Center for Exceptional Dentistry

Menu

• 

  Dental bonding

  s an extremely useful tool for many minor tooth repairs. It requires no X-rays, tooth preparation, or anesthetic, which helps make it one of the most affordable solutions for restoring your beautiful smile. Most bonding treatments can be completed in a single dental visit, making it one of the more convenient cosmetic dentistry treatments available. Dental bonding is the treatment of choice for the following tooth problems: Slight alignment problems or symmetry issues Small chipping or cracking Small Diastemas (gaps between teeth) Spots of discoloration and other irregularities in tooth color

• Dental Bonding Procedure

  Dental bonding material is very similar to a clay or putty that is carefully color-matched to your surrounding teeth. Dr. Firouzi begins by roughening the surface of the tooth that needs restoration. This ensures a strong bond between the tooth and the bonding material. He will then apply the bonding material in layers until the tooth looks the way you want it. The bonding material will then be cured/hardened and polished. You will then be ready to face the world with your new smile. While dental bonding can be precisely color-matched to your surrounding teeth, it lacks much of the natural-looking translucence of tooth enamel and porcelain. It does, however, provide a highly durable, affordable, pain free solution to many common cosmetic dental problems.

• Caring for your Dental Bonding Treatment

  You can expect your dental bonding to last several years if you take proper care of it. Practicing good oral hygiene is a great place to start. Bonding will chip and break easier than natural tooth enamel, so if you engage in contact sports or any activity that may put you at risk of tooth damage, you should wear a mouth guard. Also, be sure to wear a mouth guard if you grind your teeth. Avoid chewing on hard substances such as hard candy or ice

• 

  Dental Bridges

  Dental bridges are one of the more common treatments for missing or severely damaged teeth. Though not as ideal as dental implants, bridges provide a durable, natural looking solution for individuals who have lost a tooth due to trauma, decay, or disease. A typical dental bridge consists of a false tooth attached to two dental crowns. These crowns are placed on the teeth surrounding the missing tooth and act as a support for the false tooth. If several consecutive teeth are missing, a dental implant may be necessary in order to support multiple bridges.

• The Dental Bridge Procedure

  This procedure usually consists of two dental crown procedures. A crown will need to be placed on each of the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth. Dental bridges usually take two weeks to prepare at the lab. You should expect at least three dental visits before your final bridge will be in place. There are a few other options for dental bridges, depending on the location of the missing tooth. If a back tooth is missing or damaged, there is only one adjacent tooth to connect it to. Since this situation calls for only one crown procedure, this type of bridge is called a half- bridge. Front teeth can often be replaced by a resin-bonded bridge. This involves attaching a false tooth to the adjacent teeth with a small metal band. Front teeth do not receive the high amount of pressure that back teeth do, so they do not require the durability of a regular bridge. The resin-bonded bridge is a much more affordable option for those missing a front tooth. If you have just recently lost a tooth, you are strongly urged to seek treatment as soon as possible. Missing teeth that go untreated will eventually lead to further dental complications in the future. The longer you wait, the fewer treatment options will be available to you.

• 

  Dental Implants

  Providing Dental Implants in Pittsburgh, PA We recommend dental implants to nearly all of our patients who are missing one or more teeth. The advantages implants have over other treatments for missing teeth are so significant that for many patients, the decision is a no-brainer. In fact, most dentists will agree that dental implants are actually better than natural teeth in most regards.

• What are Dental Implants and How Do They Work?

  A typical dental implant consists of two components – a titanium implant screw and a dental crown. Dr. Firouzi uses Ankylos brand implants, manufactured by DentSply. Dr. Firouzi begins by taking a CT scan of your jaw. Many dentists skip this step, but we feel it is a crucial one. A CT scan allows us to determine the optimal placement of the implant, and whether the gums and jawbone are healthy enough to support an implant. If there is not enough room to place the implant or if there may be other potential complications, a CT scan will detect and alert us to these issues. Dr. Firouzi will then begin the actual procedure by drilling a small pilot hole into the jawbone where the missing tooth once was. This hole is then widened in order to accommodate the implant screw. The most important element of a successful implant procedure is called osseointegration. Osseointegration is the name of the process during which the implant screw anchors to the jawbone. This process can take anywhere from three to six months depending on the health of the jawbone and your general oral health. A successful osseointegration is necessary to move forward; otherwise, the implant will fail. Once osseointegration is complete, the crown is attached to the implant screw and your dentist will perform any final touches. Your dental implant will look as natural, if not better than, the original tooth that was once in its place.

