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RITA KUTSIKOVICH, DDS. MPH Prosthodontist
29001 Cedar Road., Suite 550
Lyndhurst, Ohio 44124

Dental bonding is a non-invasive procedure that adheres a composite (tooth colored) resin to the surface of your teeth. It helps to create a brighter, more aesthetically pleasing smile without the use of prosthetics like dentures and tooth implants.

This procedure is most commonly used to treat teeth that are cracked, decayed, or discolored. It can also be used to make teeth appear longer and close spacing between teeth.

Did you know?

Dental bonding is one of the most affordable and quick cosmetic procedures that can be done to improve the appearance of your smile. In fact, within one visit you could get a more attractive smile and a boost in self-confidence!

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a candidate for dental bonding?

Dental bonding is a great option for individuals who want an attractive smile, but do not want to undergo an invasive procedure like dental implants. If you have minor chips, cracks, and fractures in your teeth, discolored teeth, or decay that can be built upon, dental bonding might be a great option for you.

Ultimately, it’s important to consult with the dentist to determine if you’re a candidate.

How do I care for dental bonding?

Teeth that have undergone dental bonding can still be stained from things like coffee and tea. To avoid this, it’s advisable to avoid drinking any of these beverages for at least 48 hours after undergoing the procedure. Additionally, you can extend the life of your bonding by brushing regularly and visiting the dentists every six months.

How long does dental bonding last?

When properly cared for, dental bonding can last up to ten years. You’ll get the most out of it by following a healthy oral hygiene routine, avoiding hard candies and chewing on ice, and staying away from food and drink that could stain your teeth. If you happen to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, be sure to brush immediately afterward.

Medical technology has been advancing at a breakneck pace for the past several decades, and dentistry hasn’t been left behind. Dental professionals are constantly looking for the newest forms of treatments and technology that will aid in providing their patients with the best possible care, and we’re going to introduce you to some of the newest advancements that have been made.

VELscope

This technology employs a special form of light that our dentists use to detect dental abnormalities. VELscope is particularly effective in the detection of disease and cancer in its earliest stages as part of an oral screening.

Digital X-Rays

A common concern of patients is the amount of radiation they’re exposed to during a dental exam. The newest forms of imaging technology employ digital x-rays, which not only employs 90% less radiation than traditional x-rays but provides viewable films to the dental staff immediately. These images are able to be zoomed in on for highly accurate assessments of dental health.

Invisalign

For decades braces have been the go-to method of straightening misaligned teeth. While effective, braces are uncomfortable and unsightly. Invisalign is an innovation in this area of dental care that provides the benefits of braces while remaining nearly invisible. Additionally, Invisalign can be removed when eating, removing dietary restrictions associated with braces.

Laser Dentistry

Past techniques for whitening, reducing tooth sensitivity, tumor removal, and filling cavities have often been uncomfortable for the patient, and time-consuming. New innovations in laser technology have created painless alternatives that also aid in eliminating harmful bacteria.

Dental Implants

Traditional dentures are often ill-fitting, uncomfortable, and prone to embarrassing mishaps like slippage. Modern dental implants provide prosthetic teeth that are nearly indistinguishable from normal teeth and are long-lasting.

HealOzone

This innovation uses ozone (O3) to rapidly kill bacteria and fungus painlessly. It also makes a great tool for detecting tooth decay and suppressing it before it becomes more advanced.

DIAGNOdent

This cutting-edge technology is capable of detecting cavities in places that traditional x-ray techniques can’t locate. By employing DIAGNOdent your dentist ensures that no early signs of cavities go unnoticed, saving you time and money on future dental treatments.

Intraoral Camera

This tool employs a special camera that provides well-defined and precise images of places difficult to see in a patient’s mouth with traditional imaging. Just one more tool to aid your dentist in a thorough and accurate assessment of your dental condition.

These are just some of the technologies that have been brought into common use in recent years in our dental offices. Every year we keep an eye out for new methods of treating our patient’s dental concerns by improving visibility, reducing discomfort, and aiding us in providing complete and thorough assessments. If you have any questions about the technology your dentist is using in your exams, don’t hesitate to ask! Curious patients are educated patients, and we love to encourage our patients to be knowledgeable about their dental care.

How It Works

Expires end of the month.

Your smile is important. It’s one of the first things you notice when you meet someone. A whiter, brighter smile is beautiful – aside from making a positive impression, it can help you feel better about yourself and your smile. Many things we do on a regular basis contribute to stained teeth, such as drinking coffee, tea, cola and red wine, or smoking. Although your lifestyle and  the aging process can stain and darken your teeth, whitening can transform your smile. You should look for a whitening procedure that is:

Compare Zoom!

