Patients simply find “natural” more appealing.

Tailoring our dentistry to harmonize with the individual’s facial characteristics and lip posture allows us to meet patients expectations, optimize esthetics while hiding evidence of treatment. Our best reference for developing a new smile for and individual is studying nature and identifying elements that make it appear attractive and appealing. A proper “smile design” should reflect the desirable appearance without negatively impacting the stable biological environment surrounding the teeth. What goes into a smile design will always heavily depend on what surrounds the smile and teeth considered for alteration.

We believe dental insurance plans provide a tremendous service for those who need more routine care and maintenance. However, when treatment needs become well beyond what dental benefits typically allow, finding a sustainable solution involves using the best materials and technique. We simply believe patients should have the option to choose what is best for them without Insurance interfering. Contracted dentists in PPO networks are limited in many ways in choosing products used to restore teeth. Although the direct benefit to patients may be financial savings and convenience, every filling or crown procedure inherently involves removing more of your natural tooth. Our best materials and techniques will translate into less treatment over your lifetime if you are dedicated to maintainence.

We do however, like most dental offices, accept most forms of dental insurance plans and as a service to our patients file claims and follow them up. Please contact our front office for questions related to our dental insurance policy.

Notice the deep dark colored neck area of the canine tooth below.

Tooth colored filling material is often used in areas such as this to protect the vulnerable unprotected surface void of enamel. Little notches near the necks of teeth are very common and are not always associated with grinding habits. Often sensitive to cold and difficult to clean, these defects lead to gum recession as illustrated clearly here. Gum surgery has become a very predictable way to recover receding gums but in this case, surgery was not needed. The underlying cause of this defect is primarily excessive teeth grinding placing extreme lateral forces against the tooth. These forces can cause the tooth to flex – which stresses the bone and soft tissue supporting the tooth. Gingival Defect, Recession, Grinding

What has been discovered in more recent literature, tooth flexure increases when enamel loss reaches moderate levels. Ceramic is in many ways very similar to enamel structurally and when used appropriately can reduce this flexure resolving problems arising peripheral problems. Notice the photo progression of treating this tooth using a ceramic veneer to cover the visible surface of the tooth. The tissue recovery here is a remarkable observation of what happens to tissue when flexure is reduced back to ideal levels. Surgery was completely avoidable here for this patient.

What we are monitoring during routine visits are possible changes or signs of pathology occurring around the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth. Measurements are taken every six months, and if we observe changes, treatment may be indicated to prevent further damage and costly treatment down the road.

The exam following the hygiene procedure allows the doctor to examine your teeth and tissue, confirming any problem areas the hygienist observed and small lesions that could be covered up by tarter or plaque.

You should know that maintaining stable oral health is primarily up to you. 90% of stability comes from what you do daily. Our hygienists are your most valuable resource in making sure you are making the most of the products used on a daily basis to brush and floss effectively. The more you understand about your own mouth will ultimately help you minimize how often we need to be involved. This is our goal.

Your hygiene appointment is your best chance of reducing costs in the dental office over your lifetime. Treating disease early substantially reduces the potential cost to recover.

Yes. We use primarily two materials to repair natural teeth. For fillings, we recommend a tooth-colored material known as Composite.

For larger areas or previously crowned teeth needing replacement, we recommend ceramic to repair the tooth. Ceramic material is remarkably similar to enamel and offers teeth the most lifelike and superior biological integration.

Both materials are applied to teeth using ultraviolet light, creating a seal that prevents bacteria and moisture from invading the most vulnerable areas where damage most likely occurs.