Cosmetic Dentistry
Teeth Whitening
Our in-home teeth whitening kits are easy to use and great results are achieved in just a couple of weeks, sometimes sooner. The procedure for the tooth whitening is quite simple. Just a few minutes in the chair will allow us to take some accurate impressions of your teeth so that we may make a custom-fit bleaching tray. The tray fits intimately over your teeth and is actually quite comfortable. The whitening gel is dispensed into the tray and is worn over your teeth for a couple hours daily. Most people will notice a brighter, healthier-looking smile within days of beginning the treatment. We believe that our professional whitening system is superior to the over-the-counter systems advertised in stores because it is custom made just for your teeth. This provides better results and is safer for your teeth and gums.
Veneers
Porcelain veneers are a great way to change the color and shape of your teeth. If your teeth are chipped, broken, or discolored a porcelain veneer can correct your smile and give your mouth that desired healthy, clean, white appearance. A porcelain veneer is a very thin covering over the tooth that creates optimal beauty and esthetics and can be used to close small spaces between your teeth. The veneer is permanently bonded in place and requires the same care you would give to your natural teeth. Veneers can be a great alternative to braces for slight orthodontic problems and provide a beautiful smile in a short amount of time.
Tooth Colored and Silver Fillings
Tooth decay (also called dental cavities or dental caries) is the destruction of the outer surface (enamel) of a tooth. Decay results from the action of bacteria that live in plaque, which is a sticky, whitish film formed by a protein in saliva (mucin) and sugary substances in the mouth. The plaque bacteria sticking to tooth enamel use the sugar and starch from food particles in the mouth to produce acid, which causes cavities to form in the teeth. It is important to remove this infected tooth structure before the cavity causes the entire tooth to decay. The damaged tooth structure is replaced with a dental filling. Our office is happy to offer beautiful tooth colored fillings to restore your teeth back to their natural beauty. We also offer the traditional silver fillings, which have proven to stand the test of time. We will discuss with you which filling is best for your particular tooth.
Periodontal (gum) Therapy
At Drs. Merle, Zicherman & Associates, we focus on the health of your entire mouth. That includes the teeth, gums and bone. Most people are completely unaware of periodontal disease because it is usually painless until the disease is very advanced. One of the early warning signs of periodontal disease is a chronic inflammation of the gums called gingivitis. Millions of people have gingivitis and do not know it. If you do not properly brush and floss your teeth daily, plaque and calculus (tartar) can buildup around the teeth, which causes the gum inflammation gingivitis. If you notice your gums bleed when you brush or floss, this can be a sign of the disease. Fortunately, if it is caught early, gingivitis is usually easily treated with a good dental cleaning and some modifications to your home oral hygiene routine. If no attempt is made to cure the gingivitis, this can progress to periodontal disease where the bone that supports the teeth becomes inflammed and recedes. Eventually the teeth become loose, painful and may be lost to the disease if treatment is not initiated. We will educate you on how to optimize your oral hygiene to prevent periodontal disease, and give you options on how to treat it if you are already affected.
Crowns & Bridges
We strive to provide you with superior restorative dental care. If your teeth are damaged or decayed, crowns may be fabricated to restore them back to their original beauty. Crowns are usually made of a tooth colored porcelain, which will give the restoration a very natural looking appearance. If you have missing teeth, a bridge may be utilized to close the space. A bridge is a series of crowns connected together that can help restore the beauty and function of your teeth. These restorations are permanently cemented onto the teeth and are referred to as "fixed" dentistry as opposed to a restoration of missing teeth with a removable appliance or partial denture. By eliminating spaces in your mouth due to missing teeth, your mouth will not only look healthier, but you will be able to eat the foods you want as you could with your natural teeth.
Implants
Dental Implants have become an increasingly popular alternative to dentures, crowns and bridges. If you have lost one or more of your natural teeth, implants can be placed to restore those empty spaces. Implants have been successfully used in dentistry for over 20 years. There are many advantages to having an implant, including their natural appearance, improved comfort and unequaled convenience. Implants have been so successful because of the way they so closely mimic natural teeth. A natural tooth is comprised of a crown (the part of the tooth that one sees in the mouth) and the root, which anchors the tooth in the bone and is hidden below the gum-line. A dental implant is completed in two stages. The first stage is done right in a dental office using local anesthesia to ensure that the patient is completely comfortable. A dentist will place a small titanium implant fixture just below the gums where your natural tooth used to be. You will never see the implant fixture, as it remains permanently hidden below the gums. The implant fixture looks like a tooth root and can be thought of as a hollow titanium screw. Most patients are amazed at how comfortable this procedure is and have minimal to no post-operative discomfort. After a short healing time, a custom porcelain tooth will be made to fit exactly into that empty space and is held permanently in place by the implant fixture. This essentially recreates the tooth-root scenario that was in place when you had your natural tooth. If you are considering implants, we can discuss the considerations and help you make the decision that is right for you.
Root Canal (endodontics)
Root canal treatment is a dental procedure in which the diseased or damaged nerve of a tooth is removed so that the tooth can be saved and restored. In the middle of the tooth is a nerve, which travels all the way through the root of the tooth down to the bone below. When bacteria from a deep cavity infects the nerve of the tooth, root canal therapy must be performed. The patient is given local anesthesia to make them comfortable during the procedure. The inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected and a filling is placed in the tooth where the nerve resided. The tooth is now ready for a permanent restoration such as a filling or a crown. Despite the tall tales that exist about root canal treatments, the procedure is usually quite painless and has a success rate of about 95%. Teeth that have decay are often sensitive to hot and cold foods. If there is pain or discomfort in a tooth during or after eating this maybe a sign that something may be wrong. However, there are times when decay exists in a tooth without symptoms. That is why it is very important to be seen on a regular basis.
Dentures (complete and partial)
A denture is a removable dental appliance to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to look similar to your natural teeth. There are two types of dentures: complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. A partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from shifting. A complete denture may be either "conventional" or "immediate." A conventional type is made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed, usually taking 4 to 6 weeks. During this time the patient will go without teeth. Immediate dentures are made in advance and immediately placed after the teeth are removed, thus preventing the patient from having to be without teeth during the healing process. Once the tissues shrink and heal, adjustments will have to be made. Dentures are very durable appliances and will last many years, but may have to be remade, repaired, or readjusted due to normal wear.
We are currently accepting new patients.
Nitrous Oxide
At Drs. Merle, Zicherman & Associates, we always strive to make your dental appointment as comfortable as possible. For this reason we offer Nitrous Oxide analgesia (also historically known as laughing gas). Nitrous oxide is a gas known to reduce anxiety and discomfort. When nitrous oxide is used in conjunction with local anesthesia, (lidocaine, etc) we can provide quality treatment while you are comfortable and calm.
Nitrous oxide is NOT general anesthesia. It is very safe for children and adults and will not affect your ability to function after the appointment.
Infection Control
The offices of Drs. Merle, Zicherman & Associates are OSHA compliant, and follow the same OSHA sterilization recommendations for hospitals.