients in the proper methods of effective, daily plaque removal and oral hygiene. This is a critical component of successful therapy.

Scaling and root planing are performed to clean the tooth structure and remove bacterial plaque and calculus deposits (the source of the infection) from the gum pockets. This may be the only treatment necessary in cases of gingivitis and very mild periodontitis.

PHASE II

In cases which demonstrate deeper gum pockets and underlying bone loss, it becomes necessary to eliminate the diseased gum pockets and bony destruction with osseous (bone) surgery. The gum is "flapped" and retracted away from the teeth to expose the underlying roots and bone deformities. The bone is contoured to approximate a normal physiologic profile, and the gum is sutured back to place. When the gum heals, normal probing depth is re-established between the gum and tooth (ideally 1-3mm). The attainment of minimal probing depth facilitates easy removal of plaque by patients at home and by hygienists during professional cleaning.

Lumineers

Lumineers Can Make Everyone's Smile More Beautiful Without Removing Painful Tooth Structure!

LUMINEERS Porcelain Veneers Makes Painful Veneers Unnecessary!

LUMINEERS BY CERINATE are porcelain veneers that offer the painless way to a permanently whiter and perfectly aligned smile. Dr. Fenwick can apply these contact lens-thin "smile shapers" to teeth without any grinding or shaving, transforming teeth into a naturally beautiful smile that looks perfect for every individual. LUMINEERS can even be placed over existing crown or bridgework without having to replace them.

LUMINEERS are contact lens-thin and are placed over existing teeth without having to remove painful tooth structure (unlike traditional veneers.) LUMINEERS is the painless, permanent cosmetic solution for stained, chipped, discolored or misaligned teeth.

In just 2-3 visits to Dr. Fenwick, you can have a custom-made smile that is clinically proven to last over 20 years - and it is completely reversible since your natural tooth structure is still intact! Get your perfect smile today!

Stained, Discolored Teeth

Stained or discolored teeth can be a major embarrassment because no amount of bleaching, brushing or visits to the dentist will remove the stains. Now there's a hassle-free solution to the problem. LUMINEERS BY CERINATE, which are like thin covers for your teeth, eliminate the traces of any stains or discoloration. Best of all, a LUMINEERS procedure leaves you with permanent whitening.

Good to Beautiful

Your smile may look pretty good, but you want even better. You want your favorite celeb's smile. Dr. Fenwick will evaluate your smile and desires and will help you achieve the look you want with no pain, shots, drilling or removal of sensitive tooth structure.

I Don't Want Braces

Despite the fact that braces are readily available for adults, most of us don't want to endure the pain and suffering. And frankly, it is quite an embarrassing ordeal dragged out for as much as 2 years. Now you can have a completely corrected smile in just 2 short visits to your dentist with LUMINEERS BY CERINATE. A LUMINEERS procedure is the ideal alternative to orthodontics.

Are you a candidate for veneers? Yes. LUMINEERS BY CERINATE are the biggest breakthrough ever in achieving the smile that you've always wished for. These contact lens-thin "smile shapers" are so thin, yet so strong, that there is no need for the removal of any sensitive tooth structure, no shots, no drilling, and therefore, NO PAIN. No matter what your problem is, LUMINEERS are the perfect solution to your smile issues!

Veneers & Bonding

Chips, cracks, gaps, misalignments and discolorations in the front teeth can be corrected by placement of porcelain laminate veneers.

Dental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size or length.

Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or from resin composite materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth. Resin veneers are thinner and require removal of less of the tooth surface before placement. You will need to discuss the best choice of veneer material for you with Dr. Fenwick.

What's the Procedure for Getting a Dental Veneer?

The procedure usually requires three trips to our office- one for a consultation and two to make and apply the veneers. One tooth or many teeth can simultaneously undergo the veneering process described below.

