How Zoom! Works! - The Zoom! light activated gel was developed after years of research by Discuss Dental, the leaders of professional take-home tooth whitening.  The gel is a scientifically formulated, pH balanced Hydrogen Peroxide that, when activated by the Zoom! light, gently penetrates the teeth to remove deep stains and discoloration.  With proper care and an occasional touch-up at home, your whiter smile will sparkle for years.

The process begins with upper and lower impressions being made at our office.  The patient returns in about one week and starts home whitening for approx. 2 weeks.  The patient returns to our office for the in office whitening.  Gum tissue is isolated and gel is applied to the teeth.  A special light is used to activate the bleach.

Advantages of the California Teeth Whitening technique are that patients tend to have less sensitivity during and after whitening.  Also, by doing the home whitening first the end result is much better.

Summary of the California Whitening Technique:
1.  Patient comes in for upper and lower impressions so "at home" whitening trays can be made.
2.  Patient returns in approx 1 week to receive trays, bleaching gel, fluoride gel and fluoride toothpaste.
3.  Patient will start the at home whitening kit and use for approx 2 weeks
4.  Patient will return for in office whitening
     a.  Approx time from start to finish is 1-1 1/2 hours
     b.  Gum tissue is isolated and gel is applied to the teeth
     c.  A special light is used to activate the bleach and this is done in six 5 minute sessions (after every 5 minutes gel is removed and new gel applied)
     d.  Gel and isolation is removed.
5.  Patient is not to eat or drink anything that would cause teeth to stain for the first 24-48 hours after bleaching procedure.   Examples would be: wine, ketchup, mustard, coffee, tea, cola, etc.

"Bruxism" means grinding and/or clenching of teeth.  It is considered a nonfunctional habit in that it can occur while awake or asleep.  Grinding your teeth while asleep is more of a problem since most people will grind their teeth much harder than they ever would while awake.  Such "Nocturnal Bruxism" is a very common sleep behavior that many people will experience at some time in their lives.  It is often more evident during times of personal stress.  A nightguard or NTI device are the best treatment for bruxism.  A night guard is a thin piece of hard plastic made from impressions of your teeth and is worn on the upper or lower teeth.  The nightguard is hard enough to be durable, but since it is softer than teeth it will protect them from wear.  In other words , the grinding is on inexpensive plastic instead of your teeth.  The NTI device is much easier to wear for some people and is fit to your teeth in only one appointment.  It attaches to your front two teeth keeping  your back teeth from hitting.  In most cases, this decreases clenching by over ninety per cent, causing the jaw muscles and joints to relax and heal.  Also, since the teeth are out of contact no wear occurs.  One major goal of a nightguard or NTI is to stop the destruction of tooth structure as soon as possible.  Otherwise, the teeth affected would need extensive, costly dental work to be restored.

Most decay in children and young adults is found in the grooves on the biting surfaces of the back teeth.  These deep pits and fissures are out of the reach of a toothbrush and toothpaste.  The bacteria that cause most cavities love to hide out in these areas, waiting to infect the teeth.  Sealants literally seal off these microscopic caverns, eliminating the environment where these bacteria thrive.  Sealants not only work locally, but research has shown well placed sealants will reduce specific bacteria counts in the whole mouth.  Sealants are not just for kids either.  Any person with susceptible grooves and evidence of decay activity would benefit from sealants.

Tooth reshaping, or contouring, is one of few instant treatments available in cosmetic dentistry.  Dental reshaping and contouring is a procedure to correct crooked teeth, chipped teeth, cracked teeth, or even overlapping teeth in just one session.  The dental contouring procedure can even be a substitute for braces under certain circumstances.  It is also a procedure of subtle changes.  A few millimeters of reduction and a few millimeters of tooth-colored laminate can create a beautiful smile when performed by a cosmetic dentist, with no discomfort to you.  Tooth reshaping, or dental contouring, is commonly used to alter the length, shape, or position of your teeth.  Your dentist can remove only a small amount of tooth enamel, contouring your problem tooth into a more pleasing shape for an improved smile.

Dental veneers ( sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance.  These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size or length.  Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or resin composite materials.  Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth.  What types of problems do dental veneers fix?  Veneers correct many cosmetic problems.  These include discolored teeth, either because of root canal treatment, stains from tetracycline, excessive fluoride, trauma, or other causes.  Veneers can also restore teeth that are worn down, teeth that are chipped or broken, teeth that are misaligned, uneven, irregularly shaped, and teeth with gaps between them.

Bonding of composite resins is ideal for the smaller corrections in which most of the tooth is healthy and stable.  It can be used to correct a wide variety of problems, including minor decay, chips, cracks, gaps between teeth, discoloration and crooked teeth.  Composite resins are more esthetically pleasing than metal fillings.  Composite resins are materials that have similar characteristics to a tooth's natural enamel and their color can be adjusted to match the particular color of your teeth.  Bonding is a non-invasive procedure that can provide astounding improvements in the appearance of your teeth in one appointment.  Unlike some veneers, composite resins do not protect against future discolorations.  As with your natural teeth, regular cleanings are very important.  For minor alterations, the resin can be matched to your teeth while you are in the office.

