Thanks to
the development of gentle peroxides for dental bleaching, your dentist
can brighten your teeth, giving you a dazzling smile. Bleaching whitens
all natural teeth and not just those that are stained or discolored. In
many cases, even years of darkening can be removed in as little as a few
weeks. It is also great idea to whiten your teeth before having crowns
or veneers made. This way your restorations can be made whiter and your
entire smile will be enhanced. Whitening can be redone in the future to
maintain your bright smile.
"After chipping my teeth roller
blading, I was worried that I might need major dental
work. Boy, was I relieved when my dentist restored them in
one short visit."
"None of the brightening
products I bought even came close to to the professional
whitening my dentist provided. It was painless, fast and I
love the result."
Dr. Brody will need to begin with a comprehensive oral examination that
includes complete X-rays. This exam determines the status of your teeth,
fillings or restorations, and the health of your gums. Providing that
most of your teeth are natural, bleaching may be the quickest, most
comfortable, and least costly method to improve your smile. Wouldn't you
like to have whiter, brighter teeth? Ask your dentist if whitening could
be a solution for you.
Tooth
Bonding - The Single
Appointment Restorative Solution
Over
the last 25 years, adhesive dentistry has developed to the point that
today it's considered minimally invasive dentistry. Your dentist uses
these adhesive bonding techniques on a daily basis and they normally
require a minimal amount of tooth preparation. The composite materials
that are bonded to your teeth not only look natural, they wear like
natural teeth. In most instances, tooth bonding with modern composites
is accomplished in a single appointment with your dentist.
Tooth bonding really does it all, from new fillings to amalgam
replacements. From repairing and reshaping chipped teeth to sealing and
protecting your children's teeth from cavities. If there are any little
imperfections in your smile that are bothering you, see if your dentist
thinks tooth bonding could be a solution for this.
Dr. Brody placed Composite
Resin Bonding on the male patient in the images below. This patient had
severe tooth decay that led to a large cavity. This was treated by
cosmetic bonding and laminates. The images were taken 1-4 weeks apart.
Click on the images to enlarge.
The Strongest
& Most Beautiful Cosmetic Veneers Your Dentist Offers
Porcelain veneers reach a new level of excellence with
the IPS system. Ceramic laminate veneers are one of the
most accepted modern smile enhancement techniques. Ceramic
veneers usually require very little tooth reduction since
they are thin facings bonded only to the front of your
teeth. In many cases, slightly crooked teeth can be cosmetically
straightened by veneers, saving the time and expense of
orthodontics.
Next to tooth whitening, there is no easier or more effective
way to create a more appealing smile. In fact, it may be
advisable to have your dentist whiten or bleach your teeth prior
to veneer treatment.
With no metal substructure or core material, the light
refraction and reflection of IPS Empress more closely mimics
that of natural tooth structure. Testing shows that the wear
characteristics of this ceramic are in the range of natural
enamel. IPS Empress pressed reinforced ceramics exhibit nearly
two times the strength of conventional porcelains helping ensure
long-term esthetics and durability.
Cerinate LUMINEERS
Dr. Brody also offers patients Cerinate LUMINEERS. Only Cerinate
LUMINEERS have been proven to last over 20 years - without
removal of painful tooth structure.
Porcelain laminate veneers are probably the most esthetic means of creating
a more pleasing and beautiful smile. They require a minimal amount
of tooth reduction ( approximately .5 mm ) and are, therefore,
a more conservative restoration than a crown. Porcelain veneers
allow us to alter tooth position, shape, size and color. They
are not the only alternative for all esthetic abnormalities but
are truly a remarkable restoration when they are the treatment
of choice.
Dr. Brody placed Porcelain
veneers on the male patient in the images below. In this particular
case the patient wanted to make the space between his teeth smaller,
but wished to have a small space remaining. The images were taken 1-4
weeks apart. Click on the images to enlarge.
BEFORE
After
Here is another example of veneers
placed by Dr. Brody on a second male patient.
The images were taken 1-4 weeks
apart. Click on the images to enlarge.
BEFORE
AFTER
And, here is an example of Dr.
Brody's work on a female patient where porcelain veneers were placed. The
procedure was painless.
BEFORE
AFTER
Some facts you might want to know about Porcelain Veneers
Since they require approximately .5mm of tooth reduction,
porcelain veneers are NOT considered a reversible form of treatment.
Occasionally the preparation of a Porcelain Laminate Veneer
does not necessitate the use of a local anesthetic. However, for
those patients that are particularly sensitive or anxious, a local
anesthetic is advisable.
The laboratory time required for the fabrication of a Porcelain
Laminate Veneer is approximately one week. Due to the minimal
amount of tooth reduction, it is usually not necessary to fabricate
any type of temporary restoration. Should a temporary be needed,
they can, in most circumstances, be made at the time of treatment.
