Frequently Asked Questions
(click any question to jump to its answer)

1. What is "Instant Orthodontics?"
2. What is a porcelain veneer?
3. How are porcelain veneers put on my teeth?
4. Can porcelain veneers close spaces between my teeth?
5. How long does it take to get my porcelain veneers?
6. Who is a candidate for porcelain veneers?
7. How long do porcelain veneers last?
8. If I want a nicer smile, are there any other options besides porcelain veneers?
9. How much will it cost to give me my beautiful new smile?
10. I've heard a lot about whitening lately. There's the kits on TV, the kits in the stores, and the kits at my dentist's office. What are the differences?
11. What is air abrasion?
12. What is the difference between silver and tooth colored fillings?
13. Do tooth colored fillings last as long as silver?
14. Are there other options?
15. What is periodontal disease?

What is "Instant Orthodontics?"

Instant orthodontics is a term to describe the very quick change of an ADULT patient's smile. Sometimes we can accomplish this on a younger patient, but that is on a case by case basis. Instead of the 18 to 36 months that conventional orthodontics (braces) take, you may have the option to get your desired new smile in a couple of visits with recontouring, resin bonding, porcelain veneers, or crowns. After discussing the options with you, you would decide which options best suit your needs.

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What is a porcelain veneer?

Porcelain veneers are thinly crafted sheets of porcelain that take on the desired look, shape and color that is necessary for your new smile.

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How are porcelain veneers put on my teeth?

With the use of special resin cement, they are bonded on to the front of your existing teeth.

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Can porcelain veneers close the spaces between my teeth?

Yes, they can. Porcelain veneers are very versatile and not only can close spaces, but they can lengthen your teeth, uncrowd your teeth, and whiten your teeth. They can accomplish just about whatever you desire your smile to look like.

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How long does it take to get my porcelain veneers?

You can have your veneers in as little as two visits. During the first visit we take an impression of your teeth. Then once the ceramist at the dental laboratory is done custom crafting your veneers, you would come in for a visit to seat (cement) the veneers.

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Who is a candidate for veneers?

Almost anyone! Anyone who would like an improvement in the appearance of their smile.

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How long do porcelain veneers last?

Properly cared for, porcelain veneers can easily last 10 years or more. Most do last much longer.

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If I want a nicer smile, are there any other options besides porcelain veneers?

Yes, there are. If you only want to straighten your teeth, then braces can give you that, and that would be the preferred option. You could whiten your teeth after the braces come off as well. If you want to whiten your teeth, then a couple of visits to our office could do that for you. If porcelain veneers were too involved for you, then some minor contouring and bonding done in our dentist's office could give you a nice new smile.

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How much will it cost me to give me my beautiful new smile?

It really depends on how perfect you want your new smile to be. The fees could range from about $1000 for some simple contouring, whitening and resin bonding to around $5000+ for porcelain veneers.

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I've heard a lot about whitening lately. There's the kits on TV, the kits in the stores, and the kits at my dentist's office. What are the differences?

The tooth whitening kits you receive from your dentist have solutions of a stronger concentration than those in the store or on TV. Your dentist crafts custom fit trays to provide a close, sustained contact with the whitener as opposed to the one-size-fits-all tray found in the over the counter products which tend to leak. You may purchase many refills of the weaker solution and never get the desired results. If the procedure is not closely monitored by a professional, gum problems may arise.

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What is air abrasion?

Air abrasion is a technology that, in most cases, allows your teeth to be worked on without anesthesia or the use of a dental drill. By using a gentle stream of powder, cavities can be removed and less tooth is removed than with a dental drill. Then a tooth colored resin filling is placed in the tooth.

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What is the difference between silver and tooth colored fillings?

Besides a cosmetic difference, there are several. What has been noticed is that due to the expansion of silver fillings (due to the mercury) and because silver fillings are wedged inside of a tooth to retain the filling, stress can occur to your natural enamel. This often leads to a premature fracture of your tooth which might necessitate a crown. With a properly placed tooth colored filling, your tooth is actually strengthened by the filling, not weakened, because it is bonded (connected) to the tooth, not wedged in.

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Do tooth colored fillings last as long as silver?

Since tooth colored fillings don't have the track history that silver has, that question can't be answered just yet. But from the initial studies, it seems that they can.

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Are there any other options?

Yes, gold is the best material we have. A gold filling, done properly, can last a lifetime. We can't say that with anything else.

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What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is a disease of the tooth-supporting structures (gums and bone) that unfortunately affects close to 75% of the adult population. Because there is usually no pain, it is a very deceptive disease. Without timely treatment, periodontal disease can lead to pain and premature loss of teeth. Tooth loss from periodontal disease is the number one reason for adult tooth loss. Periodontal treatment can be avoided with proper preventive maintenance.

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