Whitening treatments are available for darkened, aging teeth or teeth stained from coffee drinking and smoking. Great Northern Dental Associates, PC offers both an in-office whitening treatment, which takes about an hour, and take-home whitening kits, which you can use at your convenience in the privacy of your home.

For more substantial cosmetic dentistry needs, several treatments are available at Great Northern Dental Associates, PC. For instance, you might consider porcelain veneers if you have teeth that are:

• Badly shaped or broken
• Cracked or chipped
• Poorly aligned
• Heavily discolored or stained

A veneer is a thin laminate of porcelain placed over the front teeth to hide imperfections. Dental veneers are created in a dental laboratory by skilled technicians and then cemented at Great Northern Dental Associates, PC. The result is a sparkling, natural, and beautiful smile.

Veneers are usually created out of porcelain; however, composite, a tooth-colored resin, can be used for veneer material to correct small chips or cracks in your front teeth.

Composite is also the material of choice for cosmetically beautiful fillings. Composite is color-matched to your existing teeth, making your new composite fillings virtually undetectable. Composites can be used to replace unsightly metal fillings and to correct teeth that are:

• Badly shaped
• Excessively discolored
• Poorly aligned

Bonding is a process in which an enamel-like material is applied to a tooth's surface, sculpted to an ideal shape, hardened, and polished for a perfect smile. This procedure can usually be accomplished in a single visit.

Bonding is often performed to fill in gaps or change the color of your teeth. It typically requires only one office visit, and the results last for several years.

However, bonding is more susceptible to staining or chipping than other forms of restoration, such as veneers. When teeth are chipped or slightly decayed, bonded composite resins may be the material of choice. Bonding is also used as a tooth-colored filling for small cavities and broken or chipped surfaces.

Additionally, bonding can be used to close spaces between teeth or cover the entire outside surface of a tooth to change its color and shape. Crowns, also known as caps, are used in cases where other procedures will not be effective. Crowns have the longest life expectancy of all cosmetic restorations but are the most time-consuming.

Bridges are natural-looking dental appliances that can replace a section of missing teeth. Because they are custom-made, bridges are barely noticeable and can restore the natural contour of teeth as well as the proper bite relationship between upper and lower teeth.

There are several types of fixed dental bridges (which cannot be removed), including conventional fixed bridges, cantilever bridges, and resin-bonded bridges. Some bridges are removable and can be cleaned by the wearer; others need to be removed by a dentist.

Porcelain, gold alloys, or combinations of materials are usually used to make bridge appliances.

Implant bridges are attached to an area below the gum tissue or the bone.

Crowns are one of the most versatile dental restorations available. They provide a natural-looking, affordable, and attractive solution for many common cosmetic and general dentistry problems. They are also widely used to replace missing teeth as part of a bridge. Crowns are designed to match the texture and color of your natural teeth and can improve your smile without drastically altering its unique characteristics. Great Northern Dental Associates, PC, in Escanaba, MI, offers a full range of cosmetic and general dentistry services for adult and pediatric patients.

Restore Your Smile with Dental Crowns

Subtle cosmetic imperfections like chips, cracks, excessive spacing, and tooth discolorations can make you fall out of love with your smile over time. Crowns are literally caps placed over damaged teeth to fix cosmetic imperfections or restore tooth surfaces lost to trauma or decay. In addition to fixing cosmetic problems, crowns can strengthen teeth damaged by decay or trauma. If a cavity is too large to fix with a standard filling, a crown is used to restore the lost tooth surface and save the tooth from possible extraction. Crowns are also commonly used to seal and strengthen a tooth after root canal treatment.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

Crowns are designed to be durable and withstand the everyday strains and pressure experienced with natural teeth, like biting, chewing, and habits like teeth grinding during sleep. The lifespan of a crown varies from person to person, generally ranging between 5 to 15 years. Some can last much longer, while others may need maintenance after just a few years.

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and adjacent tissues, made of acrylic resin, sometimes in combination with various metals.

Types of Dentures

Complete dentures replace all the teeth, while a partial denture fills in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevents other teeth from changing position. Candidates for complete dentures have lost most or all of their teeth, while partial dentures are suitable for those with some natural teeth remaining. Dentures improve chewing ability and speech and provide support for facial muscles, greatly enhancing appearance and smile.

Complete dentures are made when all natural teeth are missing and can be made for the upper or lower jaw, or both. Complete dentures are called "conventional" or "immediate" based on when they are made and inserted. Immediate dentures are inserted immediately after the removal of the remaining teeth, made possible by taking measurements and models of the patient’s jaws during a preliminary visit. Immediate dentures allow the wearer not to be without teeth during healing, although bones and gums can shrink over time, especially during the first six months after tooth removal. When gums shrink, immediate dentures may require rebasing or relining to fit properly. A conventional denture can then be made once the tissues have healed, typically taking at least 6-8 weeks.

An overdenture is a removable denture that fits over a small number of remaining natural teeth or implants. The natural teeth must be prepared to provide stability and support for the denture.

