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SERVICES
Cosmetic/Smile Enhancement Fixed Crown & Bridge ( permanent) Dental Restorative Procedures (fillings) Endodontics (root canal treatment) Periodontics (gum disease treatment) Preventive Dental Procedures (cleaning, exams, x-rays, sealants, fluoride treatments) Denture & Partial Dentures (removable) Night Guards and Protective Sport Mouth Guards
Cosmetic/Smile Enhancement (Porcelain Veneers, Teeth Whitening, and Bonding) Porcelain veneers: alternatively termed dental veneers or dental porcelain laminates, are wafer-thin shells of porcelain that are bonded onto the front side of teeth so to create a cosmetic improvement for a tooth. Since porcelain veneers are glass-like in nature they have a great advantage over other cosmetic bonding techniques by way of the fact that they are translucent. When a porcelain veneer is bonded onto a tooth's surface it will closely mimic the light handling characteristics of dental enamel. When light strikes the surface of a veneered tooth it can penetrate on into the veneer's porcelain, just like it does with dental enamel. Porcelain veneers are routinely used by dentists as a way to make cosmetic changes for teeth that are discolored, worn, chipped, open spaces or misaligned. Usually porcelain veneers require two visits and also require a dental laboratory to create the final custom tooth restoration. Teeth Whitening: How would you feel if your smile was a bit brighter than it is right now? Whiter teeth not only look sensational, they build the kind of inner confidence that really gives a smile its electricity. You will be surprised what simple, affordable cosmetic treatments can offer to do just that. You may have seen TV advertising for toothpastes that whiten your teeth. The results can’t match what we can do for you. Professional tooth whitening in the office of Dr. Morantes effectively lightens brown and yellow enamel discoloration. They use a special gel inside a custom-made trays that covers your teeth. Dr. Morantes is a teeth whitening dentist who puts your dental needs first. For the whitest, brightest teeth, call us today to make an appointment with one of the best whitening dentists in the area.
Crowns: permanent Want a smile that's your crowning glory, you may need a crown to cover a tooth and restore it to its normal shape and size. A crown can make your tooth stronger and improve its appearance. It can cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn't enough tooth left. It can be used to attach a bridge, protect a weak tooth from breaking or restore one that's already broken. A crown is a good way to cover teeth that are discolored or badly shaped. It's also used to cover a dental implant. Two or more crowns bonded together are called a bridge. See Fixed Bridge Permanent below.
Fixed Bridge Permanent A bridge is a dental appliance that replaces one or more natural missing teeth, thereby "bridging" the space between two teeth. Fixed bridges are cemented into place next to the "abutment" teeth--the surrounding teeth on either side of the space, or "span." Unlike removable partial dentures, fixed bridges cannot be taken out of the mouth by the patient. A fixed bridge is a device that typically consists of three units--a pontic (a false tooth) fused between two crowns that are cemented onto the abutment teeth.
Dental restorative procedures (tooth colored-white fillings) Modern dentistry is now using tooth colored or white filling materials. Composite fillings (or bonding) are what many people refer to as "white fillings". They are a way to restore your natural smile in a conservative, esthetic manner. One way in which they differ from the older silver-amalgam fillings is that composite can be physically bonded to the tooth structure, enhancing its strength and resistance to fracture. Because these fillings can be bonded to the tooth, they can often be performed more conservatively than silver fillings, only requiring removal of decayed tooth structure. There are different shades of the tooth colored restorations so they blend in with your natural enamel color. Making them almost invisible!
Implant Restorations Once your implant has fully integrated with your jawbone, implant restoration may commence. If upon implant placement your implant had been covered by a healing cap, that cap will be removed and an abutment will be screwed into the implant. If upon implant placement your implant had been covered by the gum, a short second stage surgical procedure will be necessary to expose your implant and attach an implant abutment.
