Dental Veneers- Ceramic or Composite- What are the Considerations?

For a discolored tooth, chipped tooth, misshaped tooth or a tooth slightly out of alignment, a dental veneer may be an option.

 An explosion of dental materials and techniques have provided ample solutions to correct the condition and there are several considerations to assess to arrive at the best choice for you..

Age, cost and  durability are usually at the top of the consideration list. Location of the defect, is defect natural or acquired, oral habits, smile line, personality, occupation are other important considerations.

Veneer is a thin covering that is placed over the front of the tooth. Any stain or decay present on any additional surfaces will more likely be better served with a crown or other full coverage restorations making a veneer an inadequate choice.

The age of the patient is another important consideration. A conservative composite veneer is an excellent choice for a tooth is the developing stage. A developing smile which is constantly evolving is best fitted with a composite veneer that is economical and  can be easily modified with changes in shape, shade and configuration, unlike a lab fabricated ceramic veneer.

Ceramic veneers are thin shells made of a strong, stain resistant and durable dental ceramic. A very small amount of tooth structure is removed  to make room for a natural and ideal looking tooth form.This restoration involves more than one visit and is fabricated in the dental lab. Ceramic veneers are the most natural looking with customizable,  polychromatic shades to exactly match and compliment the adjacent teeth- an ideal option for highly visible smiles requiring a confidence boost. These are  the veneers that are highlighted in the much publicized smile make overs. A thorough understanding of the underlying design principles and identifying dental labs and technicians that are detail oriented and take pride in their creations is the key to achieving these results.

Teeth must be healthy and free of decay and active periodontal disease prior to veneer preparation. The process is irreversible once the enamel is removed.

Patients who clench and grind their teeth are not good candidates for veneers, because the thin veneers may chip or break. A plastic dental nightguard is usually recommended to help minimize the stress on the teeth.

No special maintenance is needed other than good oral hygiene each day. Avoid biting fingernails and chewing on hard objects such as pencils or ice to keep veneers well maintained.

Visit www.smileartistrychino.com or call our office at 909 627 6699 to schedule a cosmetic consultation. 

Smile with Confidence with Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental Humor!

Implant History!

Today dental implants have become a common recommendation to replace missing teeth. 

 “There has been an evolution with implants and they are very predictable,” says Dr. VijayaCherukuri from her Chino, California Cosmetic Dental Practice. “But many do not realize the long history of dental implants.”

Dental implants, according to archaeologists, may have had their start more than 1,350 years ago. Evidence found in Honduras show Mayan civilization also replaced missing teeth with implants^.

“Only the implants were not made of titanium as you would find today,” Dr. Cherukuri says, “instead these dental implants were formed from shell.”

 Archaeologists found a mandible that has been dated to about 600 A.D. It is believed that the bone belonged to a woman in her twenties and contains three tooth-shaped pieces that replaced her missing lower incisors.

Modern implant  research began in the 1950’s with the use of titanium, which has the ability to osseointegrate with the bone well. Since that time, more than 700,000 implants are placed each year. 

A dental implant is a "root" device, usually made of titanium, used in dentistry to support restorations that resemble a tooth or group of teeth to replace missing teeth.
Virtually all dental implants placed today are root-form endosseous implants, i.e., they appear similar to an actual tooth root (and thus possess a "root-form") and are placed within the bone (endo- being the Greek prefix for "in" and osseous referring to "bone"). The bone of the jaw accepts and osseointegrates with the titanium post. Osseointegration refers to the fusion of the implant surface with the surrounding bone. Dental implants will fuse with bone; however, they lack the periodontal ligament, so they will feel slightly different from natural teeth during chewing.

Prior to the advent of root-form endosseous implants, most implants were either blade endosseous implants, in that the shape of the metal piece placed within the bone resembled a flat blade, or subperiosteal implants, in which a framework was constructed to lie upon and was attached with screws to the exposed bone of the jaws.

Dental implants can be used to support a number of dental prostheses, including crowns, implant-supported bridges or dentures. They can also be used as anchorage for orthodontic tooth movement. The use of dental implants permits unidirectional tooth movement without reciprocal action.

Restoring smiles and general health, perhaps today you should see if you are a candidate to replace your missing tooth with a dental implant.

Missing teeth?

    Periodontal Disease and Tooth Loss. What's the big deal?

When teeth are lost, it can be devastating. Having a natural looking smile is a sign of good health. Losing teeth to periodontal problems challenges that.

“When teeth are lost to Periodontal disease it affects a patient’s appearance, speech, ability to chew, self-esteem and overall health,” says Dr. Vijaya Cherukuri from her Chino, California Cosmetic Dental Practice.

“But there are ways to help patients keep a healthy smile.”

 

Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth. They allow you to speak normally, eat your favorite foods and are comfortable. http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-implants)

“When tooth loss occurs it doesn’t have to affect your self-esteem and general health,” continues Dr. Cherukuri.www.chinosmiles.com

Dental implants are generally made of titanium, so they are well tolerated by patients. The surgical placement of the implant is an in-office procedure, done with a local anesthetic. “Patients are surprised at the ease of the procedure,” say Dr. Cherukuri. “After the surgical placement there is a waiting period for the implant to integrate to the bone and then a natural looking crown, bridge or denture will be placed to give the patient their smile back.”         

Tooth loss doesn’t have to affect your health and appearance. If you are missing a tooth or teeth, give us a call and learn how we can help.

Dental Implants!

A dental implant is a "root" device, usually made of titanium, used in dentistry to support restorations that resemble a tooth or group of teeth to replace missing teeth.
Virtually all dental implants placed today are root-form endosseous implants, i.e., they appear similar to an actual tooth root (and thus possess a "root-form") and are placed within the bone (endo- being the Greek prefix for "in" and osseous referring to "bone"). The bone of the jaw accepts and osseointegrates with the titanium post. Osseointegration refers to the fusion of the implant surface with the surrounding bone. Dental implants will fuse with bone, however they lack the periodontal ligament, so they will feel slightly different than natural teeth during chewing.

Dental implants can be used to support a number of dental prostheses, including crowns, implant-supported bridges or dentures.^[1] They can also be used as anchorage for orthodontic tooth movement. The use of dental implants permits undirectional tooth movement without reciprocal action.

Advantages of implants!
*  An implant is most similar to a natural tooth.
* Adjacent teeth do not have to be involved in the placement procedure.
*Implants may decrease or help prevent shrinkage of the jawbone from tooth loss.

Implants are highly successful in supporting missing teeth but are not intended for everyone.
Dr. Vijaya Cherukuri has had extensive training in placement and restoration of implants.

Call our office for a complimentary consultation on implants!