Cosmetic Treatments

Invisalign®

Are your teeth crowded or crooked? Do you wish for a straighter, more radiant smile? Ask our dentists about Invisalign®. Invisalign is the leading brand of clear aligners. Clear aligners are a set of tight-fitting retainers that are custom made to slip over your teeth. These aligners gently straighten your teeth over time. Every two weeks, our dentist will provide you with the next set of clear aligners.

To create your customized Invisalign treatment plan, our dentist will take X-rays, pictures, and impressions of your teeth. Invisalign will make a digital 3D image of your teeth using these items, and our dentist will map out a treatment plan using the 3D image. Treatment time is generally about a year for adults, but individual cases may vary. For teens, treatment time is usually about the same as braces. Your comfortable, custom-made aligners are then made. Wear them throughout the day, removing to eat, brush, and floss. Our dentist will supply you with your next set of aligners about every two weeks. Our dentist will check your progress about every six weeks.

Feel free to contact our dental office today to learn more and to schedule your next appointment.

Microabrasion

Do your teeth have brown or white staining? Has teeth whitening failed to successfully bleach your teeth? Our dentists may recommend microabrasion. Brown or white staining is usually the result of a decalcification process or of a defect that began during tooth formation. For instance, fluorosis, too much fluoride intake when the tooth was developing, may cause brown staining that is within the tooth’s enamel layer. In most cases, these types of stains noticeably lighten with bleaching, but they are not removed without further treatment.

Microabrasion uses a mixture of hydrochloric acid and pumice, an abrasive. This solution is rubbed onto the surface of the teeth until the outer layers of the tooth enamel where the stains are located are abraded away. A smooth, stain-free enamel surface will remain. Testing has shown that the resulting surface resists cavities than the original.

To perform this procedure, our dentist will first isolate the teeth with a rubber dam to protect your gums from the acid solution. The solution is applied to the teeth and rubbed away manually or with a rubber cub. Once a few layers of enamel are removed, the solution is rinsed away and the teeth are evaluated. This process is repeated until the stain is gone.

To learn more and to schedule your next appointment, contact our dental office today.