general dentistry

Do you notice when you smile you see gum tissue more than your teeth? This is known as a gummy smile, and many patients are bothered by how their smile looks. There are treatment options to correct a gummy smile, and we are here to help you find a treatment that works best.

What Can Cause a Gummy Smile?

  • Your Bite

Your bite can be genetic and your top jaw may not align properly with your bottom jaw. If your bite causes the upper jaw to protrude this can cause a gummy look.

  • Hyperactive Upper Lip

If your lip raises up too high gum tissue may be exposed, and this results in a gummy smile.

  • Excess Gum Tissue

The most common cause of a gummy smile is having too much gum tissue. In many cases gum tissue can over grow when permanent teeth erupt in the mouth.

What Are My Treatment Options?

Crown Lengthening

Crown Lengthening helps to reshape the gum tissue around the tooth and correct a gummy smile. This procedure exposes more of the patient’s natural tooth and make the teeth look longer.

Gum Contouring

Gum contouring can help change the shape of your gum, and this can be done if you have excess gum tissue. This procedure also helps if the gum line is uneven. Gum contouring removes the excess gum tissue and exposes more of your teeth. This helps to give patients a beautiful even looking smile.

Scaling and Root Planing

If a gummy smile is caused by inflamed gums a deep cleaning treatment may be recommended. Scaling and root planing reach down deep into the gum pockets to remove bacteria. This can help the gummy appearance subside.

Lip Lowering

This procedure involves removing a section of gum tissue to reveal a shorter looking lip. This keeps the upper lip from rising too high and exposing your gum tissue.

Orthodontics

If you have an issue with your bite orthodontics may help correct your gummy smile. Orthodontic treatment can help adjust your bite to avoid gum tissue showing when you smile.

Looking To Take the Next Step to a Beautiful Smile?

If you are looking to correct your smile we encourage you take the first step and schedule a consultation in our office. This will give our team the opportunity to evaluate your concerns, and discuss possible treatment options that work for you. We want you to be proud of your smile, and we are here to help you get the smile you have always wanted.

If you are interested in scheduling a cosmetic consultation, contact our office and we will be happy to assist you.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth Whitening treatments are popular for patients that have tooth discoloration, or for those that just want a brighter smile. Whitening your teeth can be done safely and there are several options to choose from. If the directions are followed patients can successfully whiten their teeth with no side effects. Teeth whitening boosts self-confidence, can change a patient’s smile quickly, and make you feel great.

What Are My Options for Teeth Whitening?

If you have decided to whiten your teeth there are a few options to choose from. We offer teeth whitening treatments in our office, and this typically is a faster way to get the results you desire. We also offer a treatment you can take with you and whiten in the convenience of your own home.

Both options give great results patients are happy with. In addition to those two options there are over the counter whitening treatments that can help you whiten your teeth. Part of the evaluation process is to take a good look at your teeth and the level of discoloration, your age, and dental history to help you decide what treatment options will work best.

What Are Common Side Effects With Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is perfectly safe, but there are a few side effects that patients can experience.

Teeth Sensitivity

When you whiten your teeth the product gets deep into the tooth enamel. In some cases patients can experience sensitivity after teeth whitening treatments. We may recommend you use a sensitive type tooth paste to help with any sensitivity after whitening.

Irritated Gums

Gum irritation is another common issue when patients decide to whiten your teeth. In some cases patients are sensitive to the whitening treatment. This typically goes away after your treatment is complete.

Whitening treatments can be done periodically to keep teeth looking bright white. Whitening treatments are for patients with natural teeth. If you have implants, crowns, bridges, or dentures and want to whiten your teeth, we recommend scheduling a consultation to discuss your options. If you suffer from many cavities we recommend those are treated before any whitening treatment begins. Depending on each case we can help determine if teeth whitening is right for you.

How To Keep My Teeth Looking White

There are things you can do at home to help keep your teeth looking bright white. Avoiding food and beverages that may stain your teeth like coffee, tea, or red wine. If you do eat or drink something that may stain your teeth it is a good idea to rinse or brush right afterwards to help decrease staining.

Looking To Whiten Your Teeth?

Teeth whitening is a great way to give you a bright white smile. Whitening your teeth is safe and easy, and does not cause many side effects or issues. Scheduling a consultation with our team to examine your teeth and discuss your goals is a great way to start the process. Our skilled professionals will help you decide what treatment is best, and help get you on the road to a brighter smile.

