In addition to preventative and restorative dentistry, Dr. Albers offers cosmetic dentistry services to his patients. Restorative and cosmetic dentistry often go hand in hand. For example, we sometimes use cosmetic restorations when we fix a damaged tooth. Follow the links below to see detailed information as to cosmetic dental services offered at our office:
Teeth whitening or teeth bleaching is a common, effective, low cost way to brighten your smile. We offer several teeth whitening options at our office.
The most requested teeth whitening procedure at our office involves Dr. Albers making custom trays used to apply a special bleach to the teeth. To start this process, a patient comes to our office for impressions. From the impressions, Dr. Albers prepares custom trays that fit over the teeth and are unique to that patient. At a return appointment, patients place the trays over their teeth (upper and lower) to make sure they fit correctly and comfortably.
Before they leave, patients receive beaching gel to place in the trays before using them at home. We have different concentrations of bleaching gel available. Typically, the stronger the bleach, the less time a patient needs to wear the trays to see results. Some patients, though, find that the stronger gels tend to irritate their gums and/or their teeth, and therefore are more comfortable using weaker strength gels. We tailor each procedure to the needs of the individual patient.
We also offer our patients the option of using pre-made, single use bleaching trays. These trays come pre-packaged with 10 sets trays and use a prescription strength bleaching gel. The trays are a thin film with bleaching gel already in them. Typically, a patient will use an upper and lower tray in the evening for 30-45 minutes, at which point they remove the trays and throw them away. Patients use new trays on consecutive nights until their teeth reach their desired shade. While not as precise as custom teeth whitening trays, this system is a good, cost effective option for many patients.
A third option for teeth whitening is a chair-side bleaching. Here, a patient comes in for one visit and Dr. Albers applies a strong gel to the teeth after taking measures to protect the gums. This is the most expensive of the procedures we offer, but sometimes, patients want a quicker result than they can get from using bleaching trays.
We pride ourselves on working with each patient to find a solution that best serves that patient’s unique situation. Dr. Albers and his staff welcome questions about this minimally invasive cosmetic dental procedure. Mouth Healthy, a website maintaining by the American Dental Association (ADA), has an information article and short video discussing teeth whitening, including answers to commonly asked questions.
Cosmetic dentistry helps patients retain or create smiles they are happy with. There is often a close correlation between restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. When we use cosmetic restorations, we restore function to a tooth and at the same time, create an aesthetically pleasing smile for a patient.
Most of the restorative dental procedures we do in our office can also be cosmetic. For instance, when a patient needs a filling and it happens to be on a tooth towards the front of the mouth, they often choose a composite, or tooth colored filling over a silver-colored amalgam filling. Using a composite filling protects the tooth from further decay (restores its function), but it also provides a more natural appearance for a patient’s smile.
Another example of restorative dentistry being linked with cosmetic dentistry happens when we use our same day crown machine to design and fashion a crown to strengthen and support a tooth rather than using a gold crown. Gold crowns, while strong and durable, don’t have the aesthetic appearance that ceramic crowns have. While Dr. Albers sometimes recommends use of a gold crown, ceramic crowns often provide a good option for patients to restore function to a tooth and to protect it, while at the same time maintaining a natural looking smile.
With cosmetic restorations, when we talk about fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, or dentures, all of these procedures can serve a dual purpose of being both restorative and cosmetic. We provide information and recommendations to patients to help them determine which procedures work best for them.
In 2012 we invested in our first CAD-CAM dental restoration system manufactured by E4D Technologies, LLC (now part of Planmeca). Dr. Albers received in-office training and traveled out of state to learn how to use this innovative technology. It allows us to offer restorations such as same day crowns, veneers, inlays and onlays, made at our office in one appointment. Our patients love the convenience and quality of same day dentistry.
CAD stands for computer-aided design. CAM stands for computer-aided manufacturing. With our same day dentistry system, Dr. Albers uses special tools and software to scan, design, and mill restorations, all within several hours.
CAD-CAM dentistry involves the following steps, some the same and some of which are different than what we used to do:
One of the biggest benefits of same day dentistry is that patients can receive restorations in one appointment. Usually, the appointment is completed within two to three hours. Because everything happens in-house, adjustments are easily made without having to send a restoration back to a dental lab.
There are times when Dr. Albers still recommends the traditional method of preparing a restoration. For instance, if he feels that a gold crown is appropriate (especially molars), he will take a traditional impression and send it to a dental lab. Or, sometimes patients require more involved customization of a high aesthetic restoration. In most cases, though, patients enjoy the convenience of receiving a high quality restoration in one appointment.
Dental veneers are custom-made, thin wafers of either all-ceramic or composite resin that are bonded to the front of teeth. Dentists use them to change the color, shape, size, or length of teeth.
Patients have two options when they come to our office for all-ceramic veneers. Most commonly, Dr. Albers fashions a veneer using our E4D restoration system. Other times, he sends an impression to a dental lab, and they fabricate the veneers.
All-Ceramic Veneers: When a patient comes to our office for all-ceramic veneers, Dr. Albers removes a thin layer of enamel on the front of each tooth. He takes an impression of the teeth and then makes temporary veneers for the patient. We can either send the impressions to our in-office milling unit, or we can send them to a dental lab for processing. When finished, the patient returns for a second appointment. At this time, Dr. Albers bonds the veneers to the teeth.
Composite Veneers: Composite veneers are fashioned from the same material used for composite fillings. Unlike all-ceramic veneers, Dr. Albers does not need to remove enamel from the teeth. He etches the enamel, applies a bonding agent, and then places composite material on the teeth. He works to cover the teeth with a thin layer of composite, then uses a curing light to harden them. Finally, Dr. Albers shapes and polishes the finished product.
Composite veneers can be completed in one appointment. And, while they are less expensive than all-ceramic veneers, they are not as durable and are more susceptible to chipping and staining. For veneers fashioned with our E4D system, patients enjoy the convenience of a single visit, and leave with a high quality, durable all-ceramic veneer. In some cases, such as when a patient wants to lengthen their teeth, Dr. Albers recommends the use of all-ceramic veneers because of their higher strength and durability.
Mouth Healthy, a website maintained by the American Dental Association (ADA), has as a short video and article talking about dental veneers. The video notes that because dentists remove enamel to make way for porcelain veneers, they qualify as an irreversible cosmetic procedure. The video also highlights that patients need to be mindful of foods that can stain veneers, such as coffee and red wine, especially if composite material is used. That said, this cosmetic dental procedure can dramatically improve the appearance of a patient’s teeth and smile.