Diagnosis and treatment planning

This first step involves active participation between you and Dr. Fenwick. Explain to Dr. Fenwick the result that you are trying to achieve. During this appointment Dr. Fenwick will examine your teeth to make sure dental veneers are appropriate for you and discuss what the procedure will involve and some of its limitations. She also may take X-rays and possibly make impressions of your mouth and teeth.

Preparation

To prepare a tooth for a veneer, Dr. Fenwick will remove about 1/2 millimeter of enamel from the tooth surface, which is an amount nearly equal to the thickness of the veneer to be added to the tooth surface. Before trimming off the enamel, you and Dr. Fenwick will decide the need for a local anesthetic to numb the area. Next, Dr. Fenwick will make a model or impression of your tooth. This model is sent out to a dental laboratory, which in turn constructs your veneer. It usually takes 1 to 2 weeks for Dr. Fenwick to receive the veneers back from the laboratory. For very unsightly teeth, temporary dental veneers can be placed for an additional cost.

Bonding

Before the dental veneer is permanently cemented to your tooth, Dr. Fenwick will temporarily place it on your tooth to examine its fit and color. She will repeatedly remove and trim the veneer as needed to achieve the proper fit; the veneer color can be adjusted with the shade of cement to be used. Next, to prepare your tooth to receive the veneer, your tooth will be cleaned, polished and etched - which roughens the tooth to allow for a strong bonding process. A special cement is applied to the veneer and the veneer is then placed on your tooth. Once properly position on the tooth, your dentist will apply a special light beam to the dental veneer, which activates chemicals in the cement causing it to harden or cure very quickly. The final steps involve removing any excess cement, evaluating your bite and making any final adjustments in the veneer as necessary. Your dentist may ask you to return for a follow-up visit in a couple of weeks to check how your gums are responding to the presence of your veneer and to once again examine the veneer's placement.

Implant Restorations

Dental implants are one option for replacing missing or badly diseased teeth.

If you are self-conscious about missing teeth or wearing dentures, there's an alternative that may be right for you: dental implants.

A dental implant offers comfort and stability and, by virtue of the artificial tooth it supports, is a restoration that is the closest thing to a natural tooth.

What is an Implant?

Implants are small metal anchors that are surgically placed in the alveolar (jaw) bone that allow us to restore areas of either a single tooth, several teeth, or support a complete denture. Improvements in implant dentistry over the last decade has resulted in success rates in the mid 90% range. Implants allow us to replace missing teeth without disrupting the teeth on either side. We work closely with the surgical specialists who place the implants to restore the dentition to a nature state in both form and function.

The Implant Process

Treatment generally is a three-part process that takes several months.

1. In the first step, the dentist surgically places the implant in the jaw, with the top of the implant slightly above the top of the bone. A screw is inserted into the implant to prevent gum tissue and other debris from entering. The gum then is secured over the implant. The implant will remain covered for approximately three to six months while it fuses with the bone, a process called "osseointegration." There may be some swelling, tenderness or both for a few days after the surgery, so pain medication usually is prescribed to alleviate the discomfort. A diet of soft foods, cold foods and warm soup often is recommended during the healing process.
2. In the second step, the implant is uncovered and the dentist attaches an extension, called a post, to the implant. The gum tissue is allowed to heal around the post. Some implants require a second surgical procedure in which a post is attached to connect the replacement teeth. With other implants, the implant and post are a single unit placed in the mouth during the initial surgery. Once healed, the implant and post can serve as the foundation for the new tooth.
3. In the third and final step, the dentist makes a crown, which has a size, shape, color and fit that will blend with your other teeth. Once completed, the crown is attached to the implant post.

ARE IMPLANTS RIGHT FOR YOU? Who's a good candidate for implant treatment?

You are, if you're in good health and have healthy gums and adequate bone to support an implant. You must be committed to thorough oral hygiene to keep your mouth healthy and to scheduling regular dental visits. We are happy to consult with you to determine if implants are an option for you.

Tooth Whitening

In a world where whitening products are flying off the shelves, it is easy to see why many are turning to professionals to remove discoloration and keep teeth looking better than ever.

