Dental Topics

Improving your smile

Can Dr. Barry improve my smile?

From subtle changes to major repairs, Dr. Barry can perform a variety of procedures to improve your smile. There are many techniques and options to treat teeth that are discolored, chipped, misshapen or missing. He can reshape your teeth, close spaces, restore worn or short teeth or alter the length of your teeth. Common procedures include bleaching, bonding, caps, crowns, veneers, and reshaping and contouring.

These improvements are not always cosmetic. Many of these treatments can improve oral problems, such as your bite.

Bleaching / Whitening

Bleaching is a common and popular chemical process used to whiten teeth. Some people get their teeth bleached to make stains disappear, while other just want a whiter shade.

Discoloration occurs in the enamel and can be caused by medication, coffee, tea and cigarettes. Discoloration also can be caused by your genetic make-up or simply getting older.

Bleaching can be performed by Dr. Barry in the office or, under dental supervision, at home. Treatment begins when Dr. Barry creates a custom mouthpiece to ensure the correct amount of whitening solution (10 percent to 20 percent carbamide peroxide) is used and that your teeth are properly exposed. Typically, teeth whitening at home takes two or three weeks, depending on the desired shade you wish to achieve. Whitening in the office can be accomplished in about 2 hours in the office. This is the most popular method at this time.

Bonding

Bonding is tooth-colored material used to fill in gaps or change the color of teeth. Requiring a single office visit, bonding lasts many years. Bonding is more susceptible to staining or chipping than other forms of restoration. When teeth are chipped or slightly decayed, bonded composite resins may be the material of choice. Bonding also is used as a tooth-colored filling for small cavities and broken or chipped surfaces. Additionally, it 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.

Veneers

Veneers are placed over the front teeth to change color or shape of your teeth. Veneers are used on teeth with uneven surfaces or are chipped, discolored, oddly shaped, unevenly spaced or crooked. Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain cemented over the front of your teeth. Veneers are used to treat some of the same problems as bonding.

Contouring and reshaping

Tooth reshaping and contouring, is a procedure to correct crooked teeth, chipped teeth, cracked teeth or even overlapping teeth in a single session. Tooth reshaping and dental contouring, is commonly used to alter the length, shape or position of your teeth. Contouring teeth may also help correct small problems with bite. It is common for bonding to be combined with tooth reshaping.

This procedure is ideal for candidates with normal healthy teeth, but who want subtle changes to their smile. Dr. Barry will take X-rays to evaluate the size and location of the pulp of each tooth to ensure that there's enough bone between the teeth to support them.

Which procedure is right for me?

Dr. Barry can answer many of the questions you may have about techniques used to improve your smile. The condition of your teeth and desired result you want often dictates the best procedure. If you are considering a treatment, there are a few questions you can ask Dr. Barry before deciding if a particular procedure is right for you.

• What will the changes look like?
• What should I expect through the course of treatment?
• What type of maintenance will be required?

Dr. Barry will answer questions you may have about the procedure, maintenance and price to help you choose the treatment that best suits you.