Full mouth reconstruction is a dental specialty that can provide amazing results and improvement to a person's overall health.  How do you know if you're a candidate for full mouth reconstruction?  There are many signs that you might attribute to everyday stress!  Do you experience....?  Frequent headaches or migraines, pain or soreness around your jaws: facial, neck, shoulder and/or back pain,  unexplained congestion or stuffiness in your ears; worn, chipped, cracked, or loose teeth, TMJ ( temporomandibular joint syndrome) discomfort that seems to move from tooth to tooth.  Quite a list, but it's just the beginning of symptoms that make you a prime candidate for full mouth recontruction.  Let's say you have at least a couple of the signs mentioned above.  One of your first questions is probably "Exactly what is full mouth reconstruction?"  Imagine a structure that was built many years ago and has suffered from neglect or simply the process of aging.  The foundation becomes weak, the walls begin to crack, the roof needs repair, and it is unsafe to inhabit.  This analogy is an example of the one between your gums, bone, muscles and teeth.  When the relationship of these elements breaks down in your mouth, it affects the health of your whole body.  Full mouth reconstruction corrects those nagging imperfections that you might believe are just a part of growing older.  When your bite is off, your jaw's function is stressed and many other ailments can occur.  Don't feel like you have to live with these imperfections!  Not only will full mouth reconstruction eliminate pain and discomfort, but it will also enhance the appearance of your smile.  Treat yourself to a perfect smile.  Get rid of that pain in your neck or the tension in your jaw.  By rehabilitating every tooth in your mouth, you will benefit from amazing looks and better health.  Veneers, crowns, bridges and implants are all methods of modern dentistry to achieve this goal.  Is your answer "yes" to any of these questions?  Have you ever felt embarassed to be around other people because you didn't want to smile?  Has this affected you more than you realize?  Do you find yourself avoiding public situations and making excuses to stay at home?  Are you avoiding the dentist?  A new day is right around the corner!  Whether it's a beautifully simple cosmetic dental procedure or the positive experience of full mouth reconstruction, there is help for you.  Do you know in that in some cases, dental restoration could even rejuvenate your facial features that might have diminished with age? It's possible to see an enhancement of your cheeks and lips as well as a warm, facial glow because of your new smile and winning outlook on life.  The fact that your overall health is improved with good dental practices is an additional bonus!  Remember that your teeth are hardworking body parts.  They are used every day, numerous times a day.  As a result, your teeth are subjected to the natural process of aging and can be neglected.  But there is a rewarding cure.  Full mouth restoration creates a smile that is functional, comfortable, and beautiful.  Mouth rehabilitation is strong and lasting and has a profound impact on your life.  Brighten your world by treating your teeth to a makeover!

Complete dentures are used to replace teeth when there are no teeth remaining.  The teeth are prefabricated acrylic which come in many sizes, shapes, and shades.  They are processed into a custom made acrylic base which is made to intimately and comfortably fit the gum tissue in your mouth.  If your wear illfitting dentures then you know the insecure feeling you get from eating, drinking, and talking.  Your dentures move sideways and backwards and forwards.  However good your dentures may be, they can never be a real substitute for your own teeth.  While the upper denture has a larger support surface area and relies mainly on the palate to provide some form of "suction" or "vacuum" , the lower denture relies on a multitude of contributory factors such as muscle, tongue and lower lip support.  At the first displacement, which is inevitable at some point, a gap opens between the gum and the denture, subsequently lifting up the denture.  Wearing dentures for a number of years causes the underlying surface, the jawbone, to resorb, resulting in " shrinkage of the gum", leading ultimately to illfitting and unstable dentures.  You may benefit from a "relining" of your denture to fit it to your changing bone and gum tissue or in some cases a new denture.

A partial denture is a removable appliance that replaces missing teeth.  It is held in place by your existing teeth.  It is important that these teeth be healthy in order to support your partial; often they may need treatment prior to making the partial.  A partial can restore esthetics and function to your mouth.  Since you lost some teeth you may find it more difficult to chew as well as you used to.  The partial can give you back much of this function, though not as much as natural teeth.  A partial can also help stabilize your remaining teeth.  This stabilization can minimize tooth drift, bite changes, and periodontal problems.

Teeth are often restored using silver or porcelain fillings.  However, when too much of a tooth's structure is removed to support a filling, a crown or "cap" may be needed.  A crown may be needed to : Restore a tooth when it is unable to support a large filling, attach bridges, protect a weak tooth from fracturing or restore fractured teeth, cover badly shaped or discolored teeth, or to cover dental implants.  A crown essentially covers a tooth to restore it to its natural shape and size.  The covering fits over your original tooth to strengthen or improve the appearance of the tooth and can last many years.  Fitting a crown generally requires at least two visits to the dentist's office unless it can be made as a cerec.

Healthy and strong teeth support and maintain your jaw alignment.  That is why when you lose one or more teeth, your remaining teeth may shift, and the ability to chew and speak may be affected.  A fixed bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, eliminating the gap where those teeth had been.  The bridge is cemented onto surrounding teeth for support.  It does not come out like a removable partial.  Regardless of the type of bridge recommended, its success depends on keeping the surrounding teeth healthy and strong.

When a tooth's nerve or pulp area becomes diseased or injured, a special dental procedure called root canal therapy may help you save the tooth.  If the diseased pulp is not removed, your tooth becomes infected and you could lose it and the infection can spread throughout your body.  During a root canal, the dentist removes the pulp, cleans the root canal and seals the canal to protect it.  Once you are healed, your dentist places a crown over the tooth to help make it stronger.  A root canal can be done with little or no discomfort.