Many of the companies that produce the professional teeth whitening systems also have over-the-counter (OTC) options available to those who want whiter teeth without visiting a cosmetic dentist.

OTC products will often claim that you get the same results from their method as you could obtain from a professional tooth whitening treatment.

This statement, although true in one sense, is very misleading. The idea is that OTC smile whitening products provide the same effect over a longer period of time by using a lower concentration of bleach (5% - 10%). Claims state that professional tooth whitening only provides faster results by using a higher concentration of bleach (15% - 25%). This is the difference between repeating the treatment every night for days or week, and leaving the dentist office with a noticeably brighter smile after only a single visit.

According to Doctor Alex Pavlenko, a cosmetic dentist in Alberta, Canada, professional laser teeth whitening is one of the most cost and time-effective aesthetic dental procedures available. "For a minimal fee, a patient can enter a cosmetic dentistry office and walk out less than two hours later with a significantly brighter smile," says Dr. Pavlenko.

There are more reasons to choose professional tooth whitening over store-bought tooth bleaching products:

1. Those that do not incorporate a tray can have uneven, "blotchy," results. Saliva can dilute the mixture, or your tongue could wipe away some areas, leaving them untreated.
2. Many OTC teeth whitening products contain glycerin, which could dry out your tooth enamel.
3. Over-the-Counter systems to whiten teeth often use "whitening strips". These are good for brightening the front surface of your teeth, but cannot do an adequate job of bleaching the cracks and crevices between teeth. The contrast between a bright, white tooth and the dark grooves between teeth can look like terrible cavities, or wide gaps.

If you are just hoping to lighten the fronts of your teeth a shade or two, you may consider over-the-counter tooth whitening products as an option. However, if you would like a winning, movie star-bright smile, professional cosmetic dentists are the only way to go.

Bridges

Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth.

A bridge made of today's advanced materials can prevent the other teeth from moving into this gap, which helps keep your smile beautiful for a lifetime.

A bridge is made up of two crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap - these two anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth - and a false tooth/teeth in between. These false teeth are called pontics and can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination of these materials. Dental bridges are supported by natural teeth or implants.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Bridges?

Bridges:

1. Restore your smile
2. Restore you ability to properly chew and speak
3. Maintain the shape of your face
4. Distribute the forces in your bite properly by replacing missing teeth
5. Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of positon

What Types of Dental Bridges Are Available?

There are three main types of bridges:

1. Traditional bridges involve creating a crown for the tooth or implant on either side of the missing tooth, with a pontic in between. Traditional bridges are the most common type of bridge and are made of either porcelain fused to metal or ceramics.
2. Cantilever bridges are used when there are adjacent teeth on only one side of the missing tooth or teeth.
3. Maryland bonded bridges (also called a resin-bonded bridge or a Maryland bridge) are made of plastic teeth and gums supported by a metal framework. Metal wings on each side of the bridge are bonded to your existing teeth.

What Is the Process for Obtaining a Dental Bridge?

During the first visit, the abutment teeth are prepared. Preparation involves recontouring these teeth by removing a portion of enamel to allow room for a crown to be placed over them. Next, impressions of your teeth are made, which serve as a model from which the bridge, pontic, and crowns will be made by a dental laboratory. Your dentist will make a temporary bridge for you to wear to protect the exposed teeth and gums while your bridge is being made.

During the second visit, your temporary bridge will be removed and the new permanent bridge will be checked and adjusted, as necessary, to achieve a proper fit. Multiple visits may be required to check the fit of the metal framework and bite. This is dependent on each individual's case. If the dental bridge is a fixed (permanent) bridge, your dentist may temporarily cement it in place for a couple of weeks to make sure it is fitting properly. After a couple weeks, the bridge is permanently cemented into place.

At Water’s Edge Dental we will make sure that you receive the information and dental care you deserve when it comes to protecting your teeth and health.