Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

At this year's Hinman dental convention, We acquired an innovative and proven product to improve dental procedures.  The Isolite system does several things at once:

Trying to match dental porcelain with natural teeth can be a challenge.  Examined closely, a real tooth has subtle amounts of color that vary in Value, Hue and Chroma.  Other things to consider are texture, shape, and translucency.  I work closely with my Master Ceramist to mimic and enhance a natural smile.  I also use a color map ( pictured ) as another communication tool. Close up digital photographs are also key in any successful cosmetic case.

Porcelain veneers (also called laminate veneers) are very thin porcelain shells that are placed on the fronts of teeth to improve one's smile.  A good analogy are ladies "press on fingernails" - the real nail is still three, but it alters the appearance.  

Proper brushing and flossing, regular dental exams, and good eating habits will help preserve the beauty and health of your teeth, but over time, you will still experience the natural results of aging.

Over the years, our teeth lose their brightness. This is partly due to the things we eat and drink, but it also happens from the inside out as the pulp of our teeth shrinks and is replaced with darker dentin. Worn or eroded tooth enamel makes this darkness even more visible and allows our teeth to become stained more easily.

Bone loss is a natural part of aging that becomes visible as our gums shrink, creating a receding and often uneven gum line. Gum disease will accelerate gum loss.

Crooked teeth, missing teeth, and gaps, as well as faulty dental restorations, such as loose fillings, create opportunities for tooth decay and tooth loss that only grow more likely over time if not corrected. Even if you started out with straight teeth or wore braces when you were a teenager, when wisdom teeth come in, or if you lose a tooth, your teeth can shift and become crooked.

Many us have large silver fillings from our childhood.  For many years these fillings were the standard of care in dentistry.  And they can last a long time !  But eventually those teeth need maintenance.  Fractures, leakage, and recurrent decay form.   Notice the section of this tooth pictured that looks grey - that is where it will break.  The key is restoring it before it breaks !  This tooth is diagnosed for a "Build-up and Crown".  A crown fits over the tooth, not in it.  The procedure goes as follows: