Your initial oral examination includes a visual examination, charting, periodontal probing, dental cleaning, diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Additionally, we take low-radiation digital x-rays, which includes periapical x-rays for proper diagnosis of the anterior (front) and posterior (back) teeth as well as a bite-wing x-ray series for proper diagnosis of proximal decay of posterior teeth.

Your dental health is our priority. Please contact our office with any questions or to schedule an appointment.

Veneers

Veneers are thin, semi-translucent “shells” typically attached to your front teeth, usually with the use of little or no local anesthetic. They are customized from porcelain material and permanently bonded to your natural teeth.

Veneers are commonly used to correct:

• Spaces between the teeth

• Broken or chipped teeth

• Permanently stained or discolored teeth

• Crooked or misshapen teeth

Veneers are a great aesthetic solution for your smile and may even help you avoid orthodontic treatment. Subtle changes to your smile, such as resurfacing the teeth to make them appear straighter, can be achieved with veneers.  In most cases, veneer application is completed in only two office visits.

Porcelain Crowns

A crown is a custom-made covering that fits over an original tooth that is either decayed, damaged or cracked. Though crowns can be made from a variety of materials, our office uses only porcelain crowns to provide our patients with the most natural appearance.

The treatment plan for a patient receiving a porcelain crown usually involves:

1. Numbing the tooth to remove the decay in or around it

2. Re-sculpturing the tooth to provide an ideal fit for the crown

3. Making a physical or digital impression of your teeth in order to create the custom crown

4. Making a temporary crown out of acrylic resin and fitting it to the tooth while the custom crown is being made

5. Removing the temporary crown and fitting the custom-made one onto the tooth

6. Ensuring that the crown has the proper look and fit, and cementing it into place

New technologies have greatly reduced the time needed to make strong, natural-looking crowns. Once the procedure is completed, proper care should be taken to ensure the crown remains in good condition and the teeth and gums are healthy. Given proper care, your crowns can last a lifetime!

White Fillings

A composite (tooth colored) filling is used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, fractures, etc.  The decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled with a composite filling.

There are many types of filling materials available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.  Dr. Guerra can discuss the best options for restoring your teeth.  Composite fillings, along with silver amalgam fillings, are the most widely used today.  Because composite fillings are tooth colored, they can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth, and are more aesthetically suited for use in front teeth or more visible areas of the mouth.

As with most dental restorations, composite fillings are not permanent and may someday have to be replaced.  They are very durable and will last many years, giving you a long-lasting, beautiful smile.

Bonding

If you would like to fix chipped or cracked teeth, reduce unsightly gaps or spaces between your teeth or hide discoloration on your teeth's surface, then cosmetic resin bonding may be for you. Cosmetic resin bonding is often used to improve the appearance of your teeth and enhance your smile. As the name indicates, composite resin is bonded to an existing tooth. Unlike veneers or crowns, cosmetic resin bonding removes little, if any, of the original tooth.

Cosmetic bonding has many advantages, including:

• Composite resins come in many different shades to match the natural color of your teeth.

• It is a quick process, which typically lasts less than one hour.

• It does not reduce the tooth's original structure.

Please contact our office to see if cosmetic resin bonding or white fillings is the right restoration for you.

Chairside Teeth Whitening 

Everyone wants a bright, white smile. Teeth whitening services are growing in popularity, and it's one of the most requested services offered by our practice. Everyone sees the growing consumer market focused on whiter teeth. The reality is that over-the-counter solutions typically don't work!

Unfortunately, your teeth will darken over time. This discoloration can be caused by factors such as the food and beverages you consume, like coffee, tea and soda. Other known factors for discoloration may include childhood medications or illnesses, tobacco use or improper oral hygiene.

Restoring your natural white smile is a priority for our dental whitening team.

We are trained professionals using only the most advanced, industry-approved methods. If you want to boost your self-confidence with a more pleasing smile, call us today for a whitening evaluation. We will help you choose the best whitening option for your needs.

Please contact our office to see if Chairside Teeth Whitening is right for you.

Custom Nightguards

An Occlusal Guard (nightguard) is a removable devices that fit over the teeth and is used to help prevent the wearing down of teeth during sleep due to night time grinding and clenching. Sometimes these guards are also worn during the day if the patient's problems are more serious than just the average teeth grinding problems.  During your initial exam, Dr. Guerra will evaluate the occlusal surface for patterns of wear and grinding.

Please contact our office to see if a night guard is right for you.

Dental Implants

The dental implant is a titanium rod that is surgically introduced into the jawbone. The rod, which effectively works as an artificial tooth root, supports a restoration that serves as the visible and functional portion of your tooth. As a result, the successful placement of the implant determines the effectiveness of the rest of treatment.

Our highly-skilled Specialist expertly places the dental implant in your jaw. Next, our specialist will monitor your recovery to make sure the rods stay secure. Titanium has a unique property that allows it to fuse with bone, and our Specialist makes sure that process is successfully completed before restoring your implant.

Once the implant has fully integrated into the jawbone, it’s ready to host the dental implant restoration. 

Dr. Guerra uses natural-looking porcelain for implant crowns and bridges.

Extractions

Reasons for a tooth extraction

There are numerous situations in which a simple extraction can help alleviate pain or prepare you for another cosmetic or restorative procedure.  Some common reasons for extraction include:

• Advanced periodontal disease that has loosened the tooth roots

• Extra teeth or baby teeth that impede adult teeth

• Preparing a patient for orthodontic treatment

• Removing a fractured or malformed tooth

• Severe tooth decay which cannot be remedied with root canal therapy

Bone Grafting  

Untreated gum (periodontal) diseases, extraction of a tooth, trauma, and various inflammations that cause bone deterioration. As a result, bone loss can also appear around existing teeth. In such an event, we will need to conduct a bone graft procedure around them in order to improve their integration. In addition, bone graft dental procedures are also needed in areas without teeth, in order to insert implants and crowns thereafter. With the correct augmentation, it is possible to ensure both the desired bone quality and quantity, perform a successful implant procedure, and reach improved esthetic results.

Please contact our office to see if Implant Placement, Extractions or Bone Grafting is the right restoration for you.