Archangel Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry

Products And Services

• Implant Surgery

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• Cosmetic Dentistry

  Cosmetic dentistry encompasses not only the health of the teeth, but also their aesthetic value. Various products and procedures exist within cosmetic dentistry with the goal of improving both the well-being and visual beauty of the teeth, giving the individual a higher level of self-confidence. Services provided by a cosmetic dentist include the following: Tooth bleaching Porcelain veneers Tooth-colored fillings Dental implants Dentures TOOTH WHITENING Tooth bleaching, also known as tooth whitening, has become so advanced and widespread that certain dental companies have marketed their own form of at-home tooth whitening products. While there is some merit to these home bleaching kits, there is nothing that compares to having a professional, nationally board-certified dentist perform this procedure on your teeth. When performed by a professional, the entire whitening process is abbreviated and can be completed in only a few short visits, compared to weeks of at-home treatment. VENEERS Porcelain and composite veneers are effective aesthetic cover-ups for damaged or stained teeth. Although some veneers are designed to be removable, most are permanent and are bonded very tightly to the teeth they are protecting. Advancements in technology have improved the bonding agents to the extent that it is quite common for veneers to remain functional for 10 years or more. FILLINGS Cavities are painful and unsightly holes in the teeth that must be filled with inert material. Contemporary fillings, called dental composite resin, are much closer in hue to the natural color of teeth. This allows the tooth to be protected but still look untouched. DENTAL IMPLANTS A dental implant is an artificial tooth replacement designed to fill the void created by a missing tooth. There are many types of dental implants, ranging from individual crowns to large scale dentures. A cosmetic dentist can ensure that not only will the most comfortable replacement be found, but it will be implanted in the most accurate and aesthetic manner possible. There are numerous options available to improve the overall health and appearance of the teeth and smile. Patients should consult with their dentists to decide which option best suits their specific needs and will most effectively meet their expectations.

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• Dental Implants

  Dental implants are an option to replace missing teeth and provide a fixed solution to removable dentures. Dental implants are natural-looking replacement teeth that are fixed in the jaw. Implant treatment provides an option to correct the most troublesome cases associated with missing teeth and ill-fitting dentures. An artificial tooth root made of titanium, an implant is surgically placed into the jawbone to support tooth-replacement structures such as crowns, bridges and dentures. While the implant mimics the root of the tooth, the replacement structure looks and feels just like a natural tooth, providing patients with a permanent solution that replicates the fit and feel of natural teeth. BENEFITS OF DENTAL IMPLANTS Dental implants have many benefits over other tooth-replacement methods. Enhanced Esthetics Implants are placed within the gums. The crowns that are attached to them emerge in a manner similar to a natural tooth. This offers a more realistic and natural look compared to other alternatives. Reduction of Bone Loss When a tooth is lost, the supporting bone structure gradually recedes over time. Dental implants integrate with the jawbone and stimulate its preservation, allowing the bone to stay healthy and intact while maintaining natural facial contours and appearance. Preservation of Adjacent Teeth Other methods like fixed bridges must be anchored to adjacent teeth, unnecessarily sacrificing their quality and health. Dental implants are independent and do not rely on the support of other teeth, thus providing the ability to preserve the good teeth. Easier Eating As the jawbone shrinks, chewing efficiency is reduced, making it difficult to eat certain foods. Dental implants can restore chewing efficiency comparable to that of natural teeth, allowing patients to eat their favorite foods with confidence and without discomfort. THE DENTAL IMPLANT PROCEDURE All treatment begins with a thorough exam and consultation. Typically, the process can take from 3 to 6 months. In some cases, the process may take longer because additional treatments, such as bone grafting, may be required to build up the bone so it can support an implant. The procedure and time frame depends on several factors: Dental health Condition and quality of the jawbone Number of teeth involved Dental implant restorations usually take place over a few appointments and involve several steps: The First Step A dentist or oral surgeon will cut into the gum to expose the bone. One or more implants are precisely placed into the jawbone to mirror the location of the root of the missing natural tooth. The Second Step After appropriate healing has taken place to allow for the implant to fuse within the bone, impressions of the teeth and bite are taken to custom-fabricate a connector post or abutment, and crown. The Final Step At the final appointment, the oral surgeon reopens the gum to expose the implant. The abutment and crown are attached to the implant, completing the process. Some patients may experience minor soreness after the dental implant procedure which can be treated with over the counter ibuprofen medication. DENTAL IMPLANT RESULTS Patients receive all the benefits of natural teeth with their dental implants. It is important to continue good oral hygiene with the implants to prevent bacteria buildup, which can cause gum disease or bone loss.

