Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry

Composite/Amalgam Fillings

Composite and amalgam fillings are one of the most common restorative procedure performed in most general dental practices. When a cavity is detected and Dr. Chin explains to you that you will need a filling done, you have 2 choices, a composite (white) filling or amalgam filling. Below are the advantages and disadvantages of both types.

ADVANTAGES OF WHITE FILLINGS:

Since they bond to the tooth, composite fillings restore most of the original strength of the tooth. Silver weakens the teeth, making them more susceptible to breaking. Also silver fillings can discolor the teeth.
Composite fillings restore the natural appearance of the tooth and are very aestetically pleasing.
Teeth restored with white fillings are less sensitive to hot and cold than teeth restored with amalgam, if correct techniques are used.
Composites are mercury-free. Mercury in the fillings is viewed by some as being toxic. Updated June 2008 - The FDA Admits Silver Dental Fillings May Not Be Safe.
Composites require less removal of tooth structure. Especially with new cavities, the size of the hole made for the filling can be dramatically smaller with composites.
Amalgam fillings do not harden immediately while white fillings do. Therefore, it is not good to chew on that specific tooth for a couple of hours after the filling is placed.
Composite fillings are structually bonded to the teeth and are considered just as strong as amalgum fillings and will not weaken the teeth.

ADVANTAGES OF SILVER AMALGAM FILLINGS:

They are generally less expensive and most insurance companies cover it at a high percentage compared to composite(white) fillings. Composite fillings, if they are done correctly, take about 60% longer, require special expertise and expensive materials, and are more difficult to place, and so they cost considerably more than silver. Dental insurance companies will generally not pick up this extra cost. If you are worried about the cost, please talk with our patient coordinator for an estimation.
General dentists can place amalgam without extra training. Composite requires the use of special bonding technology.
The proper placement of a white filling requires that the site for the filling be kept totally isolated from saliva while it is being placed. In the very back of the mouth, on some patients, it is difficult to keep the tooth isolated for the duration of the procedure. This can also be uncomfortable for some patients. A silver amalgam filling does not require this strict isolation of the tooth.
The filling by itself is a stronger material, although it weakens the tooth.
Silver fillings have a longer history of use than mercury-free fillings, thus some feel that they are more tried and tested.

Interproximal Recontouring

Interproximal recontouring refers to a procedure in which your teeth will be reshaped by sculpting the sides of the teeth. This can correct cracked, chipped, crooked or misaligned teeth. Instead of braces, crowns or veneers, you can choose to have interproximal recontouring to change the shape and look of your teeth to enhance your smile!

Implants

Tooth loss is caused by tooth decay, root canal failure, gum disease (periodontitis), trauma to the mouth, excessive wear and tear, or congenital defects. To replace the missing tooth/teeth, dental implants may be recommended. Dental implants are artificial tooth replacements that were first developed half a century ago by a Swedish scientist named Per-Ingvar Branemark. Implants arose from the patient’s need to secure loose-fitting dentures to prevent sliding, irritation and provide a more comfortable fit. Since the advent of the implant, engineering and enhancements to the implant have enabled dentists to expand the implant’s usefulness, including the replacement of missing or lost teeth. The procedure is categorized as a form of prosthetic (artificial replacement) dentistry.

Today, implant techniques provide a wide range of tooth replacement solutions including:

Single Tooth Replacement
Anterior Replacement
Posterior Replacement
Full Upper/Full Lower Replacement

If the missing tooth space has no surrounding teeth, an implant may be the most appropriate treatment choice or option. If you decide to proceed with an implant placement, your treatment will usually include visits with both your periodontist/oral surgeon and Dr. Chin:

A consultation with Periodontis or Oral Surgeon to determine the surrounding bone structure for stability of the placement of the implant.
An implant placement within the jaw bone along with a healing cap over the newly placed implant to protect.
Healing time for bone integration of the implant within the jaw structure.
Removal of the healing cap and placement of a crown to restore tooth structure. This step is usually performed with Dr. Chin.

Post Implant Care

Although proper oral hygiene is always recommended for maintaining good dental health, it is especially important when a patient has received a dental implant. Bacteria can attack sensitive areas in the mouth when teeth and gums are not properly cleaned, thus causing gums to swell and jaw bones to gradually recede. Recession of the jawbone will weaken implants and eventually make it necessary for the implant to be removed. Patients are advised to visit their dentists at least twice a year to ensure the health of their teeth and implants. Dental implants can last for decades when given proper care.

Crowns

A crown is a permanent covering that fits over an original tooth that is either decayed, damaged or cracked. Crowns are made of a variety of different materials such as porcelain, gold, acrylic resin or a mix of these materials. Porcelain generally has the most natural appearance, although it is often less durable.

