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Cosmetic Dentistry:
Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of a person's teeth, mouth, and smile, while also maintaining the health and function of the teeth. Cosmetic dentistry tends to improve a patient’s self-image – resulting in a positive emotional and psychological impact on the person’s life.
There are many new dental procedures and techniques used in cosmetic dentistry. They can include:
- Porcelain veneers and inlays to correct broken/cracked, mismatched teeth, or correct gaps between teeth
- Laser dentistry to fix "gummy" smiles
- Dental implants to replace missing teeth
- Teeth whitening for stained and discolored teeth
- Tooth colored fillings to replace ugly silver amalgam fillings
- Non-metal crowns to replace old crowns that show black lines
Drs. Scott and Jill Smolarek can develop a customized cosmetic treatment plan that is right for your smile. Schedule a consult at Smolarek Dentistry today!
Dental Crowns:
A dental crown is tooth-shaped cap that restores a tooth’s strength, shape and appearance. The crown is permanently cemented over the tooth and covers the visible portion of the tooth above and right at the gum line.
Crowns are used to cover broken or fractured teeth and strengthen teeth that are weak. Crowns are also used to reinforce large fillings, attach a dental bridge, or cover discolored or deformed teeth. Additionally, crowns are cemented over dental implants.
Generally, two visits are necessary to install a dental crown. First, the dentist will prepare the tooth or implant for the crown. The tooth will be ground down and shaped so that the crown can be fitted over it. Next, an impression of tooth and surrounding gums is taken and sent to a dental laboratory so that the crown can be created. The dentist will fit a temporary crown over the tooth, until the permanent crown is ready. During the second visit, the temporary crown will be removed and the permanent crown cemented onto the tooth.
Crowns generally last between five to eight years, and with proper care most crowns last longer. Certain habits such as fingernail biting, chewing ice, and grinding teeth can do damage to the crown, and should be avoided.
Schedule a visit at Smolarek Dentistry today and see how we can change your smile with a dental crown.
Dental Bridges:
A dental bridge is a permanent dental restoration that replaces missing teeth. In the center of the bridge is a false tooth or “pontic” that will fill the gap left by the missing tooth. The dental bridge is secured to adjacent teeth or dental crowns.
Bridges can be fabricated out of metal, porcelain or porcelain fused to metal. There are several different types of dental bridges:
- Traditional bridge – the pontic or false tooth is centered between two crowns.
- Resin bonded – this bridge is ideal when the missing teeth are in the front of the mouth. Also known as a "Maryland" bridge, the pontic is fused to metal bands, which are then bonded to the back of the teeth on either side of the gap.
- Cantilever – a type of bridge that is attached to only one tooth on either side of the tooth gap.
Root Canal Treatment:
The root canal is the hollow space in the center of the tooth. It contains nerve tissue that gives the tooth the ability to feel hot and cold. There may be up to four canals in the human tooth. When the root pulp is affected by cavity decay or fractures, pain usually results from the increase in blood flow and cellular activity of the tooth. If left untreated, bacteria will multiply in the tooth and can cause the pulp to die. Without treatment the pain can get worse, and infection can spread, causing complications and abscess.
During root canal therapy, the dentist must first remove the decayed or dead pulp, and clean out the root canal. The dentist will re-shape the canal and if necessary apply medication to kill infection-causing bacteria. Once all infection has been cleared, the canal will be filled with gutta percha (a rubber-like material). The tooth then will be permanently sealed with porcelain or a permanent crown. Root canal therapy can take up to three sessions, depending upon the tooth’s condition.
Don't put off treatment any longer. Schedule a consult with Smolarek Dentistry, and let us assist you with your dental needs.
Implant Dentistry:
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root surgically anchored into the jaw. It secures a replacement tooth or bridge in place. Implants are stable, permanent and do not rely on neighboring teeth for support. Dental implants function and feel like natural tooth roots.
Implants replace the inconvenience and hassle of dentures, which can slide around and feel uncomfortable. The implant is placed directly into the jawbone to support permanently cemented bridges and crowns, making denture adhesive a thing of the past. Implants can be made from several different types of metallic and bone-like ceramic materials that are compatible with body tissue.
