CORONA FAMILY DENTAL

Dental
Cosmetics

Cosmetic Dentistry, Teeth Whitening
& Dental Veneers

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941-280-0931

Cosmetic Dentistry

Sometimes, a previous oral health condition or even genetics can cause imperfections in the appearance of your smile. Discoloration, misalignment, uneven spacing, and other irregularities of the teeth can all affect the appearance of your tooth. These blemishes, however, can be fixed. Cosmetic dentistry includes any treatment given to correct imperfections in the mouth’s appearance. If you are unhappy with the appearance or comfort of your smile, come to our office in Lakewood Ranch. We offer a wide variety of cosmetic options including whitening, smile design, recontouring tooth shape, veneers, bonding, and ceramic/porcelain crowns.

Veneers

A veneer is a covering that is placed over the visible outside layer of a tooth in order to improve the appearance of a tooth which has been damaged or discolored. The covering is only necessary for the parts of the teeth that are visible when either speaking or smiling. When it comes to cosmetic purposes, veneers are preferable to crowns because less of the tooth material is removed. The procedure is also generally less uncomfortable than a crown procedure. Veneers are especially recommended for teeth that have large fillings or little natural tooth structure.

There are two different ways in which the procedure can be done: direct or indirect. The direct method involves bonding a composite resin material to the tooth. It is a simple technique which generally only requires one dental appointment. The resin is color-matched then shaped and molded to fit the front of the tooth. Once the material is shaped and bonded to the tooth, it is buffed and polished.

The indirect method involves a two-step process. At the first appointment in our Lakewood Ranch office, the teeth are prepared for the procedure. We also take impressions of the teeth to ensure the veneers fit. Indirect veneers are veneers which are fabricated in a dental laboratory and are usually made of porcelain or pressed ceramic. In the meantime, while your veneers are being constructed, we will provide temporary coverings for your teeth. Your dentist will apply your new veneers at your second appointment.

Teeth Whitening

Getting your teeth whitened is a fast and simple way to enhance the appearance of your smile. Unwanted discoloration of the teeth can be treated both in our Lakewood Ranch office and using dentist-prescribed at-home treatments.

There are a variety of options when it comes to teeth-whitening, ranging from gentle pastes to stronger, chemical whiteners. The gentle whiteners tend to remove minor discoloration from the surface of the teeth while stronger treatments can remove deeper stains.

Whitening toothpastes are the gentlest option. Instead of using chemicals to whiten the teeth, they buff and polish the teeth. Though they may whiten the teeth a little, over the course of a few days or weeks, chemical products tend to be more effective.

At-home whitening treatments are stronger than toothpastes and are usually meant to be used over the course of a few weeks. They usually contain peroxide which lightens tooth enamel below the surface of the tooth. There are a variety of application methods including teeth strips, rinses, and brushes. There are also custom trays which are fitted to your upper and lower teeth. A peroxide gel is applied to the trays for each use.

In-office treatments are the strongest whitening treatment because they involve a more concentrated amount of peroxide. They are also therefore the fastest method. The process can whiten your teeth in as little as one hour. Your dentist will apply a thin layer of protective gel or rubber over your gums, so they are not irritated by the peroxide before administering the treatment.
Because whitening is ineffective on artificial teeth and tooth repairs such as veneers and crowns, it is a good idea to get your teeth whitened before you have one of these restorative procedures. That way, the material used in repairing your teeth may be color-matched to your bright freshly-whitened smile.

Root Canal Treatment

Teeth are made up of many layers, but there are two main sections to consider. The first section, the crown, is the part of your tooth you can see above the gumline. The root of your teeth makes up the other section. This root the part of your tooth inside the jaw bone, beneath the gums.

Inside of the crown of each tooth is a layer called the pulp chamber. This refers to the blood vessels and nerves inside of your teeth. The “pulp” extends from the crown down into the roots of your teeth. This channel which contains the soft material in your teeth is known as the root canal.

There are many ways in which dental pulp can be harmed, including cracked and/or chipped teeth, a deep cavity, a leaking filling, filling complications, or other serious oral injury. These complications can
cause bacteria to reach the soft tissue of the tooth, leading to discomfort and inflammation. When the pulp tissue is inflamed or becomes infected, it can be detrimental to the health of your whole tooth and even mouth. If the infection spreads to the periodontium (gums) and tissue around the roots, it can cause pain and swelling or develop and abscess. Even if you do not experience pain from the infection, it can cause serious damage to your jawbone. Once infection sets in within the root canal, treatment is vital. The tooth will not heal on its own. Root canal treatment (also referred to as root canal therapy or endodontic therapy) removes the infected and inflamed tissue from the canal in order to help your tooth recover.

Symptoms of root canal infection include sensitivity to hot and cold, sensitivity to sweets, pain, swelling, pain when biting or chewing, and a bad taste in the mouth. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, come see our office in Sarasota, so we may assess and fix the problem. Occasionally, a root canal infection might not exhibit any symptoms. This is why regular dental checkups are vital to your dental health. Your root canal treatment may only take one visit to our Lakewood Ranch office, or it may take a few, depending on how serious the damage is.

There are several steps necessary in saving your affected tooth/teeth. Your dentist will place a dental dam (a thin flexible rubber sheet) over your tooth in order to keep it dry. They will also make an opening in the top of the crown of the infected or inflamed tooth. Next, the soft tissue is removed from the pulp chamber as well as the root canal. Your dentist will prepare your root canal for fillings by cleaning, disinfecting, and shaping it. The canal will also be sealed with a rubber-like material. Any bone in the jaw which was damaged or lost from the infection will heal within several months once the root canal has been disinfected and sealed. Your dentist will fill your tooth with a temporary filling while your permanent filling or crown is prepared. A small metal rod called a post may be inserted in the root canal if too much of your tooth structure has been rotted away from infection. Once your permanent filling is in place, and the tooth has been restored with a crown, your tooth will look and function as good as new.

Be sure not to chew or bite with the affected tooth until the crown of the tooth has been restored or replaced. After treatment, you should experience very little or only mild discomfort in the treated tooth. Consult your dentist for pain-relief options if necessary. To maintain your newly-restored smile, be sure to practice regular hygiene habits such as daily flossing, brushing your teeth twice a day, and routine checkups. With the proper care, your root canal-treated tooth should last as long as any of your natural teeth.

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