A crown may be recommended to:

Replace a large filling when there isn't enough tooth remaining resulting in a more stable tooth structure
Protect a weak tooth from fracturing, preventing fracturing and crack lines
Restore a fractured tooth
Attach a bridge
Cover a dental implant
Cover a discolored or poorly shaped tooth
Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment

The steps for a patient receiving a crown involves:
First visit:

Numbing the tooth to remove the decay in or around it.
Re-sculpturing and/or build up of the tooth to provide an ideal fit for the crown.
Taking a 3D digital scan of the tooth, teeth surrounding the tooth, and the opposing arch to create a model to make the crown.
Making a temporary crown out of acrylic resin and fitting it onto the tooth during the interim period when the permanent custom-made crown is being created. The temporary crown is cemented with temporary cement for easy removal.

Second visit:

Applying the permanent crown (when received from the lab) by removing the temporary crown and fitting the permanent one onto the tooth.
After ensuring that the crown has the proper look, fit, and occlusion, the crown is cemented it permanently into place.

This process consists of 2-3 visits over a two to four week period. Once the procedure is completed, proper dental hygiene, including daily flossing, is required to maintain healthy, bacteria-free teeth, gums tissue for all teeth and especially the tooth with a crown. This helps in the prevention of gum disease and bacteria from forming under the crown structure.

Veneers

Veneers are thin, semi-translucent “shells” typically attached to your front teeth. Veneers are customized from porcelain material and permanently bonded to your teeth. Veneers are a great alternative to otherwise painful dental procedures to improve the appearance of your smile.


BEFORE	AFTER

Common problems that veneers are used for:

Spaces between the teeth
Broken or chipped teeth
Unsightly, stained or discolored teeth
Permanently stained or discolored teeth
Crooked or misshapen teeth

Veneers are a great aesthetic solution to your smile that may even help you avoid orthodontic treatment. Subtle changes to your smile can be achieved with veneers, and in most cases, veneer application is completed in only two office visits.

Please contact our office if you have any further questions on veneers.

Tooth Whitening using ZOOM! 2 Whitening

As we age our teeth will darken over time. Changes in the color of your teeth can be caused by factors such as certain food and beverages we consume (ex: soda, coffee, and tea). Other known factors for discoloration may include tobacco use, certain medications, childhood malnutrition, or childhood illnesses, or even simply improper oral hygiene. Restoring your natural white smile is a priority for our dental team and we can provide a variety of options for whitening your smile.

Tooth whitening services are growing in popularity, and it’s one of the most requested services offered by our practice. Everyone sees the growing consumer market focused on whiter teeth. The reality is that over-the-counter, “too good to be true” solutions typically don’t work and can cause irreversible damage to your enamel and gum tissue.

Our office only uses industry-approved methods. Our goal is to meet the needs of every patient, and every patient’s needs are different. The method we use at Capitol Hill Montlake Dentistry includes a two hour in-office visit with our ZOOM! 2 Whitening system with take home whitening trays.

Zoom! 2 Whitening is very safe while under the supervision of a trained dentist. It is one of the safest procedures in cosmetic dentistry. However, we do not recommend this procedure for pregnant women or children under age 13.

You will be given some post-whitening care instructions after your procedure. It is important to maintain a good oral hygiene regimen post-whitening to preserve your bright, white smile. We also recommend occasional touch-ups with the Zoom! 2 Take-Home Gel. Your smile will always be brighter than it was before the procedure, but by following these simple instructions, you can retain your results for a long time!


BEFORE	AFTER

Although the Zoom! System can help almost anyone, it may not be as effective in every case. Call us today for a whitening consultation today so we can determine if tooth whitening is a possible option for your case.

Invisalign®

Invisalign® is the clear way to straighten teeth without braces, using aligners. Aligners are removable and virtually invisible, which means you can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing; and you can still eat and drink what you want. Also, you can brush and floss normally to maintain healthy gums and teeth; and there are no wires, metal or brackets to cause mouth abrasions.

Many of our patients had never considered traditional braces but are now happily and comfortably improving their smiles with Invisalign®.

WHAT IS INVISALIGN®?

Invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces.
Series of clear, removable, custom-made Aligners.
Uses no metal wires or brackets.
Custom-made for comfort.

HOW DOES INVISALIGN® WORK?

Wear each set of Aligners for about two weeks.
Remove only to eat, drink, brush and floss.
Your teeth will move gradually each week.
Visit us every 8-10 weeks.
Total treatment time averages 6-15 months.
Average number of Aligners is between 18 and 30.