Smile Transformation
Cosmetic Denstistry in Las Vegas
All Porcelain Crowns
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Definition
Porcelain or ceramic crowns are made with no metal thimble underneath the porcelain, the most common type of tooth colored crown. “Empress” is the most recognized brand name of ceramic crown.
Benefits
- All Porcelain crowns match adjacent teeth well because light can pass through the porcelain, similar to real enamel.
- There is no black line at the gum area.
- You’ll look more natural and healthy.
Procedure
- We numb your mouth using our distracting lip-shaking technique. If you are panicked about numbing, we offer nitrous oxide for relaxation. You’ll find out why it used to be called laughing gas! Or you can come in an hour early and take a couple of blue pills, feel wonderfully sleepy and dreamy, and not even remember what happened the next day!
- We remove your old crown, or shape your tooth to allow the proper thickness of porcelain, removing any decay in the process.
- An impression is made by squirting a honey-like consistency material on the teeth. We add more material to a tray and place it over the teeth until it hardens like rubber, so it can be removed.
- A temporary crown will be made to resemble the final result, so you can already smile with confidence.
- In 3 or 4 weeks you will return for bonding of your porcelain crown.
Tony’s Story
Tony really wasn’t aware that there was a better alternative to the “stand out” crown in his smile. He’s like most of us who just get used to how we look in the mirror. We dentists are always amazed at women who spend enormous sums of money and time with make-up and at hair salons, but ignore their smiles. So, it is our job to help you see what is possible. Tony is an easy going guy, a store manager for Harley Davidson motorcycles. He didn’t really mention any concern about his crown with the dark line at the gum area. He also said something we hear often… “I’m already married, so perfect appearance isn’t a high priority.” However, he agreed that an improvement would be nice. He was amazed at the improvement in his appearance, and appreciated us for having encouraged him to transform his smile.
Time One tooth is 1 1/2 hours for the first visit, and an hour for the second.
Cost of All Porcelain Crowns
The fee for an all ceramic crown is $949. There may be additional fees for the laboratory costs or upgrades in materials. More on porcelain crowns from mynewsmile.com.
Gum Lift
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Definition A gum lift is removal of excess gum tissue, to lengthen a short looking tooth. This surgical procedure is amazingly comfortable afterward.
Benefits
- A gum lift reveals the right proportion and beauty of the underlying tooth.
- There is no removal of tooth structure
- There is little bleeding or discomfort afterward.
Prodedure
- A gum lift is a one visit procedure followed by careful planning assisted by photographs, and plaster casts of the teeth and gums.
- More economical than veneers. In most cases of “gummy smiles,” veneers would not look good.
- An electrosurgical needle is used to remove the unnecessary gum tissue.
- A small amount of bone is removed, necessary for the gum to stay in the right place.
- Micro sutures are placed, and are removed in about a week
James’s Story
James was concerned about his smile and wondered if veneers would help. We told him that a simple procedure for his gums would lengthen his teeth upward, for a complete smile makeover. He was very happy to know that the gum lift would be thousands less than he was prepared to pay for veneers. James was amazed at how comfortable the recovery was after treatment in our office. The gums looked pretty normal after about 10 days and complete healing took a couple of months.
Time: 2 hours for six upper front teeth.
Gum Lift Cost
The fee for six front teeth is $1518.
White Fillings
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Description White fillings are called “composite” because they are a combination of resin (plastic) and hardening fillers. It is a putty-like material which can be molded and sculpted to conform to a cavity. A bright light hardens the putty.
Benefits
- Composite fillings are a wonderful, aesthetic replacement for dark, often black silver-mercury fillings.
- Previously controversial, white fillings are now mainstream. In February of 2009, Sweden banned use of all mercury, including its use in dental silver-mercury amalgam for environmental reasons.
- White fillings require less drilling than amalgam.
- When you flash a big, wide smile, no one will notice you have had fillings!
Procedure
- We numb your lip using our distracting lip-shaking technique. If you are panicked about numbing, we offer nitrous oxide for relaxation. You’ll find out why it used to be called laughing gas! Or you can come in an hour early and take a couple of blue pills, feel wonderfully sleepy and dreamy, and not even remember what happened the next day!
- Decay is now removed, and the cavity is shaped.
- A matrix is placed to shape the filling.
- Special bonding liquids are applied to seal the edges of the filling. There is rarely sensitivity with Kuraray S3 Dental Adhesive System.
- Increments of composite from 3M company called “Filtek” are applied and hardened with a bright light.
- The matrix is removed and the filling is smoothed and polished.
Time
One half hour per tooth. More on white fillings from mynewsmile.com.
