Teeth Whitening

One of the easiest ways to make your smile whiter and brighter is through dental whitening. Teeth can become stained from the foods that we eat and drink, smoking tobacco or just with age. These stains and color changes can be removed safely and effectively through bleaching treatments.

We believe the most effective and long-term system to bleach your teeth is an at home bleaching regimen. At the office an impression, or mold of your mouth is taken and a soft custom made tray is made by our staff. A thin ribbon of bleaching gel is then placed in the tray and the patient, for as little as ten minutes a day, wears the tray. This treatment can continue until you have reached your desired whiteness or approximately two weeks.

Safe and effective, this whitening method does not have any adverse effects on your teeth or gums. This is a clinically proven product when directions given by the dentist are followed.

Child Dental Care

Dr. Becker is a family dentist who provides gentle, personalized dental care for children and adults. Children grow differently and Dr. Becker tailors each child’s dental needs individually to the patient. You can start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as their first tooth comes in. At first, just a damp wash cloth is good to clean your infant’s teeth. Once they are between 2-3 years of age they are old enough to be seen by Dr. Becker. If you have questions at all about your child’s dental needs, please feel free to contact the office.

Bridges

When one or more than one tooth is missing in a patients mouth, one option to restore the space is a Dental Bridge. This restoration literally “bridges” the gap and anchors itself between two teeth.

In a bridge, the two teeth on either side of the missing space are prepared just like you would for a single crown. This creates a foundation for the bridge to be place upon. The teeth drilled down are called abutements and the missing tooth is called a pontic. A temporary bridge will be made while the permanent bridge is fabricated by the lab. The final bridge is then permanently cemented in the patients mouth.

Complete Dentures

A Complete Denture is a removable appliance that replaces all missing teeth and the surrounding tissue. It sits on the soft tissue, or gum, of the mouth and covers the bone ridge that remains when teeth are removed. In addition to replacing the teeth it restores the natural form and structure of the face.

Partial Denture

When a patient still has natural remaining teeth left, missing teeth can be replaced with a removable appliance called a partial denture. Its foundation can be made entirely of acrylic or with a metal base for more stability. This is an effective and esthetic way to replace missing teeth. This tooth appliance is removable and can often make cleaning for some patients much easier.

When you receive your removable appliance there is often an adjustment period where a patient becomes accustom to wearing it. We are committed to making you comfortable and are happy to make adjustments to make this appliance fit well. Over time, the gums and supporting bone in the jaw may shrink and additional adjustments or tightening may be necessary. It is important that the overall fit and make of the appliance is checked regularly, every 6months, to help ensure optimal results.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are a replacement for missing teeth. They are surgically placed in the jawbone to mimic a tooth root structure. They can be used to replace one or several missing teeth. The main benefit to a dental implant is that unlike a bridge, they do not rely on neighboring tooth structure for support. Dental implants are permanent, stable and not removable.

The first step is an examination or consultation with the dentist to determine if your bone is strong enough to maintain the implant. X-rays may be taken and models of your teeth may be made. The implants are then placed in the mouth during a surgical procedure in the office and are left undisturbed for 8weeks- 3months depending on the stability of your bone. Usually you are provided with a temporary replacement for your teeth during this time.

Following the healing period a small connector or extension, called an abutment, is attached to the implant. The permanent replacement, or crown, is then attached to this connector.

The result is an aesthetic, stable, tooth saving restoration that will give you the confidence to speak, eat and smile with comfort.