Smile Transformation
Invisalign
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Definition
Invisalign is a system for straightening teeth with comfort and normal appearance. It is a series of clear, removable aligners to comfortably move your teeth over time to give you straight teeth.
Benefits
- At our office we have considerable experience, and have earned “Premier Provider” status.
- No painful wire twisting or brackets to cut your lip and cheek
- You can continue your normal business and social functions with confidence. Aligners are not noticeable to others, because they are clear and thin.
- Most treatments are completed in under a year.
Procedure
- At your records appointment, we will take an x-ray, photographs, and make impressions 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.
- Your records will be studied, and a prescription is sent to a technician, who will create a “ClinCheck,” a 3D video of your expected tooth movements.
M.L.’s Story
Here, our patient M. L. had the worst crowding imaginable, yet a series of multiple aligners changed every two weeks plus tooth whitening and some minor reshaping and bonding changed his life. He is a retired executive, and said in our interview, “When some people retire, they want to buy a boat, or a vacation home, or travel the world. I just want to get my teeth straightened.” I explained some risks to him, and gave him the alternative of full braces with the orthodontist down the hall. He said, “There is no way I am going to do regular braces, because I won’t be seen with wires on my teeth. So, it is Invisalign or nothing. When can we start?” The risks were not realized, and M.L.’s teeth came together even better than expected!
Time
Invisalign treatment takes from 5 months to 24 months, with the average at about 11 months.
Cost of Invisalign
The average fee is about $3800. The range is $2800 – $5600. For more on Invisalign see mynewsmile.com.
Porcelain Veneers
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Definition
- Each veneer is a thin porcelain facing bonded to visible teeth to enhance the beauty of your smile. After bonding, they are very strong.
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Benefits
- Veneers are gorgeous, natural looking, comfortable, and for many years.
- Veneers can cover unsightly fillings and dark teeth, close gaps, lengthen, and even straighten crooked teeth.
- There is no dark line at the gum area, nor will there be if the gum recedes.
Procedure
- Proper planning with input from you is essential! We’ll give you a book called “Billion Dollar Smile” from which you can make decisions about style, length and color.
- We make impressions of your teeth and take photos so that Dr. Featherstone can create your new smile on Photoshop and on plaster casts.
- At the consultation, you will see your new smile transformed on the computer screen and on the plaster casts. Then, at the treatment chair, we add temporary tooth colored plastic to your teeth so you can actually see your your future smile in the mirror! See Eric’s Story at the bottom of the Smile Gallery.
- At your treatment visit, we adjust the shape of the teeth to receive veneers. You will leave with prototype veneers that look as close to the final product as possible, so you can smile with confidence and evaluate your smile for a few days. On your treatment visits we numb your mouth using our comfortable 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!
- The key to getting the smile you want is our 0ne hour visit to evaluate and make changes several days after the prototypes were placed. You are in control here. If you want changes, we’ll do it in the prototypes, then communicate this with the laboratory technician who is making your veneers.
- Three or four hours are needed to install six or more veneers. Dr. Featherstone will already have evaluated them in advance, and returned them for corrections, if necessary. Smile with confidence!
Eric’s Story
Eric wasn’t happy when Dr. Featherstone moved to Nevada from Salt Lake City, where he had been a patient for several years. He knew about our expertise in smile makeovers, and so decided to come to Henderson for treatment. He was aware of his worn front teeth, and was embarrassed to smile. Besides, he was making plans to make a move forward on an international romance. He complained about yellowing teeth, the extreme angles of the eye teeth, and shortness of the front teeth. After completing our planning process, he agreed to removing some excess gums on some teeth (gum-lift). Veneers were prescribed to lengthen and brighten his smile. He was amazed at how comfortable he felt after treating the gums. Healing was complete after 6 weeks, and he returned for the shaping of the teeth to receive veneers. We made prototype veneers to look very close to the final result… white and polished. Because of the travel distance to return for an evaluation, we did the best we could on that visit to get the right shapes. Dr. Featherstone took photographs and emailed them to him so that he and Eric could talk about any changes needed. After minor changes were agreed upon, the laboratory completed the veneers. Eric had no problems with the prototype temporary veneers, and returned for the bonding appointment several weeks later. These “Empress” veneers blend very well with the gums, and look very natural. The conclusion was storybook matrimony.
