Services

What is a Root Canal?

A Root Canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or infected. A tooth’s nerve and pulp can become irritated, inflamed, and infected due to deep decay; repeated dental procedures on a tooth; or large fillings, a crack, or chip in the tooth. It also can happen because of trauma to the face.

During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp of the tooth are removed and the inside is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscess may form.

What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap. Dentists use crowns to restore weak, broken or decayed teeth.

A crown fits over your entire tooth, like a snug hat. To ensure a proper fit, a dentist will need to remove a small amount of enamel before bonding your new crown in place.

Dental technicians craft crowns from a variety of materials, including resin, metal and porcelain.

Teeth Whitening

Whiter, Brighter Teeth –It’s Easy to Whiten

You may look in the mirror and wonder how, after brushing and flossing, your teeth are still stained and discolored. You may even flip through a magazine and find yourself longing for a model’s or movie star’s smile. Thankfully, you don’t have to live with discolored or stained teeth. If you would like a whiter, brighter smile, talk to Aventura dental associates about teeth whitening.

Why Teeth Look Discolored

Your teeth may become discolored for a variety of reasons. Chemicals in tobacco, coffee, tea, and red wine can change the color of your teeth when you enjoy these products regularly. Certain medications (such as tetracycline), excessive fluoride, and previous dental work may also cause unsightly stains on your tooth enamel. Even aging can make your teeth more discolored as you grow older.

Genetics can also determine the color of your teeth. While we think of tooth enamel as white, the natural, unstained shade of your teeth can range from pearly white to bluish gray to pale yellow. Even if you brush and floss daily, you may have genetically inherited healthy teeth that do not naturally look white.

Whitening Options

In-Office Whitening

In-office whitening is one of the safest and quickest ways to safely whiten your teeth. During this process, The doctors will place a protective rubber dam around your gums and apply a solution of 15 to 35 percent carbamide peroxide, a chemical found in most bleaching products, to your teeth. If you’d prefer not to wait, may also use a laser or special lamp to speed up the bleaching process. In-office whitening can give you dazzlingly white teeth in under an hour!

Home Use Whiteners

If you’d prefer not to wait in our office, The doctors can create clear, customized bleaching trays for you and recommend a bleaching solution. You can pour this solution, which usually contains 10 percent carbamide peroxide, in the trays and wear them during the day or at night, at home or work, to whiten your teeth. The doctors recommends that you use the trays for an hour a day over one to two weeks to achieve the best effects, but you will notice brighter teeth from bleaching immediately. You can also purchase home use whiteners over the counter. While there are so many on the market, most of these products are not as effective as the bleaching methods available in our office. Nonetheless, they can be a quick and easy way to whiten your smile. Since each one is different, you may want to ask The doctors to recommend a product. You should also follow the directions on the package when using, and never use whiteners for more than the recommended time period.

Restorative Procedures

If you’ve had dental work done in your mouth, or if bleaching and whitening can’t get your teeth as white as you’d like, talk to The doctors about whitening your teeth with one of their restorative services. He may recommend bonding, a procedure where a long-lasting, tooth-colored composite resin is placed on the surface of the tooth and shaped to mask imperfections, such as discoloration. Another alternative may be veneers, a service where a thin layer of porcelain, resin, or other material is applied to the tooth surface to change the color of your teeth. Or he may recommend crowns, a tooth-shaped restoration that completely covers the natural tooth to just below the gum line. To find out which one is best for you, talk to us.

Whitening Toothpastes

If your teeth are sensitive to bleaching, The doctors may recommend a dentifrice or whitening toothpaste. These contain chemical or polishing agents to remove stains gently from the surface of your teeth. While your teeth won’t be as white as if you used a bleaching system, whitening toothpaste is safe, easy to use, and can be purchased over the counter.

What To Expect

With all whitening systems, you are advised not to eat, drink, or consume anything that can discolor your teeth, since recently-whitened teeth are more likely to absorb stains. If you can, try to abstain from products that stain indefinitely since this will keep your teeth whiter.

You may want to hold off on that cup of hot coffee or glass of iced tea anyway, since whitening systems can cause increased sensitivity in your teeth and gums. These side effects pass with time, but if they persist or other problems arise, contact The doctors immediately. Not all whitening systems are alike and some people, such as those with recessed gums or exposed root surfaces, should avoid certain bleaching products.

Invisalign®

Invisalign®, the clear alternative to braces, has been effective for hundreds of thousands of people who now have amazing smiles. The Invisalign® system is virtually invisible, so most people won’t even notice you’re in treatment. You’ll look great and feel confident while you’re getting an incredible new smile.

