| Today's dentistry
offers much more than just fillings and cleanings. Dr. Winter
can lighten and restore your teeth to their optimal strength
and functions, returning your smile to its natural brilliance.
Here are just a few of her services: Porcelain
Veneers and Bonding- Restore the integrity of your smile
by closing spaces between teeth, mending chipped teeth,
reshaping crooked teeth or hiding stains and discolorations.
These procedures are gentle and create a beautiful, natural
look.
Veneers
Veneers are thin shells that are laid onto the teeth and
bonded to the surface. Although they can be made of different
materials, porcelain is frequently used because of its durability
and realistic appearance. Veneers are a more conservative
alternative to crowns since they require less removal of
the tooth's original surface. With veneers in place, patients
can expect straighter, whiter, and even looking teeth.
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Bonding
Composite bonding is a technique used to improve the appearance
of your teeth. The term composite bonding is ideal for fixing
chipped or cracked teeth, hiding discoloration on the tooth's
surface, or reducing the gaps in between teeth. Whatever
the specific intent, composite bonding creates more aesthetically
pleasing teeth and a more vibrant smile. Unlike veneers
or crowns, composite bonding removes little if any of the
original tooth.
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The
Advantages of Bonding
Composite bonding is a quick process, typically lasting
less than an hour. Compared to veneers or crowns, bonding
is a popular choice because it does not reduce the tooth's
original structure. Composite resins are available in many
different shades. The shade can be chosen to match the natural
color of the original tooth. The composite resin is then
applied in several coats. Each coat is hardened (or set)
using a specially designed dentist's light. Once Dr. Winter
has placed an adequate amount of resin on the tooth, the
bond is sculpted for the desired shape and texture. Bonding
is performed in the office and usually does not require
any anesthesia.
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Crowns and
Bridges- Replace missing
or support seriously damaged teeth. Using the most advanced
material and techniques available, the result is more aesthetically
pleasing than ever before.
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Crowns
Crowns are used to correct badly broken or worn teeth, large
cavities, or teeth that have undergone root canal therapy.
Crowns are often used to help strengthen weakened teeth.
And, when adjacent crowns are connected together, they can
stabilize loose teeth. They may be constructed using various
porcelains, porcelain-fused-to-gold, or new high-strength
porcelain. Fabricated in a laboratory, they provide precision,
strength, enhanced esthetics, and a stable bite.
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Bridges
Bridges are very similar to crowns, except they are used
to replace missing teeth. Generally made of porcelain or
porcelain-fused-to-gold, they are attached to the adjacent
teeth so that they span the gap created by missing teeth.
Like crowns, bridges can restore natural beauty and function
to your smile.
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Tooth-
Colored Fillings- Improve
your smile and restore the beauty and integrity of your
teeth. Unlike traditional silver and mercury fillings, Dr.
Winter uses natural-looking tooth colored fillings.
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Composite
Fillings
Until recently, dentists filled and sealed cavities exclusively
using a silver and mercury amalgam. Unfortunately, these
fillings (or restorations) often weaken teeth due to the
large amount of the original tooth that has to be removed.
Modern dentistry has increasingly turned to composite fillings
as a strong, safe and more natural looking alternative.
Composite fillings utilize a soft white plastic substance
that includes a hardening agent.
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Pros
and Cons of Composite Fillings
The major advantage of this type of filling is that they
come in a range of shades that closely match the color of
an individual's tooth. Due to the increased strength of
modern composite material, they can now also be used in
the back teeth. Unfortunately, composite fillings are 1
½ to 2 times more expensive than traditional restorations.
Dental insurance typically cover the cost of composite fillings
up to the price of silver/mercury fillings.
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Inlays
and Onlays
Inlays and onlays are used to correct smaller cavities or
replace mercury (amalgam) fillings. Old-fashioned mercury
filling tended to crack teeth and turn them a dark gray
color. Inlays and onlays (which are larger and cover the
cusps of the teeth) are usually made from porcelain or composite
resin. They conserve much of your natural tooth structure
and are virtually undetectable in the mouth.
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Tooth
Whitening
Regardless of how well you care for your teeth, it is inevitable
that, over time, some yellowing or discoloration will occur.
This gradual change can be caused by aging, substances that
stain your teeth (such as coffee and tobacco), excessive
fluoride, or the deterioration of a tooth's nerve. A tooth
whitening treatment can be performed either as an at-home,
dentist-supervised process or in the dentist's chair. While
neither of these methods stops future discoloration, these
treatments bring about whiter teeth and help create a more
vibrant smile.
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At
Home Whitening
The most popular method of whitening teeth is the at-home,
dentist-supervised option. During your visit to our office,
Dr. Winter takes a mold of your teeth and creates a comfortable,
customized mouthtray. The mouthtray hold a mild solution
whose main ingredient is carbamide peroxide, a substance
that reacts with water to release a non-toxic bleaching
element (hydrogen peroxide). The mouthtray is placed inside
the mouth, and sits only against the teeth, thereby avoiding
contact with the gums. Patients can choose either to wear
the mouthtray thought the night, the treatment lasts from
two to four hours. When the mouthtray is worn throughout
the night, the treatment lasts one to two weeks. Patients
with more sensitive teeth may opt for the latter approach,
which lasts three to five weeks.
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Patient Concerns
When using the at-home treatment, patient's teeth may feel
a heightened, but temporary, sensitivity. The gums may also
feel more sensitive or burn slightly. Not all people experience
the quality of whiteness they had hoped for on their first
treatment and they may require a "touch-up" treatment.
Whitening treatments begin to fade in one to four years.
It should be noted that tooth whitening treatments have
no effect on the artificial materials used for bonds, veneers,
or capped teeth.
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