• Advantages of Dental Implants

  Implants have a number of advantages over other traditional treatments such as dental bridges and dentures. Perhaps the biggest advantage is the implant’s ability to maintain the health and structure of the surrounding jawbone. Your jaw tissue will deteriorate if it does not receive the stimulation it typically gets through chewing. Because the implant replaces the entire tooth, this stimulation is maintained, as is the jaw tissue surrounding it. This will maintain the structural integrity of your remaining teeth and jaw. Bridges and dentures will not necessarily do this. Furthermore, an implant can be cared for just like a natural tooth, eliminating the hassles associated with bridge and denture care. Why Dental Implants? If you live in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area and are missing one or more of your teeth, then dental implants may be the ideal treatment option for you. An examination by a qualified implant dentist will be necessary to determine your candidacy for the procedure. Please contact our Pittsburgh cosmetic dentistry office to learn more about dental implants.

• 

  Dental Crowns

  Dental crowns are the treatment of choice for individuals with severely damaged or decayed teeth. Other treatments such as porcelain onlays and dental bonding are not effective when too much of a tooth has been damaged. However, as long as the damaged tooth still has a salvageable root and base structure, there are a few dental crown options available to you. Which crown is right for you will depend on the location of the damaged tooth, as well as your aesthetic concerns. Please visit our all-porcelain crowns and porcelain fused to metal crowns pages for complete information about your crown options. Read about Dental Crown Options. All dental crowns, regardless of what materials they are made of, cover the whole surface of a damaged tooth. This restores strength and beauty, while eliminating future decay. All dental crowns are decay and stain resistant, so with proper care, you should never have to worry about your problem tooth again.

• The Dental Crown Procedure

  Dental crowns involve a significant amount of tooth preparation, more so than with porcelain veneers or onlays. Severely damaged teeth may require a root canal or other procedures before the crown procedure can begin. Anesthesia will be used to ensure you feel no pain and minimal discomfort throughout the process. The damaged tooth will be reshaped in order to best fit a crown. Once this is complete, a mold will be taken of your teeth that will then be sent to the laboratory to be sculpted. Expect the crown to take several weeks to be made. When it is done, you will return to our office to have it fitted. Any final adjustments will be made, the crown will be polished, and your new smile will be complete.

• Dental Crowns as Part of Other Procedures

  f you are missing any teeth, then dental crowns will most likely be part of your treatment. Crowns are an integral part of dental bridge procedures. When several consecutive teeth are missing, dental implants are often used to support one or more dental bridges.

• 

  A more natural look

  Porcelain fillings are color-matched to your teeth, making them virtually indistinguishable from the surrounding tooth enamel.

• Added strength and durability

  Amalgam and other traditional filling materials are simply packed into the cavity. Porcelain fillings are actually bonded to the tooth, adding structural integrity to the tooth.

• Metal fillings can actually damage your tooth

  Amalgam and other metals are susceptible to expansion and contraction due to temperature changes. This expansion and contraction puts added stress on the remaining natural tooth structure, which can lead to cracking and other tooth damage. Porcelain does not behave this way, thereby eliminating the risk of further tooth damage.

• No mercury exposure

  Many older metal fillings contain some amount of mercury – a known toxic material. Porcelain is 100% non-toxic.

• Inlays and Onlays

  A porcelain filling may also be referred to as an inlay or an onlay. The only difference between the two lies in how much of a tooth is being repaired. With specific reference to rear teeth, an inlay is used to describe a filling that stays within the upper rim of the tooth. An onlay describes a filling that extends over this upper rim. In short, an onlay is used to treat more extensive decay. If the decay is too severe, a dental crown may be a more appropriate option.

