Cosmetic Dentistry in Augusta GA

Partial Dentures or Bridges for Your Missing Teeth

Partial dentures and bridges have helped millions of people solve the different problems that missing teeth can cause. These appliances fill in the spaces between teeth to make smiles more attractive, improve speech and chewing, and help preserve facial structure as well as tooth and jaw alignment. Partial dentures and dental bridges are affordable and practical ways to replace missing teeth and improve quality of life!

Crowns (Many cases in just one day)

Dental crowns at Augusta Dental Arts are a very effective way to address a broken tooth and other damage. Also called caps, dental crowns fit snugly over the natural tooth to protect it and improve function and appearance. To make the process faster and more convenient for patients, Dr. Timmerman sometimes uses advanced CEREC technology when placing new dental crowns.

Why We Use Dental Crowns:

• To fix a broken tooth or strengthen weak teeth
• To improve unsightly teeth
• To protect vulnerable teeth after a root canal and other treatments

The Dental Crown Procedure

After Dr. Timmerman prepares the tooth for a crown, an optical impression is captured using a digital camera. This process makes it much easier to customize a dental crown compared to the traditional method, which typically requires two office visits and the use of dental plaster and molds. Digital imaging takes no more than a few minutes, reducing your time in the dental chair significantly.

After the image is captured, Dr. Timmerman uses CEREC equipment to develop a three-dimensional model that can be viewed on a monitor. CEREC software is then used to map out a customized crown that will fit perfectly over your existing tooth. The new crown is fabricated right on site using a special milling machine. Ceramic material in the same shade as your natural teeth is placed on the machine and a new crown is manufactured in a matter of minutes. Imagine having a new, fully customized dental crown to cover a broken or otherwise damaged tooth within just a few minutes!

CEREC is a highly aesthetic option for repairing teeth with dental crowns in Augusta, GA. For state-of-the-art dental crowns and other cosmetic restorations, call Augusta Dental Arts today to arrange your consultation with Dr. Timmerman.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers allow us the ability to completely transform your smile into one that you can be proud of for years. Advanced technology in the field of cosmetic dentistry has allowed us the ability to fix teeth with veneers and to give patients white, straight, and natural looking teeth without the use of braces or surgery.

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are a cosmetic dentistry procedure that involves wafer thin shells of tooth colored material designed to be placed over the surface of the teeth, typically the ones that show when you smile. Each, custom made shell is bonded to the front of the teeth, which completely changes their appearance, color, shape, size, or length.

Porcelain veneers are designed to resist stains better than other types of veneers and appear more natural because they mimic the way light naturally reflects off the surface of the teeth. Veneers usually last between seven to ten years before they need to be replaced.

Procedure

The placement of porcelain veneers usually requires three visits to the doctor. The first is a cosmetic dentistry consultation appointment in which the doctor will examine the teeth and discuss the results that you hope to achieve. The doctor will discuss the procedure with you as well as the results that you can reasonably expect when you choose to fix teeth with veneers.

The second appointment is to prepare your teeth for the veneers. Your doctor will remove about 0.5 millimeters of enamel from the surfaces of the teeth, which is approximately the thickness of the veneers. After the enamel is removed, the doctor will take an impression of the teeth. The impression is used to create your porcelain veneers.

The third appointment will take place approximately two to three weeks after the second and will be when your veneers are placed. The doctor will hand shape and trim the veneers to fit perfectly as needed to achieve a natural look. Your teeth will be cleaned, polished, and etched to ensure that the veneers can strongly bond to your teeth. The veneers are then applied to the teeth using a special cement that bonds only when the doctor uses a special light beam that activates the chemicals in the cement. This ensures that the veneers are placed in exactly the right spot before they bond to the teeth. In all, the procedure usually takes a few hours, depending on the number of veneers you are receiving.

Am I a Candidate for Porcelain Veneers?

Veneers can be used to fix a multitude of cosmetic dentistry issues. Issues such as those below can be reversed very quickly and with no surgery or braces.

• Worn enamel
• Wear and tear
• Uneven teeth
• Permanent stains, such as those caused by antibiotics administered in childhood
• Teeth that are dissimilar in color or contour

Patients of all types may wish to fix teeth with veneers and benefit from the placement of porcelain veneers. However, those who smoke or have weak teeth may not be candidates. Additionally, those who have periodontal disease, decay, missing teeth, or who need major orthodontic work may require additional treatments prior to having veneers placed.

