The most common type of crown placed is metal covered with porcelain. These crowns are often opaque and flat-looking, as well as having a dark gray line at the gum. Today we have the technology to make an all porcelain crowns that are completely natural looking and strong. Also, the preparation for an all porcelain crown is more conservative, less tooth structure is removed in preparation.
Porcelain veneers are a conservative aesthetic restoration to close gaps, correct crocked teeth, whiten severely discolored teeth and give you a beautiful smile (smile makeover). Veneers are thin porcelain shells that are bonded to the front and biting surface of the teeth. The procedure is simple for the patient and virtually little tooth structure is removed. This results in a strong, functional, natural looking and beautiful smile.
Bonding is also a simple and conservative way to change your smile. A tooth colored plastic material is placed on the surfaces of your teeth. Bonding can be used to close gaps, correct crocked teeth, and whiten discolored teeth.
At da Costa dental we use the Zoom in-office whitening as seen on ABC's Extreme Makeover show. With Zoom you can get a beautiful white smile in a little more than one hour. Included with the Zoom procedure are a set of custom bleach trays so that you can continue to bleach at home and to use for your touch-ups.
Dental implants are the biggest technological advance in dentistry today. The ADA considers implants the best way to replace missing teeth.
Implants are titanium pins that are placed where the missing tooth used to be. Dental implants can be used to replace one or multiple teeth, eliminating the use of bridges and dentures.
Implants can also be used to support dentures with precision attachments that lock the dentures in place. Patients don't have to worry about their dentures moving around anymore!!
The dark silver (amalgam) fillings used are not only unattractive, but they can damage your teeth. They expand with heat and contract with cold causing them fractures in the tooth and also allowing bacteria to enter and cause decay.
Tooth colored fillings are made of a plastic material that mimics the color of you teeth perfectly. The procedure is very simple and conservative giving you fillings that are virtually invisible, stronger and long lasting.
There is a lot of concern about the health problems caused by mercury in silver fillings. Some countries in Europe have even banned the used of this material. Silver fillings are now replaced by tooth colored fillings. A rubber dam with a high suction vacuum is used to protect patients against removal of the mercury.
When a tooth or teeth are missing a bridge can be used to replace the tooth/teeth in case. The bridge uses the teeth adjacent to the space to support the tooth/teeth to be replaced. Today all porcelain bridges can be used giving a natural looking smile.
Invisalign gently moves your teeth your teeth with a clear, virtually invisible aligner. The aligners are easily removed for eating, brushing and flossing.
At da Costa Dental we believe for preventative care and optimum oral health, regularly scheduled appointments for cleanings are essential. Our hygienists have the highest level of training and knowledge, and their approach to cleaning is both gentle and extremely through. Today we know that periodontal disease can contribute to many health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and low birth weight in babies.
