COSMETIC DENTISTRY

At some point some of us just want a better smile. We may have grown up with a healthy attitude towards dentistry but through circumstance or self esteem issues we want a smile to be proud of.

ZOOM™ WHITENING

Most bleaching products are peroxide-based and are actually capable of altering the colours of the tooth itself. However, not all tooth discolourations respond to Zoom™ whitening treatment. Because of this, Dr. Ed will have to determine the cause of your tooth discolouration and determine whether a Zoom™ treatment will have the desired result. This step is especially important for patients with fillings, root canal treatments, crowns and/or with extremely dark stains on the anterior teeth, who are looking to brighten their smile.

A number of different bleaching techniques and products are available to patients. Dr. Ed will use one of these methods to whiten your teeth:

Vital bleaching is done on “living” teeth and can be used to whiten your teeth if they have become stained by food or tobacco, or if they have become dark with age.

We have several options depending on your situation including in office bleaching, take home mouth guards and bleaching toothpastes not available to the general public. AEIR Dental uses the in-office Zoom™ Tooth Whitening System that is a fast (60 minute) solution to dark, stained teeth.

Non-vital bleaching is bleaching done on teeth that are no longer “alive.” If your tooth has changed colour because of a root canal, non-vital bleaching can lighten your tooth from the inside out.

*Bleaching should be done only under a dentist’s care.

DENTAL IMPLANTS

Dental implants are the best option to replace missing teeth. They are anchored into your mouth and are permanent. Unlike bridges, no teeth need to be prepared or shaved down. An implant consists of 3 parts. First a titanium screw is surgically placed into the jaw, which acts like the root of a missing tooth. Three to four months later, an abutment (post) is placed on top of the implant screw and finally a crown, bridge or denture is cemented on top of that. Implants are a great option for one or multiple missing teeth to ensure your smile is at its finest.

Implants allow you to laugh, bite, and chew just as you would with your natural teeth. Currently it is our most conservative approach to replacing missing teeth.

DENTAL CROWNS

A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface, restoring it to its original size and shape. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be adequately restored with fillings or other types of restorations.

At AEIR Dental our crowns are constructed by a specially trained dental lab technician that can custom stain a porcelain crown to match with your teeth. We also offer other materials for crowns including gold and zirconia.

When you lose a tooth or teeth, it has an impact on your remaining teeth which tend to “drift” out of position. This leads to crooked teeth, a change in your bite, possible gum disease, tooth decay and the potential to lose more teeth.

This procedure takes 2 appointments and teeth are also prepared or shaped at the 1st appointment. A crown(s) will approximately take one week to complete and in the meantime we will build you a temporary crown to maintain your smile.

Ask us about dental tattoos for your new crown.

BRIDGES

A bridge consists of two crowns that go over two anchoring teeth ‘abutments’ and which are attached to artificial teeth ‘pontics’ filling the gap created by one or more missing teeth – preventing the “drifting” of the remaining teeth. A bridge does exactly what its name means, it “bridges” the space left by a missing tooth or teeth. A bridge is permanently cemented in your mouth so there is no need for removal at night.

At AEIR Dental our bridges are constructed by a specially trained dental lab technician who can custom stain the bridge to match with your teeth.

This procedure takes 2 appointments and teeth are prepped or shaved down during the 1st appointment and the final bridge is fitted during the second appointment. A bridge will approximately take one week to complete and in the meantime we will build you a temporary bridge to maintain your smile.

VENEERS

Veneers are very thin shells that are attached to the front part of teeth. They are often made of porcelain or composite resin. Porcelain veneers are stronger than composite resin veneers and do not change colour or stain. Generally, porcelain veneers take at least 2 dental visits to apply and composite resin veneers can be done in one visit. Porcelain veneers generally last longer than composite resin veneers.

If it is decided porcelain veneers are your best option Dr. Ed may give you a local anesthetic (freezing). He will then remove a thin layer of the enamel from your tooth to make room for the veneer. An impression of your tooth is made and it is used to custom-make your porcelain veneer. In the meantime, a temporary veneer may be placed on your tooth to replace the portion of the tooth that was removed. This is worn until your porcelain veneer is ready. Temporary veneers are very fragile and need to be treated gently during eating and cleaning as they come loose very easily. On your next visit, the temporary veneer is removed and a mild chemical is placed on your tooth to make it a little rough. This helps porcelain veneers stick to your teeth better. The porcelain veneer is then bonded to your tooth using composite resin cement. Ask Dr. Ed if this is an option for you.

INVISALIGN™

Invisalign™ uses a series of transparent, removable, and comfortable aligners that are virtually unnoticeable. Invisalign™ lets you smile more during treatment as well as after. Invisalign™ is made with 3-D computer imaging technology and has been proven effective.

Not only are the aligners nearly invisible, but they are also removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment. Brushing and flossing are no problem. Further, they are comfortable because there is no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment – and, no metal and wires means you spend less time in your doctor’s office getting adjustments. Simply remove your Invisalign™ trays, eat, floss, brush, then replace them once complete.