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• Neuromuscular Dentistry

  Neuromuscular dentistry is an area of dentistry that focuses not only on the teeth as they relate to the jaw, but on the nerves, muscles and joints as they relate to the jaw. By combining the principles of anatomy and physiology, neuromuscular dentistry works to achieve an optimal bite (occlusion) and jaw alignment. Neuromuscular dentists examine how all parts of the mouth and jaw work together. The objective of a neuromuscular dentist is to relax the jaw muscles in order to identify the true resting position of the jaw. They focus on determining the optimal position of the jaw in order to correct misalignment and jaw disorders. Evaluating the status of muscles and joints provides neuromuscular dentists with additional factors to consider before determining treatment. The goal of neuromuscular dentistry is to look at the whole picture by assessing the teeth, muscles and temporomandibular joints, and how they function together. NEUROMUSCULAR DENTISTRY TREATMENTS Bite Abnormalities To correct bite abnormalities, neuromuscular dentists design long-term treatment plans that are focused on allowing the jaws to be optimally positioned. Some methods of treatment include custom dental splints, orthodontic devices or dental restorations. Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Neuromuscular dentistry is particularly effective in treating temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), which can cause symptoms such as facial or jaw pain, headaches, earaches, clicking sounds in the jaw joint, and dizziness. Some neuromuscular dentists use ultralow-frequency transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation (ULF-TENS) to treat muscle pain and spasms associated with TMD. This treatment involves the use of mild electrical stimulation to contract and relax jaw muscles. A neuromuscular dentist will devise a customized treatment plan for the patient after a full examination of the teeth, bite and jaw.

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• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

  Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the treatment of problems affecting the mouth, teeth, gums, jaws and related facial structures. Procedures are often performed on patients with skeletal and dental irregularities that occur as a result of congenital defects, injury, disease or other factors. Maxillofacial surgery is also performed to treat patients with oral cancer and jaw cysts. Patients with these conditions may have an abnormal or unbalanced facial appearance, and may have difficulty chewing, swallowing or speaking. The goal of oral and maxillofacial surgery is to treat the problem while achieving the most aesthetically pleasing result possible. Oral and maxillofacial surgery may include tooth extractions, reconstructive jaw surgery, and treatment for temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). Depending on the patient‘s condition and the surgical repair necessary, oral maxillofacial surgeons may work in conjunction with plastic surgeons to achieve the best results.

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• Oral Prostheses

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• Sedation Dentistry

  A great many people experience anxiety in relation to undergoing dental work or to visiting the dentist at all, a fear known as dental phobia. Unfortunately, such fear keeps too many individuals from getting regular dental care, compromising not only their dental health and appearance, but often their overall health as well. In almost every case of dental phobia, sedation dentistry, in which the patient‘s anxiety is totally relieved by the use of medication, is the solution. REASONS FOR SEDATION DENTISTRY In addition to being very helpful to patients who experience dental phobia, sedation dentistry in useful for patients who: Gag easily Have difficulty sitting still Have sensitive teeth or gums Require a large amount of dental work Have a low threshold for pain During sedation dentistry, varying degrees of sedation may be used, depending on the needs of the patient and the type of procedure being performed. LEVELS OF SEDATION The point of sedation dentistry is to provide peace of mind to the patient undergoing treatment. In most cases, it does not involve anesthesia, but simply puts the patient into a very relaxed state. Because in most cases the patient is still awake to a degree, a local anesthetic must still be employed to deaden any anticipated pain. In anxious patients, sedation is administered prior to the anesthetic so the patient won‘t have heightened anxiety about the injection. Sedation for dental patients may be administered in a number of ways, depending on the procedure being performed and on the physical and emotional needs of the patient. Inhaled Minimal Sedation One way of administering sedation is by having the patient breath in nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) through a mask placed over the nose. Although the nitrous oxide will definitely put the patient into a relaxed state, the gas wears off quickly. For this reason, adult patients who have been treated with nitrous oxide are able to drive themselves home from the procedure. Nitrous oxide is sometimes used as a safe alternative on children who are phobic or uncooperative about dental treatment. Patients under minimal sedation are groggy and slur their speech, but can be easily roused. Oral Sedation Oral sedation is the most common type used in sedation dentistry. It ranges from minimal to moderate and is administered in pill form. When only minimal sedation is required, the patient is usually given a Halcion tablet, a medication similar to Valium, which takes full effect in approximately one hour. Once the pill takes effect, the patient becomes drowsy, but is still awake. When a slightly greater degree of sedation is required, the patient is administered a somewhat larger, or moderate, dose of the medication. With the moderate dose of this medication, most patients remain fully asleep, although they can be awakened with minimal effort. Children are sometimes given a mild dose of oral medication which is carefully administered according to the child‘s age and weight. IV Moderate Sedation Because this type of moderate sedation is administered intravenously, it works almost immediately. It also has the advantage that the dentist can adjust the dosage as needed during the procedure. Deep Sedation and General Anesthesia Patients under deep sedation or general anesthesia are almost or completely unconscious during the entire dental procedure. They cannot be awakened until the effects of the anesthesia have worn off. Sedation dentistry is very helpful for patients who experience discomfort and anxiety about visiting the dentist. Whichever type of sedation they receive enables them to feel comfortable in the dentist‘s chair, even when undergoing lengthy or complicated procedures. As a matter of fact, patients under sedation frequently experience the sensation that a prolonged procedure has only last a minute or two. Sedation dentistry also has the advantage of allowing the dentist to perform a great deal of work during only a few sessions because the patient is comfortably at rest.

