Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry
The office of Dr. Robin Wise understands that having less-than-perfect teeth can be embarrassing and sometimes even painful. We offer a full array of restorative and cosmetic dentistry options for repairing damaged, missing, or yellowed teeth, including porcelain veneers, crowns, and dental implants. During your consultation, Dr. Wise will evaluate your individual situation and discuss with you the best way to bring your smile back to its best and brightest.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are ideal for people who have crooked, chipped, or stained teeth. Veneers are comprised of thin layers of porcelain that are permanently bonded to the affected teeth. To achieve the perfect fit, this procedure usually requires three office visits.
The first visit will involve a consultation with Dr. Robin Wise, who will examine the current condition of your teeth and discuss with you your candidacy for porcelain veneers. On your next trip to the office, your teeth will be prepared for the veneers, which involves removing ½ millimeter of enamel from the tooth surface. Generally this does not cause much discomfort; however, a local anesthetic will be available should you need it. A mold will be taken of your teeth and sent to the lab so your veneers can be custom crafted.
One to two weeks later, the finished veneers will be ready for application. Dr. Wise will mount the veneers to your teeth with bonding cement and cure them with a special blue light. Congratulations, your new smile is ready to show off!
Crowns
Sometimes, teeth are too badly damaged or decayed to have porcelain veneers or traditional fillings applied. In this case, the best solution is often a crown. Although crowns can be made from various materials, Dr. Robin Wise chooses crowns crafted entirely from porcelain, offering a solution that is both strong and beautiful.
Crowns are used either to cover damaged teeth or help hold an adjoining dental bridge in place. The measurement and fitting process is very similar to that of porcelain veneers. Permanent in nature, patients can expect their new porcelain crown to last up to 40 years.
Missing Teeth – Bridges and Dental Implants
Missing teeth, whether from decay or accidents, can keep anyone from smiling. Fortunately, Dr. Robin Wise is ready to restore your smile to its natural beauty using several different methods, the most common of which is the bridge. A bridge is an artificial tooth that is held in place by way of crowns affixed to the teeth on each side of the gap. A patient can expect a bridge to last anywhere between five and seven years. A bridge is a less invasive and costly solution than dental implants and the procedure does not take as long to complete.
Dental implants are a much newer form of technology than bridges and have the main advantage of being much stronger. The first part of the procedure is performed by making an incision into the gum and subsequently into the bone of the jaw, where a support post is placed. During the three to six months of healing time, the support post is integrated into the surrounding jawbone, creating a very strong foundation. A second office visit is required for the artificial tooth to be attached to the protruding support post.
You have a number of choices when it comes to restoring missing teeth. Dr. Wise will be happy to answer all your questions and help you decide which one will be best for you.
Endodontics – Root Canal Therapy
Inside each individual tooth is a strand of dental pulp, which serves to deliver essential nutrients. Sometimes this pulp will become infected or otherwise damaged and the nutrients will be unable to reach the tooth. Only swift action will keep the tooth from dying. In most cases, the best option is a root canal. Performed with the patient under anesthesia, Dr. Robin Wise will drill an opening into the crown of the tooth to access the problem area. He will remove the damaged pulp, clean the surrounding area, and repair the tooth with a tooth-colored crown made from porcelain.
It is always desirable to keep natural teeth in the mouth for as long as possible. Root canal therapy allows for dangerous damage to be repaired at an early stage before far more invasive treatment is required. Please to not hesitate to contact the office of Dr. Wise if you have any questions about this procedure.
Oral Conscious Sedation
The office of Dr. Robin Wise recognizes that many people have anxiety about dental visits, usually as a result of painful and lengthy procedures experienced with a previous dentist. Rather than being afraid of going to the dentist, we believe that people should be excited at the prospect of improving their appearance and health. Oral conscious sedation dentistry is one of the most useful tools available for eliminating anxiety related to dental procedures.
Oral conscious sedation is achieved very easily. Either the morning of the procedure or the night before, the patient simply takes a pill prescribed by the dentist. Depending on the agreed-upon level of sedation, the patient experiences a range of sensations from mild relaxation to a much deeper level of sedation marked by temporary amnesia. The procedure may not even be remembered later. Of course, due to the after-effects of the drug, Dr. Wise may require that a friend or family member be present to drive the patient home after the procedure.
Custom Dentures
For patients who have lost some or all of their natural teeth due to decay or periodontal disease, Dr. Robin Wise can custom-create partial or complete dentures. There are two different options for patients requiring full dentures. If all the teeth are gone, or if the remaining teeth are in poor health, Dr. Wise may remove the remaining teeth and make a full “plate” for the mouth, which sits on top of the gum that covers the jawbone. However, if there are some healthy teeth still in the mouth, it may be possible to make an overdenture. This is similar to a full denture, except that it fits around the existing teeth, allowing for less slippage and more chewing pressure control. In addition, any natural teeth will help to preserve the integrity of bone in the jaw and reduce bone and gum shrinkage.
Partial dentures are ideal for patients missing just a few teeth and for patients who do not have enough healthy teeth to support a dental bridge. The appliance will attach to surrounding teeth using metal clasps.
If you would like to get further information about your denture options, please do not hesitate to contact the office of Dr. Wise.
ZOOM!™ Whitening
For patients who want to whiten their teeth quickly and easily, Dr. Robin Wise offers the popular ZOOM!™ teeth whitening procedure.
A safe, effective, and modern procedure, many people find that their teeth are made six to 10 shades whiter with just one application. The dentist will apply the ZOOM!™ tooth whitening gel to the patient’s teeth, then position a special lamp over the mouth. During the hour-long treatment, the light-activated gel releases hydrogen peroxide that penetrates and bleaches the surface of the teeth. A simple fluoride treatment concludes the procedure. Patients are then sent home with a touch-up kit so they can maintain their bright new smile.
Some patients should not undergo the in-office ZOOM!™ procedure. This group includes people who are involved in photo-chemotherapy or people who are taking medications that make them sensitive to light. Fortunately, there is still a way to experience the amazing results of the ZOOM!™ system. Dr. Wise can provide patients with the ZOOM!™ Take Home tooth whitening system. Instead of using light activation, Dr. Wise will fit the patient with trays that fit over the teeth and are worn at night. Many patients report that they get similar results after three nights to what they would experience in the office.
No matter what your restorative or cosmetic dental goals are, Dr. Wise and his friendly staff will be able to help you achieve them. We can help you understand your options and decide on the best course of action – please do not hesitate to contact us today.
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