The removal of any natural tooth structure, including enamel, is permanent. Thus, your doctor may suggest that you seek alternative forms of treatment rather than fix teeth with veneers if your teeth are still functionally and esthetically adequate.

How do I care for my porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers act much like your natural teeth. However, you must take care to not abuse the veneers, as they can be broken or damaged. Your doctor may suggest that you avoid biting into foods that are hard or firm with your veneered teeth to minimize shock to the veneers. You may also be asked to wear a night guard to protect your teeth if you grind your teeth in your sleep.

Continuing to follow good oral hygiene procedures will also help to lengthen the lifespan of your veneers. Continue to brush and floss twice daily and maintain regular dental visits for cleanings and exam.

Teeth Whitening

Whiter teeth make for a healthier, more attractive looking smile. Many products are available in stores to provide that extra teeth cleaning power, including whitening pastes, gels, strips, and other formulations, but the best results come from the products dentists use. Dr. Ben Timmerman provides professional teeth cleaning and Laser Teeth Whitening in the Augusta, GA area for patients who want the brightest smile possible.

Why Dentist Tooth Whitening is Preferred Over Store Brands:

• Customized whitening methods provide better tooth coverage
• Stronger whitening agents are used
• Gum tissue is better protected, less irritation
• Results are impressive

Options for Professional Teeth Whitening in Augusta, GA

The whitening products Dr. Timmerman uses contain a much higher concentration of carbamide peroxide, the material that whitens teeth, compared to over the counter whitening products. Store bought whitening trays that are used to administer the material are also inferior to the trays you will get with Dr. Timmerman. Store trays are one size for all, which means the coverage can be spotty and cause less than desirable results. The whitening chemicals can leak and irritate gum tissue.

Dr. Timmerman’s whitening trays are 100 percent customized for your mouth, only to guarantee full coverage and greater comfort. A tooth whitening consultation with Dr. Timmerman also provides a personalized treatment plan so you can attain the best result possible.

Two Ways to Achieve Professional Tooth Whitening with Dr. Timmerman

In Office: Get a bright white smile immediately with an in-office Laser tooth whitening procedure. Gum tissue is protected with special protective covering, and the whitening gel is applied to teeth and accelerated with the use of a special laser light.

Tray Whitening at Home: Dr. Timmerman will provide customized whitening trays that you can use at home along with a high-grade whitening solution to be placed in the trays and worn for a determined amount of time until you achieve the desired result. This method is superior to the trays and solutions available at drug and other stores.

Your best results can be achieved right after a professional teeth cleaning. To schedule your teeth cleaning and teeth whitening in the Augusta, GA area, call Dr. Timmerman today!

Tooth Colored Fillings & Composite Fillings

A composite filling is a white or tooth colored plastic and glass mixture that is used to restore decayed teeth. Composites can also be used to improve the aesthetics of a smile by changing the color of the teeth or reshaping a disfigured tooth. While all general dentists place fillings, you may choose to seek a doctor for white fillings to improve the esthetics and health of your mouth. Your doctor can fix cavities with fillings using this composite material to improve your oral health.

How is a composite filling placed?

Composite fillings, or white fillings, are placed much like a traditional filling. To fix cavities with fillings, the tooth is usually anesthetized to ensure complete comfort throughout the procedure. The composite is then applied in layers, using a curing light designed to harden the material after each application. After the layers of composite have been applied, it is shaped to fit the tooth. The composite is then polished to prevent staining and early wear.

What are the advantages of composites?

Traditional fillings are done using metals like amalgam, which are easily visible in the mouth, to fix cavities. With fillings made of composite, your restorations are more discrete since they are shaded to match the color of the tooth. This is especially important when front teeth are being restored. Unlike metal fillings, the composite material chemically bonds to the tooth structure, which provides further support to the tooth. Furthermore, composites have increased versatility as they can be used not only as a filling for decay but also to repair chipped, broken, or worn teeth.

Typically, less tooth structure has to be removed to accommodate composite fillings compared with amalgam fillings, lending to a more conservative approach towards tooth restoration. In addition, metal fillings tend to contract and expand due to temperature changes in the mouth and can lead to bacterial leakage around these fillings over time.

If you think that you may need dental treatment and are seeking to fix cavities with fillings, call today to schedule a visit with your doctor. For white fillings, safe and effective composite material can be used to restore you teeth and improve your oral health.