(Please Note: Also visit our TLC section, Animated Patient Education (in the TLC section) to see some very informative videos on many of the procedure listed below)
 Common procedures
Cosmetic dentistry: Modern porcelains can give some truly spectacular results nowadays. Although most cosmetic dentistry is done on the upper front teeth, amazing improvements can be made to almost all teeth. Cosmetic dentistry can range from simply reshaping slightly chipped teeth to a combination of braces and oral surgery, with a lot of options in between. Ask us for details.
Whitening
This procedure is excellent for many people Although whitening technology continues to evolve, the best method still involves wearing whitening trays at night while sleeping. Such whitening typically does not whiten existing dental work. “Laser whitening” gets lots of media attention but generally is very expensive and doesn’t work. Whitening fees vary from $200 to $500. Prices do vary. When the fee is very low, there is generally cheaper materials, little or no follow up, no photographs, little instruction, etc.
Crest Whitestrips are a reasonable option if you are looking for the simplest solution and are on a budget. Whitestrips are also a good way of touching up professionally whitened teeth.
Crowns
Crowns, also known as caps, surround and strengthen teeth for a variety of reasons. Crowns can be made out of porcelain, gold or a combination of gold underneath with porcelain on top. Gold is an outstanding choice if appearance is not an issue. Crowns are place because of large old fillings, cracked teeth, worn teeth, unattractive teeth, significant decay and because of teeth having had root canals. Crowns must still be well maintained with cleaning, brushing and flossing, so that new decay does not develop.
Veneers
Porcelain veneers are a beautiful way of resurfacing stained, discolored or chipped teeth. They involve removing the thin outside layer of the front of the tooth, and carefully bonding on precisely fitting porcelain. The results can be quite spectacular. Veneers are not suitable for heavily broken down teeth.
Porcelain veneers: before and after
 
White fillings
Many people want white fillings on their back teeth. White fillings have been placed on front teeth for many years. On back teeth, white fillings look great and often work well. Just keep in mind that silver fillings typically last twice as long as white fillings and that white fillings tend to be more sensitive afterwards, sometimes for several months. Some new bonding agents seem to be eliminating such sensitivity. White fillings are sometimes not appropriate so ask your dentist before they are placed. White fillings also need very good home care with brushing and flossing.
Amalgams/Silver Fillings
This is the tried and true way of filling in decayed areas in back teeth. Although silver fillings are not very attractive, they do typically last a long time. Also, they are more modestly price than white fillings. Silver fillings are an excellent choice if you have no cosmetic concerns. Some patients have concerns about the mercury in fillings. Silver fillings are still place millions of times in almost every country of the world.
Amalgam replacement: before and after
 
Replacing Silver Amalgam Fillings
Some patients have a concern with the mercury found in silver fillings. Most scientists feel this mercury is safe, because it is chemically bound to the silver. Similarly, the chlorine in table salt is also bound, so we ingest chlorine every time we eat salt. Even so, there are some legitimage times to replace silver fillings, especially if you have unexplained illnesses, are unhappy with the silver appearance, take good care of your teeth, or have very few fillings. We believe that each patient should discuss their situation with their dentist and have a decision made that is best for you. Removing all silver fillings from all people in all situations demonstrates a lack of good judgment.
Root canals
Although many people feel fear when they hear this word, many root canals are actually quite comfortable nowadays, and some are even done without freezing. Some root canals can be unpleasant, but most are not. Root canals involve removing the soft pulp from all the canals and crevices inside a tooth. There are up to 4 canals and each canal affects the fee. The canals are then refilled with an inert material do prevent pain from coming back.
Bridges
With bridgework, missing teeth are replaced by anchoring replacement teeth to neighboring teeth. Bridgework is fixed in place; it is not removable. Not even by the dentist. Bridgework usually involves drilling the neighboring teeth to reduce them, so that there is space for an anchor tooth to hold the bridge in place. Bridgework varies in cost from $1800 to 5000 for smaller bridges of 3 to 6 teeth. Extensive bridgework can be $5000 to 20 000. Bridges are usually in porcelain, but sometimes in gold. There are other types of bridges, called inlay bridges and Maryland bridges that sometimes are suitable to replace a missing tooth as well.
Implants
Dental implants involve placing a titanium pin in the bone of the jaw, where ever a missing tooth was. A porcelain tooth is then attached to this pin. Implants are advantageous in that the neighboring teeth do not need drillin, and each individual tooth can be flossed. Some dentists do both the surgical and the attachment part of implants, and others have another dentist to the surgical part. Implants vary in price from 3500 or more, for 1 tooth, and 5000 to 30 000 for multiple teeth or all teeth.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures replace missing teeth with a removable plastic or metal appliance that is usually clipped in place onto existing teeth. They are a reasonable way of replacing missing teeth when more sophisticated choices are not an option. Basic partials are about $300. Midrange ones are about $600, and cast-metal ones are about $850.
Complete dentures
In our offices we tend to refer this procedure to other providers, although we do them on some occasions. Complete dentures replacing an entire arch of missing teeth. Modern acrylics make a very realistic replacement of missing teeth. The cost is about $800 per denture.
Wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth often need to be removed because of pain, swelling, infection, or risk or a future problem, such as abscess, damage to the neighboring tooth or even jaw fracture in sports. Wisdom teeth are generally easiest to remove at around age 20. Some wisdom teeth are fairly straight forward to remove, others are very complex. The fee ranges from $75 to $300 per tooth. Sedation options are available.
Gum disease
Gum disease is one of the most over looked oral health problems that people have. Gum disease is usually painless so it can get quite advanced before the patient notices. Gum disease is characterized by bleeding gums, reddish gums, plaque and tartar, shrinking gums, and deep pockets. (The pocket is the gap between the tooth and gum where floss goes or popcorn gets stuck.) Mild gum disease exhibits only some of these problems, severe gum disease exhibits all, plus more. Gum disease is treated with very thorough cleaning below the gum line, and good home care. Painless gum disease is the main cause of tooth loss in adults today.
Dental sealants
Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent decay. Most tooth decay in children and teenagers occurs on the chewing surfaces where pits and grooves tend to trap food and bacteria. Sealants fill in these pits and grooves so that bacteria cannot multiply and cause decay. They are a truly excellent and cost effective way of protecting your teeth from the most common cavities. Sealants can be excellent in young children too. No freezing is required to apply sealants and they generally last 7 years or longer.
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