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 Restoring the health of your teeth:
Your Dental Evaluation The purpose of this evaluation is to help Dr. Bernstein decide on your dental restorative requirements. To make that decision we will need to take your dental and medical history, perform a full mouth examination, and carry out some diagnostic tests. Your dental and medical history will answer such questions as:
The full mouth examination will determine the condition of your gums, teeth, bite and jaw. All of these are important factors in evaluating you as a candidate for teeth restoration. During your exam, we will perform such diagnostic tests as X-rays and diagnostic casts. These tests are painless and are important to determine the exact health of your teeth and the bones that support them. After the examination, Dr. Bernstein will consult with you and he will advise you to have one or more of the following treatments depending upon your particular assessment. The Crown What is it? A crown or cap is an artificial cover which will restore a decayed or damaged tooth to its normal shape and size. It is used to protect a tooth that is cracked or broken and can also be used to change the shape of a tooth. Crowns are also sometimes used to correct a bite or a cosmetic problem. Crowns can be made of gold, porcelain or porcelain-bonded-to-metal. How is a crown fitted to your tooth? The first step is the tooth that requires the crown will be cleaned of decay and old fillings, and then reshaped. Dr. Bernstein will then take an impression of the prepared tooth and the teeth around it. Finally, you will be fitted with a temporary crown to protect the tooth between visits. The impression of the prepared tooth and the teeth around it that was taken during your first visit is sent to an expert dental laboratory where your permanent crown will be constructed. This usually takes between one or two weeks. The next visit to Dr. Bernstein will consist of him fitting the permanent crown to your tooth making sure it is shaped properly and that the fit is comfortable. Once you agree that the crown looks great and feels comfortable, it will be cemented in place and the procedure is finished. Before you go home, Dr. Bernstein's staff will advise you on good oral hygiene techniques to use to care for your new crown. What happens if an entire tooth is missing? In cases where an entire tooth or several teeth are missing, one or more dental implants with natural looking artificial teeth attached to them, may be your best choice. How is an artificial tooth inserted into your mouth? The first step is that one or more implants, which support the artificial teeth, will be surgically inserted into your jaw. As a general rule, your implant surgery will be done in two stages. The first stage involves the placement of the implant into the available jaw bone. This is most commonly done with local anesthesia and patients are very comfortable throughout the procedure. Once this is accomplished, you are given plenty of time for your mouth to heal as you then become ready for the second and final stage of the implant procedure. Stage two involves the uncovering of the screw access ends of the implants placed in stage one, so that they can be used as anchors for the artificial teeth. Again local anesthesia is used for this minor and painless procedure. The artificial tooth, which has been shaped and fitted to your existing teeth and matched to the exact color of your natural teeth, can now be attached to the implant and final adjustments made, so that it looks and feels as natural as possible. Your new tooth is now ready for use. You will find that such an implant will look and feel as natural as your other teeth and will be just as strong or even stronger. The Fixed Bridge What is it? A fixed bridge, which can be made to look like your regular teeth, consists of a combination of various metals and porcelain and is used to replace one or more missing teeth. It is called "fixed" because it is not removed from your mouth once it is permanently placed. Besides replacing teeth, this type of bridge is extremely effective in restoring the normal function and proper position of your bite. In cases where your natural teeth cannot adequately support a fixed bridge, dental implants are used to give the necessary strength and support so that the bridge will become a permanent part of your teeth. If I need to have a fixed bridge with dental implants as supports, how is this done? Dr. Bernstein will first determine exactly what kind of structural support your fixed bridge will need. Once this is done, he will then begin the process of inserting the dental implants that will act as anchors or supports for your fixed bridge. As a general rule, your implant surgery will be done in two stages. The first stage involves the placement of the implants into the available jaw bone. This is most commonly done with just local anesthesia and patients are very comfortable throughout the procedure. Once this is accomplished, you are given plenty of time for your mouth to heal as you then become ready for the second and final stage of the implant procedure. Stage two involves the uncovering of the screw access ends of the implants placed in stage one, so that they can be used for abutments or metal posts which will be placed into the implants. These abutments will be used to attach prosthetic teeth. With the abutments or posts now in place, Dr. Bernstein will place the fixed bridge into your mouth. This bridge has been carefully constructed in a dental laboratory from an impression that was made of your mouth during a previous visit. The bridge has been designed to look exactly like the rest of your teeth and once placed, it will be virtually impossible to tell it from the rest of your natural teeth. Once it is fitted, adjusted and you are comfortable with the placement, it will be attached securely to the abutments. Your bridge is now ready and you will find that in terms of appearance and use, you will be able to eat and smile as before. With proper oral hygiene your fixed bridge will give you years of dependable service. Full or partial dentures - upper or lower using dental implants as support Using a similar technique as explained above (see The Fixed Bridge), dental implants can be used to anchor your full or partial dentures so that you can smile and eat with full comfort and confidence. How is this done? The first step is the placement of the titanium implants. The second step is the uncovering of the screw access ends of the implants and attaching extensions or abutments. The final step is the placement of your new teeth. With techniques that ensure optimal size, shape, color and fit, they will blend with your facial characteristics, while providing the support needed for a natural appearance. You can have your dentures permanently attached or they can be designed to be removable. Dr. Bernstein will discuss all your options with you before a course of treatment is undertaken. The result will be that your implants will allow your dentures to fulfill all your expectations for appearance, confidence and security. Studies consistently show that implant supported teeth will be comfortable, functional, and contribute to your best smile.  |
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