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• Orthodontics

  Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with correcting abnormalities of the teeth and jaw. Treatment is designed to help patients both cosmetically and functionally. Orthodontics can straighten crooked or protruding teeth, correct spacing and bite problems, and align lips and teeth properly. Braces can assist in correcting all types of misalignments (malocclusions). REASONS FOR ORTHODONTICS While many individuals are drawn to orthodontic treatment for cosmetic reasons, orthodontics is frequently necessary to prevent or correct: Jaw misalignment Speech problems Damage to the inner cheeks and tongue Gum disease Wearing down of tooth enamel Malocclusions, left untreated, can also result in increased tooth decay, difficulty biting or chewing, or even facial, head or neck pain. CANDIDATES FOR ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT Most people who need orthodontic care receive it as children, but some adults also get braces. In young children, orthodontic treatment assists in normal jaw growth, helping permanent teeth to come in correctly aligned. Whenever possible, orthodontic abnormalities should be treated while individuals are young. Children should have an orthodontic exam before they are seven years old in order to catch problems early and to ensure optimal treatment results. ORTHODONTIC PROCEDURES Orthodontists examine patients to determine whether they require orthodontic treatment. If necessary, such treatment involves the application of wires inserted into brackets, or braces, to move the misplaced teeth gradually into their appropriate positions. Many other appliances, including headgear, plates, retaisners and expansion devices may also be used, depending of the nature of the misalignment. Braces may be made of various materials, such as stainless steel, plastic or ceramic and are sometimes nearly invisible. While the application of braces is not normally painful and requires no anesthesia, most patients report discomfort in the teeth and gums during the first week or two after being fitted with braces. Over-the-counter painkillers can help relieve this pain, which usually subsides soon. Many, but by no means all, patients who require orthodontic treatment also require one or more tooth extractions to allow the remaining teeth to be aligned correctly. Once the braces have been worn for the appropriate period of time, there will be no visible gaps between teeth. The length of time braces must be worn varies depending on the extent of correction required. Generally speaking, patients wear braces for 1 to 2 years. ADJUSTING TO DENTAL BRACES It is important that patients wearing braces keep their braces and their teeth clean by thoroughly brushing and flossing with special floss, preferably after every meal. It is necessary for the orthodontist to check the braces regularly, usually every 4 to 6 weeks, to make any necessary adjustments. It is also essential that the patient sees a general dentist for routine check-ups during the period of orthodontic care. Patients wearing braces can eat almost anything with the exception of sticky foods, like caramel or taffy, and hard foods like nuts or certain candies. Patients with braces should also avoid chewing on ice. Activities are not limited for people undergoing orthodontic treatment. It is usually necessary, however, for individuals engaged in athletic activities to wear mouth guards to protect both the braces and the teeth themselves. BENEFITS OF ORTHODONTIC TREATMENTS Recent advances in orthodontic treatments have made braces more comfortable and more aesthetically pleasing than those used in the past. Many types of braces are not only barely noticeable, but provide the desired results more quickly.

  Link: Orthodontics