Between your preparation visit and the insertion visit, you
can expect some sensitivity to hot and cold. This is normal and
is due to the removal of a small portion of the enamel covering
of the tooth. This sensitivity should disappear after the placement
of your Porcelain Laminate Veneer.
Your second visit, the insertion of your laminate, can be
accomplished, once again , with or without local anesthetic. This
visit is usually longer in length. The laminates are placed with
a light sensitive resin which is hardened by using a white light.
Once placed your laminates are very strong and will resist
most of the forces placed upon them by a normal diet. Porcelain
has great crushing strength but poor tensile strength. Therefore,
you should avoid anything that will tend to twist the laminate.
Opening pistachio nuts with your teeth, chewing on bones or jelly
apples is probably not a good idea. As with most things, common
sense should prevail.
The maintenance of your Porcelain Laminate Veneer is relatively
simple. A few suggestions, however, are in order:
Please brush and floss as you normally would to prevent oral
hygiene problems. Once placed, Porcelain Laminate Veneers
are typically the kindest restoration to the gum tissues that
we currently have in our prosthetic armamentarium. Do not be afraid
that you will damage your laminates by either flossing or brushing.
Any non-abrasive tooth paste is acceptable. A good home care regimen
will insure the esthetic success of your laminate restorations
for years to come.
Some sensitivity to hot and cold may be experienced after
the placement of your veneers. This relates to the amount of
enamel left on your tooth after preparation, the proximity of
the nerve as well as several other factors. Some sensitivity is
absolutely normal and usually dissipates after one-two weeks.
If this sensitivity should remain or concern you at all, please call your dentist.
As mentioned before, a normal diet should pose no problem
at all. Please avoid anything that will tend to bend or twist
the laminates.
If you are known to be a bruxer or clencher, please let your dentist
know. He/she will fabricate a soft nite guard for you to wear to minimize
the stresses placed upon your teeth while you sleep.
Approximately one week after the placement of your laminates you
will be asked to return to the office for a treatment evaluation.
This visit is extremely important. It gives your dentist the opportunity
to evaluate the placement of the laminates, the tissue response
and to answer any questions you might have regarding your new
smile.
We hope that your Porcelain Laminate Veneers have fulfilled all
of your esthetic goals. With proper home care and scheduled evaluation
visits, they can provide you with a beautiful smile for years
to come.
The
Snap-On Smile is an exclusive, revolutionary breakthrough
product. Nothing compares to it! Other similar appliances have been
known to be brittle and many crack upon reapplication. Only the Snap-On
Smile's patented, unique and very strong material memorizes its shape
and "snaps" onto the patient's natural teeth, without the need for any
adhesive.
It can be used in different
ways! The Snap-On Smile can be considered for Cosmetic Partial Dentures,
as a Temporary for Crown and Bridge Cases, for Tooth Whitening or Tooth
Color Enhancement, as a Provisional Appliance, and as a Bruxism
appliance, Night or Sports Guard. You can even eat the Snap-On Smile in
place.
It's priced right! The best
part about this new technology is that Dr. Brody makes it affordable.
Now a patient who may have a dental phobia can obtain that beautiful
smile without any invasive surgery and most importantly, at a fraction
of the cost!
And, finally, it's easy to
order! We are sure that our superior craftsmanship and service combined
with our competitive prices will exceed your satisfaction.
Crowns
At your clinical examination, your dentist suggested that the proper
means of restoring your tooth was a crown. The reasons for making
that suggestion can vary from case to case. Some of the indications
for a crown are:
A previously filled tooth where there now exists more filling
than tooth. The existing tooth structure becomes weakened and
can no longer support the filling.
Extensive damage by decay.
Discolorations and compromised esthetics.
Fractures
Root canal - After root canal, teeth tend to become brittle
and are more apt to fracture. They, therefore, need to be protected
by a crown.
Bridges - When missing teeth
are replaced with a bridge, the adjacent teeth require crowns in order to
support the replacement teeth.
Crowns strengthen and protect the remaining
tooth structure and can improve the appearance of your teeth. Crowns can
be made from different materials which include the full porcelain crown,
the porcelain fused-to-metal crown and the all-metal crown. You and your
dentist will decide which type is appropriate, depending upon the strength
requirements and esthetic concerns of the tooth involved.
Fitting a crown requires at least
two appointments. During your first visit, the tooth is prepared for the
crown, an impression or mold is made of the tooth, and a temporary crown
is placed over the prepared tooth. At the subsequent visit, the temporary
crown is removed and the final crown is fitted and adjusted and cemented
into place.
Dr. Brody placed crowns on
the female patient in the images below. The images were taken 1-4 weeks
apart. Click on the images to enlarge.
