Ceramic Crowns and Veneers
Ceramic Crowns
Crowns (also known as caps) protect teeth that have had extensive damage. Examples include failing old fillings, fractured teeth, and large cavities. The crown entirely covers the tooth and in aesthetic areas, can mimic nature's beauty as well as function when a qualified ceramist is part of the team.
Goals of Ceramic Crowns
Goals of crowns: restore significantly damaged teeth to proper function and aesthetics while protecting the remaining tooth structure from further damage.
Ceramic Veneers
Veneers are custom-made thin facings made from porcelain or ceramic. Once you and Dr. Goldstein decide on your aesthetic goals during the planning phase, he will shape the teeth as necessary and the dental ceramist creates the veneers based on guidelines presented. An incredible improvement is established as color, shape, position, and size may be addressed simultaneously.
Goals of Ceramic Veneers
Goals of veneers: The essence of the smile design, veneers are more conservative than crowns, yet provide amazing aesthetic changes resulting in a beautiful smile.
The Ultimate Challenge
One of the most challenging cases for a dentist and ceramist is to have a single anterior (front) restoration match all the others in the surrounding area. The aesthetic and functional challenges to have the final product harmoniously blend-in requires critical detailed communication between the dentist, ceramist, and patient. Ultimately, the end result is extremely satisfying for everyone involved.
Dental Implants
General Overview
Implants predictably replace teeth in a comfortable, aesthetic manner. They have been successfully placed and restored for over 30 years using titanium root forms that integrate with the bone, remain strong, and biocompatable. A periodontist or oral surgeon will place the implant and Dr. Goldstein will complete the treatment by creating natural looking, functional crowns or dentures. This team effort has revolutionized dentistry and the quality of life for thousands of people!
Goals of Implants: replace single or multiple teeth with non-removable crowns or extremely secure replacement dentures eliminating the need for adhesives.
Please see additional information available in our Literature Section.
Bleaching
Background
Bleaching is an amazingly simple teeth whitening technique available for over 25 years. Thousands of patients have safely achieved a whiter smile and the process has even improved over time. A custom clear tray is filled with the bleaching gel as instructed and worn each day for a short period when convenient. After only 2-4 weeks, the whitest shade is reached, and subsequently, can be touched-up when desired.
Goals of bleaching: correct cigarette and tobacco discoloration, lighten tea & coffee-stained teeth, and help reduce natural age-related yellowing.
"But why don't you use the light?" In short, according to research, it doesn't work any better than the custom trays alone. It only adds to the total cost. Here are some sources from which we gathered this conclusion.
1) In-office Vital Tooth Bleaching - What do Lights Add? (Zoom, Xtra Boost): "The clinical data indicate all three systems tested lightened 83 contralateral pairs of anterior teeth to nearly the same degee of 1.6 to 1.8 combined value-chroma...with or without the use of accessory lights." Compendium/April 2003 Vol. 24, No. 4A
2) Clinical Evaluation of Chemical and Light-Activated Tooth Whitening Systems(BritSmile, Xtra Boost): The use of light did not demonstrate any benefit over the chemically activated tooth whitening systems after a 2-week recall. Compendium/January 2006, Vol. 27, No. 1
3) New Generation In-office Vital Tooth Bleaching, Part 2: "No light yet evaluated by CRA has enhanced results." CRA Newsletter, Vol. 27, Issue 3, March 2003
4) In Vitro Efficacy and Risk for Adverse Effects of Light-assisted Tooth Bleaching: "...optical radiation did not improve bleaching efficacy relative to bleaching without irradiation. The use of optical radiation in tooth bleaching poses a health risk to the client and violates radiation protection regulations. Therefore, we will advise against light-assisted tooth bleaching." Photochem, Photobiol. Sci., 2009, 8, 377-385
5) Masters of Esthetic Dentistry: According to Van Haywood, "Various types of lights and lasers were claimed to simplify and shorten the bleaching technique, although the research to date has shown the contrary. Use of a light does not alter the final outcome and may give an illusion of whitening owing to dehydration." Haywood, V. (2003) Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, Vol. 15, No. 3
6) Colorimetric Assessment of Laser and Home Bleaching Techniques: According to a study at the University of Iowa, "The recommended one-time application of laser-activated hydrogen peroxide did not demonstrate any perceivable color change." Journal of Esthetic Dentistry, 1999: 11(2): 87-94
The "boil-and-bite" trays used by over-the counter products overlap the soft tissue producing increased irritation and feel bulky in your mouth. Aside from the obvious discomfort, TMJ problems may result. The custom designed trays closely conform to the natural contours of the teeth and are more comfortable, assuring a superior result with greater compliance.
