Services – Sunset Dentistry

Full service dental clinic and lab

All Under One Roof

Bleaching

Tooth whitening, or bleaching, is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel and is the easiest and most cost-effective way to enhance the beauty of your smile. There are a number of ways to whiten teeth. We offer BriteSmile, an in-office procedure that combines the use of hydrogen peroxide gel and a blue lamp that has been specially designed for accelerating the process of teeth whitening. We also offer a take-home method for whitening using custom-made bleaching trays, and Crest Whitestrips.

Since tooth whitening only works on natural tooth structure, it is important to evaluate old fillings and crowns before bleaching is begun. It may be necessary to replace some older fillings after the treatment to make the newly bleached teeth. Also, teeth that have been whitened may tend to darken over a period to time depending on daily habits, and a touch-up may be needed to re-whiten.

Bonding

Bonding, also called composite filling, is a tooth-colored, cost-effective way to repair or reshape teeth that are misshapen, have spaces, or are chipped or cracked. It is also a great way to replace unsightly or leaky old silver fillings in back teeth. Composite is the preferred type of filling because not only is it tooth-colored and more aesthetically pleasing, but it also strengthen decayed teeth because it chemically bonds directly to tooth structure.

Bridges

A fixed bridge is an excellent way to replace missing teeth by anchoring a porcelain crown on either or both of the adjacent teeth. Bridges are used to fill the space of a missing tooth, prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position, restore chewing ability, or to upgrade from a removable dental appliance. There are no wires or clasps visible and the bridges do not have to be removed. Fixed bridges are used when the adjacent teeth are healthy enough to support the missing tooth and when implants are not an option.

Crowns

A crown, also known as a cap, is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface, restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that is so weak or damaged that it cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations. Crowns can also be used to make cosmetic improvements to discolored, misshapen or poorly aligned teeth. Indications for crowns include: broken or fractured teeth, cosmetic enhancement, decayed teeth, fractured fillings, large fillings, and teeth that have or need root canals.

Custom Athletic Mouthguards

For many years, our office has had a special interest in Sports Dentistry. Through our many years of involvement, we have become especially keen on the custom athletic mouthguard. We recommend this type of mouthguard for anyone participating in a sport that has the likelihood of an impact to the face, head or neck. Some examples include football, soccer, lacrosse, basketball, water polo, martial arts, hockey, and boxing. In addition to protecting the teeth and gums from fracture and laceration, the custom guard also plays a role in preventing concussion. The custom guard is fabricated especially for you on a model of your teeth taken in the office. This type of custom guard is more retentive and comfortable, interferes less with speech and breathing, has a uniform thickness for maximum protection, and can be customized to your team color. Therefore, the custom guard is highly recommended over the conventional “boil-and-bite” type of guard that can be purchased at a local sporting goods store.

Implant Restorations

Dental implants are one of the most exciting advancements in modern dentistry, and have drastically changed the way in which missing teeth are replaced. They are posts or frames made of titanium that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw. After a suitable period of healing, a porcelain crown is attached to the implant. The result is a highly durable, functional and attractive tooth that is often indistinguishable from a natural tooth. Implants can also provide a permanent solution to loose or unstable removable partial or complete dentures. Implants can be used to replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth, to restore chewing, speech and digestion, to restore or enhance facial shape and contour, or to support a bridge or denture, making them more secure and comfortable.

Full Mouth Reconstructions

Often times it may be necessary to rehabilitate the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both due to fractured or missing teeth, a worn or closed bite, or a combination of other factors. After a series of consultation appointments, we will analyze the situation and tailor the appropriate treatment plan to resolve the problem. This may include utilizing our team of specialists including root canal specialists (endodontists), gum and bone specialists (periodontists), or oral surgeons.

Inlays/Onlays

The inlay or onlay is often the solution for a tooth requiring a moderate restoration, either because it is fractured, broken or has an old, large silver filling, that needs more than just a simple filling, but not a much as a crown or cap. They are typically fabricated out of porcelain, and are indistinguishable from natural tooth structure. The main advantage is that they are very conservative, and preserve more of the tooth’s structure.

Invisalign

One of the most exciting developments in the last few years is clear aligners to straighten teeth. As a result, it is now possible to have orthodontic treatment without the brackets and wires of braces. After a short consultation, a series of records is taken and sent to Invisalign. From there, a computer designs and generates a series of removable, clear plastic aligners custom-tailored to your case. Each aligner is worn for two weeks and moves the teeth in small increments. At the end of the treatment, retainers are made to hold the teeth in their new position. Clear aligners are especially suited for crowding problems or for adults who are unwilling to wear conventional braces. They are especially useful and cost-effective for the correction of crowded lower front teeth.

Nightguards

Many people report a sore jaw, headaches, or a feeling of still being tired when they wake up in the morning. This may be due to a habit referred to as bruxism, or clenching or ginding of the teeth. Many times, this habit can cause occlusal trauma to the teeth and occur during the day without the patient being aware of it. In certain situations, the problems can be related to a disorder in the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. One way to alleviate the symptoms of bruxing is with a nightguard. After impressions of both jaws are taken, a laboratory fabricates a thin device made of acrylic that is usually worn on the upper jaw at night. The nightguard is adjusted by your dentist to create an even bite, and often, reduces the problems from bruxism quite rapidly.

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are thin pieces of durable, tooth-shaped porcelain that are custom made for your particular cosmetic situation. They are bonded to the front of teeth to create a beautiful and attractive smile. Veneers are often placed instead of crowns because they require little or no tooth preparation. Reasons for veneers include: creation of a uniform, white, beautiful smile; straighten crooked teeth; correction of poorly-shaped teeth; correction of discolored teeth; reshaping of teeth that are too small or too large; to fill spaces; or to rebuild worn or chipped teeth.

VELscope® Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer was once thought only to occur in patients with high risk factors such as smoking and/or excessive alcohol use and in older individuals. However, new statistics now show that oral cancer is being diagnosed daily in patients without any risk factors and can occur at any age. Using advanced VELscope® Technology, the world’s most advanced oral cancer screening tool, we can better examine the oral mucosa and screen for tissue abnormalities that account for pre-cancers, cancer and other disease processes. Early detection is important in the treatment and survival rate of this very aggressive type of cancer. This simple, painless and non-invasive examination can be done at your dental cleaning and exam appointment.