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GENERAL COSMETIC AND FAMILY DENTISTRY
Our office provides a full range of restorative, aesthetic and reconstructive
services. In addition, we place a strong emphasis on preventing dental
disease and educating our patients on the value of good oral health.
Routine Hygiene visits include:
-Complete examination
-Thorough cleaning
-Periodontal examination and measurements
-Oral cancer screening
-Diagnodent survey (laser cavity detector)
-Needed x-rays to screen for tooth decay, cysts, and bone loss
TOOTH REPAIR
There is nothing more beautiful than a natural healthy smile. Dr. Hart
can restore your smile to an attractive, functional state with crowns,
tooth colored fillings, porcelain bridges, and other precision fit restorations.
Dr. Hart also makes dentures, partials and does minor repairs in one day.
He is committed to making durable, natural, long lasting restorations.
CROWNS AND ONLAYS
A crown is a complete covering for a tooth. A crown is the best possible
restoration to prevent the tooth from shattering, which happens when the
tooth is weakened by large fillings, cracks, or root canal therapy. During
the first visit, the dentist shapes the tooth, makes an impression and
bite recording, takes a shade measurement, and constructs a temporary
crown for you to wear while the regular crown is made in the laboratory.
On your return visit, the dentist evaluates the fit, the shade and contour,
and the bite. If everything is OK, the dentist cements the crown.
Crowns are made of gold (most durable), porcelain and composite resin,
and porcelain bonded to metal. Dr. Hart and his staff will help you to
decide which one is best for your tooth. Well-made crowns will last a
very long time, if the patient returns for regular check-ups and if the
crown is not subjected to unusual forces or acids.
Onlays are similar to crowns but not as large. They can be constructed
of gold or porcelain. They may cost less than a crown because a build-up
is not necessary with an onlay. Onlays are more conservative than crowns
in that not all the tooth structure needs to be removed. These are wonderful
restorations, which can last for decades, if cared for properly.
FIXED BRIDGES
A fixed bridge is a tooth replacement that rigidly attaches to teeth on
either side of the space. These are not removable. The adjoining teeth
are prepared for crowns at the first appointment and a temporary bridge
is made for the interim period. The dentist checks the fit of the bridge
and then cements it. Materials used for bridges are gold, porcelain to
metal, and bonded resins. Non-metallic bridges are fairly new and no long
term studies have been done to show how well they will hold up after ten
years. Although they are more esthetic than bridges with metal, they do
carry a risk of breaking. The fixed bridge is the most predictable way
of replacing natural teeth with rigidity.
COSMETIC DENTISTRY (Smile Enhancement)
The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to transform an average smile into a
terrific smile! To accomplish this goal, we analyze every aspect of a
smile and then correct the problem. We can repair chipped or broken teeth.
We can replace silver fillings with white. The result is a dazzling smile
you will be proud to show.
VENEERS
Porcelain veneers correct a vast array of aesthetic shortcomings. Veneers
are much like the facing on a fine cabinet or a fingernail applied by
a manicurist. They are thin shells of porcelain applied to the outside
of a tooth to change size, shape, color or alignment. They are strong,
durable and offer the most esthetic solution to many cosmetic problems.
Often treatment is completed in 2 or 3 visits. Some call veneers "instant
orthodontics," the effect is so dramatic. Between us, we'll discover
your concerns and design a solution that's best for you.
WHITER TEETH
Many of our patients voice their concern about darkening teeth, perhaps
because of aging, smoking, coffee or medications. Whitening teeth is a
straightforward procedure to brighten your smile - relatively inexpensive,
quick and safe. We custom design mouth tray, then get you started in the
office showing you how to use the whitening gel. You take home the tray
and whitening kit and lighten your teeth at home. Improvement is usually
seen in 10 to 14 days. You'll notice a difference in no time - and so
will everyone else. OR! You can whiten your teeth in as little as one
hour with our in office Zoom whitening.
TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS
Strong synthetic resins are bonded to the teeth to fill small cavities
and fix chips beautifully. Tooth-colored fillings also known as "bonding",
are strong and durable. They restore teeth to their original natural appearance.
ENDODONTICS (Root Canals)
Root canal treatment is needed when the pulp of a tooth becomes infected.
Treatment is critical if the tooth is to be saved. Dr. Hart uses advanced
techniques that are more comfortable and efficient than root canal procedures
of the past. Some root canal therapy can be completed in one visit, with
little to no post operative pain. Most patients say the treatment itself
is quite comfortable and were surprised at how painless the procedure
was.