 
Endodontics (root canal treatment) Root canal therapy refers to the process by which a dentist treats the inner aspects of a tooth, specifically that area inside a tooth that is occupied by its "pulp tissue." Most people would probably refer to a tooth's pulp tissue as its "nerve." While a tooth's pulp tissue does contain nerve fibers it is also composed of arteries, veins, lymph vessels, and connective tissue. The removal of this infected nerve is a “ root canal”. Teeth are hard calcified objects but their inner aspects are not completely solid. Inside every tooth there lies a hollow space which, when a tooth is healthy, contains the tooth's nerve tissue. Dentists use the following terms to refer to various portions of this nerve area. This is a hollow space that lies more or less in the center of the tooth. The root canals. Each tooth's nerve enters the tooth, in general, at the very tip of its root(s). From this entry point the nerve then runs through the center of the root in small "root canals" which subsequently join up with the tooth's pulp chamber.
What is the function of a tooth's nerve tissue? In regards to our normal day to day oral functions the sensory information provided by a single tooth is really quite minimal. Dentists realize that on a practical level it is pretty much academic whether a tooth has a live nerve in it or not. If a tooth's nerve tissue is present and healthy, wonderful. But if a tooth has had its nerve tissue removed during root canal treatment that's fine too, you will never miss it. Tooth Colored Fillings Since the beginning of modern dentistry, patients have complained about the unsightly discoloration caused by metal fillings. These dark blemishes used to cover the pits of cavities are telltale signs of dental work, and greatly detract from what otherwise could be a bright, white smile. These metal fillings also proved to be just as dangerous to the tooth as a cavity, for they can weaken the structure of an already damaged tooth which can result in cracks or fractures. Dentists frequently used a mixture of metals such as mercury, gold, silver, tin, and copper to protect teeth, but some of these metals are toxic or conduct heat and cold, potentially increasing discomfort or pain. Fortunately scientific advances have produced a number of more aesthetically pleasing and safer fillings. Materials such as porcelain, composite resin, and “enameled” fillings have grown in popularity both because of their durability and their natural colorings. These fillings are also safer than metallic fillings, with fewer chances of damage to the surrounding healthy tooth. More and more dentists and patients alike are discovering the benefits of natural colored tooth fillings. If you would like more information about how natural fillings can enhance your smile, contact an experienced cosmetic dentist near you today. Oral Surgery (extractions) A number of conditions may require oral surgery, including: Impacted TeethWisdom teeth, otherwise known as third molars, are the last set of teeth to develop. Sometimes these teeth emerge from the gum line and the jaw is large enough to allow room for them, but most of the time, this is not the case. More often, one or more of these third molars fails to emerge in proper alignment or fails to fully emerge through the gum line and becomes entrapped or "impacted" between the jawbone and the gum tissue. Impacted wisdom teeth can result in swelling, pain, and infection of the gum tissue surrounding the wisdom teeth. In addition, impacted wisdom teeth can cause permanent damage to nearby teeth, gums, and bone and can sometimes lead to the formation of cysts or tumors that can destroy sections of the jaw. Therefore, dentists recommend people with impacted wisdom teeth have them surgically removed. It's not just wisdom teeth that sometimes become impacted and need to be removed. Other teeth, such as the cuspids and the bicuspids can become impacted and can cause the same types of problems described with impacted wisdom teeth.