Other whitening systems don’t compare to the Zoom! Chairside Whitening System. Nothing whitens better or faster. Treatment Time Improvement

What to expect

Treatment Time Improvements What to Expect
ZOOM! Chairside 45 minutes Average of 8 shades Immediate results
Long lasting
Less fade-backSafe and comfortable
Performed by a dental professional
At Home Trays 7-14 days 6 shades Self-applied
Trays
No immediate results
Whitening Strips/Paint-on Gel 7-30 days 3-4 shades Inconsistent tooth whitening
No immediate results
Toothpaste 1 month or more 1-2 shades Results fade if you stop using the toothpasteSuperficial stains only

How it Works:

The procedure is simple. It begins with short preparation to cover your lips and gums, leaving only your teeth exposed.
We then apply the proprietary
Zoom! whitening gel, which is designed to be used specifically with the Zoom! light. The light and gel work together to gently penetrate your teeth, breaking up any stains and discoloration.

Make an appointment today for your Zoom! Teeth Whitening

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Teeth stains are inevitable due to our consumption of a variety of foods and drinks (soda, spicy food, coffee, etc.). However, advanced teeth whitening technology has enabled dentists to whiten teeth without adversely affecting the tooth structure.

Almost all whitening methods are similar in concept, but some are much more effective because of the way the whitening material is delivered to the teeth. Another contributing factor is the concentration of the material, which is why less potent over-the-counter whitening systems usually don’t give patients the results they are hoping for.

The two main methods of professional whitening are tray whitening and in-office whitening. In tray whitening, an impression is taken and a custom tray is made for the patient. Then, a supply of whitening gel is given to the patient and he/she wears the tray for a few hours each day (techniques differ) for a period of time until an acceptable result is achieved. The sensitivity of the teeth is a normal side-effect of this whitening method and is almost always transitional.

On the other hand, in-office whitening is the most efficient means of whitening. There are a number of different types used, but the process is very similar for these methods; you can have your teeth whitened in one session and achieve significant results. Your dentist can give you more detailed information and help you decide which method is more suitable for you and your teeth.

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This is one way to quickly get that beautiful smile. Veneers and Laminates are a thin shell of porcelain or resin that is bonded to the surface of the teeth. This can change their shape, shade, and position to improve the cosmetics of your teeth and smile. They are also used to replace and restore any lost tooth structure where indicated.

Your dentist will do a complete examination of your teeth to determine if veneers are ideal for you. Veneers often provide the opportunity to dramatically transform the aesthetics of your teeth and smile.

Veneers can enhance the shape of your teeth, make your teeth as white as you want, and give you the smile you have always desired. Additionally, Veneers are bonded to your tooth structure, which gives them strength.

Since they are very thin, Veneers are considered one of the most conservative cosmetic treatments available. Most of the time, very little or no tooth structure is removed before placing veneers. Ask your dentist how veneers can improve your smile.

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TMJ is the joint that connects the lower and upper jaw. The term TMJ stands for Temporo-mandibular Joint. This is one of the most complex joints in the entire body, capable of forward and backward movement, rotations, and side-to-side movements. TMJ often refers to complications and problems with this joint. Some of the most common symptoms of TMJ problems are:

Some potential causes of the disease include genetics, hormones, low-level infections, auto-immune diseases, trauma, and clenching or grinding of the teeth. Diagnosis and evaluation of such conditions are performed by dentists experienced in TMJ problems and treatments. Some common treatments are Night Guards, Bite Guards, and Bite Adjustments. Your dentist can guide you toward the best treatment for you.

If you experience any TMJ problems or symptoms please let us know. The doctor will be happy to evaluate your situation and offer the best treatment possible.

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Your comfort is Our #1 Priority

Who is a candidate for Sedation Dentistry?

People who have . . .

  • High fear
  • Traumatic dental experiences
  • Difficulty getting numb
  • A bad gag reflex
  • Very sensitive teeth
  • Complex dental problems
  • Limited time to complete dental care
People who . . .

  • Hate needles and shots!
  • Hate the noises, smells and tastes associated with dental care
  • Are afraid or embarrassed by their teeth

 

The Sedation Dental Care Standard

The standard of treating patients using sedation was set by physicians in the U.S. approximately 40 years ago. It is nothing new for patients to be sedated for operations on knees, feet, wrists, ears, noses, or practically anything else. Even patients who need an MRI and are nervous, ask to be sedated. Often patients ask dentists for sedation and the dentists do everything they can to talk them out of it. Most dentists do not want to go through the additional training and accreditation process that is necessary to sedate patients.

// Click play to view the video above.