PERIODONTAL THERAPY (Gum Treatment)
Dr. Hart and his staff have advanced education in treating gum/periodontal
disease with periodontal therapy. Periodontal disease is an infection
of the teeth, gums, and the bone that surrounds the teeth. Most people
who have periodontal disease aren't even aware of it, because it's rarely
painful, especially in the early stages. Some patients with periodontal
disease will notice a foul odor or taste in the mouth or bleeding gums.
There are several different courses of treatment to remedy the disease,
depending on the stage it’s in. Dr. Hart custom tailors all periodontal
treatment per each individual patient. All mouths are not alike and may
have various degrees of infection; therefore all treatments are not the
same.
DENTAL IMPLANTS (Tooth Replacement)
For most patients who wear dentures or partials, the fear of slipping,
bulky clasps, and discomfort can be a constant struggle. Thanks to modern
technology and dental implants many or our patients no longer wear partials
or use denture adhesive. If you or someone you know is struggling with
their denture or partial, please call our office for a consultation and
evaluation. Dental implants are changing smiles and lives.
COMPLETE DENTURES
Some patients have not been fortunate enough to save their teeth and must
wear complete dentures. Dr. Hart takes time to make these restorations.
We carefully record initial measurements of the jaw position and make
meticulous impressions of the ridge form. We then have several try-in
visits to allow the patient to be perfectly satisfied before the dentures
are completed. Afterwards, we provide adjustments, if needed. Lower full
dentures are the most difficult to wear because the ridge is usually smaller.
The force of the tongue and the muscles of the floor of the mouth constantly
move the lower denture out of position. Brush and floss because you don't
want to have to wear these.
Some patients who are about to lose their teeth will choose an overdenture,
a denture that fits over natural roots that have been reduced to the gum
level. These teeth have had root canal therapy and do not hurt. Saving
some strategic teeth in the overdenture technique means that the jawbone
will be preserved longer and, with special magnetic attachments, this
translates into a more secure denture.
PARTIAL DENTURES
These are replacement appliances that supply some but not all teeth and
are removable. The patient must clean the appliance daily and should remove
it at night. If left in at night, the partial denture will act as a trap
for plaque and the abutment (anchor) teeth may decay. If constructed well,
a cast metal partial can function very well, although it will naturally
move a little during chewing. The metal clasps of the partial will not
cause the anchor teeth to decay. Only plaque, not cleaned off the tooth
surface, can cause decay. Partials are less expensive than fixed bridges.
ORTHODONTICS WITH INVISALIGN
Dr. Hart has advanced training and participates in many hours of post
graduate study pertaining to orthodontics and invisible braces. With new
techniques some orthodontic cases can be completed in as little as 10
months. Thanks to CAD CAM technology, Invisalign is able to transform
smiles in months without wires. Some orthodontic cases will need traditional
braces, but with modern technology even traditional braces are less noticeable
and more comfortable then ever. Orthodontics is changing and more patients
are finding that braces are not just meant for children.
TMJ
The TMJ (short for temporomandibular joint) is the hinge that attaches
the jaw to the skull. Often times, the bite becomes unbalanced and goes
out of alignment, like the wheel on a car. Signs of misalignment include
broken teeth, excessive tooth wear, loose teeth, facial muscles that hurt
and TM joints that click or pop. TMJ disorders can often be treated by
relaxing the muscles and realigning the bite. Establishing joint harmony
and comfort will insure the best possible long-term aesthetic result.
TEETH GRINDING
Many patients clench or grind their teeth, resulting in damage to the
jawbone, the teeth, and eventually the TMJ. Some patients do it unknowingly
during the daytime and others grind during their sleep. Often patients
will complain of headaches, pain, and stiffness in the jaw muscles, making
opening difficult. Teeth often become severely worn and usually chip or
crack, sometimes fracturing the root, which requires extraction. What
causes grinding and clenching? Researchers seem to think that it's stress.
Some cases are caused by sleep disorders and some by certain medications.
