Cosmetic Dental Services by Reedley Family Dental Office

Traditionally, inlays were used instead of fillings to replace a small amount of tooth structure loss due to dental decay. Like fillings, inlays fit inside the tooth.

Dental Inlays

Today, inlays are still being used as dental fillings, but the inlays can be made of a tooth-colored material such as ceramic/porcelain or special dental composite depending on what the patient wants. Defective or unsightly “fillings” can be replaced by tooth-colored inlays and bonded to the tooth in about 30mins to 1 hour. This bonding process may actually improve the strength of the tooth and help seal the inlay to the tooth.

Dental Onlays

Like inlays, onlays also fit inside the tooth, but extend onto the chewing surface of a back tooth to replace one or more cusps. In the past, onlays were made only of gold, but like inlays, more and more patients request a tooth-colored onlay. Making the onlay of ceramic/porcelain allows the restoration to be bonded to the tooth and look natural. This bonding process may actually improve the strength of the tooth and help seal the onlay to the tooth to prevent further decay.

Composite fillings are also called “white” fillings. Getting this type of filling used to depend on where the tooth is in your mouth. We bite down hard on our back teeth, so a white filling was not a good choice in the past. The technology associated with the new composite fillings, in recent years, has made this type of material, both acceptable and even preferable for both large and small restorations. To place this filling, your dentist cleans all decay from the tooth, and puts a glue (or bonding material) on the inside of the prepared area. Composite resin is then put into the preparation in thin layers. Each layer is then set with the help of a special blue light that your dentist holds over the tooth. When the last layer of the filling is hard, the dentist shapes the filling so it looks and feels natural.

Contact our office at (559) 637-0123 to find out how you can help prevent tooth decay or visit our preventative care page.

Teeth whitening is an established procedure in cosmetic dentistry. Carbamide Peroxide and Hydrogen Peroxide are the active whitening ingredients and have been used safely for many years in the treatment of gums and other oral soft tissues.

Over time, our teeth tend to become discolored or stained. Whether this is from smoking, coffee, tea, trauma, or any other foods, a beautiful smile could be closer than you think. We offer Take-Home Whitening kits (Day White) that can get your teeth many shades whiter.

Please contact us today to see if you are a candidate for this type of whitening.

A porcelain veneer is an ultra-thin layer of ceramic material, which is placed over a tooth surface to create a new smile. This procedure requires a little anesthesia, and can be an ideal choice for teeth that appear too small or large, slightly discolored, or simply not cosmetically pleasing to the patient. For many patients, teeth may have been chipped, became discolored, or slightly cracked. For the majority of these patients, porcelain veneers can prove to be a perfect solution.

When placing porcelain veneers, we pay close attention to the patient’s surrounding teeth and the design of each veneer to complement the overall smile. Generally, only 0.3-0.7mm needs to be removed from the surface of your tooth. The veneer is then made and bonded to the tooth. The result is a beautiful and attractive new smile.

Procedure

The procedure begins with the preparation of the tooth. This entails removing the discolored or unsightly portion of the tooth and meticulously shaping the tooth in preparation for the new veneer. Once we have shaped the tooth, we will take an impression. The impression will be sent to a dental lab, where your new restoration will be made. Meanwhile, a temporary veneer is made out of plastic and place on the tooth. They are used to protect your tooth while the real veneer is being fabricated. At the second appointment, the temporary veneer will be removed and the porcelain veneer is bonded to your tooth. Although they are thin, porcelain veneers are much stronger than composite “bonding” veneers, so the risk of fracture compared to composite veneers is much less.

We’re smile experts. Let us know how can we help you. Call Reedley Family Dental for details.

Whether your teeth are discolored or chipped, or moderately crooked, Lumineers is likely a perfect solution for you.

Brighten Stained and Discolored Teeth…Permanently

Staining and discoloration are common problems. Teeth whitening is a common option, but may not eliminate all the stains, or last very long. Lumineers provide a long-lasting white smile, no matter what you eat or drink! Whether the stains are caused by time, drinking coffee or red wine, or by tetracycline staining, Lumineers can transform your smile with a permanently bright and natural look.

Restore Chipped Teeth

Do you have a chip on one of your teeth? Is it right in the front where everyone can see? Lumineers offer a painless and pleasant way to fix your chipped tooth for good.

Eliminate Spacing and Gaps

Is there a gap between your front teeth or some other spacing problem that you wish you didn’t have? Lumineers is a fast, non-invasive procedure for eliminating gaps between teeth. In just 2 short visits to your dentist, these ultra-thin “smile shapers” will eliminate excess space, while keeping your original teeth intact.

Align Crooked Teeth

Lumineers provide a painless, fast alternative to braces that offers a perfectly-aligned look along with a beautiful smile. Despite the fact that braces are readily available for adults, most do not want to endure the pain and suffering, or the embarrassment. Now you can have a completely corrected smile, in just 2 short visits to your dentist, with Lumineers—an ideal alternative to orthodontics.

Reshape Small or Misshapen Teeth

Misshapen teeth can really detract from your appearance. You’ve probably been reluctant to have a traditional veneer procedure for fear that your teeth will be ground down. Not with Lumineers. Ultra-thin Lumineers are simply placed over your original teeth, and in most cases don’t require the removal of any sensitive tooth structure.

Renew Old Dental Work

No matter your age, old crowns and bridgework add many years to your face. Lumineers can easily be placed on top of crowns and bridgework to give you a beautiful smile—painlessly.

Perfect Your Hollywood Smile

Your smile may look pretty good, but you want it to look great. A Certified Lumineers Dentist will evaluate your smile and help you achieve the look you want in just 2 short, painless visits.

Give Reedley Family Dental a call today to see if Lumineers will work for your smile!

Inlays and Onlays