Arlington Dentist Solutions (page 2)
Arlington Dentist - What is gum contouring?
The aesthetic framing of the gum tissue is as important to the teeth as a quality name is to an artist's painting. Contouring is basically a simple gum lift, but makes a tremendous difference to one's smile. If your smile shows more gum than tooth, our doctors can change that with this simple procedure. Using a topical anesthetic for numbing, and a small laser to quickly reshape the gum line, they can create a more beautiful smile in just one visit. The laser even seals the gum so the healing process begins immediately.
Arlington Dentist - What is tooth bonding?
Bonding is a composite resin filling that can lighten stains, close up minor gaps and correct crooked teeth. Arlington Dentist, Dr Lee or Dr. Oh will apply a bonding material to sculpt, color and shape the tooth. Then a high-intensity light hardens the resin and the doctor will finely polish the tooth, creating a natural looking, and gorgeous smile!
Do I need an orthodontist to fix my crooked teeth?
No. IN as little as two weeks a patient can go from teeth that are crowded to a perfect smile! By bonding porcelain veneers Arlington Dentist, Dr. Lee and Oh can “mask” the teeth creating that Hollywood smile you've always dreamed about!
Arlington Dentist - What was wrong with my old fillings?
In recent years, dentists have learned that the metal fillings in your mouth act much like metal does outside the mouth. Exposed to heat and cold, such as hot coffee or ice cream, the metal fillings in your teeth expand and contract. As they shift, they can actually weaken the teeth they were meant to protect. Often, the expansion and contraction leads to the entire tooth cracking.
As the filling expands and contracts, it can also leave a small opening where harmful bacteria can enter and become trapped, leading to further decay of the tooth. Rarely do Arlington Dentist, Dr. Lee and Dr. Oh remove silver fillings without finding additional decay underneath.
Why would I want an inlay or onlay instead of a metal filling?
An inlay or onlay is a much more conservative restoration for the tooth than a metal filling. While traditional fillings can reduce tooth strength up to 50%, inlays and onlays made of high strength porcelain can actually increase tooth strength by up to 75% lasting from 10 to 30 years.
What is an inlay?
Inlays, similar to a filling, are used inside the cusp tips of a tooth. Inlays are created out of fired porcelain, allowing the doctors to perfectly match the color of your natural tooth, making the restoration invisible to the naked eye.
Much like a crown, Arlington Dentist, Dr. Lee and Oh will create a temporary inlay for your tooth, take an impression, and send the model to the lab for the porcelain restoration. You will need to see Dr. Lee or Dr. Oh to have the final inlay bonded to the tooth and polished.
What is an onlay?
Onlays are made of fired porcelain, just like inlays. However, onlays are a more substantial reconstruction, extending out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth. Where a crown may have been necessary, an onlay can often be used to repair the damaged portion of the tooth, leaving much more of the original tooth structure intact.
Onlays are also made in the lab, and will require a return visit. Your temporary should hold up to normal wear until your return appointment.
Dr Chong Lee DDS and Dr Joseph Oh DDS: LVI Dentists - Providing services in cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneers to the areas of Fairfax, Arlington and McLean, Virginia.
Arlington porcelain veneers
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