Teeth tend to darken naturally with aging. However, teeth also retain stains from colored beverages, fruits, and tobacco use. When over-the-counter whitening strips fail to remove the discolorations on the teeth a dentist can supervise the use of a whitening gel that is safely applied with custom bleaching trays. This method usually avoids the hypersensitivity that usually follows the more intense "laser" or "light activated" bleaching techniques.

An onlay is used to rebuild a tooth that has damage to one or more cusp. It is like a partial crown that "overlays" and restores the chewing surface of the tooth. This treatment helps to restore optimal shape and function while saving as much of the natural tooth as possible.

After a tooth can no longer support a full crown the extraction space can be immediately restored with a temporary removable partial denture that is commonly called a "flipper" because it tends loosen over time an easily flips into and out of the space. Since it is a plastic appliance it is relatively inexpensive and functions like an orthodontic retainer until a permanent solution can be pursued.

A bridge is used to replace one or two missing. Healthy adjacent teeth on either side of the missing tooth or teeth are called abutments, and they utilized to support the pontics (middle teeth) that span across the edentulous space. It typically requires two to four appointments to complete the process of preparing, cementing and adjusting the proper fit of the bridge.

One or two dental implants can be placed in the jawbone to improve the retention and chewing ability of existing or new partial or full dentures. Internal attachments are embedded into the denture and "snap" onto the dental implants. This eliminates the need for dental adhesives.

More than 50% of adults grind their teeth or clench their jaw muscles during dream sleep. Research indicates this phenomenon, called bruxism, is usually a physical reaction to emotional stress. Since TMD is a self-limiting condition the management of the associated headaches, and jaw muscle and joint symptoms involves soft diet, NSAIDs, physical therapy for jaw muscles, and possibly a special occlusal (night guard) appliance.

A composite resin is a synthetic material used to restore a tooth to its natural shape and normal function while also mimicking its natural shade.

Veneers cover the front surface of a tooth, and are typically done to improve the appearance of a tooth or several teeth involving a patient's smile. Veneers usually require two or three appointments to complete.

An implant supported crown is like a "bionic tooth" which can be place after the extraction socket heals to restore the esthetics and function of your missing tooth. It is a single restoration that uses a dental implant as the tooth root, which supports a porcelain crown. It typically requires a few appointments to complete this process.

Using dental implants to support your bridge provides a stable permanent solution to replace the missing teeth by mimicking their root structure. It also allows you to replace multiple missing teeth when it may not be feasible to place multiple implants that would allow for individual restorations.

There are two categories of patients who want better chewing function than is possible to accomplish with "false" teeth: individuals who already lost their teeth and are using a full denture, and individuals who are faced with losing their remaining teeth due to advanced decay and gum disease. Two-stage process - Dental implants can be placed into the jawbone and the patient continues to wear the existing full denture. A second minor surgical procedure is performed six months later to attach abutments to the implants. Then four to six appointments are required to fabricate the new fixed (non-removable) hybrid prosthesis (bridge). The stability of the hybrid prothesis improves appearance and self- along with chewing and speech function. One-stage process - The one-stage process is commonly described as the "All-on-4" concept or "Teeth in a Day." This is a complex process involving several appointments; however, it eliminates the need for most patients to wear a removable full denture during the six-month healing phase. A full denture is fabricated along with a surgical guide, the oral surgeon removes the remaining teeth and places four to six dental implants at the same time, and the plastic denture is modified and attached to the dental implants the same day. Six months later the plastic temporary bridge is converted to a "permanent" hybrid prosthesis Implant-retained hybrid fixed dentures are a combination of a full denture and fixed bridge. They are replacement teeth and gums, mounted in a base made of pink resin formed over a metal structure to create a precise fit over the existing gums, and are secured to the jawbone with four to six dental implants. In addition to providing a solid foundation for the prosthesis, which optimizes eating and speaking, it also helps prevent the shrinking of the jawbone that is caused by a full denture.

An inlay is used to restore your tooth in a more durable manner than a traditional filling. An inlay is typically made of ceramic, composite resin, metal, or gold.

When a tooth's structure is compromised, a crown rebuilds it. A crown is usually made of ceramic or a composite material. A conventional crown generally requires two or three appointments to complete.

Removable partial dentures with a metal framework are a reasonable option to replace missing teeth. They provide improved esthetics by replacing the missing teeth, and slightly improved overall function for eating and speech. It will typically take multiple appointments to complete this process. Removable partial dentures are an appliance placed in the mouth containing replacement teeth typically mounted in a base made of a pink gum-colored resin formed over a wire frame. They are designed to be removable without the assistance of a dental professional.

For patients requiring replacement of all teeth in the upper and/or lower arch of the mouth, removable dentures are an excellent treatment option. They provide improved esthetics by replacing the missing teeth in the mouth, and improved overall function for eating and speech. Removable dentures are a prosthesis placed in the mouth containing replacement teeth, typically mounted in a base made of a pink gum-colored resin formed to an exact fit over your existing gums. They are designed to be removable without the assistance of a dental professional.

For patients experiencing tooth wear due to night-time grinding (bruxism) and jaw muscle clenching, your doctor may recommend an occlusal appliance, commonly called a nightguard or bite splint, to help alleviate the complications associated with this para-functional habit. It is also common for tooth wear to be associated with certain underlying airway or breathing conditions, so your doctor may discuss this with you as well. An occlusal appliance is a device that is worn on the teeth during sleep, like an orthodontic retainer, to create a barrier between your upper and lower teeth. This barrier helps prevent excessive wear or fractures in the teeth, or overloading of the jaw joints.

For some patients experiencing obstructive sleep apnea, your sleep physician may recommend an oral sleep appliance to help alleviate the underlying symptoms and complications associated with it. Symptoms of sleep apnea can include excessive daytime sleepiness, depression, high blood pressure, and nighttime teeth grinding. A sleep appliance is a device that is worn in the mouth overnight, designed to position the lower jaw slightly forward, thereby bringing the tongue forward, and expanding the throat in a way that keeps your airway open to facilitate unobstructed breathing while you are asleep.