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What is tooth whitening?
It's actually a bleaching process that lightens discolorations
of enamel and dentin. The system uses a mild solution retained
in a custom-fitting tray that is worn over your teeth.
Is the process safe?
Yes! Research and clinical studies indicate that whitening teeth
with carbamide peroxide under the supervision of a dentist is
safe for teeth and gums. In fact, many dentists consider this
whitening process the safest cosmetic dental procedure available today.
How does it work?
The gel is placed in a thin bleaching tray that fits over your
teeth. As the active ingredient in the gel, carbamide peroxide,
is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin and bleaches
the colored substances. The structure of the tooth is not changed;
only the tooth color is made lighter.
How long do the results last?
The teeth will always be lighter than they were. However, some
patients may need periodic re-whitening for one or two days every
one to two years, especially if they continue to use staining
substances like caffeine or tobacco products. |
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Bonding
Bonding restores damaged teeth that have been chipped, cracked,
misaligned, or discolored. A plastic resin somewhat like putty
is used to rebuild the teeth and make them look natural.
Visits: Usually one, although more complex cases
may require several visits.
Durability: A bonded tooth usually lasts three
to five years before it needs a touch-up to correct wear or discoloration.
How Teeth Are Bonded:
1. Tooth-colored plastic putty (called composite resin) is applied
to the tooth and shaped to fill in chips or to correct other problems.
2. The resin is exposed for 20 to 60 seconds to a bonding light
that dries and hardens it. Then the tooth is smoothed and polished.
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Porcelain
Veneers
Porcelain veneers are hard, tooth-shaped shells adhered onto the
surfaces of prepared teeth in much the same way that false fingernails
are applied. Veneers correct or camouflage the same problems that
bonding does - discoloration, damage, or misalignment - but the
veneers last longer.
Visits: One visit is needed for preparation. The
teeth are buffered to remove a thin layer of enamel, and then
an impression is taken. During the second visit, the dentist applies
and polishes the veneer.
Durability: The life span is roughly four years or
more.
How Veneers Are Applied:
1. During the second visit, after the porcelain veneers have been
made, the teeth are etched with an acidic solution and painted
with an adhesive resin.
2. Once the veneers are applied to the surface of the teeth, the
adhesive resin is hardened with a bonding light. Then the veneers
are polished so they look natural. |
Custom
Mouthguards
All-Sports Mouthguards by Intact, custom-made and fitted for you
at University Dental Group P.A.
An impression is taken and a laminating process using high heat
and pressure enables a perfect fit that would last a very long time.
At the time of impact in a sports competition, a mouthguard needs
to fit properly and do what it was created for, that is:
stay in the mouth, protect the teeth from injury, and still permit
the wearer to be able to speak and breathe as normal.
Available in many different colors - coordinating your team colors
would be possible. |
Facts About AIDS and Infection Control
Universal Precautions
To protect your health, we adhere to what is called "universal
precautions." That means we use the same protective measures
with every patient to prevent transmission of the virus that causes
AIDS or any other infectious disease.
These universal precautions include:
• Wearing gloves, masks, and protective eyewear for all patient treatment.
• Washing hands before and after each treatment and changing
gloves after
each patient.
• Sterilizing or disinfecting dental instruments after each
use.
• Cleaning and disinfecting the surfaces in the treatment
room and equipment
after each patient.
• Disposing of needles and other sharp items in special containers.
• Properly disposing of waste items and contaminated material.
Sterilization and Disinfection
Dental offices use various methods to sterilize and disinfect
in order to kill bacteria and viruses. Our staff is trained in
these procedures and their appropriate use.
Instruments that can withstand high temperature may be sterilized
in a steam autoclave by using steam under pressure or with dry
heat in an oven-like environment. Other instruments that can't
be heated are scrubbed clean and then sterilized or disinfected
in chemical solutions. We use disinfection procedures on
surfaces and equipment that cannot be removed for cleaning and
sterilization, such as counter tops, drawer handles, x-ray unit
heads and light handles. Disinfection is done in the treatment
room between patients to assure that the operatory is absolutely
clean for each patient. |
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