Cosmetic Dentistry

Veneers offer a natural-looking solution to improve the appearance of your smile. A veneer is a thin layer of material placed over a tooth, either to improve the aesthetics of a tooth that is chipped, discolored, worn, or out of proportion. The customized, wafer-thin veneers are affixed directly onto the front of the tooth, resulting in a natural appearance that covers any irregularities or aesthetic concerns.

Tooth whitening is a common cosmetic dentistry procedure that provides effective results to brighten stained or dull teeth. According to the FDA, whitening restores natural tooth color and bleaching whitens beyond the natural color.

At Englander Dental, we can make you customized trays to apply professional strength whitening gel. To apply the gel, squeeze a drop into the tray for each tooth surface. Whitening gels vary in strength, so be sure to follow the directions given to you by Dr. Manuel Englander. In as little as 20 minutes a day for one week, you will see results. This process can erase most stains from coffee drinking and tobacco, as well as tooth yellowing associated with aging, producing a brilliant, bright white smile.

Tooth bonding is the application of a tooth-colored resin material using adhesives and a high intensity curing light. The procedure gets its name because materials are bonded to the tooth. Often times bonding is used as a cosmetic alternative to amalgam fillings, or to protect a portion of the tooth’s root that has been exposed when gums recede.

Bonding is typically used for cosmetic purposes to improve the appearance of a discolored or chipped tooth. It is also used to close spaces between teeth, to make teeth look longer or to change the shape or color of teeth. Recent advances in materials coupled with advanced techniques have meant that cosmetic bonding is becoming more effective and popular than ever before. In the hands of an experienced cosmetic dentist, like Dr. Manuel Englander, that means you can get fast results and a natural-looking solution smile.

Tooth contouring is also referred to as “tooth reshaping” or “dental sculpting”. It offers an instant cosmetic fix for quickly repairing chipped teeth, crooked teeth, teeth that overlap one another, and uneven or irregular teeth.

Contouring can also give you a more comfortable bite, which can relieve jaw muscles that may have been stressed due to improper alignment. These procedures can usually be completed in one session, or can be slowly performed over the course of a number of shorter sessions to slowly phase in the changes to your mouth’s appearance.

A crown, or cap as some people call it, is a tooth restoration for many purposes. A crown is a tooth-like restoration that is used to cover up the tooth. The existing tooth is smoothed down on the top and sides to make room for a crown to fit. The dentist then takes an impression or model of the tooth. It is then mailed to a lab where the crown is made. In the meantime, the patient goes home with a temporary crown that looks and feels like the final crown. At a second appointment, typically two weeks later, the crown is cemented to the existing tooth. Crowns can be all porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or gold. It is important to talk to your dentist to find out what is best for your mouth.

Crowns are recommended for a number of reasons. Broken teeth, misaligned teeth, root canal treated teeth, teeth badly worn, and enamel defects can all be corrected. The most common reason for a crown is for a tooth that breaks because of a large existing filling. When a large filling is placed, it compromises the strength of the tooth. To prevent it from breaking, a crown is placed that will protect the tooth. Crowns have been a common procedure for many years and they last a very long time with good home care and professional cleanings.

A bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth in a patient’s mouth. A bridge is an extension of a crown because the procedure is a lot the same. A tooth on each side of the missing tooth space is smoothed down on the tops and side. An impression is taken from which a model is fabricated. The model is then used by the dental lab to fabricate the bridge. In the meantime, the patient is sent home with a temporary bridge. It is possible to replace numerous missing teeth, but the dentist needs to do a thorough exam to determine what the best option is.

A bridge is a fixed dental restoration used to replace a missing tooth by joining an artificial tooth permanently to adjacent teeth or dental implants. Types of bridges may vary, depending upon how they are fabricated and the way they anchor to the adjacent teeth. Conventionally, bridges are made using the indirect method of restoration. However, bridges can be fabricated directly in the mouth using such materials as composite resin.

Other tooth replacement solutions include:

• Dental implants
• Dentures

Implants are an amazing treatment option to replace missing teeth. A titanium post is placed into the bone and fuses into place. A crown is then placed on top of the post. It looks exactly like a real tooth and nobody will notice the difference. It also functions like a real tooth and you will never notice the difference. The great thing about implants is there success rate. They are truly the best treatment option when it comes to replacing a missing tooth. They don’t involve cutting on the adjacent teeth like a bridge. They also have a longer life span than a fixed bridge.

Another use for implants is to anchor a denture into place. Sometimes dentures have poor retention due to a lack of bone present to retain them. In these cases, implants are placed into the bone. Special attachments are screwed into the implant. These attachments match attachment units on the denture to help anchor the denture. They help give stability to the denture so that they function better.

When you are faced with a missing tooth, you have a few options to consider. Modern dental prosthetics offer viable solutions for people regardless of age and budget. Many people choose dental implants because they are totally secure and no other teeth need to be treated to replace the missing tooth. Bridges and dentures are also popular alternatives.

Dr. Manuel Englander is very experienced in this area and has helped many people in the Edina area solve their tooth loss situations.

Prosthodontics, (also known as dental prosthetics or prosthetic dentistry), is the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes.

Tooth replacement options include:

• Dental Implants
• Bridges
• Dentures