Tooth LossDental implants are an option for tooth loss due to an accident or infection or as an alternative to dentures. The implants are tooth root substitutes that are surgically anchored in place in the jawbone and act to stabilize the artificial teeth to which they are attached. Suitable candidates for dental implants need to have an adequate bone level and density, must not be prone to infection, and must be willing to maintain good oral hygiene practices. Periodontics (gum disease treatment) Treatment guidelines stress that periodontal health should be achieved in the least invasive and most cost-effective manner. This is often accomplished through non-surgical periodontal treatment, including scaling and root planing (a careful cleaning of the root surfaces to remove plaque and calculus [tartar] from deep periodontal pockets and to smooth the tooth root to remove bacterial toxins), followed by adjunctive therapy such as local delivery antimicrobials and host modulation, as needed on a case-by-case basis. Most periodontists would agree that after scaling and root planing, many patients do not require any further active treatment, including surgical therapy. However, the majority of patients will require ongoing maintenance therapy to sustain health. Non-surgical therapy does have its limitations, however, and when it does not achieve periodontal health, surgery may be needed. Gum disease is the main reason people need periodontal treatment, but other gum conditions require treatment, too. Here is an overview of treatment for various conditions. Treatment of Gum Disease A combination of professional treatment and your efforts can stop the progression of gum disease and prevent further tissue destruction. Depending on the stage of gum disease, treatment ranges from a thorough cleaning to sophisticated types of dental surgery. Treatment at any stage of periodontal disease can make your gums healthier. Some people assume that losing teeth is a natural part of aging, but if you work with your dental professional to keep your gums healthy, you should be able to keep your teeth for a lifetime. The main goals of periodontal treatment are to:
The earliest stage of gum disease, gingivitis, usually can be stopped before it causes significant destruction of soft tissue or bone. Your general dentist can treat most cases of gingivitis with a combination of in-office cleanings and instruction in good oral hygiene. In some people, gingivitis will progress to the more advanced stages of gum disease that involve loss of the structures that anchor the teeth to the jawbones. These more advanced stages are known as periodontitis and usually require more aggressive forms of treatment than gingivitis.
Preventive dental procedures (cleaning, exams, x-rays, sealants, fluoride treatments) Preventative Care/ Prophylaxis Prophylaxis is a type of preventative dental care where the purpose is to prevent, rather than treat or cure, an oral-based malady. Prophylactic conditions are divided between primary prophylaxis (to prevent the development of a malady) and secondary prophylaxis (where the malady has already developed and the patient is protected against worsening of this process). Professional cleanings, also known as dental prophylaxis, are performed by a certified dental hygienist to prevent gum disease and tooth decay and to preserve the health of the teeth in general. During a cleaning, the hygienist will remove plaque from the teeth, get rid of the tarter buildup above the gum line, and polish and remove stains from teeth. Preventative care is an essential part of any plan for long-term dental health. By taking adequate care of the teeth and gums today, you can help to ensure a healthy smile tomorrow. Make sure to contact a qualified, knowledgeable dentist near you as soon as possible. You deserve to have a great smile!
Teeth Cleaning Teeth cleanings are one of the simplest and least invasive ways to maintain a beautiful smile and healthy teeth. Regular brushing and flossing help keep teeth and gums healthy, but only a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can prevent or delay the onset of certain periodontal diseases. Some deposits such as plaque, tartar, and stains are difficult to remove through brushing alone, so regular professional cleanings help reduce these decay-causing agents. Keeping your smile healthy and bright is one of the most important ways people can care for their health and appearance. The suggested frequency of professional teeth cleanings depends on a number of factors. Children and adults with healthy teeth and gums should have their teeth cleaned twice a year, while smokers, older people, and people who have hormone imbalances caused by medications or other conditions should have their teeth checked more frequently. Early detection of oral problems gives your dentist more options to treat potential complications with less pain and financial hardship. Clean teeth look healthy and protect your smile for years to come. Regular teeth cleanings go a long way to provide the bright white smile everyone wants without resorting to elaborate chemicals and bleaches. Contact a dentist in your area, and start yourself on the road to a healthier smile today.. Armed with this knowledge, dentists prepare special mouthpieces filled with fluoride gel to repair and protect their patient’s delicate teeth. fluoride treatment is a simple and relatively effective way to defend against the horrors of tooth decay. A twice yearly application of fluoride gel, combined with regular brushing and teeth cleaning, can make your teeth white, bright, and healthy. Check with Dr. Morantes today to find out how you can best prevent dental problems from surfacing tomorrow. Fluoride Treatments: Preventive treatments to reduce decay For years, scientists