Partial dentures are often a solution when several teeth are missing. Removable partial dentures usually consist of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases, connected by metal framework. Removable partial dentures attach to natural teeth with metal clasps or devices called precision attachments, which are generally more esthetic and nearly invisible. Crowns on natural teeth may improve the fit of a removable partial denture and are usually required with attachments. Partials with precision attachments generally cost more than those with metal clasps.

How Dentures Are Made

The denture process takes about one month and five appointments: the initial diagnosis, an impression and a wax bite to determine vertical dimensions and proper jaw position, a "try-in" to assure proper color, shape, and fit, and the final denture placement with any minor adjustments. First, an impression of your jaw is made using special materials, along with measurements to show how your jaws relate and the space between them (bite relationship). The color or shade of your natural teeth is also determined. The impression, bite, and shade are sent to the dental laboratory to create a custom denture.

The dental laboratory makes a mold or model of your jaw, places the teeth in a wax base, and carves the wax to the desired form. A "wax try-in" of the denture is done at the dentist’s office for adjustments before the denture is completed. The denture is completed at the dental laboratory using the "lost wax" technique. The wax is removed from the mold, and the remaining space is filled with pink plastic in dough form. The mold is heated to harden the plastic, and the denture is then polished and ready for wear.

Getting Used to Your Denture

A new denture may feel awkward or bulky for the first few weeks, but your mouth will eventually become accustomed to it. Inserting and removing the denture will require practice. Your denture should fit easily into place; never force it by biting down, as this could bend or break the clasps. Initially, you may be asked to wear your denture all the time to identify areas needing adjustment. If the denture causes soreness, it can be adjusted for a better fit. After adjustments, remove the denture before going to bed and replace it in the morning. Start with soft foods cut into small pieces, chewing on both sides of the mouth to keep even pressure on the denture. Avoid sticky or hard foods, including gum.

Care of Your Denture

Handle your denture carefully, standing over a folded towel or a sink of water to prevent damage if dropped. Brush the denture daily with a denture brush to remove food deposits and plaque, and prevent staining. Avoid using hard-bristled brushes, which can damage the denture. Look for denture cleansers with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. Clean teeth that fit under the denture’s metal clasps to prevent plaque buildup and decay. Use hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid for cleaning dentures; avoid abrasive household cleaners and toothpastes. Keep the denture moist to maintain its shape, soaking it in water or a denture solution overnight. If the appliance has metal attachments, avoid soaking solutions that can tarnish the metal.

Even with full dentures, maintain good oral hygiene by brushing your gums, tongue, and palate with a soft-bristled brush each morning to remove plaque and stimulate circulation. A balanced diet is important for proper nutrition and maintaining a healthy mouth.

Adjustments

Over time, adjustments to the denture may be necessary as your mouth naturally changes, affecting the fit. Bone and gum ridges can recede or shrink, resulting in a loose-fitting denture that can cause sores or infections. Avoid using do-it-yourself kits or over-the-counter glues for adjustments, as they can damage the denture. If your denture no longer fits properly, or if it breaks, cracks, chips, or if a tooth becomes loose, see your dentist immediately. Many adjustments or repairs can be made the same day, but complicated repairs may require sending the denture to a dental laboratory.

Dentures will need to be relined, re-based, or re-made due to normal wear. Relining or re-basing involves refitting or making a new base for the existing denture teeth. Dentures may need replacement if they become loose and the teeth show significant wear.

Common Concerns

Eating with dentures will take practice. Start with soft foods cut into small pieces, chewing slowly on both sides of your mouth to prevent denture tipping. Gradually add other foods until you return to your normal diet. Continue to chew using both sides of the mouth and be cautious with hot or hard foods and sharp-edged bones or shells.

Speech may be affected initially, especially with multiple missing natural teeth. Practice pronouncing difficult words, reading out loud, and repeating troublesome words to improve speech. If dentures "click" while talking, speak more slowly. Dentures may occasionally slip when laughing, coughing, or smiling; reposition them by gently biting down and swallowing. If speech problems persist, consult your dentist.

Denture Adhesives

Denture adhesives can provide additional retention for well-fitting dentures, but are not a solution for old, ill-fitting dentures. Poorly fitting dentures causing constant irritation may require relining or replacement. If dentures feel loose or cause discomfort, consult your dentist immediately. Denture adhesives are not a substitute for proper denture fit and care.

Before the development of dental implants, dentures were the only alternative for replacing missing teeth.

Implants are synthetic structures placed in the area normally occupied by the tooth root. They are anchored to the jawbone or a metal framework on the bone, acting as a foundation for an artificial tooth or permanent bridge. In some cases, implants can be used to attach dentures.

Not everyone is a candidate for a dental implant. Successful implantation requires proper bone density and a strong immune system. Additionally, strict oral hygiene is essential.

Implants are designed to mimic the look and feel of natural teeth, typically made of synthetic, biocompatible materials like metal or ceramic.

Surgery is necessary to prepare the area and place the implant in the mouth. Following the procedure, a period of time is required for the implant to integrate with the bone tissue and anchor the device. In some cases, metal posts are inserted into the implant during a follow-up procedure to connect the tooth.

Because implants require surgery, patients are administered anesthesia and, if necessary, antibiotics to prevent infection.

Like any restoration, implants require diligent oral hygiene and proper care to ensure their longevity.