Cosmetic Procedures

Most people would agree that what is inside a person is more important than outward appearance. But increasingly, we're learning that how you look is also very important because it can have a direct effect on how you feel about yourself. When there is something you don't like about your smile, it can make you feel self-conscious, under confident and unhappy. That's why cosmetic dentistry can have such an important impact on your well-being.

Cosmetic dentistry includes a variety of dental treatments aimed at improving the appearance of the teeth. A little change through cosmetic dentistry can lead to a big change in your life as well as giving your self-esteem a big boost. Different cosmetic procedures that can visually enhance the smile are:

• Bonding
• Bridges
• Crowns
• Enamel reshaping
• Veneers

Bonding

Bonding is the term used when a dentist places a tooth colored filling onto the tooth to repair a fractured tooth, cover up a discoloration on a tooth, or close up a small space or gap between two teeth. Bonding is a simple process that is usually completed in one visit, with bonding, an enamel-like material is applied to the surface of a tooth, and then sculpted, hardened, and polished to create a perfect smile.

Bonding can be a great choice in creating the smile you've always wanted. Dr. Sielicki is an experienced dentist, who has helped enhance many beautiful smiles, using the latest cosmetic dentistry techniques including bonding.

Bridges

Bridges are used to replace one or more teeth. They are permanently fixed to the teeth on either side of the missing tooth.

Bridges are natural in appearance, and if maintained with good oral hygiene, they will last as long as ten years or more. Bridges can reduce your risk of gum disease; help correct some bite issues, even improve your speech and will give you more confidence when you smile.

Fully Restored Lower Arch with Implant Supported Bridge

Crowns

Crowns cover the entire visible surface of your tooth and add strength, durability and tooth stability. Crowns are made with materials that are indistinguishable from your other teeth, giving you a natural feel and look.

Enamel Reshaping

Is there a defect in your smile that always draws your eye in the mirror? A chip in a front tooth, some worn edges, or shallow pits or grooves in the tooth enamel are all minor issues, but they do stand in the way of having a perfect smile. If you suffer from one or more of these problems, they can all be fixed using a procedure called enamel reshaping.

Enamel reshaping involves removing a small amount of enamel to improve the appearance of a tooth or to adjust a person's bite. Enamel reshaping adjustments are minor but important procedures that do not cause any long-term damage to teeth. It is performed quickly with no anesthesia necessary.

Porcelain Veneers

Teeth enamel discoloration can be caused by staining, aging or chemical damage to teeth. Porcelain veneers can cover up discoloration and are also the strongest way to repair a broken portion of your tooth. Porcelain veneers are placed over the front of the tooth to change the color or shape of the tooth. They are ideal for teeth that are too small, too big, or have uneven surfaces. Porcelain veneers solve such irregularities and create a durable and pleasing smile.

Porcelain veneers are as strong as your own teeth and resist future discoloration and chipping. They make a dramatic, immediate difference to your smile and your self-esteem. A smile can be the most eye-catching feature of the face and with porcelain veneers you can smile with complete confidence.

Patient #1
Before	After
Patient #2
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Patient #3
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Patient #4
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Patient #5 Patient had old veneers with decay under them. We restored her smile with new porcelain veneers.
Before	After

Implants

Implants are ideal for replacing missing teeth. Implants are made of titanium and placed directly into your jawbone surgically. Crown, bridge or denture is placed over the implant. The result is a natural looking fixed restoration.

Implants provide you with dental replacements that are both natural looking and very functional and allow you to smile with confidence.

Implant under gum	impression post
Porcelain abutment	Final crown

Lasers

Soft Tissue

There are many benefits from the use of soft tissue laser. For instance, it can remove diseased gum tissue to help prevent gum disease. Additionally, the laser is an excellent tool for use in cosmetic dentistry such as recontouring a "too gummy" smile.

Odyssey

The Odyssey laser provides comfortable, preventive, minimally invasive treatment options. The light from the Odyssey laser's wavelength has been precisely made for soft tissue applications. The light can be focused into a tiny point to do very fine, exact work. It's precision in dental surgery reduces tissue swelling and there is less need for sutures. It is gentle on soft gum tissue and can stop bleeeding from even the tiniest blood vessel. The heat from the laser also has a sterilization effect.

NighTguard

A custom nightguard provides the best retention and will be the most comfortable because they are custom molded to the exact form and shape of your teeth. Nightguards protect crowns & restorations from Bruxism.

NTI-tss device

It’s normal to clench your jaws when you sleep, but too much of it can cause severe conditions like migraines, chronic headaches, and TMJ pain.