Implant procedures can be performed right in the dental office with local anesthesia. The dentist performs surgery to anchor the artificial root into the patient’s jawbone. The healing process can take up to six months. Once fully healed, crowns or bridges are custom fabricated, fitted and secured to the artificial root.
Schedule a visit with Drs. Scott and Jill Smolarek at Smolarek Dentistry and find out if dental implants fit your needs.
Complete & Partial Dentures
A denture is a prosthetic device that replaces several or all teeth and adjacent tissues. Dentures are made of acrylic resin, sometimes combined with metal. Conventional dentures are removable; dentures supported by dental implants are fixed. Dentures can be either partial or complete. Partial dentures are made up of artificial teeth on a wire framework. A partial denture serves to fills in the spaces made by missing teeth and prevents the remaining teeth from shifting position in the jaw. Complete dentures are used to replace all the teeth on the upper or lower arch.
There are two types of complete dentures:
- Immediate denture - is fitted onto the gums as soon as the teeth are surgically removed. One disadvantage of an immediate denture is that realignment may be necessary after the gums have healed, due to gum shrinkage.
- Conventional denture - is fitted onto the gums after the gums have had a period of time to heal after surgery.
Properly fitting dentures can take as many as five dental visits. First, the dentist takes an impression of the gums and a wax bite - these are necessary to determine the vertical dimensions and proper jaw position. The dentist may also make a trial denture for the patient to make sure of the right shape and color as well as proper fit. Once the final denture is place, additional visits for adjustments are usually needed to ensure that the denture fits comfortably and correctly.
Tooth Whitening:
Tooth stains can be divided into two categories – extrinsic tooth stains and intrinsic tooth stains. The extrinsic or external stains are on the surface of the teeth. The intrinsic or internal stains are present on the inside of the teeth. Extrinsic stains are usually yellow or brown in color. Internal stains are usually gray or blue in color. These are harder to remove than extrinsic stains.
Tooth staining can occur from numerous causes including:
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Tooth whitening is a process that bleaches the enamel to lighten and remove tooth discoloration and stains from teeth. Many dentists consider the teeth bleaching process the safest cosmetic procedure available today. Under the supervision of your dentist, whitening teeth with carbamide peroxide and/or hydrogen peroxide is safe for both teeth and gums. These whiteners usually come in a gel form and are applied by the use of a custom-fitted mouth guard, which Drs. Scott and Jill Smolarek will make for you.
If you are a candidate for tooth whitening, you should consider chair side tooth whitening at Smolarek Dentistry. Sessions generally take from 30 minutes to one hour. The dental office can also provide you with a bleaching kit for home use. Drs. Scott and Jill Smolarek can develop a customized cosmetic treatment plan that is right for your smile. Schedule a consult at Smolarek Dentistry today!
Family & General Dentistry:
Smolarek Dentistry is dedicated to general and family dentistry. As your primary dental care providers, Drs. Scott and Jill Smolarek are responsible for the general diagnosis, treatment, and management of dental services for everyone in your entire family. They are highly educated and trained on all dental procedures and will consult with you for the best course of treatment for your dental needs.
At Smolarek Dentistry, we offer the following services:
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Periodontics - Gum Disease
Periodontics is the dental specialty involved with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease. The disease, also known as gum disease, is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Usually caused by bacterial plaque, gum disease is the major cause of adult tooth loss. If left untreated, bacterial plaque will harden to form tartar. Tartar is a rough, porous mineral buildup that forms at and underneath the gum line. Tartar excretes the toxins that cause gum inflammation, resulting in the development of periodontal pockets that retain even more toxins and bacteria.
Ignoring this condition can lead to the loosening of the teeth, and as the condition worsens the accumulated toxins and bacteria move deeper into the jaw to destroy the bone that holds the tooth in place, eventually resulting in the loss of teeth.
