Massapequa Cosmetic Dentistry

Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain used to recreate the natural look of teeth. Veneers can be used to change the size, shape, color and position of teeth. To place a veneer, a very small amount of the original tooth enamel must be removed. Afterwards, an adhesive layer is placed between the slightly prepped tooth and the veneer. The veneer is then hardened with a curing light. 

A crown is a dental restoration that completely covers the outside of a severely decayed tooth. While crowns can be made of a variety of materials, most of the crowns we place in our office are all porcelain, metal free and computer milled, which provides for the most aesthetic look and the best possible fit. Dental crowns can be completed in two visits. During the first visit, the tooth is prepped (shaved down) and an impression is taken. A temporary crown is placed while the permanent crown is being made. During the second visit, the permanent crown is fitted comfortably and then cemented into place for a permanent restoration. 

A bridge replaces missing teeth without the use of a denture or dental implant. A false tooth is held in place by being attached to a neighboring tooth. In order to fabricate a bridge, crowns are made for the teeth on either side of the space and a false tooth is placed in between the crowns, which act as supports. 

Dental implants are the replacement of tooth roots in the mouth. Implants provide a strong foundation for fixed or removable replacement teeth. Dental implants, which are placed in the jawbone, are small anchors made of a biocompatible metal called titanium. The anchors begin to fuse with the bone over the course of a few months. After the fusing process, known as osseointegration, abutment posts are inserted into the anchors to allow for the permanent attachment of the replacement teeth. 

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth. There are two types of dentures: Complete (Full) and Partial Dentures.

Complete (Full) Dentures are made after all the teeth in the upper and/or lower jaw have been removed and the gum tissue has healed. The denture includes an acrylic base that is custom made in the dental laboratory and is made to look like natural gums. The denture sits over the gums or can be anchored to dental implants for additional comfort and support. If multiple teeth need to be removed, immediate dentures can be made ahead of time so that our patients are never without teeth.

Removable Partial Dentures are made when only a few teeth need to be replaced. They most commonly consist of teeth that are attached to either a metal or acrylic base. Often there are clasps, which are disguised or hidden for cosmetics, that hook on to the patient’s own teeth.

All our fillings are done using a tooth colored composite material (metal and mercury free). These fillings are more aesthetic, tend to be less sensitive and they better adhere to the tooth’s surface than conventional amalgam fillings.

Teeth over time will darken and stain. ZOOM!® Whitening, a form of bleaching, is an in-office procedure used to remove much of this stain and brighten your smile. It uses a specialized LED light to activate a whitening agent on the surface of the teeth, helping to lift the stain out of the enamel surface. This results in a whiter, brighter more youthful smile. Most people will lighten 6 to 8 shades with a single session.

Learn more about teeth whitening