dental services in troy
Dentist In Troy Smile Centers PC

Teeth whitening

Whitening of the teeth is performed for patients who desire a brighter smile. Teeth whitening can be performed to reduce discoloration and staining, or simply to provide the patient with whiter, brighter teeth.


What causes discoloration of the teeth?
Teeth enamel discoloration can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Some of the more common causes of teeth discoloration are medications, coffee, tea or cigarettes. People who drink significant amounts of cola soft drinks can experience similar staining.

Apart from staining, there are other factors that can affect the color of an individual's teeth. Genetics can play a role. Some people have naturally brighter enamel than others. Disease can also be a factor and certain medications can cause a discoloration of the teeth.


Tooth Whitening
Sometimes a single tooth becomes discolored causing it to look out of place with the rest of your smile. In these cases you may want to consider having the tooth whitened to match the rest of your teeth.Our team of best Dentist In Troy wil help you!

Crowns

A crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" placed over a tooth that is badly damaged or decayed. A crown is made to look like natural tooth.


Crowns are used when the teeth are extensively damaged by decay or breakage. A crown may hold together parts of a cracked tooth and can be used to hold a bridge in place. Crowns also are used for cosmetic purposes to cover misshapen or badly discolored teeth.

Crowns can be prefabricated or made in a laboratory. Prefabricated crowns are made of acrylic or stainless steel and can be used as a temporary restoration until a permanent crown is manufactured. In some cases, prefabricated crowns can be used as a permanent restoration.


Crowns can be all metal, porcelain fused to metal (PFM), or all ceramic. Metals include gold alloy, other alloys (palladium) or a base-metal alloy (nickel or chromium). The all-metal or PFM crowns are stronger and are better choices for back teeth. PFM and all-ceramic crowns look just like normal teeth.

Veneers

Dental veneers, sometimes called tooth veneers, can be used to correct both color and shape problems


Who is a candidate for Dental Veneers?
Veneers, porcelain or plastic, are placed over the front teeth to change color shape of the teeth. Veneers are ideal for teeth that are too small, too big, or have uneven surfaces. It is very common for people to have imperfect teeth, either oddly shaped teeth, chipped teeth, crooked teeth, teeth with small holes in them, or an inappropriate sized tooth or teeth that have an odd appearance. Veneers solve such irregularities and create a durable and pleasing smile.

Typically costing less than crowns, veneers won't stain, making veneers a very popular solution for many people seeking that perfect smile. Strong and very durable, veneers last from ten to fifteen years, and come in colors that will brighten dark teeth without the worry of them changing color.


There are two tooth veneers procedures available that correct discoloration of the teeth by removing the brown and yellow staining. While each work effectively, there are advantages and disadvantages to each procedure dependent upon your objectives and commitment to the processes.


Composite Veneer Procedure
Composite (direct) veneers are usually performed in a single visit. The procedure is an application of a bond and enamel directly to the tooth's surface.


Porcelain Veneer Procedure
Porcelain (indirect) veneers are a very thin porcelain material. Usually porcelain veneers require two visits and also require a dental laboratory to create the final tooth restoration piece.Our team of best Dentist In Troy gives you a clear explaination on the procedure.

Sealants

Dental sealants are thin, plastic films painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth - molars and premolars - and are highly effective in the prevention of tooth decay (caries and cavities). Dental sealants are particularly effective on the back teeth, as the back teeth contain more hard-to-reach pits and grooves that serve as a host to food debris and plaque build-up.


Sealants are generally used with children, but they can be helpful for adults as well.


The procedure is very easy for both the dentist and the patient. It basically consists of cleaning the teeth and placing the sealant material. A curing light, generally of the blue spectrum, is then allowed to shine on the sealant material. This light starts the chemical process that hardens the sealant material. It is important to keep the tooth dry during the curing process so the sealant will stick to the tooth. No anesthetic is required. Sealants are a safe, effective and economical way to prevent cavities.