You wouldn’t think of having an ear operation or a nose operation without sedation. But, you move one inch to the teeth and it becomes acceptable to endure time-consuming, strenuous, noisy, and uncomfortable procedures on the most sensitive, personal part of the body
(the mouth) with no sedation. Dentists attempt to work outside of the already established standard of using sedation. As a result, we as dentists treat only 50% of the population while physicians treat over 90%.

I have found that fearful patients psychologically have no problem being sedated for dental treatment. You ask a nervous patient, “Would you rather have this work done in six appointments over the next two months or in one appointment while you feel like you are sleeping?”, and they look at you like you’re crazy. “Sedate me,” is their reply.
Sedation for certain types of dental care has been used for over thirty years. If you asked one hundred patients who have had their wisdom teeth removed how they had it done, most would say they were put to sleep by an oral surgeon to have them removed. The problem is that dentists assume that root canals and drilling on teeth is not uncomfortable enough to warrant sedation. This is why 50% of the population does not go to the dentist. The patient is the one who should determine what is uncomfortable for them, not the dentist.
If you feel that sedation, which is the standard of care for the rest of the body, is necessary for your dental care, call us.

Type of Sedation

We offer different types of sedation: Nitrous Oxide and Oral sedation (pill) for several reasons:

  1. Many of our patients are needle-phobic so for those we have the pill form of sedation.
  2. With conscious sedation, we can work on patients for a longer period of time.
  3. Conscious sedation is very safe.

How You Will Feel

Our patients’ perception of this sedation technique is they feel that they have slept through the appointment. We most commonly hear, “I remember being sedated and the next thing I remember is waking up with my teeth fixed.” Most patients remember nothing about their treatment. A few will remember a little, usually at the end of the appointment when we are getting them ready to go home. You will need someone to bring you to our office on the day of your sedation appointment and you MUST have someone take you home afterward.

Safety

Conscious sedation is very safe. We have full control over your sedation state while receiving your dental treatment. Your vital signs are monitored continuously.

Decision

The only thing standing between you and getting the dental care you want is a call away.

Schedule an Appointment Today!

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Sealant purpose

A sealant is a clear or white plastic covering that is placed on the biting surfaces of back teeth to help prevent tooth decay.

The benefits of sealant

Back teeth have deep grooves and pits that are very difficult to keep clean. Plaque, which is a sticky, colorless film of food or bacteria, collects in these grooves. Plaque is nearly invisible, so to see it, we may stain the plaque with a harmless red dye.
Every time you eat, the bacteria in plaque forms acid. Without a protective sealant, this acid attacks the enamel to break down. Then, you get a cavity.

Placing sealant

To place the sealant, we thoroughly clean and dry your teeth. Next, a conditioning solution is applied. Then we brush the sealant material into the grooves of your back teeth. Some types of sealants harden on their own, while others harden when exposed to a special light.
A sealant is an effective shield that can defend your back teeth against cavities and help preserve your oral health.
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Every tooth consists of three different layers. The outermost and hardest layer is enamel, and the second layer is dentin. The third is pulp, which is the cavernous space where the live tissue and nerve of each tooth is located.

If for any reason the pulp space is exposed to the outside, the tissue becomes contaminated and eventually infected. The exposure of pulp happens in many circumstances, such as when you have a large cavity or a fractured tooth. Your dentist can explain the exact reason for damage to this tissue. In these cases, the treatment is usually root canal treatment.

Root canal treatment is the process of going inside the pulp space and removing the infected, dead tissue. The space is then disinfected and sealed with special materials. Nowadays, root canal treatments are performed with advanced techniques and materials, making them far more comfortable and faster. After root canal treatment is complete, your restorative dentist will usually place a crown on your tooth to safeguard against fracture.

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Why a Prosthodontist?

As our population ages, the role of the prosthodontist becomes critical in maintaining a high standard of dental care. Prosthodontists are trained to do the type of procedures that our aging population needs to provide optimum function and esthetics for their dental condition.
A Prosthodontist is a fully trained specialist in Prosthetic Dentistry. This specialty is one of eight dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. The typical prosthodontic training includes four years of dental school and three years of prosthodontic training in areas of dentistry that include crowns, bridges, dentures, cosmetics, temporomandibular joint function and dental implants.
A prosthodontist provides an extremely high level of care for patients who are missing teeth or have significant damage to their existing teeth. Prosthodontists deal with congenital defects as well as problems arising from trauma and neglect. The Prosthodontist can aid in the rehabilitation of a complete dentition or merely in the replacement of one or two teeth. With the advent of dental implants as a viable means of replacing teeth, the prosthodontist’s role has expanded substantially. The prosthodontist can supply the control and expertise that is necessary to make an implant supported restoration look and function properly.

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