have known about the benefits of fluoride for protecting teeth. Adding fluoride to water helps reduce tooth decay, and as such many American cities and town fluoridate their water supplies in an effort to improve the oral health of their citizens. Dental fluoride treatment is a supplemental way to reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum diseases, and is as simple as a trip to the dentist’s office. Fluoride is nature’s cavity fighter. It makes teeth inherently stronger, and even small amounts of fluoride have been found to increase the relative strength of teeth in clinical tests. Also, since tooth enamel does not regenerate, fluoride is beneficial because it actually repairs and re-mineralizes damage to the surface of teeth caused by acids and bacteria. Armed with this knowledge, dentists prepare special mouthpieces filled with fluoride gel to repair and protect their patient’s delicate teeth. A fluoride treatment is a simple and relatively effective way to defend against the horrors of tooth decay. A twice yearly application of fluoride gel, combined with regular brushing and teeth cleaning, can make your teeth white, bright, and healthy. Check with your dentist today to find out how you can best prevent dental problems from surfacing tomorrow. Dental Sealent Even with the best oral hygiene habits, the inevitable wear and tear on teeth can produce painful and unsightly cavities. Dental sealant is a plastic material usually applied to the back teeth to prevent pits and cavities from forming in the many nooks and crannies of the molars. This strong resin material is resistant to acids and bacteria and acts as a barrier against tiny yet destructive food particles. In a sense, food and plaques are “sealed out” from the depressions and grooves of the back teeth. Sealants are easy to apply and simple to care for. Before application, each tooth is cleaned and dried, and a small amount of acid is placed on the surface of the tooth to “roughen it up.” This is done to give the plastic more places to grip during application. The liquid plastic is painted on to the tooth where it bonds and hardens, and special kinds of light sometimes accelerate the bonding process. The entire procedure takes only a few minutes, but this simple process prevents years of damaging wear and tear. People of every age can benefit from the protective shields of plastic sealants, and they are more advantageous and cost-effective alternatives for preventative measures when compared to the price of fillings and root canals. These simple procedures can spare you hundreds of dollars while protecting your smile for years to come. Contact a cosmetic dentist in your area today to see if dental sealants are right for you.
Denture & Partial dentures (removable) If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury, complete dentures can replace your missing teeth and your smile. Replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. Without support from the denture, facial muscles sag, making a person look older. You’ll be able to eat and speak—things that people often take for granted until their natural teeth are lost. There are various types of complete dentures. A conventional full denture is made and placed in the patient’s mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed which may take several months. An immediate complete denture is inserted as soon as the remaining teeth are removed. The dentist takes measurements and makes models of the patient’s jaws during a preliminary visit. With immediate dentures, the denture wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. Even if you wear full dentures, you still must take good care of your mouth. Brush your gums, tongue and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures to stimulate circulation in your tissues and help remove plaque. Partials are just that, a partial denture. It is a removable appliance with mental clasps that wrap around the few natural teeth left to secure the fit. This appliance is removable, unlike the fixed permanent bridge discussed above.
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Tissue sculpting (smile lift) Gum Grafting Procedures
When recession of the gingiva occurs, the body loses a natural defense against both bacterial penetration and trauma. When gum recession is a problem gum reconstruction using grafting techniques is an option. When there is only minor recession, some healthy gingiva often remains and protects the tooth, so that no treatment other than modifying home care practices is necessary. However, when recession reaches the mucosa, the first line of defense against bacterial penetration is lost. In addition, gum recession often results in root sensitivity to hot and cold foods as well as an unsightly appearance to the gum and tooth. Also, gum recession, when significant, can predispose to worsening recession and expose the root surface, which is softer than enamel, leading to root caries and root gouging. A gingival graft is designed to solve these problems. A thin piece of tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth, or gently moved over from adjacent areas, to provide a stable band of attached gingiva around the tooth. The gingival graft procedure is highly predictable and results in a stable healthy band of attached tissue around the tooth. Crown Lengthening
When decay occurs below the gumline, it may be necessary to remove a small amount of bone and gum tissue. Your dentist may ask for this procedure before he or she makes a new crown for your tooth. If the front teeth are too short or of uneven length, crown lengthening might be indicated. Reshaping the gum and supporting tissues will allow your general dentist adequate room to place a quality final restoration.
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