Crowns
When a tooth is cracked, decayed, or damaged, a crown may need to be fitted onto the tooth. A crown is a permanent covering that fits over the original tooth. Crowns can be made of porcelain, gold and other metals or acrylic resin. Porcelain crowns typically have the most realistic appearance. Crowns can whiten, reshape, and realign existing teeth, adding to a bright, healthy smile.
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Veneers
Veneers are thin shells that are laid onto the teeth and bonded to the surface. Although they can be made of different materials, porcelain is frequently used because of its durability and realistic appearance. With veneers in place, patients can expect straighter, whiter, and more even teeth.
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Bridges
Sometimes a beautiful smile takes work that is a bit more involved. If you notice strain when biting down, pain during chewing, or difficulty in speaking due to misaligned or missing teeth, bridges might be the right option for you. They work by literally bridging the gaps between missing teeth, closing spaces with durable, injury-resistant, realistic-looking artificial teeth. Because they are semi-permanent, bridges can be removed only by a dentist but are long lasting and strong. To learn more about fixed or partial bridges, please contact our practice today.
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Lumineers
Lumineers are a wonderful solution for permanently stained, chipped, discolored, misaligned teeth. They can even be used to revitalize old crown and bridgework. Dr. Denkovski applies these contact lens-thin “smile shapers” to teeth without any grinding or shaving of the tooth, offering a relatively painless procedure. Lumineers can transform misshapen, worn teeth into a naturally beautiful smile that looks perfect for every individual. Get your perfect smile today! For more information on Lumineers click here.
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Composite Bonding
Composite bonding is a technique used to improve the appearance of your teeth. The term composite bonding refers to any composite material, either a plastic or resin, which is bonded to an existing tooth. Bonding is ideal for fixing chipped or cracked teeth, hiding discoloration on the tooth's surface, or reducing the gaps between teeth. Whatever the specific intent, composite bonding creates more aesthetically pleasing teeth and a brighter smile.
The Process
The dentist begins by examining and cleaning the tooth to be bonded. Once the tooth is properly prepped, the dentist rubs the tooth with a mild solution that facilitates the bonding of the composite resin to the tooth. The composite resin is then applied in several coats. Each coat is hardened (or set) using a specially designed dentist's light. Once the dentist has placed an adequate amount of resin on the tooth, the bond is sculpted for the desired shape and texture. Bonding is performed in the dentist's chair and usually does not require any anesthesia.
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Composite Fillings
Until recently, dentists filled and sealed cavities exclusively using a silver amalgam. Modern dentistry has increasingly turned to composite fillings as a strong, safe and more natural looking alternative. Composite fillings utilize a natural tooth colored material.
Pros of Composite Fillings
The major advantage of these fillings is that they come in a range of shades that closely match the color of an individual's tooth. Due to the increased strength of modern composite material, they can now also be used in the back teeth.
The Filling Procedures
During your initial visit to the dentist, he or she begins by anesthetizing the tooth and removing any remaining decay. Once the tooth has been prepared, the dentist places the composite inside, where it binds to the original surface. The process is typically performed in several layers wherein each layer is cured or hardened with the use of a hardening light.
Composite restorations for the back teeth need to be custom-made at an off-site dental lab. Once the dental office receives the custom restorations, the patient returns to the dentist's office, where it will be bonded into place.
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Dental Implants
For individuals who wish to replace missing teeth, dental implants may be an effective long-term solution. Implants provide greater structural support and last longer than either bridges or dentures. Implants serve as the artificial root to which new teeth are bonded. They are typically constructed of titanium, a strong and safe material that effectively attaches to bone. The procedure to insert dental implants typically involves three steps: the implant insertion stage, osseointegration (the period of healing for the jawbone), and the attachment of the restoration or new tooth.
Types of Implants
The most popular form of implant is the root implant. This type of implant is very effective and mirrors the size and shape of a patient's natural tooth. Many times, this implant is as strong structurally as the original tooth's root.
Another form of implant is the plate form implant. This implant is ideal in situations where the jawbone is not wide enough to properly support a root implant. The plate form implant is long and thin, unlike the root implant, and anchors into thin jawbones. The insertion process is the same as for a root implant, but in certain cases, plate implants are immediately fitted with the restoration without waiting a waiting period.
The last type of implant is the subperiosteal implant. These implants are utilized when the jawbone has receded to the point where it no longer supports a permanent implant. These implants are placed on top of the bone and embedded in the gums, but not in the jawbone as with the other types of implants.
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Dentures
Missing teeth, keeps many people from feeling their best. Missing teeth not only affects self-confidence, but it can also have a dramatic impact on the quality of life and structural integrity of the gum and jaw bone.
One solution to replace missing teeth is the use of dentures that are supported by implants. The implants allow the dentures to stay firmly in place, giving the wearer a feeling of security and stability. For many patients, implant-supported dentures eventually feel like their real teeth, allowing them to eat steak and all of their other favorite foods that require strong teeth.
In a study published in the Journal of Periodontology, researchers found that the cumulative survival rate of implant-supported dentures was 95.4 percent for 10 years. The success rate for the maxilla (upper jaw) implant supporting dentures was 87.3 percent and the mandible (lower jaw) was 99.5 percent.
