David Henderson, DMD Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry

Dental Services and High-Tech Equipment

Dental services that were unavailable only a few years ago are now performed hundreds of times everyday. These services provide new smiles that at one time were only a dream. Many people are apprehensive about a dental office visit. The goal at Selma Smiles is to make it both comfortable and pleasant. New equipment and techniques help make this a reality.

Porcelain Veneers
When cosmetic changes in the mouth are too great for simple bonding, porcelain laminate veneers may be used. Porcelain veneers (sometimes referred to as laminates) can change an entire smile. They can change the shape, color, size, and arrangement of teeth or any combination of these factors. They are often used as an alternative for orthodontic treatment and the best part is that they can be placed in two visits.

Porcelain Crowns and Bridges
Instead of placing a crown or bridge made of porcelain with a metal base, which years later, can result in unsightly dark lines at the gum line. Now, your dentist can restore your smile with an all-porcelain bridge. All-porcelain bridges use adjacent teeth for support and will not show a dark line where the bridge meets the gum.

Teeth Whitening - Take Home System
Tooth discoloration, whether caused by staining from coffee, tea and foods, smoking, aging or chemical damage to teeth, is the most common reason for teeth whitening. Teeth whitening is the process used to lighten the color of the patient’s teeth. Before the patient begins the home teeth whitening system, the dentist creates custom mouth trays for the patient. The trays are an important step in the treatment because they ensure the correct amount of whitening solution is used and that the patient’s teeth are properly exposed to the whitening solution. The home teeth whitening system is simple. The dentist provides the patient with the materials and instructions for use and answers any questions the patient may have about the routine. The trays are usually worn overnight for up to six weeks. The results are dramatic and satisfying.

Bonding
Bonding is a tooth-colored composite resin that is bonded to the tooth surface to repair and/or change the color or shape of a tooth. The material is sculpted into shape, hardened with a high intensity light, and polished. When teeth are chipped or small cavities are present, composite resin may be the material of choice. It can be used to close spaces between teeth or used to cover the entire outside surface of a tooth to change its shape and color.

Contouring
In some instances, simple reshaping (contouring) of the front teeth, even without anesthesia, may produce a dramatic result to correct jagged, chipped or uneven teeth. Sanding discs and the dentist’s creativity produce a natural look with existing teeth.

Porcelain Inlays/Onlays
Porcelain inlays bind onto the tooth and increase the overall strength of the tooth. The inlays are used to repair somewhat damaged back teeth. They are made of very strong and durable ceramics. Glued into place with special adhesives, they hold the damaged parts of the tooth together. These inlays are very durable, look very natural, and are considerably stronger that regular fillings.

Full Dentures
When the majority of teeth are affected by advanced periodontal disease, decay or other problems, dentures may be the only option. Removing diseased teeth is often the best way to eliminate infection and restore the gums and the supporting bone tissue to a healthy condition. Fortunately, with current treatment options, the choice of dentures is becoming less common.

Partial Dentures
If only a few teeth are missing, or if most of the teeth may be left in place, a partial denture is a common alternative to the complete denture. A partial denture is an effective method of filling spaces between teeth, maintaining normal chewing ability and preventing the shifting of teeth that can occur when there are no adjacent teeth to help support them.

Implant Restoration
Dental implants can be thought of as artificial roots onto which teeth or prosthetic connectors can be placed. Placement and restoration of dental implants is now a routine procedure. Dental implants require experience, skill and exacting techniques. A periodontist or oral surgeon does the implant surgery and the dentist does the restorations (placing the teeth or attachments on the implants).

Endodontic/Root Canals
All endodontic (root canal) treatment and oral surgery procedures are referred outside the practice to specialists in those particular fields.

Intraoral Cameras
An intraoral camera is about the size of a pen, so it fits easily into the patient’s mouth. It sends pictures to a monitor, where teeth and gums appear in full-color as a very large image. The patient now sees what the dentist sees. If the dentist tells you that you need a filling replaced or extensive work done, you may wonder whether it is as bad as the dentist is saying. Maybe if you see those old fillings yourself, you’ll feel a lot better about having them fixed.

Clinically Advanced Education System (CAESY)
With full-motion video, amazing 3-D graphics, before and after photos, and top-quality music, CAESY is state-of-the-art, multimedia patient education. Whether in the reception area or dental chair, just aim a remote at a television monitor, and click to find any treatment you want to know about. Select from over 140 presentations covering cosmetic dentistry, crowns, implants and hygiene. It will definitely make you an informed customer.

Sterilization
Maintaining the health and well-being of patients is a top priority at the practice. To prevent the spread of infection, a thorough battery of precautions is taken, in terms of both barrier protection and sterilization of instruments before and after each patient.

The Occupations Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Dental Association (ADA) have set rigid standards in the area of infection control. The practice not only adheres to their guidelines, but also goes well beyond their recommendations to protect patients.

Please feel free to ask any questions or voice any concerns in the area of sterilization.

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