Dental and Cosmetic Services

What is “instant” smile whitening?

If you're like most of our patients, you want the simplest way possible to whiten your smile. Our revolutionary in-office whitening system, Zoom! 2 Advanced Power® whitens your teeth in just one visit! 

By the end of the appointment, most patients have achieved a seven to nine shade difference in their smile. Best of all, the single appointment procedure is quick and easy, allowing you to get back to your busy life with a brighter and whiter smile the same day!

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What do you use to fill cavities?

The days of silver-mercury fillings are now nearly obsolete. Our practice uses no silver mercury and will be happy to assist you in replacing older, failing amalgam restorations. Today's porcelain onlays and composite resins create fillings that not only look natural but also are stronger than materials of the past.

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What are Inlays and Onlays?

Unlike large, ugly metal fillings of years past, we prefer a more attractive restoration that actually strengthens the tooth. Inlays are used to restore inside the cusps of the tooth. They are made of strong, long-lasting and natural-looking materials, such as porcelain or composite resin, and are invisible in the smile. Inlays are a conservative tooth restoration, meaning that they require far less drilling and preparation of the tooth than a metal filling does. This allows us to save much more of the healthy tooth.

Onlays are used for larger restorations. They restore inside the cusp and extend over one or more sides of the tooth. They can also be used as a crown or cap. Because of their size, onlays are made of strong material, usually porcelain or a fiber reinforced resin. Like inlays, they are conservative tooth restorations that require far less drilling than metal fillings. An onlay can often be used to repair only the damaged portion of the tooth, leaving much more of the original tooth structure intact.

Inlays and onlays are the perfect solutions to creating healthy, beautiful restorations for your teeth. They are strong, attractive and safe alternatives to metal fillings.

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What are porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin sheets of ceramic that bond directly to the front surfaces of the teeth. They are an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility. When bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers virtually are undetectable and highly resistant to coffee, tea or other staining agents. For strength and appearance, their resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel is unsurpassed by other restorative options.

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What is gum recontouring?

The aesthetic framing of the gum tissue is as important to the teeth as a quality frame is to an artist's painting. Contouring is basically a simple gum lift but makes a tremendous difference in one's smile. The use of a soft tissue laser quickly reshapes the gum line, creating an even more beautiful smile!

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What are dental implants?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your bone to hold a replacement tooth, bridge or denture. Dental implants are an ideal option for anyone in good general health who has lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury or decay.

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What is bonding?

Bonding is a method of restoring decayed teeth, making cosmetic improvements, changing the color of teeth or reshaping teeth with a composite resin filling. First, a thin coating of a plastic material is applied on the front surface of the teeth. A bonding material is applied and sculpted next, colored and shaped to provide an attractive, natural-looking result. A high-intensity light hardens the plastic. Finally, the surface is polished finely.

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What are dental bridges?

A dental bridge is a custom-made false tooth or teeth that is placed permanently between two healthy teeth, filling in the area left by a missing tooth or teeth. The bridge is held in place by crowns placed on the teeth on each side of space to be filled. A bridge often can be an alternative to replacing a missing tooth or teeth with an implant (though an implant is usually the more ideal option). The replacement of missing teeth reduces the risk of gum disease, helps correct some bite problems and helps improve speech.

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INVISALIGN®

Dr. Carson is also trained in the Invisalign system of invisible braces to treat malocclusion, or as part of an aesthetic treatment plan. Instead of cumbersome wires, Invisalign uses a series of clear plastic aligners to move your teeth. The aligners are similar to tooth-whitening trays, but fit much more closely and are virtually invisible to others. They remain in place except to eat and brush and floss your teeth. Over a period of 12-15 months, Dr. Carson will continually replace one set of aligners with a new one as your teeth move into their optimal position.

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What is a smile makeover?

A smile makeover is the complete and total transformation of your smile using any (or all!) of the techniques described on our website. In as little as two to three visits, you can take your smile from dull to absolutely dazzling.

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What will my new smile look like?

This often is the first question our patients ask. But you do not have to wait until the end of your treatment to see how beautiful your smile will be. Thanks to advances in computer technology, we are able to show you how your new smile could look before we even begin and in the temporary phase of treatment you will be able to evaluate the appearance of your smile in your mouth before we are finished.

We take a series of facial measurements to help us create a smile that is in proportion to your bone structure, age and gender. This is a great way to build your confidence about your new look and put your fears to rest.

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Am I a candidate for a smile makeover?

If you are unhappy with any aspect of your smile, you are a candidate for a smile makeover. If you are interested in learning more, call Dr. Kathleen Carson and her caring team of dental professionals for your complimentary smile makeover consultation. Refer to the smile makeover and full mouth rejuvenation section of this website for further information.

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