Thursday, March 27, 2014

Cosmetic Dentistry

If you have stained, broken or uneven teeth, you may want to turn to cosmetic dentistry to improve your oral health. Procedures vary from small repairs such bonding and white fillings to a complete restorations like dental veneers. Our competent staff, led by Dr. Wook Kim has trained extensively in cosmetic dentistry to perfect each and every procedure they offer.
 
Common procedures in cosmetic dentistry include teeth whitening, bonding/white fillings, crowns and veneers. Whether a patient needs a major repair or just a subtle change, Dr. Kim is able to provide a cost-effective option that will suit your needs.
 
Whitening is a common and popular way to whiten teeth quickly and effectively. Discoloration occurs in the enamel and can be caused by medication, coffee, tea and smoking. Dr. Kim provides both a take-home and in-office procedure. The take-home system utilizes custom-made trays, filled with a whitening gel to whiten teeth 4-8 shades in just a few days. His in office procedure, ZOOM! whitening is a hydrogen peroxide based system that whitens teeth 6-10 shades in less than an hour. Bonding and white filling is another procedure that can improve the cosmetic appeal of teeth. Using tooth-colored material, Dr. Kim will fill in gaps or even change the color of teeth.
 
Outside of surgically placed dental implants, crowns have the longest life expectancy. A crown is essentially a “cap” that covers the damaged tooth; a crown can be used to improve appearance, shape or alignment. Veneers are a great option for patient’s hoping to completely change their smile. These thin pieces of porcelain are placed over the existing teeth to create a brand new smile. They cover the front sides of the teeth to change their color and/or shape. Dental bridges are a great option for patients who have lost one or more teeth. Bridges use existing teeth to create a bridge to cross the area where the tooth is missing. They are made from gold, metal, alloys or porcelain to ensure they are strong and durable.
 
To learn more about cosmetic dentistry, visit www.orlanddental.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Bonding/White Filling

Orland Dental and Wellness is able to offer individuals with cracks or gaps in their teeth, dental bonding and white fillings as the most effective answer to restoring your smile. Dental bonding is non-invasive and quite simple to complete.
 
After matching your teeth to a shade guide to match your bonding treatment to your current tooth color, Dr. Kim will begin the bonding process. He will first roughen the surface of the affected tooth. The tooth will then be coated lightly with a conditioning liquid. This liquid will help the bonding material adhere to the tooth. Once your tooth is prepared, Dr. Kim will simply apply the tooth-colored putty and mold it to the proper shape and size. The material is then hardened with an ultraviolet light. The final step is polishing the area to give you a fresh, vibrant smile.
 
Receiving a white filling is a similar procedure. The first step is deciding what type of filling you want. Dr. Kim will present you with options and guide you to the right one. A local anesthetic is often utilized for these procedures to numb your tooth and the area around it. Dr. Kim will then drill out the area to remove the decay. A composite resin is used on the affected tooth or teeth. It is molded and sculpted over an adhesive gel that is placed on the tooth. After the resin has been applied an ultraviolet light is used to harden the resin, which is then polished to give you a perfect smile!
 
Dental bonding and white fillings are great solutions for you if your teeth are chipped or have large gaps. Realigning your teeth through these procedures is a great way to avoid possible periodontal problems that can lead to tooth loss. When teeth have large gaps, they tend to drift and when teeth drift they become harder to brush.
 
For more information about bonding and white filling, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Wook Kim by calling 708-460-6666.