Cosmetic Dentistry
A beautiful smile is one of the most sought after cosmetic features in the world. People from all backgrounds and professions want a bright, straight smile, and we are here to help turn that desire into reality. Whether through minor adjustments or major treatment plans, our cosmetic dentistry practice aims to improve your smile and help you build confidence in the way your teeth look.
Smile Makeover
A smile makeover uses cosmetic dental procedures to make you proud of your smile. We perform teeth whitening, along with other cosmetic procedures like veneers and tooth implants.
Each smile makeover is different. We start by doing a thorough examination and decide what each patient wants and needs. We look at the color of your teeth and how they are all lined up. We check to see if there are any missing teeth or if any are cracked, chipped, or broken.
Our goal is to give you a healthy and happy smile.We want you to have a bright smile, along with teeth that line up correctly and are aesthetically pleasing. We work with our patients to ensure their happiness. We will do whatever we can so that, when you leave our office, you will be completely happy with your smile.
Veneers
Porcelain Veneers are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length. We recommend this treatment to anyone experiencing discoloration that cannot be fixed with whitening or if your teeth are damaged. Porcelain veneers are also an option if you’re unhappy with the shape or look of your natural teeth.
Dentures
If you are missing teeth, dentures can provide a positive solution to improving your oral health. We are proud to provide dentures that are designed to fit your mouth for proper function and unique comfort. Following your appointment, we will provide you with information on at-home care for your dentures. We strongly recommend scheduling follow up appointments for periodic denture cleanings.
Porcelain Crowns
Getting porcelain crowns is the best way to have a very natural looking smile. They are used when simply filling in a tooth is not an option. There are times when they decay is so bad that we just have to use a porcelain crown. We also use them with severely damaged teeth or teeth that have already had multiple fillings. Porcelain crowns are attached right to your teeth so that they can function, even when you bite something really hard! There are several types of porcelain crowns so it is important to discuss which type is best for you with your dentist.
Invisalign
Invisalign® is a modern alternative to straighten your teeth without wires or metal. Invisalign® involves a series of custom trays designed specifically for you and the plan your dentist or orthodontist creates to move your teeth. The trays are made from a smooth plastic that covers your teeth and gradually moves them into place.
Same-Day Restorations with CEREC®
At Portneuf Valley Dental, we are committed to providing you with the latest technology and procedures that our field has to offer and are excited to announce our ability to perform same-day restorations with our CEREC® scanner and mill system.
What is the CEREC®?
CEREC® stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics and is designed to expedite the process of dental restorations. Using 3D CAD/CAM technology (computer-assisted design/manufacturing), the CEREC® scanner and mill can create custom restorations within a few hours allowing you to receive your necessary restorations in the same day.
Traditional restorations require messy molds and may cause patients to wait 2-3 weeks with a temporary crown before they receive their permanent restorations from 3rd party labs.
However, CEREC® enables us to eliminate the need for uncomfortable dental impressions and temporary crowns as well as lessen your time spent in our office as we restore your tooth in a single day.
How does CEREC® work?
As stated above, this system uses CAD/CAM to produce your restoration in three steps:
- Scanning and imaging – Using a medical-grade scanner equipped with a high-quality camera, the device captures photographs of the area to create a 3D representation of your mouth and the affected area
- Designing the restoration –The in-depth 3D model allows our dentist to examine the tooth from every angle to help them design the perfect prosthetic for your needs
- Crafting the prosthetic – The CEREC® milling unit then uses your dentist’s design to cut your restoration from a block of porcelain that can be matched to your tooth color, so your prosthetics look beautiful and natural.
What is a typical appointment like?
Generally, same-day restorations take at least 2 hours. The initial stages of the appointment are similar to traditional restoration procedures. The area is numbed and anesthetized to prepare the tooth for restoration.
Instead of taking a mold or impression, your tooth is then coated in a special contrasting agent and photographs are taken using a wand-like scanner. The photos are then checked by your dentist to ensure accuracy and then uploaded into the system to create a 3D model of the area. The model is used to help your dentist design and customize your prosthetic to fit your individual needs. The finished design is transmitted to the milling unit for fabrication and cut from a high-quality piece of porcelain.
Once completed, you will undergo a fitting to ensure a proper fit that will be confirmed with x-rays. After the fit is established, the restoration is then polished and bonded to your tooth using dental cement.
How long do CEREC® restorations last?
With proper care and good oral hygiene practices, your CEREC® restoration will last as long as a traditional lab-made crown. These crowns have proven durability to last 10-15 years with proper management, cleaning, and oral exams every six months.
We are pleased to offer our valued patients same-day customized long-lasting restorations with our new CEREC® system. Though the cost of a crown can vary from patient to patient based on the case, the prices remain similar to that of traditional prosthetics. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact our office at (208) 238-0125.