Time
To do your smile makeover requires 3 appointments: 1. Three to four hours for shaping and impressions 2. Sixty minutes for evaluation, and 3. Three to four hours to install. From start to finish is 4-5 weeks.
Cost of Veneers
The fee for porcelain veneers is $899. There may be other costs associated with the procedure, such as lab fees, upgrades in materials, or case management. See more on porcelain veneers from mynewsmile.com.
Bonding
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Direct Veneers
Definition
- You can have a new smile in one visit! It is done with a putty like tooth colored material called composite that is sculpted directly on your teeth in a thin layer.
- A bright light hardens the composite which can be polished to enamel-like luster.
Benefits
- Direct bonding veneers are natural looking , comfortable, long lasting, and blend with other teeth when you smile.
- Often, no numbing is needed, and no enamel needs to be removed.
- Good for single or several dark teeth that won’t bleach.
- Good for closing gaps, or straightening teeth quickly! Instant orthodontics!
- The fee is about a third of the fee for veneers.
- Direct veneers can last as long as porcelain veneers with new composite materials from 3M company called “Filtek.”
Procedure
- Most times numbing your mouth is unnecessary. If it is, we numb your mouth using our destracting 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!
- Proper planning and input from you is essential! Before and after photographs are created by Dr. Featherstone from Photoshop to allow discussion of your desires for a new smile.
- On your visit, we sculpt your teeth individually as agreed by you from the consultation. A powerful light causes the composite putty to harden and bond to your teeth.
- This is often like Lumineers in approach… no reduction of tooth enamel, and often no numbing!
- If you have one dark tooth, the dark enamel must be removed to allow for composite thickness to block out the color. Then, layers of composite are added to match the adjacent teeth in contour and color.
- After polishing, you can walk out the door with a new smile in only one visit!
Al’s Story Dr. Featherstone suggested porcelain veneers to Al two or three years before he decided to move forward with improving his smile. He is a media salesman, an impeccable dresser, and wanted teeth to match his style. But Al had always resisted the idea of involving all six or more front teeth. It was a personal matter… more about conservation of his teeth than cost. So, Dr. Featherstone created another alternative using direct bonding. After whitening, a single visit produced for Al his new smile. He has expressed to us the confidence he now has to flash his smile at customers.
Time For a single veneer about 90 minutes. We invite you to return for a final touch up, polish, and photographs.
Cost of Bonding
Fees for bonding composite range from $257 for repairing a fracture to $899 for a full veneer. More on bonding from mynewsmile.com.
Bonding for Gaps
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Definition
Composite putty is added to each side of the gap, artistically sculpting to blend with the teeth.
Benefits
- Direct composite bonding to close gaps is a great low cost solution.
- Color matching excellent with 3M Filtek Supreme Plus.
- Filtek is very strong, and will last up to 10 years or more.
Procedure
- The width of the teeth are measured carefully to ensure exact matches from right to left.
- Bonding materials are applied.
- The composite is sculpted with layers of different colors to match the rest of the tooth. There is a deeper color at the gum area than further up the tooth. The edge has a more transluscent color.
- The composite is hardened with a powerful light, and polished.
Rita’s Story
We told Rita about the possibility of closing her gap, but she thought it would be expensive. When we told her veneers were not necessary, and that a simple bonding procedure would be beautiful, she agreed to do it. We think you will agree that Rita’s new smile is radiant.
Time
Closing the gap takes about 90 minutes.
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.