If you are interested in scheduling a consultation to find out if teeth whitening is right for you, contact our office and our staff will be happy to assist you.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Choosing to whiten your teeth is a way to brighten your smile and boost confidence. Many patients look for a process that lasts the longest and requires minimal maintenance going forward. Teeth whitening options include in office whitening systems, systems you take home given to you by your dentist, and over the counter treatments. Talking with your dentist about your goals can help you to choose the best treatment that will work for you.

Teeth whitening targets two types of stains. The first is intrinsic, and this type of discoloration is more permanent and caused by an injury, medications, or fluoride overexposure. Intrinsic stains can be harder to whiten and may not respond well to teeth whitening. The other type of stain is extrinsic. Extrinsic stains are stains on the surface or outer layer of enamel. This type of stain is caused by dark liquids or foods. The best way to treat both types of stains is with a professional tooth whitening system.

What Procedure Is the Best and Will Last the Longest?

The systems provided by your dentist in their office are typically the strongest and long lasting treatments. They offer the most dramatic results and are quicker compared to other methods. Typically this type of whitening treatment takes less than an hour, and uses a light to activate the gel to penetrate deeply into your teeth. Once you have completed the in office process you can opt to take a whitening treatment kit with you. This allows patients to keep up with their whitening treatments at home.

Many in office treatments can target both intrinsic and extrinsic stains giving patients amazing results in little time. In office treatments can brighten teeth up to 16 shades lighter and the results last longer. In some cases depending on the treatment used, touch up treatments afterwards are not required.

Scheduling a Consultation

The first step to whiter brighter teeth is scheduling a consultation in our office. This gives our doctor the opportunity to examine your teeth and gums, and determine if you are a good candidate. Our team discusses each patient’s goals, and we work with you to choose the whitening system that will work best. Documenting your progress from start to finish is a great way for patients to track their results.

Interested in Finding Out More?

Take that next step to a whiter smile, and inquire about our whitening treatments. We care about your oral health and want you to be proud of your smile.

To schedule your teeth whitening consultation, contact our office, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

Dental Implant

If you have missing, damaged, or broken teeth and are looking for the perfect restoration solution, dental implants may be the right choice for you. Dental Implants are a permanent solution and are durable and long lasting. Implants function like natural teeth, and allow patients to speak and eat normally. Implants are comfortable and do not slip or click like other restorative options.

Your bright white natural smile will be noticeable and will look natural. Implants act like an artificial tooth root and are made of titanium. Implants are placed into the jawbone and act like a screw. This provides the base for one or many crowns. Custom crowns are made to match the color and shape of your natural teeth giving patients a natural white smile.

As part of the implant consultation process we will check to make sure all patients have enough bone present in the jaw to support the new implants. If needed, bone grafting can be done to add the support that is needed. This helps to create that strong base that is required for the implants.

Once the implants are placed, an abutment or connector is set on top of the implant to hold the crown in place. Temporary crowns may be used until the permanent crowns are ready to be installed.

Benefits of Dental Implants

  • Provide patients with a natural looking smile and functions like natural teeth.
  • Provide long term value financially.
  • Implants are permanent and do not slip or click like other solutions.
  • Implants preserve the natural bone in the mouth, and this helps to stimulate new bone growth.
  • Dental implants are built to last upwards of 25 years, but can last a lifetime if they are cared for properly.

Interested in Finding Out More?

If you are interested in finding out if dental implants are right for you, we encourage you to set up your initial implant consultation in our office. This will give our team the opportunity to take a detailed look at your teeth and mouth, and discuss treatment options. We also will develop a customized treatment plan, and answer any questions or concerns you may have with the dental implant process.

Dental implants can be life changing, and can allow patients to live a normal healthy life eating and drinking as they would with natural teeth. Taking that first step is worth it to achieve that beautiful smile you have always wanted.

To schedule your implant consultation please call our office and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

Orthodontics

If you are planning to get orthodontic treatment and have cavities, it is always recommended to treat cavities first. Cavities are tooth decay, and if they are not treated promptly they can grow and weaken the tooth structure. Taking care of your oral health always comes first. Once your cavities are treated you can move on to orthodontic treatment.

Can You Get Braces if you Have Cavities?

Braces for example use wires and brackets, and they put pressure on your teeth in order to move them into the correct position. Cavities weaken your teeth if they are not treated properly. Taking care of any decay before orthodontic treatment is required, and will help to prevent further damage.

Teeth need to be strong for orthodontic treatment. If the tooth is decayed it may not be able to withstand the pressure of biting or chewing, and this can lead to cracks or fractures. Tooth loss is another concern for candidates that have tooth decay and need orthodontic care.