How can you take care of this problem? First, realize that it's up to
you to solve your stress. Look at your life and make a list of priorities
each day. At a minimum, leave one hour before bedtime just for you. This
time cannot be violated by any disruption. During this personal hour,
congratulate yourself for all that you did right today and forgive yourself
for things that didn't go so well. Read a couple chapters of the book,
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff. Meditate. Practice deep relaxation. Do something
just for you ... for fun ... and if all that doesn't work ... Get a mouthguard
for night grinding. These are hard appliances, much like an orthodontic
retainer, that fit on the upper or lower teeth. Most of the time, they
stop night-time grinding. The patient wakes up rested and his or her jaw
muscles are relaxed. No more chipped teeth. No more broken crowns. Rarely
do patients wear these in the daytime. If you clench or grind in the day,
be aware of the damage it can do and observe your mouth so that you can
learn what makes you do this. Often it's during a time of severe distress.
Learn to let your jaw drop open, keeping the teeth apart. It is difficult
to catch yourself when you clench but, with practice, you'll become more
conscious of this and hopefully you will be able to stop this damaging
habit.
SNORING
If you have the bad fortune to sleep with a snorer, I feel sorry for you.
And I feel sorry for the one who snores, as well. Those who snore often
don't get a good night's rest ... and those nearby usually have trouble
as well. For patients with a snoring problem, we make an appliance called
Therasnore®. This is a relatively inexpensive, non-surgical approach
to combat snoring. Most of our patients feel it has helped.
If snoring becomes more labored, it can turn into a condition called obstructive
sleep apnea. People who suffer from sleep apnea often feel tired during
the daytime and sometimes fall asleep while driving a car. For this condition,
patients should first consult with a physician who is a specialist in
sleep disorders. We can make a special device for sleep apnea, the Klearway®
Oral Appliance. This fits on the top and bottom teeth and is very effective
in these more advanced cases.
BAD BREATH
Even your best friends won't tell you about this. Or so the story goes.
It's a sensitive topic - bad breath. Often people try a mouth rinse as
the first line of defense. This only works for a few minutes. And those
rinses often contain alcohol that dries out the mouth, causing more problems.
An estimated 40 million Americans have bad breath that never goes away.
Some of it is caused by gum disease. We can take care of that. Some is
caused by food such as garlic and onions. That goes away by itself in
a day or two. And some mouth odor is caused by the release of volatile
sulfur compounds (VSCs) from germs in the tongue and in other parts of
the mouth. This chronic bad breath does not go away: there is no permanent
cure. But we have a program in our office designed to help you get the
freshest breath possible. If you think you or someone close to you has
this problem, here are four things you should know.
• The health of the gums and teeth must be excellent. Gum disease,
odor-causing foods, and smoking all contribute to bad breath.
• Most over-the-counter products do not solve this problem. They
only mask it temporarily.
• Even good friends won't tell you about bad breath. Do people turn
their heads or move away when you speak?
• Our program is based on BreathRx, a system developed by a California
dentist. It features Zytex, a unique and powerful dual-action chemical
compound that fights bad breath in two ways: it reduces the foul-smelling
VSCs and it kills the gram-negative bacteria that cause these VSCs to
form. Our program offers the following products: mouth rinse, tooth brushing
gel, tongue conditioning gel, tongue scraper, breath mints, chewing gum,
breath gel caps, and breath spray.
GERIATRIC DENTISTRY
As we age, our body changes and our mouth is no exception. The salivary
glands do not supply as much water as in our younger days, so that an
older adult's mouth is often dry. This allows the plaque to adhere firmly
to the tooth, and especially to the root surface, inviting decay. You
can fight this process by keeping your mouth as wet as possible. Drink
plenty of water. Use home fluoride applications to make your teeth stronger.
Many older adults have teeth that are brown or yellowed. Many are trying
the bleaching and cosmetic dentistry restorations. There is nothing wrong
with a nice, white attractive smile. It will make you look and feel younger.
With missing teeth, many people have trouble chewing. Some of our older
adult patients are deciding to have dental implants done. Others are having
their dentures and partial dentures relined. A good fit is important.
Even if your teeth seem to fit well, the American Dental Association recommends
a check-up for denture wearers at least once a year.
EMERGENCY CARE
We do our very best to treat emergencies immediately. If you have an after
hours emergency, Dr. Hart can be reached on his emergency line.
PRODUCTS FOR SALE IN OUR OFFICE
PerioMed, Oral-B, Breath Rx and Waterpic.
It's Your Choice
Any number of these features can be combined to create a plan that's best
for you. This is our concept of comprehensive care. We consider your health,
your appearance and your personal goals. Once we've had the opportunity
to examine you and discuss your concerns, we'll give you all the information
you need to make a decision that's comfortable for you. Together, we'll
create a care plan that will keep you looking and feeling your best.
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