This is why we offer the NTI-tss device to help reduce this type of pain. It is the only FDA-approved dental appliance for preventing headache pain. The NTI-tss device is small, nearly invisible, and removable device that you can wear during sleep. As an option, it may even be fitted to wear all day long. The NTI-tss device is custom-fitted and will help to prevent the tooth surfaces from ever coming into intense contact. This will help to eliminate high intensity clenching and muscular irritation, factors that cause migraine pain, TMJ, and chronic headaches.

Our doctors at Sonoran Dental Design can help you determine what is best for your condition.

PERIODONTAL THERAPY

Periodontal (gum) disease develops when bacteria attacks the tissues that surround and support the teeth. Luckily, this type of infection can be treated in the early stages with a treatment call scaling and root planning. This involves cleaning the tooth below the gum and smoothing the tooth root, although treatment depends on how far the condition has progressed. Gingivitis is the earliest stage of the disease, where the gums become red, swollen, and bleed easily, whereas Periodontitis – the more advanced stage – entails damage to the gums, bone, and other structures. Should periodontal disease not be treated, you may put yourself at risk for tooth loss.

What causes it? Even for people who brush between their teeth everyday, plaque can sprout up and cling to the teeth and gums. When it is not completely removed, especially around the gumline, the bacteria in plaque will release toxins that cause injury to the gums and underlying bone.

Prevention is key. A good oral hygiene routine at home, such as brushing twice a day and cleaning between teeth once a day with floss or an interdental cleaner, as well as regular dental checkups, can help to detect developing periodontal disease.

Schedule an appointment with one of our dentists if you notice any of the following warning signs (per the American Dental Association):

Gums that bleed easily
Red, swollen or tender gums
Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
Pus between the teeth and gums when the gums are pressed
Persistent teeth that are loose or separating
Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
Any changes in the fit of partial dentures

Adopting good oral hygiene patterns every day will help to reduce the risk of recurring periodontal disease.

Sealants

Sealants are a safe and painless way of protecting your children's teeth from dental decay. A sealant is a protective plastic coating, which is applied to the biting surfaces of the back teeth. The sealants form a hard shield that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves in the teeth and causing decay.

Sealants are only applied to the back teeth — the molars and premolars — as these are the teeth that have the pits and fissures on their biting surfaces. Some teeth naturally form with deep grooves, and will need to be sealed, others with shallow ones, will not need sealing. The process is usually quick and straight forward, taking only a few minutes per tooth. Sealants are totally pain free, and the teeth do not feel any different afterwards. Good oral hygiene is still an absolute necessity but the sealants reduce tooth decay and therefore reduce the number of fillings your child might need.

Chewing surface of a molar before sealant is applied.	The tooth surface is etched with a mild solution to help the sealant adhere.	Chewing surface of a olar protected by a shaded sealant.

Toothprints

A great concern parents today is that their child may become lost or abducted.  Dental records have historically been the primary basis for child identification. However the successful reduction of tooth decay has left many children with no cavities and, therefore no dental records. Toothprints is a technology used to create a reliable means of identification.  

Developed by a Pediatric Dentist, Toothprints is a simple technique for documenting unique tooth characteristics, tooth positions and jaw relationships.  It also provides a saliva-borne DNA sample.  These are all valuable markers that can be used to provide accurate identification.

Toothprints is a mouth-shaped wafer that comfortably records a registration of a child's bite in less than a minute.  This wafer together with a swab of saliva from the child's cheek, is sealed in plastic provided to the parents for safe keeping.  Because Toothprints captures saliva it may be useful for scent-dog tracking.  A Toothprints dental ID takes very little time; it's comfortable for children and will help to give you peace of mind.

Zoom2 Whitening

There are many causes for tooth discoloration. The most common include aging and consumption of staining substances such as coffee, tea, colas, tobacco, and red wine. During tooth formation consumption of tetracycline, certain antibiotics or excessive fluoride may also cause tooth discoloration.

Zoom2 Whitening is a beaching process that lightens discoloration of teeth enamel. It is safe effective and fast. In just over an hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter. Zoom2 whitening is ideal for anyone looking for immediate results. Teeth typically become at least five to eight shades whiter. The convenience of Zoom2 Whitening in comparison to days of wearing trays and gradual whitening makes it the perfect choice for the busy individual.

You should come and see Dr. Sielicki about Zoom2 Whitening and take your first step to feeling good, looking great and making memorable impression every time you smile.