• 

  The Porcelain Veneers Procedure

  Your procedure will begin with your initial consultation. During this appointment, Dr. Firouzi will examine your teeth to determine if you are a good candidate for veneers. If you are, then you and Dr. Firouzi will discuss your aesthetic goals and expectations. With information gathered during this conversation, Dr. Firouzi will be able to recommend the best veneers options for your particular needs and begin to put together an individualized treatment plan. Your second dental visit will consist of tooth preparation. Dr. Firouzi will remove a thin layer of enamel from the applicable tooth (or teeth). Just enough of the tooth will be removed in order to accommodate a veneer that will be strong enough, but without adding to the thickness or length of the tooth. Dr. Firouzi and his team will ensure that your tooth preparation is as comfortable as possible. Once the teeth are prepared, an impression will be taken that will then be sent to our master technician. Much of the success of a veneers procedure depends on the skill and experience of the technician. Our technicians are among the finest veneers sculptors in the world. Expect your permanent veneers to take two weeks to prepare. Temporary veneers will be placed on your prepared teeth while you wait for the final veneers to arrive. Your third dental visit will involve fitting and bonding the permanent veneers along with any final touches that need to be made. While the procedure may sound uncomplicated, you will want to be sure your dentist has the skill and experience to provide you with natural-looking veneers. Dr. Firouzi will be happy to show you many before and after photos of his work.

• 

  Tooth Whitening

  Tooth whitening is one of the most popular procedures we perform at the Center for Exceptional Dentistry. Our patients come to us with every imaginable type of tooth discoloration, including: Tetracycline and other antibiotic-related discolorations Congenital discolorations Long-term smoking, cola, red wine, and coffee-related stains Natural age-related discoloration One thing is for certain about tooth discoloration: everyone will experience it to some degree as they age.

• Whitening toothpastes

• Bleaching strips

• Mouthwashes

• In-office treatments

• Take-home treatments

• Kurthy Deep Bleaching

  Your tooth whitening procedure will consist of two brief dental visits. During your first “conditioning” visit, your teeth will be treated with a 9% hydrogen peroxide solution. You will then be sent home with a 16% carbamide peroxide solution to use with an at-home tray. After using this tray and solution for a week, you will return to the dentist’s office for another treatment. Either a 9% or 27% hydrogen peroxide solution will be used during this treatment depending on the amount of bleaching that remains to be done. Tooth sensitivity is an issue with all bleaching systems. We use a product called D-Senz-2 in order to minimize discomfort. Some patients experience little or no sensitivity, while others are highly sensitive. Keep in mind that any sensitivity you may experience will likely go away within 24 hours. With occasional maintenance and touch-up treatments, your teeth will maintain their new, brighter, whiter look without you having to give up coffee, tea, red wine, or any other indulgences.

• 

  Reducing your Gummy Smile

  Many individuals with a gummy smile are under the assumption that they have abnormally small teeth. This is very rarely the case. Most gummy smiles are the result of overdeveloped gum tissue or gum tissue that has not receded properly. This is good news in many ways, because removing excess gum tissue is a fairly simple procedure. Dr. Firouzi will use the Hoya Con Bio laser to remove this unwanted tissue in one dental visit, redesigning your smile line to reveal more of your teeth and less of your gums. In some gummy smile cases, removal of bone tissue may be necessary. Again, Dr. Firouzi can use laser technology to safely remove any overdeveloped bone tissue to redesign your smile line.

• Gum Grafts and Transplants

  Receding gums can be the result of many things. Aging, trauma, gum disease, even aggressive brushing can lead to receding gums. Your teeth need to be protected by your gums in order to avoid tooth sensitivity and to protect the roots from decay. Therefore, gum grafts are often necessary in order to maintain good oral health, not just to treat a cosmetic concern. Gum grafting procedures are usually more involved than gum removal procedures. Muscles that pull at the affected gum area are often part of the reason why the gums have receded. It is sometimes necessary to modify these muscles in order to prevent them from causing further damage. In both gum reduction and gum grafting, local anesthesia will be used to eliminate pain. Among the many advantages to laser technology is its ability to minimize infection risk, as well as minimize the necessity of sutures. Many of our gum recontouring procedures require no stitches whatsoever.

• 

  What is it?

  Invisalign uses a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you're wearing. So, you can smile more during treatment as well as after. Invisalign is made with 3-D computer imaging technology and has been proven effective. More than 70% of orthodontists in the US and Canada are certified to treat with Invisalign.

• Why would I want it

  Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment. Plus, brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time in your doctor's office getting adjustments. Invisalign also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

• How does it work

  You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move — little by little, week by week — until they have straightened to the final position Dr. Firouzi has prescribed. You'll visit Dr. Firouzi- about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.