Dr. Jiten P. Gohel
Designing Smiles For Life
Family, Cosmetic, & Implant Dentistry
Procedures
Dental Crowns
A crown (cap) is a restoration that is placed on
teeth that have lost a lot of their structure.
There are many different types of crowns, full
porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, full metal...
Your dentist will explain the advantages and
disadvantages of each kind for you.
The process of making a crown includes many
steps that start in our office with preparing the
teeth and taking impressions from the tooth/teeth
involved. Then a temporary crown or bridge is placed
on your teeth
The impressions are sent to the lab. In the lab a mold of
the teeth is poured and the work begins.
There are multiple steps involved and different technicians work on the
mold to fabricate a crown or bridge. The completed work is sent back to the
office and after necessary checks and adjustments, it is cemented onto your
teeth.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth stain during our lifetime due to consumption
of a variety of foods and drinks (Coke, spicy food,
coffee...) New technology of teeth whitening has
enabled dentists to whiten teeth without any
change or damage to the tooth structure.
Almost all the whitening methods are similar in
concept but some are much more effective
because of the way the whitening material is
delivered to the teeth. The other factor in
effectiveness of the method is the concentration of
material, which is the reason why over the counter
whitening systems usually don t give patients the result
they are hoping for.
The two main methods of professional whitening are tray
whitening and in office whitening. Tray whitening is when a custom tray is
made for the patient after an impression is taken, then a supply of whitening
gel is given to the patient and he/she will wear the tray for a few hours a day
(techniques differ) for a period of time until an acceptable result is achieved.
Sensitivity of the teeth is a normal complication of this method of whitening
and is almost always transitional.
In office whitening on the other hand is the most effective method of
whitening. There are a few different ways that are available for example,
Britesmile, Zoom, Laser whitening.... But in all these methods the process is
similar and you can have your teeth whitened in one session with great
results. Your dentist can give you more detailed information and tell you
which method is more suitable in your case and which one is indicated for
your teeth.
Dental Implants
During the last 20 years dental implants have
become a great alternative to other methods of
replacing missing teeth. Excellent success rates
and a variety of available options give dentists
many new ways to treat and replace lost teeth.
Your dentist will be able to evaluate your case and
tell you if you are a candidate for dental implants.
Basically, a dental implant is a Titanium based
cylinder that replaces the missing tooth root. After a
period of time and when the implant is taken other parts will be placed on
the implant that enables your dentist to eventually place a crown (cap) on
the implant.
Implants also can be used to support full or partial dentures. They
dramatically improve the denture retention and stability.
Most patients with enough amount of bone can have implants, although
individual decisions are made between you and your dentist. Usually an x-
ray and a CT-scan is done to determine if you have enough bone to place
the implant and also to determine the size and kind of the implant that
should be placed.
Dental Veneers
This is how you can get a beautiful smile quickly.
Veneers or Laminates are a thin shell of porcelain or
resin that is bonded to the surface of the teeth to
change their shape, shade and position to improve the
cosmetics of your teeth and smile and/or replace and
restore the lost tooth structure where it is indicated
Your dentist will do a complete examination of your
teeth and will determine if veneers are indicated for
you. Usually with veneers it is possible to improve the
aesthetics of your teeth and smile dramatically.
Veneers can improve the shape of your teeth, make your teeth as white as
you want and give you the smile you have always wanted. Veneers are
bonded to your tooth structure, which gives them strength.
Also because they are very thin, they are considered one of the most
conservative cosmetic treatments available. Most of the times very little
or no tooth structure is removed before placing veneers. Ask your dentist
how veneers can improve your smile.
Root Canal Treatments
Every tooth consists of three different layers. From the
outside, first there is Enamel (the outer layer of the
teeth which is the hardest part of the body).
The second layer is Dentin (the inside hard layer) and
then we have the Pulp (which is an empty space
where the live tissue and nerve of each tooth is
located)
If for any reason the pulp space is exposed to the
outside, the tissue becomes contaminated and
eventually infected. The exposure of pulp happens in
many circumstances for example when you have a large cavity, or a
fractured tooth. Your dentist can explain the exact reason for damage to this
tissue. Regardless of the reason for this contamination or damage to pulp
tissue, the treatment is usually Root canal treatment.
Root canal treatment is the process of going inside the pulp space and
removing the infected and dead tissue. Then the space is disinfected and
sealed with special materials.
Now-a-days, root canal treatments are performed with advanced techniques
and material and are more comfortable and faster. After root canal
treatment is done your restorative dentist will usually place a crown on you
tooth to protect it against fracture.
Inlays & Onlays
Inlays or onlays are lab made restorations that are placed
on teeth when the cavity or lost tooth structure is too large
to be restored by a simple filling. The process of making
an Inlay is very similar to a crown. After the tooth is
prepared it is cemented or bonded to the tooth
There are different materials that inlays are made of, gold,
porcelain and composite resins are among them. Porcelain
and composite inlays and onlays are cosmetic alternatives
to fillings and are very strong compared to regular white
fillings. Gold inlays and onlays are also good
alternatives but their appearance has made them less popular.
Your dentist will explain to you when an inlay or onlay is a good treatment
option for you. In general, inlays and onlays can replace most of back teeth
fillings and provide a better alternative to conventional filling. At the same
time they are more conservative than crowns.
As far as the cost is concerned, because the process of making an inlay or
onlay is similar to a crown, its cost is also comparable. When long-term
longevity of inlays and onlays are considered, though, they can end up
costing less than traditional fillings.
TMJ Treatment
TMJ is the joint that connects the lower and upper jaw (skull).
The terms TMJ stands for Temporo-Mandibular Joint. This is one
the most complicated joints of the whole body. One that allows
forward and backward moves as well as rotations and side to
side movements.
TMJ is often referred to as the complications and problems with this joint.
Some of the most common symptoms of TMJ problems are:
. Pain
. Limitation of movement of the lower jaw
. Clicking sounds
. Muscle spasm
. Locking of the jaw
Some causes of the disease are genetics, hormones, low-level infections,
auto-immune diseases, trauma, and clenching or grinding of the teeth.
Diagnosis of such conditions and evaluation of causes are done by dentists
experienced in TMJ problems and treatments. Some common treatments
are Night Guards, Bite Guards and Bite Adjustments. Your dentist will be
able to guide you toward the best treatment for you.
If you experience any TMJ problem or symptoms please let us know. The
doctor will be happy to evaluate your situation and offer the best treatment
possible.
