Cosmetic Dentistry
Veneers
Unlike direct bonding, porcelain laminate veneers are a more complex cosmetic procedure that enables Dr. Rickards to change your smile dramatically. Porcelain laminate veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are specially fabricated. Your tooth/teeth are slightly prepared or modified, an impression is taken, sent to the lab and the veneers are made to bond onto your remaining tooth structure. This process is done in two appointments. Between appointments you will often have temporaries placed to protect your teeth. Porcelain laminate veneers can be used to change the shape, size, colour and position of your teeth in just 3 weeks!
Through Dr. Rickards training with Dr. Larry Rosenthal in New York, he was introduced and given the opportunity to work with "Jurim Dental Studios" - a lab in New York city. The owner and principal technician at this studio was one of the original co-creators of veneers and fabricates them for many movie stars, models and celebrities you see on TV. It is through his relations with Jurim Dental Studios that Dr. Rickards has come to expect perfection in his porcelain restorations.
Direct Bonding
Direct Bonding is a "one step" process where Dr. Rickards bonds the actual white filling material to your teeth to close gaps, lengthen teeth and mask discolourations. Direct bonding does not last as long as veneers, but is an excellent, less costly alternative to porcelain laminate veneers. Direct bonding often requires no freezing and can be completed in one appointment. Candidates for direct bonding must be chosen carefully as it is a very technique-sensitive procedure. Patients undergo specific evaluation with Dr. Rickards before suggesting direct bonding as a treatment option. If there is something about your smile that you want to change or a chip that has always bothered you, feel free to ask what your options may be.
Gum Recontouring (Gingivectomies)
If you have a smile that shows too much gum tissue or your tissues are unevenly contoured, you may be a candidate for a Gingivectomy or gum recontouring. Through close examination, Dr. Rickards can determine the positive effects this gum procedure can have on your smile. The procedure can be performed in a variety of ways and usually only requires one initial appointment and a follow up examination. The results of gum recontouring can be very dramatic, whether it is done alone or in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures.
Orthodontics
In almost all cases of and individual wanting to improve their smile, it includes repositioning teeth. Aside from providing a correct and healthy bite, orthodontics can straighten crooked teeth.
Although we do not provide orthodontics within our practice, we refer to a very well established Orthodontic practice in town. Each patient wanting a cosmetic change to their smile is evaluated for orthodontics. When we provide treatment plan options, this is often one of the recommendations we will make. Feel free to inquire with us about orthodontics for children and adults and speak to us about the positive effects orthodontics can have on your life.
Whitening
What is tooth whitening?
It is an actual bleaching process that lightens discoloured enamel and dentin (the second layer of tooth structure). There are two systems to get your teeth their whitest: at home and/or in the office.
Who may benefit from whitening?
Almost anyone! However, there are some cases where the treatment may not be as effective. Dr. Rickards will be the best to determine whether you are a candidate through a thorough oral examination and diagnosis.
What is the home bleaching technique?
Thin custom trays are fabricated to fit over your teeth. These trays are used to hold the whitening gel on your teeth. Depending on the type of system you choose, you will either wear the trays for 8 hours during the night or a 1 hour session during the day.
What is the in-office whitening technique?
Similar materials are used, but the whitening gel is activated by using and intense blue light over the gel and your teeth. At Concept Dental Centre, a one and one half hour appointment is scheduled and the bleaching process is done right here in the office.
Is it safe?
Yes! Research and clinical studies indicate that whitening teeth with carbamide peroxide under the supervision of a dentist is safe for both your teeth and your gums. At Concept Dental Centre we consider this to be the safest whitening process available today.
Either way you choose to whiten your teeth, the process is closely monitored by Dr. Rickards and his team to ensure your success and comfort. The whiter, brighter smile you have always dreamed of can be achieved in just days. If you would like to know if you are a candidate for whitening, please feel free to speak with Dr. Rickards or any of our staff.
Porcelain Restoration
Why it is the Best Restoration System
Unlike metal fillings, the porcelain is reliably bonded to your teeth. What this means is, that they do not only fill the hole left by decay or a previous filling, but they are strongly bonded to the remaining tooth structure and in many cases help strengthen the remaining tooth. Porcelain is extremely biocompatible. Many patients have mild sensitivities to metals, resulting in a chronic inflammation or redness caused by the metal. Porcelain can remove less of our patients healthy tooth structure when preparing the teeth for Porcelain crowns and fillings, particularly in the more sensitive areas below the gum line. This can significantly reduce irritation to the nerve of the tooth as well as reduce or eliminate the need to go below the gum line, resulting in less or no gum irritation. The appearance of the finished Porcelain restoration is white and very natural looking, which is what patients are more commonly looking for in their dentistry today.
Porcelain vs. Regular White Fillings
These common white fillings are called composites, and there are many types. They too bond to your teeth and are white, but their ability to withstand long term wear, particularly when the filling is large will not compare to that of a Porcelain. In very small fillings these composites may well be all that is required, and you can be sure that Dr. Rickards will always tell you when this is the case. A general rule of thumb is that if the filling is greater that one third the width of the tooth, then Porcelain; if less, then composite.
State-of-the-Art Strength
Now we definitely do not recommend that anyone rush out and get all of their fillings replaced with Porcelain, but as time passes and your existing fillings age, consider Porcelain as an excellent alternative when it is time to replace them.
Diamonds ARE Forever
Looking for an added sparkle to your smile?
Diamond placement on select teeth can be a subtle yet effective way of adding a touch of something special to your smile.
This relatively straight forward procedure can sometimes be done without anesthetic. Placement and size of a diamond are determined by you and Dr. Rickards. Diamonds are provided and the total cost of the procedure is $250.00.
Due to the very conservative preparation of this procedure, there is little removed from your tooth but the effectiveness of the bond is superior thus making diamonds last "forever".
BOTOX® Cosmetics and Injectable Fillers
After restoring your smile, whether it be through bleaching, bonded restorations or veneers we may recommend you consider the final touches of your new image with cosmetic injectables. BOTOX® Cosmetics will help you relax the muscles around your mouth that could be creating lines or fillers to enhance your lips or reduce the folds and lines on the lower part of your face.
As part of our comprehensive treatment planning to restore your smile, we are proud to work with like minded organizations that share in the dedication to increasing your self-esteem. Visit Vanishings.ca for more details on Cosmetic Injectables.