Teeth Whitening
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Definition
Whitening, also known as bleaching, is the most common cosmetic procedure for teeth. There are two methods, one performed in the dental chair, and one at home procedure applied to your teeth in a custom soft tray.
Benefits
- There is something clean, fresh, and sexy about white teeth.
- Studies show that others notice your teeth even before your eyes.
- Yellow teeth look out of place with your latest hair do, or new suit. Look your best in business or attracting the opposite sex with a white smile!
Procedures
Power Whitening:
This effective method is great for those in a hurry, or don’t want to use trays much at home. We have you come for three visits, every other day, for 90 minutes. We use a powerful form of hydrogen peroxide, applied directly to the teeth while your gums are protected. This method is far more effective than one visit with lights or lasers, and costs about the same.
Home Treatment:
- We make impressions of your upper and lower teeth
- We make soft rubber custom trays to hold the peroxide gel against your teeth
- You add the gel at home and wear overnight, or a half an hour twice a day, every day in a row for 7 days.
- You return for a check after the first week. Most people are happy at this point in time. If you want more whitening, a new supply of gel is provided, and included in the fee.
- After another week, 80% of people are happy. If you want more whitening after two weeks, you may purchase more for as long as it takes.
M. L.’s Story
M.L. chose power whitening, or Deep Bleaching. Three treatments of 90 minutes spaced two days apart made his teeth amazingly white. The “before” picture is prior to Invisalign straightening. He was absolutely delighted, and appreciated the trays we made to refresh the whitening every few months.
Time Everyone has a different experience with home bleaching. Some teeth just take longer to whiten. The power whitening is dramatic after three visits.
Cost of Teeth Whitening
The fee is $186 per arch for home whitening and $800 for Deep Bleaching. More on teeth bleaching from mynewsmile.com.
Lumineers
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Definition
Lumineers are thin, strong porcelain veneers fabricated by Cerinate Laboratories. National advertising has made Lunineers familiar to many people.
Benefits
- When conditions warrant, Lumineers can be made without numbing or removal of enamel.
- Lumineers are gorgeous, natural looking , comfortable, and can last many years.
- Lumineers can cover unsightly fillings and dark teeth, close gaps, lengthen, and even straighten crooked teeth.
Procedure
- Proper planning with input from you is essential! We’ll give you a book called “Billion Dollar Smile” from which you can make decisions about style, length and color.
- We make impressions of your teeth and take photos so that Dr. Featherstone can create your work of art on Photoshop and on plaster casts.
- At the consultation, you will see your new smile transformed on the computer screen and on the plaster casts. Then, at the treatment chair, we add temporary tooth colored plastic to your teeth so you can actually see your your future smile in the mirror! See Eric’s Story at the bottom of Smile Gallery for more information.
- You will schedule a 90 minute visit to make impressions to send to the laboratory for fabrication of your veneers. You will leave with prototype veneers that look as close to the final product as possible, so you can smile with confidence, and evaluate your smile for a few days.
- The key to getting the smile you want is our 0ne hour visit to evaluate and make changes several days after the prototypes were placed. You are in control here. If you want changes, we’ll do it in the prototypes, then communicate this with the laboratory technician who is making your veneers.
- Seating visit. Two or three hours are needed to seat six or more veneers. The doctor will already have evaluated them in advance, and returned them for corrections, if necessary. Smile with confidence!
J. Z.’s Story J. wanted to be as conservative as possible, that is to reduce very little enamel . She had heard about Lumineer’s from company advertising. She agreed to regular veneers on the lower teeth and Lumineers on the top teeth. J.Z. was very pleased with her new, radiant smile.
Time
To do your smile makeover requires 3 appointments: 1. 90 minutes for impressions 2. 60 minutes for evaluation, and 3. 3 hours to install. From start to finish is 4-5 weeks.
Cost of Lumineers
The fee for Lumineers is $899. Laboratory fees may be additional. More on Lumineers from mynewsmile.com.
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.