Signs of gum disease include:
- Red, inflamed gums
- Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
- Receding gums
- Loose or separating teeth
- Pus between the gum and tooth
- Chronic halitosis
Periodontics is the focus in treatment of gum disease. Gum disease is reversible if caught while in the early stages. The dentist will scale the tooth to remove plaque and calculus, and plane the tooth roots to smooth them. The dentist may also prescribe antibiotics to clear up any infection or inflammation. Advanced cases may require the dentist to surgically trim the gums, remove the hardened plaque build-up, and re-contour the damaged bone.
Routine periodontal cleanings are an important step in maintaining your dental health. We also provide education on proper oral hygiene activities such as brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash. Schedule regular dental cleanings at Smolarek Dentistry to prevent accumulation of plaque and tartar above and below the gums.
Porcelain Veneers:
A porcelain veneer is a thin shell of ceramic material that covers the natural tooth surface. Veneers are used to cover discoloration and defects by changing the size, color and shape of the teeth. Porcelain veneers can also be used for crowns for the front teeth.
Today's veneers can be mounted using little or no anesthesia. Porcelain veneers are very resistant to staining, and last for years. The dentist will first prepare the tooth by removing half a millimeter of the natural tooth, to allow for the thickness of the veneer. Next, the dentist will take a mold of the teeth, and the veneers will be fabricated from the mold. Finally, the veneers are permanently bonded or to the natural tooth.
TMJ Treatment:
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that makes it possible to chew. This joint allows your jaw to open and close, and allows jaw movement forward, backward, and sideways. The TMJ only works properly if the lower jaw and its movements are synchronized.
Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) relates to pain in the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. TMJ is a complex disorder and its treatment covers dentistry, neurology, and even psychiatry. TMD is a condition caused by strenuous physical activities, stressful situations, overuse of the muscles, and grinding of the teeth. TMD affects jaw muscles, the temporomandibular joint, and nerves where movements become out of synch. These habits wear out the jaw muscles and lead to headache or neck pain. It can also result in sensitive teeth, injured soft tissues, muscle soreness, jaw discomfort, and headaches. Other symptoms include difficulty opening and closing your mouth, and the jaw locking when you talking, yawning or eating.
TMD is treatable. A nighttime mouth guard will help stop the patient’s teeth grinding. More severe cases can treated with physical therapy, ice and hot packs, and posture training. At Smolarek Dentistry, Drs. Scott and Jill Smolarek can recommend the right therapy for you.
Invisalign®:
Invisalign® is an orthodontic treatment that is a convenient alternative to traditional braces. Unlike traditional braces, there are no uncomfortable, ugly metal wires or bands, and they are virtually invisible. Invisalign works through the use of a series of clear teeth aligners. These aligners are custom-molded for each patient, and are changed approximately every two weeks. The aligners gradually reposition the teeth little by little until they are perfectly aligned.
The advantage of Invisalign® is that they may be removed to eat, brush and floss. They are convenient and easy to use. Schedule a visit to Smolarek Dentistry to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign®.
Orthodontics:
Orthodontic dentistry focuses on the prevention and correction of irregularities of the teeth. Teeth and jaws that are positioned incorrectly are treated with the help of orthodontics. Crooked teeth are difficult to clean and they increase the stress on chewing muscles. This leads to neck and back pain. Correctable orthodontic disorders can include crossbites, open bites, overbites, overjets and underbites. Orthodontic treatment helps to align the teeth, improve appearance, and increase the life of the teeth. Once treatment has finished, either a fixed or removable retaining device can be custom fitted to ensure that your beautiful new smile stays in place.
Schedule a consult with Drs. Scott and Jill Smolarek today - we can evaluate your orthodontic needs!
Dental Bonding:
Dental bonding has many applications, including restoration of chipped, broken or decayed teeth, reshaping or whitening, filling in gaps between the teeth. Bonding can also be used to attach bridges, and orthodontic appliances and fillings onto the teeth.
First, a soft composite resin filling is first scooped onto the teeth. The dentist will sculpt, and shape the composite filling. Next, a high intensity light is applied to the resin, which hardens the material. Finally, the dentist polishes the surface to obtain natural looking appearance that blends with the tooth.
