All the answers provided below are for general information purposes only. Your dentist will be able to answer any specific questions you may have about your case. You should consult your dentist before making any decision regarding treatment for your oral health issues.
Please contact us if you require more information about treatments and procedures or if you have a question you would like us to answer.
- What is the difference between aesthetic dentistry and general dentistry?
- What is Tooth Whitening and does bleaching hurt the teeth?
- What are Porcelain Veneers and what are they capable of doing for me?
- Porcelain veneers are a cosmetic alternative for a variety of dental conditions affecting teeth, including:
- Eliminating spaces between the teeth
- Restoring broken or chipped teeth
- Correcting uneven or crooked teeth
- Whitening permanently stained or discolored teeth
- How are Porcelain Veneers different from Crowns and Fillings?
- A composite, tooth-colored filling is used when only a small amount of tooth needs replacing or repair.
- A full crown is used when a tooth has had root canal treatment or when a substantial amount of the tooth structure has been lost.
- A porcelain veneer is used when a portion of the front surface of a tooth simply needs a "face lift."
- What is bonding?
- I have unsightly dark fillings in my mouth, should they be replaced?
- If the filling is old and deteriorating, it should be changed as this can lead to decay forming under the restoration.
- Large silver fillings have a propensity to allow teeth to fracture. In such cases, a stronger restoration should be placed prophylactically.
- If the patient finds them aesthetically unpleasing.
- What is a Crown?
- Support when there is no longer sufficient tooth structure left to place a filling
- Crowns are also used as support structures when a bridge is required.
- What is a Bridge and why is it necessary?
- How are dental implants different from a dental bridge?
- Are inlays and onlays the same thing?
- What is gum sculpting or gingival sculpting?
- Can I simply replace an old filling with a new one?
- Are the new products in teeth bracing, such as Invisible Braces really as effective as traditional braces?
Aesthetic or cosmetic dentistry is the art of practicing dentistry using the newest porcelain and composite materials. Utilizing these materials, the dentist attempts to make his/her work look as natural as possible. At Expressions Aesthetic Dentistry, we make very little distinction between cosmetic and general dentistry. Our practice addresses all matters of patient wellness, not just oral hygiene and health, but self-image and personal well-being. As countless medical studies show, happiness is a major component of a patient’s overall health.
Tooth Whitening is the process of using peroxide gels placed in custom form-fitted trays which hold the gel around the teeth for a given amount of time. Usually the process is performed either twice a day for one hour, or worn for multiple hours during sleep. The process usually takes about three weeks to complete. The teeth may revert back to their original shade, so touch ups are performed once or twice a year.
Porcelain veneers can change the shape, color and spacing of the teeth. Veneers are a thin, semi-translucent "shell" and are custom made to fit precisely over an existing tooth. The veneer is bonded and is extremely strong and durable.
Doctors Richard and Shannon Creasman provide a cosmetic look that's uniquely your own. Even the most subtle difference in tooth size, shape, texture, and color can be part of your overall look. We factor in variables such as your age, gender and lifestyle, so your smile reflects who you are.
How Long Do Dental Veneers Last?
Through regular oral hygiene and routine cleaning and dental examinations, veneers can last for years. Because veneers are stronger than simple bonding, they are also more resistant to stains and chipping.
Contact Expressions Aesthetic Dentistry today to book your appointment and to discuss any further information you require about porcelain veneers.
Porcelain crowns and veneers can be made of the same material. A crown encompasses the entire tooth, whereas a veneer only covers the sides and the face of the tooth. Is one better that the other? In most cases preservation of the patient's tooth is of the utmost importance, so the criteria we generally use is as follows:
This is a loose term that the lay person uses to describe the use of direct composite (tooth-colored) filling placement and/or porcelain veneer placement.
In certain instances:
To date, the ADA does not recommend the replacement of silver filling on the sole premise that they contain small, trace amounts of mercury.
A crown, also known as a "cap", is a tooth-like covering used to strengthen, restore, or improve the appearance of your natural tooth.
Crowns serve many functions:
To replace one or more missing teeth, a custom designed bridge is anchored to neighboring teeth. When replacing a missing tooth, crowns must be placed on the teeth on either side of the missing one to hold the replacement in place.
Losing a permanent tooth can cause many serious problems for your neighboring teeth. The remaining teeth may begin to shift due to changes in support and chewing function. The tooth above or below the lost tooth can begin to move out of its socket, which can accelerate gum disease and further break down the bone structure. If the missing tooth is not replaced, more teeth may eventually be lost due to the improper forces exerted during chewing.
How To Care For a Crown and Bridge
Along with regular dental hygiene appointments, daily flossing and twice daily brushing will help you keep your teeth and gums healthy.
To make the most of your investment, it’s important that you follow our recommendations - including diet adjustment. We recommend avoiding sticky foods like caramels, gum and taffy, and crunchy foods like hard candy. And please, don’t chew ice cubes!
In the past a patient missing a single tooth would often receive a fixed bridge where the teeth on either side of the space are prepared for crowns and a false tooth suspended between them. With today’s technology the patient is ideally treated by a crown supported by a dental implant, avoiding any compromise to the other teeth adjacent to the missing tooth.
An inlay is similar to a filling and lies inside the cusp tips of the tooth. They are custom-made to fit the prepared cavity and are then cemented into place. An onlay is a more extensive reconstruction that covers one or more cusps of a tooth. Onlays are indicated in situations where a substantial reconstruction is required.
Teeth may appear short because the gum tissue extends too far down the neck of the teeth. Gingival re-contouring or sculpting is a simple procedure that takes just minutes. A small amount of local anesthesia is applied and the tissue is artfully sculpted to the desired position. There is no bleeding, no stitches and minimal discomfort. You can even do it during your lunch hour and return to work.
Before removing your old filling, your dentist will discuss treatment options with you. It is often possible to repair an old filling instead of removing it and replacing it completely. However, if the entire filling has to be replaced, the dentist may reevaluate what filling material to use, or if a more advanced procedure such as the installation of a crown is in order. Talk with your dentist about your preferences for appearance, form and function. Then he or she can select the material that is best for you.
Yes, in most cases, invisible braces make it easy to straighten your teeth without bands, brackets, or wires.
Invisible braces are a virtually invisible solution that allows your true smile to show, both during and after your treatment. In fact, most people won’t even notice you’re wearing them unless you tell. By using a series of clear, removable formss / retainers, invisible braces straighten your teeth right before your eyes. Change them about every two weeks and your teeth will move, little by little, toward the smile you have always wanted.
Invisible braces are comfortable to wear and they don’t require you to change your busy lifestyle. You will visit your dentist every month or two to check your progress and get new aligners. Average treatment time is only about one year. Because aligners are removable, you can continue to eat your favorite foods while brushing and flossing normally to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Patients in and around Atlanta can enjoy the finest care with exceptional results at Expressions Aesthetic Dentistry’s convenient location. Drs. Richard & Shannon Creasman and their talented team look forward to helping you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile to last a lifetime!
Contact us to book your appointment and to discuss any further questions you may have about invisible braces.