Zoom Teeth Whitening
Dr. Airey
is pleased to offer Zoom!®, the world's leader in Chairside Teeth Whitening Systems!!
Zoom! raises the bar to a new level of performance while delivering an average of eight shades,
and sometimes as many as twelve, in less than an hour.
The Zoom! system is:
Faster - Achieve
superior results in three 15-minute sessions. The new system reduces chair-time by 33% with no compromise in results.
More Effective - The proprietary light activated Zoom! gel incorporates
patented Amorphous Calcium Phosphate1 (ACP) technology to provide superior whitening results.
Easier - The new Precision Light Guide System ensures quick and consistent patient
set-up for optimal whitening results, while the new locking casters and ergonomically designed structure make moving and positioning
Zoom! a snap.
Lower Sensitivity - Reduced
contact time, ACP chemistry, combined with the new Balancing Agent and Satin Finish, to ensure the lowest possible discomfort
for patients.
The simple procedure begins with preparation to cover
your lips and gums. The proprietary light activated Zoom!® gel is applied before the special Zoom light is applied. You
rest comfortably for about an hour. The results are that quick!
Why have your teeth bleaching
at Dr. Airey's office rather than a chain that does just teeth whitening?
Prior to teeth bleaching, a patient receives a professional comprehensive exam with x-rays, to confirm the absence
of disease and making sure they are a good candidate for the whitening process. A patient will also
receive dental cleaning prior to bleaching, maximizing results. Otherwise the patient will have bleached tarter, calculus
and plaque over what should be their brightened teeth.
All chairside
Zoom! bleaching patients leave with more than just a bright smile. They go home with custom fitting bleaching trays and one-year
supply of bleach so there is no need for return visits to touch-up.
Composite Fillings
A composite (tooth colored) filling is used to repair a tooth that is
affected by decay, cracks, fractures, etc. The decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled
with a composite filling.
There are many types of
filling materials available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. You and your dentist can discuss the
best options for restoring your teeth. Composite fillings, along with silver amalgam fillings, are the most widely used
today. Because composite fillings are tooth colored, they can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth, and
are more aesthetically suited for use in front teeth or the more visible areas of the teeth.
As with most dental restorations, composite fillings are not permanent and may someday have to be
replaced. They are very durable, and will last many years, giving you a long lasting,
beautiful smile.
Reasons for composite fillings:
How are composite fillings placed?
Composite fillings are usually placed in one appointment. While the tooth is numb, your dentist will remove decay
as necessary. The space will then be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared before the new filling is placed. If
the decay was near the nerve of the tooth, a special medication will be applied for added protection. The composite filling
will then be precisely placed, shaped, and polished, restoring your tooth to its original shape and function.It is normal to experience sensitivity to hot and cold when composite fillings are first
placed, however this will subside shortly after your tooth acclimates to the new filling. You
will be given care instructions at the conclusion of your treatment. Good oral hygiene practices, eating habits, and regular
dental visits will aid in the life of your new fillings.
Dental Emergencies
If you think
you have dental emergency, please do not hesitate to call. We will make every attempt to respond to your emergency as quickly
as possible.
If an emergency arises while the office is open, please
call us early in the day so that we can schedule sufficient time to treat you. If an emergency arises while the office is
closed, call the office number and leave a message along with your phone number on the answering machine. We monitor all calls
and will return your call promptly.
Orthodontics
Creating a Well-Aligned Smile
Years ago, orthodontic treatments were used only for pre-teens and teens having problems with their bite (malocclusion).
Today, orthodontic treatments like dental braces are not only for pre-teens and teens, but for adults as well.
Close to 30 percent of all orthodontic patients in
the United States are adults. Despite this growing trend towards adult orthodontics, it pays to start orthodontic treatment
early for maximum effectiveness. The American Dental Association recommends that children receive an orthodontic evaluation
by age seven.
The Restorative and Esthetic Nature of Orthodontics
Since malocclusion may interfere with eating and speaking, it is usually considered a restorative
issue. Although, because a malocclusion may prevent the development of a beautiful, well-aligned smile or facial jaw lines,
it may also be classified as an esthetic issue and categorized as cosmetic dentistry.
No matter what your age, orthodontics can protect your bite (occlusion), maximize your teeth's effectiveness
in performing their functions and create a well-aligned smile. Today's orthodontics involves repositioning of the teeth
and underlying roots, providing better support for the crown of the tooth. Orthodontic treatment is now associated with the
benefits of greater esthetic appeal, increased comfort and reduced treatment time.