The flexibility of Invisalign™ also allows you to remove your trays for longer durations of time. If you are on vacation and feel you will be eating and drinking throughout the day, Invisalign™ allows you to remove your trays during the day and wear them only at night if you wish. This means you will wear this set of trays longer than you normally would, but at the same time giving you the flexibility to enjoy life, yet allowing for a more relaxed straightening schedule.

Invisalign™ also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start, so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

How does Invisalign™ work?

You wear each set of aligners for about one to two weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move – little by little, week by week — until they have straightened to their final positions. You’ll visit us about once every four to six weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages 9-15 months, and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30; however, both treatment time and the number of aligners needed will vary from case to case. But still a far shorter period than braces. And more aesthetic.

Am I a good candidate for Invisalign™?

We sure hope so, but unfortunately, clear braces are not always a viable option for everyone’s teeth. They are best used to correct mild to moderate alignment problems. If your teeth are very misaligned, or there are other complications you may need traditional metal braces or other cosmetic dentistry procedures.

Dr. Ed can help you address any dental problems that are keeping you from being a candidate for Invisalign™ or can otherwise help you determine an aesthetic dentistry plan that will allow you to see the best results possible.

Will Invisalign™ fit my lifestyle?

• Time for a snack? No problem. Take out your aligners to eat or drink whenever you want.
• Since Invisalign™ is virtually invisible, chances are that no one will even notice anything is different – until your new smile is revealed, of course.
• You can remove your Invisalign™ aligners, so you can brush and floss regularly to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
• You can occasionally remove your Invisalign™ aligners and enjoy a special night out.
• There’s no need to change a thing. Continue your day-to-day activities while still straightening your teeth.
• Be yourself with Invisalign™. Since it’s clear, you don’t have to hide your smile while going through treatment.
• With Invisalign™, it’s easy to make your smile picture perfect for that special occasion.
• Invisalign™ appointments work with your schedule. Most visits are in and out, with a quick progress check once every 4-6 weeks.

What’s the primary benefit of Invisalign™?

Invisalign™ aligners are clear. No one may even notice that you’re wearing Invisalign™, making them a seamless fit with your lifestyle and day-to-day interactions with others. Invisalign™ is removable. Unlike braces, you have the flexibility to remove the aligners so that you can eat and drink what and when you want during treatment. You can also remove the aligners to brush and floss as you normally would for fresh breath and good oral hygiene. Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign™ does not use metal brackets or wires that could cause irritation to your mouth. In addition, you’ll spend less time in the doctor’s chair and having to schedule appointments and more time out doing the things you love. Lastly, Invisalign™ allows you to view your virtual results and treatment plan before you start your treatment, so you can preview how your straight teeth will look once your treatment is complete.

How many patients are being treated with Invisalign™?

More than 2,600,000 patients worldwide have been treated with Invisalign™. The number of Invisalign™ smiles grows daily. At your next appointment, we can help answer any questions you might have, and get you started on the smile you’ve always wanted.

How much does Invisalign™ cost?

There are many factors that determine the cost of your Invisalign™ treatment: how extensive the issues you want corrected, how long your treatment plan will last, and the specific treatment details prescribed by the doctor.

We strive to make Invisalign™ affordable to everyone.

Do I pay everything up front?

No, but you can. We usually ask for some upfront and then organize a monthly plan. The payment options we accept are as follows:

• Debit, Visa or MasterCard
• Low Monthly Payment Plans – Designed specifically for health care expenses like cosmetic dentistry. We work with PayBright Financial Services® at our practice. This program allows you to apply online and receive an instant decision. It features convenient pre-authorized monthly or semi-monthly payments from your designated bank account.

Is Invisalign™ covered under my insurance?

Possibly. If your dental plan covers orthodontic treatment, you may also qualify for Invisalign. We can help you talk to your insurance provider to determine the extent of coverage for your treatment

BONDING

Bonding, also known as bonded restoration, is a painless way to make minor repairs to teeth. In most cases, several teeth can be bonded in one dental visit. Bonding uses tooth-coloured material, called composite resin. Composite resin is put on the tooth, then shaped and hardened with light. The composite resin can be:

• Matched to your teeth
• Shaped to look like the missing part of a chipped tooth
• Used to build up teeth and fill between them
• Used on a broken tooth to restore it to size
• Painted over a stained tooth to make it match the colour of your other teeth

Dr. Ed will place a matrix between the tooth being treated and its adjacent tooth. A matrix is a thin, clear plastic film that protects other teeth from stray composite resin.

He will then put a mild chemical on the tooth to make it a little rough. This helps the composite resin to bond or stick to the enamel of your tooth. The composite resin that matches the colour of your natural teeth is chosen so that the bonding blends in with your teeth. The composite resin is placed on your tooth in layers. A light is used to harden each layer of the composite resin. After the last layer of composite resin is hardened, your tooth is shaped and polished it to form your tooth. The finished tooth looks natural and smooth. Bonding can be polished if it becomes rough and additional bonding material can be added later on if it wears down over time.