The loss of a single tooth can have a major impact
on your dental health and personal appearance. Your teeth support and rely
on each other. When one or more teeth are missing, the remaining teeth
can shift out of their normal position. Teeth adjacent to the space or from
the opposite jaw will often drift or tilt. These teeth are often more
susceptible to decay and gum disease because they are more difficult to clean
around. All of this shifting and drifting will lead to changes in the bite,
which may put stress on the jaws, muscles and teeth. Ultimately, your ability
to chew comfortably and your appearance may be affected.
If tooth loss occurs, your dentist
may recommend that a bridge be placed. A bridge consists of a replacement
tooth/teeth attached to crowns
on each side. The bridge is cemented to the teeth adjacent to the space,
effectively replacing the missing tooth and preventing any shifting.
The procedures involved in making
a bridge are very similar to those for making a crown. Bridges can be made
from the same materials as crowns - full porcelain, porcelain fused-to-metal,
and all metal. At least two appointments are necessary. At the first visit,
your dentist will prepare the teeth next to the missing tooth for crowns.
An impression of the prepared teeth will be made and a temporary bridge
will be placed. At the subsequent visit, your dentist will fit and adjust
the bridge and then cement it in place.
Your new bridge will require some
special care when brushing and flossing. Your dental professional will instruct
you how to clean around and under the bridge. They may recommend various
cleaning aids to help you keep the plaque off and prevent further decay and
gum disease.
In the past, teeth were most commonly repaired
with amalgam (silver) fillings or gold restorations. Thanks to advances in
modern dental materials and techniques, teeth can be restored with a more
aesthetic and natural appearance. There are different types of cosmetic
fillings currently available. The type used will depend on the location
of the tooth and the amount of tooth structure that needs to be repaired.
Direct Composite
The most simple form of 'white filling' is technically called
a Composite. It
is made up of a composite quartz resin and usually contains some sort of
light sensitive agent. These light cured composites are extremely cosmetic
and most often bonded into place in one appointment. For this reason, they
are often referred to as "bonding". They can be used in both the front of
the mouth as well as in your back teeth. These materials come in a variety
of shades so that they will match the color of your own teeth. Some of
these composite materials have been specifically designed to actually withstand
the incredible forces you can exert when chewing on your back teeth.
In order to bond a filling material to your tooth it is first
necessary to remove decay, prepare the tooth and then to condition
the enamel and dentin. Once conditioned, a thin resin is applied
which bonds to the etched surface. The bond strength of these
fillings is incredible. Today we can bond plastics and even amalgam
(silver fillings) to your teeth. Bonding increases the strength
of these restorations far beyond those of only a short time ago.
After placement, composites are hardened by shining an intense light
on them for a specified period of time, usually around 40
seconds. Since we tend to look at this light all the time ( many
times a day) it is necessary for us to protect our eyes from it
with an orange shield. It is not necessary for us to protect your
eyes since you look at this light only once in a while. However,
it is probably a good idea for you not to look directly into the
light anyway. An ounce of prevention, is indeed, worth a pound
of cure!
We are constantly asked the same question, " When can I eat?".
Well, after placement, as long as you brought your own food and
you share, you may chew right away. These fillings are instantly
hardened by the light. Your teeth may experience some degree of
temperature sensitivity for a few days to a week. If it does not
disappear within that period of time, contact your dentist.
The other type of 'white filling' is called a Composite or
Porcelain Inlay. These fillings are usually placed
in back teeth when esthetics is of utmost concern. In order to
increase their strength and longevity, they are fabricated in
the laboratory and then bonded into position in the office. This
is a two visit procedure rather than the one visit required to
place a composite filling. However, when it comes to strength
and cosmetics, the extra time and expense is well worth it! I
hope that you now understand a little bit more about
white fillings.
Veneers
Over
the last 25 years, adhesive dentistry has developed to the point that
today it's considered minimally invasive dentistry. Your dentist uses
these adhesive bonding techniques on a daily basis and they normally
require a minimal amount of tooth preparation. The composite materials
that are bonded to your teeth not only look natural, they wear like
natural teeth. In most instances, tooth bonding with modern composites
is accomplished in a single appointment with your dentist.
Porcelain veneers reach a new level of excellence with
the IPS system. Ceramic laminate veneers are one of the
most accepted modern smile enhancement techniques. Ceramic
veneers usually require very little tooth reduction since
they are thin facings bonded only to the front of your
teeth. In many cases, slightly crooked teeth can be cosmetically
straightened by veneers, saving the time and expense of
orthodontics. 
The
Snap-On Smile is an exclusive, revolutionary breakthrough
product. Nothing compares to it! Other similar appliances have been
known to be brittle and many crack upon reapplication. Only the Snap-On
Smile's patented, unique and very strong material memorizes its shape
and "snaps" onto the patient's natural teeth, without the need for any
adhesive. 