Orthodontic
treatment can also rejuvenate your facial appearance by reshaping the jaw, neck and lips, especially when combined with maxillofacial
surgical procedures. In addition, well-aligned teeth make oral hygiene easier to maintain.
The Orthodontic Evaluation
If you are a candidate for orthodontics,
you will likely be referred by your general dentist to an orthodontist for evaluation of your bite. During your first orthodontic
visit, our orthodontist may use several methods to develop an individualized treatment plan, including:
- Oral, facial and functional evaluation (examination).
- Intraoral and facial photographs.
- Panoramic and cephalometric
X-rays.
- Impressions for models of the teeth and bite.
Our orthodontist reviews your dental records, performs a clinical assessment, takes X-rays
of your mouth and head and makes models of the teeth by creating an accurate impression of them. The results of this evaluation
are studied in order to formulate the best orthodontic treatment plan.
Typically
during the second visit, our orthodontist reviews the treatment plan and estimates the number of months for the active phase
of treatment. The standard treatment phase is two years. Following treatment, you may be required to wear a retainer for a
period of time.
The duration of orthodontic treatment varies based on your age, the
extensiveness of the procedure (some people require more work than others) and how closely you follow your treatment plan.
For example, younger patients may respond more quickly to treatment than older patients because the bones supporting young
teeth are more pliable than those supporting older teeth. However, adults tend to follow treatment instructions more consistently
than pre-teens.
Root Canal
To understand how a root canal works, we need to have a basic understanding
of the anatomy of the tooth. A tooth is hollow, like our bones, and is composed of several layers. The outermost layer (above
the gum line) is called the enamel. Enamel is the hardest and most mineralized substance in the body. Beneath the gum line,
a substance called cementum covers the tooth roots. Under the enamel and cementum is the dentin. The dentin is about as hard
as bone, and, unlike the enamel, dentin contains nerve endings.
Beneath the dentin is the dental pulp. The pulp
is a vascular tissue, composed of capillaries, larger blood vessels, connective tissue, nerve fibers, and cells including
odontoblasts, fibroblasts, macrophages, and lymphocytes. The pulp is needed to nourish the tooth during its growth and development.
After a tooth is fully mature, the only function of the pulp is to let us know if it is damaged or infected by transmitting
pain.
Sometimes the pulp becomes infected. When this happens, it must be removed with root canal therapy. A root
canal is the only way to save the tooth. A mature tooth can survive very well without the pulp.
How Does
the Pulp Become Infected? The most common way for the pulp to become infected is from an untreated cavity
. A cavity is formed by acid in a rather unexpected way. Inside everyone's mouth is a legion of
bacteria -- they are completely normal and there is nothing you can do about them. Some of these bacteria metabolize (eat)
carbohydrate-containing foods or beverages and make acid as a by-product. The acid is strong enough to eat through the enamel
and dentin. If left untreated, it will eventually expose the underlying pulp to bacteria inside our mouths and it gets infected.
The pulp can also get infected from trauma to the tooth. A blow to a tooth can cut off the blood supply to the
tooth from our jawbone, and cause the pulp tissue to slowly die.
A third way a tooth can become infected is if
there is long-standing perodontal (gum) disease around the tooth. Bacteria from the infected gums can enter the tooth through
a small opening on the root surface (accessory canal) and cause a retrograde infection. Whatever way the tooth becomes infected,
the pulp eventually dies, and over time, will cause a painful dental abscess within the surrounding jawbone.
How
Will I Know if I Have an Infected Tooth? A tooth that becomes sensitive to hot or cold food or beverages
or hurts when biting down may indicate an infected tooth. A tooth that becomes discolored or that causes the gums to swell
around a tooth may also indicate a dental infection. In some cases, a tooth will have no symptoms, but regular dental
exams and X-rays will reveal a tooth that requires root canal.
If the Tooth is Infected, Why Can't
I Use an Antibiotic to Treat It? If a tooth has an infection of the pulp, the only options are root canal
therapy or extraction. As the pulp dies, the hollow tooth becomes a reservoir for bacteria to hide from the body's immune
system and any drugs that could fight the infection. In some cases we will prescribe antibiotics during or after root canal
therapy to kill bacteria within the jawbone and tissues surrounding the tooth.