Dentures

Dentures are also known as artificial teeth. A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and adjacent tissues. Dentures definitely provide a great smile with a very natural appearance. They arre made of very durable materials (like acrylic resin) and last very long when properly taken care of. Typically dentures last from five to ten years. They also correct several problems, from speech to chewing, for many patients,


There are two types of dentures, Complete dentures and Partial dentures. Complete dentures replace all the teeth, while a partial denture fills in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevents other teeth from changing their position.


Complete dentures are called "conventional" or "immediate" according to when they are made and when they are inserted into the mouth. Immediate dentures are inserted immediately after the removal of the remaining teeth. To make this possible, the dentist takes measurements and makes the models of the patient's jaws during a preliminary visit.


An advantage of immediate dentures is that the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums can shrink over time, especially during the period of healing in the first six months after the removal of teeth. When gums shrink, immediate dentures may require rebasing or relining to fit properly. A conventional denture can then be made once the tissues have healed. Healingmay take at least 6-8 weeks.


The procedure begins with a wax bite impression of your mouth that will give your dentist exacting measurements. A try-on appointment will fine tune color, shape, and custom-fit.After your final dentures are fabricated in the lab, they will be placed and informed of their required care.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are fixtures of titanium which are surgically screwed into your jaw bone. The implant is an anchor for a naturally-appearing false tooth or a set of false teeth. Implants are great for replacing missing teeth. It is important that you have enough bone in the area of the missing teeth for the implants to be attached to. Implants are not only used to replace one tooth, but rather people missing most, if not all, of their teeth benefit greatly as well. Implants are increasingly being used to replace certain types of bridges and removable partial dentures.


Who is a candidate for dental implants?
If you're missing one tooth or all of your teeth, implants may well be for you. So long as you have enough bone in the area of the missing tooth to facilitate the anchorage of the implants, this procedure can yield terrific results. If you don't have enough bone for this purpose, a bone graft may be necessary. If you have a small dental bridge or partial dentures (removable type), implants will be a welcome alternative. Implants are an alternative to a fixed bridge. The implant will last a lifetime, but the crown on top of it will last ten to fifteen years.

Implants are surgically placed in your jaw bone while under anesthesia.

Root Canal Therapy

What is root canal therapy?
Root canal therapy is designed to correct disorders of the dental pulp, (Dental pulp is the soft tissue around the tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue). Teeth with abscessed, or infected, nerves were once removed with corrective therapy. But now, in 95 percent of these cases of pulpal infection, the natural tooth can be saved through modern endodontic procedures.


What are the symptoms of pulpal nerve damage?
The following are the most common symptoms of pulpal nerve damage. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

pain in the tooth when biting down

tooth pain while chewing

over sensitivity of the teeth with hot or cold drinks

facial swelling


Why is root canal therapy necessary?
Without treatment, the infection of the dental pulp will spread to the bone around the tooth, making it not longer able to hold the tooth in place.


What does the root canal procedure involve?
Treatment begins with the initial removal of the tooth crown, or top, to allow access to the pulpal tissue. Once the affected pulpal tissue is exposed, the affected area is removed. The area surrounding and containing the pulpal tissue is carefully cleaned, enlarged, and shaped to provide a clean, bondable surface for filling with a permanent filler to prohibit any further infection and discomfort. After filling, a crown is fabricated to complete the rescue and restoration of the natural tooth. The procedure is generally spread over several visits to assure the infected pulp and associated bacteria have been adequately drained.

Digital X-Rays

Digital X-ray (up to 90% less exposure to radiation): We use state of the art digital x-rays to provide our patients with the safest alternative existing today.

Unlike traditional x-rays, no film is required, and no toxic developing solution is needed. Instead, the image is quickly saved inside of our state-of-the-art computer system.

In fact, digital x-rays are so advanced, they need much less radiation than traditional film; up to 90% less radiation. This is safer for you and for your family.

The digital image also helps the staff better diagnose your dental health. Since it is a computer image, it can be made larger, enhanced, and even colorized.