Enhancing the smile's aesthetic appearance can lead to increased self-confidence, improved social skills, and even a more positive outlook on life. Modern cosmetic dentistry merges advanced technology with fine art, and can often produce amazing results in less time than you would expect.

• Tooth Whitening
• Bonding
• Porcelain Laminates
• Fillings
• Porcelain Inlays & Onlays
• Porcelain Crowns
• Porcelain Fixed Bridges

Tooth Whitening

Problem

Stained, dull teeth.

Solution

Impressions are made of your teeth to make customized trays. These customized trays are filled with a whitening gel and worn in the mouth for as little as 1 hour per day. In as little as one week, this process can erase most stains caused by coffee, wine, tea, tobacco and tooth yellowing associated with aging. A brilliant, bright white smile is the result.

Alternatives

There is also an in-office gel treatment that provides a faster result, but may cause some sensitivity. Teeth whitening may not be an appropriate treatment for all stains. For hard-to-treat stains, such as gray stains from antibiotics, porcelain veneers or crowns are a better option.

Bonding

Problem

Teeth that are chipped, discolored, uneven, stained or gapped.

Solution

Bonding with composite resin. The composite resin used in bonding is a tooth-colored material that is applied directly to the enamel of teeth and shaped to correct the patient's aesthetic concern. When exposed to a special light, the resin hardens into place.

Alternatives

Porcelain veneers and crowns, while more expensive, last considerably longer than bonding.

Porcelain Laminates

Problem

Teeth that are chipped, discolored, uneven, stained or gapped. Teeth that are out-of-proportion in relation to the mouth. Teeth that are crooked or worn.

Solution

Customized, wafer-thin veneers (also called porcelain laminates) are cemented directly onto the front of the tooth, resulting in a natural appearance that covers any irregularities or aesthetic concerns.

Alternatives

Veneers are not an ideal choice for patients with tooth decay, advanced periodontal disease, and/or severe misalignment. In cases where veneers are not advisable, orthodontic treatments and porcelain crowns may be better choices.

Fillings

Problem

Tooth decay that has led to the development of a cavity, or small hole, in the tooth.

Solution

Fillings. Your Oakmont Dental Associates dentist, Dr. Stoner, will remove all areas of decay, and replace with a filling made of silver (amalgam) or composite resin. Composite resin fillings have surged in popularity because their appearance perfectly matches the natural appearance of teeth.

Alternatives

In cases of more extensive decay, porcelain inlays and onlays are an advisable alternative.

Porcelain Inlays & Onlays

Problem

Tooth decay, weakened tooth structure, need for tooth restoration and reinforcement.

Solution

After the decay is removed, your Oakmont Dental Associates dentist, Dr. Stoner, will take an impression of the area to be restored. A certified dental technician at a local dental laboratory works from this impression to create a restorative inlay or onlay, usually out of gold or porcelain, that fits perfectly on the tooth. Inlays cover one or more tooth surfaces, where onlays are used on the chewing surface of the tooth. The inlay or onlay is cemented securely into place, for an incredibly durable, stable tooth restoration. Porcelain is the preferred esthetic restorative material; it is extremely strong and can perfectly match the your tooth's natural color.

Alternatives

Crowns may be the only alternative when tooth decay is in advanced stages.

Porcelain Crowns

Problem

Teeth that are chipped, cracked, badly decayed, or otherwise weakened.

Solution

Porcelain or Zirconia crowns maintain the aesthetic appearance of teeth by covering the entire visible surface of the tooth, while adding significant reinforcement and protection to the tooth. After removing all areas of decay, your Oakmont Dental Associates dentist, Dr. Stoner, will take an impression of the tooth to be crowned and send it to a local dental laboratory to create the crown. Crowns can be made of porcelain or gold. Porcelain crowns are extremely natural looking; virtually indistinguishable from other teeth, making them an ideal choice for visible teeth. Gold crowns are less expensive, and pose no risk of chipping, and therefore are useful when crowning back teeth.

Alternatives

Teeth that are badly decayed may require extraction, leaving bridges or implants as viable alternative treatments.

Porcelain Fixed Bridges

Problem

Patients who are missing a tooth or several teeth may experience difficulty chewing and speaking, dental shifts, and an undesirable sunken facial appearance. In addition, missing teeth can eventually lead to jaw and joint problems that are costly to treat.

Solution

Porcelain or Zirconia fixed bridges can improve chewing and aesthetic appearance, restoring the smile with a more permanent solution than dentures. Bridges replace missing teeth with artificial teeth. Your Oakmont Dental Associates dentist, Dr. Stoner will prepare the teeth adjacent to the gap where a tooth is missing, take impressions, and then send them to a local dental laboratory where a certified dental technician will prepare a customized bridge. The bridge is then cemented into place, restoring the attractive natural appearance and function that had been missing since the tooth was lost.

Alternatives

Dental implants are permanent, stable alternatives to bridges that do not rely upon surrounding teeth for support.