COSMETIC DENTISTRY – SO MANY CHOICES

If you are missing teeth, have a chipped or broken tooth, or would like brighter and/or whiter  front teeth, Choose Northtowne Dental – Dr. Michael Armijo for the most up-to-date technology for Cosmetic restorations and Implants.

Your smile leaves a lasting impression, and may be your most important feature. Albuquerque Cosmetic Dentist,  Dr. Michael Armijo at Northtowne Dental combines artistic expertise along with the latest advances in cosmetic dental materials and techniques to create the beautiful smile of your dreams. Dr. Armijo and the CEREC computerized-digitized machine (a 3D computerized machine that mills your restoration in office while you wait) creates your crown, veneer,  onlay, or inlay in one day.  Make your appt. early, go run an errand, and come back to your finished restoration.

COSMETIC DENTISTRY combines various techniques and treatments to create a spectacular, natural-looking smile. The cosmetic dental services and techniques now available open up many avenues for looking younger, feeling better and enjoying greater success in life!  Here are several common cosmetic procedures performed here at Northtowne Dental:

Porcelain Crowns, Onlays and Inlays

Patients who lose fillings, break teeth, or have decay around a filling often need replacement crowns, which can take up to three appointments to restore the old fashioned way.  CEREC, however, mirrors the appearance and feel of a normal tooth and only requires one visit to install.  There are no messy impressions, uncomfortable temporaries or waiting two weeks for the finished crown or onlay.  Dr. Armijo uses the Cerec machine to create a digital impression of the affected tooth.  This digital image replaces the physical impression required in traditional procedures.  The Cerec milling machine then creates the Crown or cap that is placed over the tooth to restore the damaged tooth to its original shape, strength, size and appearance (actually it always looks better than the original tooth).  CEREC crowns preserve a healthy tooth structure while restoring your natural smile.  

Porcelain Veneers

Teeth that have been repaired with compacted composite material sometimes break down, resulting in chipped or discolored teeth.   Also, some teeth just get worn, decayed, or simply yellowed over the years which can look unsightly when you smile.  CEREC or Lab created veneers correct the length, angle, and edge of the tooth restoring it to its original appearance in only one visit.  Veneers, or thin laminates of tooth-colored porcelain, are bonded to the front of the tooth, covering the surface and resulting in an improved appearance.  The veneers produced by CEREC are custom-designed for each tooth to provide an exact match to your adjacent teeth.  Or, if you do not like the color or shape of your natural teeth, veneers can provide a means to change your smile if you desire something different than your natural teeth.

Teeth Whitening

If you have yellow or discolored teeth from aging, tea, tobacco, or certain illnesses or medications, you may be a candidate for tooth whitening or bleaching.  There are two types of bleaching procedures, chair-side bleaching or home-use bleaching.  The procedure that is done in the dental office generally takes one hour.  To protect the gum tissue, a gel-like substance may be applied to the gums and a rubber “shield” is placed around the necks of the teeth.  An oxidizing agent, is applied to the teeth and a special light is shown on the teeth in five-minute intervals to help activate the agent.  After generally ½ an hour of time, your teeth may whiten 4-5 shades lighter than they were.   Teeth can become slightly sensitive following bleaching treatments but this usually lasts 24-48 hours.   With home-use bleaching, the Assistant takes an impression for a model of your teeth, fabricates a custom-fitted mouthguard and prescribes a bleaching agent that comes in the form of a bleaching gel.  The gel is placed in the mouth guard and worn up to 2 hours daily or at night for about two weeks total.  The amount of time the mouth guard is worn and the duration may vary according to your needs and your dentist’s recommendations.  

Dental Implants

An implant is a titanium cylinder that is a replacement for the root of a missing tooth.  This implant integrates to the bone, anchoring it in place where the existing tooth was.  Once it has integrated, a crown is attached to the implant to replace the missing tooth.  This procedure avoids the need for plastic teeth that come out at night or for a bridge, which requires altering the adjacent teeth that might be in good condition, to accommodate the bridge.  The new CAD/CAM (Computer aided design) Cerec computer, which generates the crown for the implant and the state-of-the-art Galileos low dosage x-ray 3D imaging computer takes over 700 images of the patient and creates a 3D image.  These two technologies integrate to determine the EXACT place for the implant and crown.  There is NO guesswork involved.  Everything is figured out on a computer monitor virtually well before the surgery is to take place.  

Tooth-Colored  or Composite Fillings

Composites are fillings that are designed to match the color of your teeth.  They may be used to restore a decayed tooth, repair a defect or broken tooth.  A composite can be prepared and placed in one visit.  After the decayed part of the tooth is removed, Dr. Armijo uses a very mild acid solution to “etch” the tooth surface.  A bonding agent is brushed onto the prepared tooth and then the composite material is placed.  The latest technology is the “Sonic Fill” a small piece of equipment that attaches to the dental hand piece and creates a light vibration and makes the composite material flow into all crevices and corners of the tooth, leaving wonderful finish lines, no air bubbles, and no sensitivity.  Finally, a laser hand piece is used to light cure the composite to make it strong and durable.  

Multiple restorations, easier for patient and less time off work  

In the past, patients with multiple failed restorations typically required several appointments to achieve a full restoration.  With CEREC, however, multiple inlays and onlays can be fabricated, bonded, polished and installed at once.  CEREC technology completes the multiple restorations in one visit, resulting in a beautiful smile in a fraction of the time.  Less missed work for the patient.  

Bridge, an easy way to fill in the space of a missing tooth.

If you are missing one or more teeth, you may choose a bridge as a replacement.  When a tooth is lost, the nearby teeth may tilt into the empty space or the teeth in the opposite jaw may shift up or down toward the space.  This can affect your bite and place unusual stress on your teeth.  Chewing on one side only may cause extra stress on your jaw joints and the teeth on the other side of your mouth.  A fixed bridge is fabricated and cemented to the natural teeth next to the space left by the missing teeth.  A false tooth (called a pontic) replaces the lost tooth or teeth.  A pontic is attached to a crown (a restoration that covers a tooth).  Crowns, which are cemented on natural teeth, provide support for the bridge.  All together the space is closed with a bridge link that connects your natural teeth to fill in the missing space.  Bridges are made from metal, ceramics, or a combination.  Dr. Armijo considers the appearance and function of the bridge and can discuss the materials best suited for you.  

Albuquerque cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Armijo uses a variety of cosmetic dental services and techniques to provide the very best result for your individual circumstances. His artistic abilities and experience with cosmetic dentistry along with his use of the finest materials and products combine to create a healthy, natural looking, spectacular smile.

As always, you will want to schedule regular checkups and preventative cleanings, usually twice per year (some patients will need to visit us 3 or 4 times per year if periodontally involved), so that Dr. Armijo and the Hygienist can detect any problems early, and maintain your oral health to its optimum level.  Please call the office of Northtowne Dental, Dr. Michael Armijo at 505-797-1000 for a complimentary consult for your Cosmetic Dental needs.  We look forward to seeing you!