What's Involved in Getting
a Root Canal, and Does It Hurt? Root canal therapy is a complex procedure that requires both skill and
experience. The dentist numbs the area of the infected tooth with local anesthesia. A clamp is placed over the tooth, and
a rubber membrane (rubber dam) is spread over the clamp to isolate the tooth and prepare it for the operation.
A small
hole is made through the enamel and dentin, and into the pulp. The pulp is then removed with small stainless steel files of
increasing diameter. After the pulp has been removed, the inside walls of the roots are shaped, almost like a sculpture. Nickel/Titanium
files that fit on a slow speed drill can aid in shaping the canals. During the procedure, fluids (irrigants) such as sodium
hypochloride (bleach) and a compound containing ethylenediamine-tetraacetate (EDTA) are used to both kill remaining pulp tissue
and bacteria within the roots, and remove dentin shavings produced by the files. After the pulp is removed and the inside
of the roots shaped, the canal is dried with paper cones. The canal is then filled with gutta-percha. Gutta-percha is a miraculous
substance that was first introduced by Bowman in 1867. It is a purified form of Mazer Wood Trees indigenous to Indonesia and
Malaysia that is combined with zinc oxide and other materials to form the rubbery filling that is placed into the tooth roots.
The Gutta-percha is then cemented into the roots with a sealer that usually contains zinc oxide and eugenol. The goal of the
filling procedure is to hermetically seal off the tooth against bacteria. Root canal therapy is usually not painful. With
the effective use of anesthesia and modern techniques, most root canal therapy can be completed in one visit, and within one
hour. A tooth will be sensitive for a few days after root canal therapy. In the meantime, do not eat on the side of the mouth
that has the root canal for a few days.
Do Different Teeth Have Different Numbers of Root Canals?
Teeth in the front of the mouth called incisors and canines usually have one root, and one nerve canal within
the root. Teeth on the side of the mouth called premolars usually have one or two roots and one or two root canals. The upper
back teeth (molars) usually have three roots, and three or four root canals. Lower back teeth (molars) usually have two roots
and three or four root canals. Generally speaking, the more nerve canals the tooth has, the more complicated the root canal
is to complete.
Can Any Dentist Do a Root Canal? All dentists are trained to do root
canals in dental school. An experienced general dentist can do almost all root canal therapy successfully, but some general
dentists prefer to have a root canal specialist (an endodontists) perform root canal on their patients.
How
Successful Are Root Canals? Root canals are successful about 90% of the time when they are done properly.
Teeth that have had root canal can become brittle and are susceptible to fracture. In most cases, it is advisable to have
a filling with a post then a crown (cap) placed over a tooth that has had root canal to rebuild and protect it.
Why Do Some Root Canals Fail, and How Will I Know? A tooth that has root canal can fail if
some of the pulp is left inside the roots (a canal is missed), the gutta-percha does not completely seal off the tooth from
bacteria, the tooth is damaged during the procedure (perforation), or the tooth fractures between the roots. In most cases,
a tooth with a failing root canal will cause pain, usually when biting down.
What Can I Do if the Root
Canal Fails? In some cases, the root canal can be re-treated. The old gutta-percha filling is removed,
the tooth is reshaped and cleaned, and then re-filled. If this is not possible, a procedure called an apicoectomy can be performed.
In an apicoectomy, the tip of the root is surgically removed, and a filling is placed over the cut root tip. If these measures
fail, the tooth may have to be extracted.
TMJ Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
Over ten million Americans suffer from Temporomandibular
Joint Disorder (TMD).Symptoms of this disorder include:
- Pain when the jaw is open.
- Limited opening of
the jaw.
- Clenching and/or grinding of the teeth.
- Facial pain.
- Ear pain.
- Locking of the
Jaw.
- Muscle tenderness and pain.
- Ringing in the ears.
- Frequent headaches.
TMD Diagnosis:
The
Temporomandibular joints are complex and contain both hard and soft tissues. Because of this, Dr. Airey may utilize some
of the following tools to help in properly diagnosing a patient's problem:
- Detailed Patient History
- X-ray,
MRI, CT scan evaluation
- Mounted bite records
TMD Treatment:
After proper diagnosis, Dr. Airey
may utilize some of the following treatment options:
- Occlusal appliance (night guard)
- Occlusal correction
(Orthodontics/equilibration)