Patients generally choose between a fixed or a removable implant-supported denture. A removable denture allows the patient to clean the denture more easily, whereas a fixed denture is always worn in the mouth, allowing the patient to feel like these are real teeth. Both systems have their benefits and the requirements of the patient will guide the dentist in the best recommendation.
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Endodontics
Tooth Saving Root Canals
Sometimes it is necessary to clean out diseased pulp from inside of a tooth. It may have become infected because of a deep cavity or fracture that allowed bacteria to seep in or it may have been injured due to trauma.
What was once a somewhat uncomfortable, two or three-visit procedure can now usually be completed in one visit with minimal discomfort. We use an electronic device to quickly and accurately find the tip of the root and then clean the canal with ultrasonic instrumentation. Finally, we use the newest materials available to seal the root of the tooth efficiently. Job done. Tooth saved!
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Orthodontics
Invisalign®
Here is how it works: Dr. Denkovski will take an impression of your existing teeth. The model made from the impression will be analyzed with 3-D computer imaging technology. The computer will figure out how to straighten your teeth and over what time. A series of clear plastic aligners will be made for you to wear. You'll visit your dentist at regular intervals to check your progress. Congratulations! When you're finished wearing each clear aligner in the series, your treatment will be complete and you will have straighter teeth and the beautiful smile you deserve.
You will wear each aligner for 2 weeks. They are virtually invisible and unnoticeable. You change each aligner at 2-week intervals until treatment is complete. (usually 6-14 months) This is truly 21st century dentistry it's best! Call us today for a free consultation to see how easy it really is to have straight teeth.
Whether your smile needs minor improvements or more extensive adjustments, Invisalign can certainly help. It's successful in treating overly crowded or widely spaced teeth. It can also relieve more complex issues, including overbites, under bites and even cross bites. Dr. Denkovski can use Invisalign clear aligners in all or part of just about any treatment plan.
Because Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners to position and straighten teeth, you can keep your active lifestyle during treatment. Unlike braces, Invisalign aligners have no metal bands or wires to irritate your mouth. So go ahead and be as active as you like. Since Invisalign is removable, just take the clear aligners out for special events or if you're going to indulge in a sticky, gooey snack.
An average Invisalign course of treatment takes about a year. You'll see your dentist every 6 to 8 weeks for adjustments and to check progress. At regular intervals, you'll receive a new set of custom-molded clear aligners to continue the straightening process. The total number of clear aligners is specific to you, determined by your doctor for your course of treatment.
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Children’s Services
Raising Cavity Free Kids:
We specialize in helping parents raise cavity free children. We used to blame cavities on too many sweets and poor teeth brushing habits. It used to be the child’s fault. However, those days are over.
With improved technology it may be possible to eliminate tooth decay in children. In other words, the unpleasant dental experiences of your youth do NOT have to be repeated on your children.
We do everything in our power to make sure you are aware of the specific ways to prevent tooth decay for your child. What that means is you save money and your child remains healthy!
Dental Sealants
A dental sealant (also called a pit and fissure sealant) is a plastic, professionally applied material that is put on the chewing surfaces of back teeth to prevent cavities. Sealants provide a physical barrier so that cavity-causing bacteria cannot invade the pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces of teeth.
Since the early 1970s, childhood dental decay on smooth tooth surfaces (those without pits and fissures) has declined markedly because of widespread exposure to fluorides. By 1986-1987, approximately 90 percent of the decay in children’s teeth occurred in tooth surfaces with pits and fissures, and almost two-thirds were found on the chewing surfaces alone. Dental sealants have been shown to prevent decay on tooth surfaces with pits and fissures. Sealants have been approved for use for many years and are recommended by professional health associations and public health agencies.
Mouth Guards
Anyone who participates in a sport that carries a significant risk of injury should wear a mouth protector. This includes a wide range of sports like football, hockey, basketball, baseball, gymnastics, and volleyball.
Mouth protectors, which typically cover the upper teeth, can cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to the soft tissues of the mouth. If you wear braces or another fixed dental appliance on your lower jaw, your dentist may suggest a mouth protector for these teeth as well.
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Financial Services
We realize that every person needs and deserves a personal approach to the business aspects of arranging and receiving exceptional dentistry. For this reason, we provide a menu of options to support you in getting the care you need and want, while respecting your budget. This is our way of helping you enjoy a healthy and beautiful smile NOW.
Dental Insurance:
We are happy to file the paperwork to see that you receive the maximum benefits of your coverage, however we cannot guarantee any estimate provided by your insurance company. Our commitment to you is to provide the care that we would choose for ourselves and our own families – in other words the best treatment available at a fair value.
While some might rely exclusively on insurance to fund their care, we believe most will see it as a supplemental benefit to providing the superior, aesthetically beautiful dentistry Dr. Denkovski provides. We ask that you please arrange for payment of your estimated portion (co-payment) at the time of your treatment. If your insurance payment results in an excess balance, we will, of course promptly refund the credit.
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