Monday, August 20, 2012

Advanced Technology for Cosmetic Dentistry

Dr. Palani believes in the value of advanced technologies for his patients. Much has changed in dentistry over the last 40 years and there are many new ways to make dentistry comfortable, efficient, and more cost-effective than in years past. One of the technologies Dr. Palani makes available in his Beverly Hills, CA and Rancho Palos Verdes, CA office is the CEREC machine.

CEREC® is an advanced dental technology that is utilized for the restoration of decayed, cracked, or chipped teeth. CEREC® can create full crowns, inlays, onlays, and veneers. The CEREC® machine crafts a restoration in a matter of minutes, and these restorations are made of compressed porcelain. It is for this reason that they are stronger than laboratory restorations, which are layered porcelain. The most beneficial feature of receiving a CEREC® restoration is that it is accomplished in one visit. In addition to the benefit of a one visit restoration, there is no uncomfortable impression material to bite on or temporary to wear.

The procedure for placement of a CEREC® restoration is very simple. The first step is to remove all decay from the tooth. The doctor will then shape the tooth in preparation to take a digital picture. The tooth is then sprayed with a very fine powder. This allows the digital camera to take an acceptable image. Once this image is captured, the tooth will appear on a computer screen in 3D. This will allow the doctor to design the restoration right in front of you. Once the design is completed, the CEREC® will mill the restoration. This step takes approximately 15 minutes. You can actually watch this process if you would like. When the restoration is finished milling, the doctor will place the restoration. The entire process should take just over an hour.

For more information about CEREC restorations, or other cosmetic dentistry questions, please contact Dr. Palani today!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

A Beautiful Smile in 6 Treatments

Your smile is often the first thing others notice about you, and can drastically affect the impression they carry of you. Feeling confident with straighter, whiter teeth, even correcting an aesthetic problem that has been with you for years, communicates strength, poise, and self-assurance to those you meet.

Cosmetic Dentistry can help you achieve the smile makeover you've been looking for. Here are 6 common ways that your cosmetic enhancments can be achieved:

1) Dental Bonding
This technique is composed of a ceramic resin that is brushed onto the tooth and hardened with intense light. Tooth bonding can repaire decay damage, improve alignment, and fill gaps between teeth.

2) Dental Crowns
After the tooth surface is cleaned and prepared the crown is placed to cover the remainder of the tooth, improving the tooth's look, shape, and alignment. Dental crowns (caps) can restore fractured teeth, cover a discolored tooth, and has many other restorative applications.
 
3) Dental Bridges
Bridges are used to replace a missing tooth in both a cosmetic and functional fashion. A bridge structure is one or more artificial teeth anchored in place by natural teeth, crowns, or implants, on each side of the bridge.

4) Dental Implants
Implants may be the best option for replacing a single or multiple missing teeth. Implants are the closest dental structure in durability to natural teeth and have greater cosmetic appeal.

Dr. Palani has extensive experience with the placement of dental implants and has the prestigious honor of being named a Fellow in the Congress of Oral Implantologists (FICOI). For more information about dental implants, please click here.

5) Teeth Whitening
Whitening is the act of lightening teeth and therefore making them more attractive. Teeth whitening can be used to whiten stained, discolored, or dull teeth to improve your smile. Whitening is one of the most cost effective ways to improve your smile and is relatively painless. There are two primary methods of teeth whitening; in office and at home trays.

6) Dental Veneers
Veneers are a porcelain or ceramic cover for the visible portion of teeth to dramatically improve the esthetics of your smile. Veneers usually require a couple dental visits. Veneers require less tooth material removal and the procedure is more comfortable than crowns.

For more information about achieving your smile makeover, contact Dr. Palani at his Rancho Palos Verdes, CA or Beverly Hills, CA cosmetic dentistry office today!