How Invisalign® Works

You will receive a series of clear, removable aligners, custom-molded to fit your teeth.
Remove your aligners to eat, brush, and floss. Otherwise wear them at all times.
The aligners will reposition your teeth usually in about a year or less.
Invisalign® is the choice of over 500,000 people!

Smile Consultation

What do you think of your smile?

Many people are dissatisfied with their smile but have difficulty pinpointing the problem areas. Here are some simple questions to help you identify the details you’d like to improve.

Look in the mirror and smile normally:

Do you have crooked teeth?
Do you have any noticeable spaces between your teeth?
Are you missing any of your teeth?
Are your teeth discolored?
Do your front teeth have fillings that are discolored?
Does your smile seem narrow or stop at the front 6 teeth?
Do your teeth look short or worn flat?
Are silver mercury fillings causing your back teeth to look gray or black?
Do you feel like you show too much gum when you smile?
Are your gums red and puffy or a healthy pink color?
Does your smile match the rest of your image?
Are you self-conscious about your smile or teeth?
What do other people notice about your smile?
After going through the questions above, what would you change about your smile if you could?

Do you find yourself not smiling in photos or covering your teeth with your hand or lips?

If you would like to see what your ideal smile could look like, please contact our office for a consultation with the dentist. We can use digital photography and computer-generated images to help you visualize your smile makeover. You can also check out our smile gallery to view real-life smile makeover cases.

Sedation Dentistry

Dentistry while you relax…

Beyond the cosmetic treatments we offer, please inquire about our special sedation dentistry services and technology to make your stay more comfortable. As these can change with new developments, we are constantly devoted to learning and perfecting the most recent techniques in aesthetic and general dentistry. Advances in dentistry have made dental appointments stress-free and comfortable. However, for some of us, it isn’t enough. If you experience anxiety about scheduling and attending dental appointments, sedation dentistry may be for you. Your search for an Aventura sedation dentist is over!

Sedation Dentist

Sedation dentistry (or anxiolytic dentistry, as it is sometimes called) is ideal for dental-phobics, those people for whom just the thought of entering a dentist’s office is enough to fill them with intense anxiety. It is also perfect for people with busy schedules and little time. Your dentistry is done while you are sedated using a simple pill taken prior to your appointment. Sedation dentistry allows you to rest in comfort while your dental work is done.

What Is Oral Sedation?

Patients who are apprehensive about receiving dental treatment often avoid going to the dentist. Ultimately, this avoidance can lead to advanced disease and the need for expensive treatments which could have been avoided. Oral sedation provides a safe, effective way to alleviate dental anxiety and provide patients with the treatment they need.

How It Works

Oral sedation makes use of a prescription medication that induces a drowsy, relaxed feeling. This is an oral medication and no intravenous (IV) needles are used. Due to the relaxing effects of the medication, patients must have a friend or family member bring them to the dental office and return them home.

During oral sedation, the dentist monitors the patient’s vital signs. Although patients are not completely unconscious, many patients are very relaxed during throughout their dental appointment. Few patients have any memory of their treatment.

Advantages Of Oral Sedation

Oral sedation is an excellent way to visit the dentist. It is a method of treatment for patients who have any of the following concerns:

Discomfort with Needles and Shots
Dental Anxiety
Difficulty Getting Numb
Very Sensitive Teeth
Extensive Dental Needs

Using Nitrous Oxide Sedation

No matter how comfortable, gentle, modern, supportive or reassuring a dental team may be, some people are still a nervous wreck when they need to see their dentist. Sound a bit like you? Then nitrous oxide, also called “laughing gas,” may be just the ticket! Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless combination of oxygen and nitrogen that is used for its calming effect in both adults and children. The nitrogen-oxygen mixture is combined with additional oxygen, then administered through a small, soft plastic mask that fits over your nose. Breathing in normally through your nose, you’ll soon notice that you’re feeling calm, relaxed, and disconnected from what’s going on around you. Eventually, you’ll reach what’s called “conscious sedation,” in which you are completely relaxed (and even giddy) but can still respond to questions or requests from the dental care team. During conscious sedation, you also have a decreased perception of discomfort and a greater tolerance for lengthy dental procedures, even though nitrous doesn’t make any part of your mouth numb. When breathing nitrous, you may feel as though you’re floating or drifting, and you’ll have an enhanced sense of well-being. Your feet and hands may tingle, and you may have warm, fluid sensations throughout your body. You will be awake and your natural reflexes will be completely intact, but you’ll be profoundly relaxed, and the procedure will seem to go by very quickly. Once your treatment is complete, you’ll breathe pure oxygen for a few minutes to flush the nitrous oxide from your system. Isn’t it time to eliminate your fear of going to the dentist? If you live in North Miami Beach or Aventura, I’m your sedation dentist.