Cavity Treatment With Braces

Cavity treatment with braces is possible but tends to be more difficult. Keeping your teeth healthy with braces is extremely important. This includes brushing and flossing each day to keep that sticky plaque from building up between brackets and wires. If needed, cavities can be filled carefully, but may require your wire to be removed. Our team will work closely with your dentist to coordinate this process.

What Are My Next Steps?

If you suspect you have cavities we encourage you to make an appointment with our office. Our team can treat your cavities, and ensure your teeth are strong and ready for orthodontic treatment. Depending on the severity of the cavities will determine what treatment is needed.

Once your cavities are treated you are ready to schedule your orthodontic consultation. Starting orthodontic treatment can be costly and is a large commitment. Making sure your teeth are ready is important and should be a priority. Practicing good oral hygiene at home helps to take care of your teeth, and ensures your orthodontic treatment will be a success.

Ready To Schedule Your Consultation?

If you are interested in scheduling your orthodontic consultation please contact our office. Our team is here to help you through every step towards a beautiful smile. Your oral health is our priority, and creating beautiful smiles is what we do.

If you have questions or to schedule please contact our office, and our friendly staff can assist you!

Invisalign

Invisalign is a popular choice for orthodontic treatment. Invisalign is an alternative to braces, and uses clean plastic aligners that are worn in a series over time to gently move teeth into place. Invisalign is extremely successful, and before you decide on what orthodontic treatment is right for you, definitely check out other options.

Keep in mind that Invisalign is a treatment that requires regular visits to your doctor to monitor your progress. Invisalign also allows you to work with your doctor to take impressions and ensure the proper fit. With many of the at-home alternatives, you are responsible for taking impressions and ordering your aligners.

Invisalign can also treat a larger scope of corrections, and some alternatives are limited to only certain corrections. Working directly with your doctor allows them to address any issues that may occur, as well as provide additional treatment if needed.

What Should I Consider When Searching for an Alternative to Invisalign?

  • Cost
  • Length of treatment
  • In-office monitoring versus at home
  • Diagnostic process

What Are Some Alternatives?

SmileDirectClub

SmileDirectClub offers a similar treatment to Invisalign where the clear aligners are customized to fit your teeth. The difference is that this product is at-home treatment only with no office visits required. If you choose an option like this your treatment will tend to be less expensive. In addition, sometimes home aligners are not as effective especially for severe correction cases.

SmileDirectClub has SmileShops in various convenient locations, and this allows the customer to skip the impression kit. SmileDirectClub also offers a night time treatment, and provides various financing options. Similar to other at-home treatments SmileDirectClub has a limited scope of correction, and can only treat mild to moderate cases for crowding or spacing.

Byte

Byte is a new alternative to Invisalign and seems to be gaining popularity for home aligners. Their treatment delivery is fast, and Byte averages a three month treatment time. They are known for their quality customer service.

Byte also offers a lifetime guarantee, and will always provide aligners to you if your bite shifts. Byte offers financing as well as other payment plan options, and not only has their normal treatment, but also offers a night time treatment.

Candid

Candid is another alternative to Invisalign that is effective and high quality. This company offers at-home treatment with a remote monitoring service. Each patient is assigned to a remote orthodontist, and this helps to keep track of your progress. Typically Candid’s treatment plans take around 6 months and costs less than Invisalign. Their aligners are high quality and made similarly to the Invisalign aligners.

What Treatment Is Best for Me?

Choosing the best orthodontic treatment is important, and a patient must consider the benefits of an in-office treatment versus a treatment that is done completely at home. When patients choose our Invisalign treatment we provide guidance and regular monitoring during treatment. Our patients have the convenience of treatment at home, but also have regular contact with our doctors to monitor progress and catch any issues.

Choosing an at-home treatment does come with risk, and problems may arise during your treatment. If you don’t end up with the results you desire, you may end up having to complete the treatment all over again.

If patients have mild or moderate correction needed, at-home aligners may be the best choice for you. For those that have severe correction it may be best to go through your doctor. Working with our office ensures your smile will look great, and you get the results you desire.

Looking To Schedule Your Consultation?

If you are interested in learning more about how Invisalign treatment can benefit you, we encourage you to contact our office and schedule a consultation. Our team will take a look at your teeth and mouth, and talk about your smile goals.

We will provide you with a customized treatment plan, and work directly with you to get you that smile you have always wanted. Designing smiles is what we do, and we always make our patients a priority.

To schedule your consultation with us please contact our office, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you!

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