Providing the latest techniques and scientific advances in dentistry.

Dental Implants

 

Before development of dental implants, dentures were the only alternative to replacing a missing tooth or teeth. Implants are synthetic structures that are placed in the area of the tooth normally occupied by the root. Implants are anchored to the jawbone or metal framework on the bone and act as a foundation for an artificial tooth or permanent bridge. In some cases, implants can be used to attach dentures. Implants are so well-designed, they mimic the look and feel of natural teeth. Implants are usually made of a synthetic yet biocompatible material like metal or ceramic.

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that a dentist places into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option if you have good general oral health and have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason. While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.

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Dental implants are so natural-looking and feeling, you may forget you ever lost a tooth. You know that your confidence about your teeth affects how you feel about yourself, both personally and professionally. Perhaps you hide your smile because of spaces from missing teeth. Maybe your dentures don't feel secure. Perhaps you have difficulty chewing. If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to smile, speak and eat again with comfort and confidence, there is good news! Dental implants are teeth that can look and feel just like your own! Under proper conditions, such as placement by a dentist and diligent patient maintenance, implants can last a lifetime.

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Not everyone is a candidate for a dental implant. For a successful implant to take hold, a candidate must have proper bone density and have a strong immune system. Diabetics and people with chronic bruxism (teeth clenching) are generally not favorable candidates. In all cases, dental implants require strict oral hygiene. In general, good candidates who have dental implants can expect high success rates with the procedure.

 

Implants can be used to restore an entire jaw or simply to replace one tooth. A healing period of four to six months is necessary to allow the implants to integrate. The implants are then uncovered, extensions are attached, and replacement teeth are affixed to the implants and extensions.

 

 

Crowns

When a tooth is cracked, decayed, or damaged, a dental crown may need to be fitted onto the tooth. A dental crown is a permanent covering that fits over the original tooth. Crowns can be made of porcelain, gold and other metals.  Ceramic crowns have the most realistic appearance and are extremely durable.  In fact, we guarantee them against breakage! Dental crowns can whiten, reshape, and realign existing teeth, adding to a healthy and vibrant smile.

 

Crowns are synthetic caps, usually made of a material like zirconia, placed on the top of a tooth. They are typically used to restore a tooth’s function and appearance following a restorative procedure such as a root canal. When decay in a tooth has become so advanced that large portions of the tooth must be removed, crowns are often used to restore the tooth. Crowns are also used to attach bridges, cover implants, prevent a cracked tooth from becoming worse, or an existing filling is in jeopardy of becoming loose or dislocated. Crowns also serve a cosmetic use, and are applied when a discolored or stained tooth needs to be restored to its natural appearance.

Procedure
A tooth must usually be reduced in size to accommodate a crown. Impressions are made, sent to a dental lab which manufactures a custom-designed crown. A temporary crown is fabricated until the permanent crown is ready. Permanent crowns are cemented in place.

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Root Canal Therapy

Root canal treatment is a procedure that relieves pain caused by an infected or abcessed tooth.  During the process, the inflamed nerve and blood vessels are removed, the internal aspect of the root of the tooth are then cleaned, disinfected, and a root canal filling is placed to seal the space.  Some teeth have more than one canal which requires additional treatment time.
 

Many dentists have never been trained to perform such complex dental treatments but Dr. Zenn has over 40 years of completing successful and pain-free root canal treatments.

 

 

Veneers

In just two or three dental visits, a veneer can reverse years of stains caused by foods, caffeine and tobacco use. Special thin laminates, called veneers, can also be used to correct discolored, worn down, cracked and chipped teeth. Veneers can also be used to close unsightly gaps between teeth. Stronger types of veneers made of porcelain, also called composite veneers, typically last longer because they are bonded to the tooth.

An impression of the tooth must be made and a veneer molded by a lab technician. Because veneers require a small amount of enamel to be removed, they are permanent and non-reversible.

The process involves buffing the tooth, removing an extremely thin layer of the tooth to allow for the thickness of the veneer, an impression of the tooth, and final bonding of the veneer to the tooth with special cement. A special light is used to complete the process.

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Dental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size or length and resulting in an improved appearance.

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Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or from resin composite materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth. Resin veneers are thinner and require removal of less of the tooth surface before placement. You will need to discuss the best choice of veneer material for you. Call to schedule your consultation appointment today!

 

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Whitening

 

Teeth can often be whitened by the several new techniques of "bleaching" available today. The most common method used is the "in-office" method where a strong bleaching agent is placed over the isolated teeth and a special light is used to assist the bleaching material to lighten the teeth. This method is generally more controlled and probably better for people who have tetracycline stains or streaks on their teeth. The "home" techniques involve making trays which fit into the mouth and these are then filled with bleaching materials. When worn for a few hours a day, noticeable results are generally seen within a few days to a couple weeks.

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Results vary from individual to individual and we will be happy to help you decide which method works best for you. Some of the factors involved include the intensity of the stains, whether or not you have fillings or crowns on your front teeth as well as what may have caused the stains.

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1 Hour Whitening:
Zoom! is a bleaching process that lightens discoloration of enamel and dentin. The complete procedure takes a little more than an hour. The procedure begins with a preparation period followed by about an hour of bleaching.

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Whitening Trays:
Our at-home bleaching provides you with dazzling results, all for about an hour a day. Bleaching is fast, easy, convenient, affordable and long-lasting.

 

Dr. Zenn offers in-office bleaching as well as in-home bleaching providing alternatives to fit any budget.

 

White Fillings

 

When you need a small filling but don't want ugly silver in your teeth, direct resin or white fillings are the way to go. Their most obvious advantage is beauty - a well-done white filling can be indistinguishable from the natural tooth. They have many advantages. White fillings can change the appearance of teeth, strengthen teeth, and more conservatively treat teeth - all things that silver fillings cannot do.

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White fillings are bonded to tooth structure - this means that they actually integrate with the tooth, thereby sealing the gap between tooth and filling and adding their strength to the tooth. This allows for the more varied uses of resin beyond just regular fillings - like placing thin layers over front teeth to change their color, shape or general appearance; or repairing small chips or fractures in teeth; or even being placed in the grooves of teeth to prevent decay from ever occurring. Bonded white fillings are an extremely beautiful advance in the creation of fantastic and healthy smiles.

 

Bridges

A dental bridge is a device used to fill the space where a tooth has fallen out or been removed. A typical dental bridge consists of a pontic (a filler tooth) that is attached to two surrounding crowns (abutments). Once complete, this bridge structure is bonded into the mouth. Without the use of a bridge, spaces in the mouth from missing teeth can cause multiple teeth to shift, lead to occlusion (biting) and/or jaw problems, and may spur periodontal disease. Dental bridges safeguard the integrity of existing teeth and help maintain a healthy, vibrant smile.
 

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Preventive Care

We focus on preventive care and education as the vital path to achieving and maintaining your healthy smile. A complete oral exam, including an oral cancer screening and periodontal probings to measure the health of your gum tissue is a must!
 

Fluoride Treatment: Helps strengthen the enamel of your teeth reducing the risk of cavities for children and adults

Sealants: A plastic coating placed on the biting surface of 6 year and 12 year molars to help prevent cavities from forming in the deep grooves of these teeth

Prophylaxis: "Cleaning" or removing the build up of calculus, stain and tartar that daily brushing and flossing does not

Periodontal Treatment: Includes treatment for gingivitis and soft tissue management in order to treat (not cure) periodontal disease

Root Planing & Scaling: Deep "cleaning" with anesthesia if needed, in order to remove stubborn calculus and tartar buildup below the gumline

Antibiotic Therapy: Placing an antibiotic below the gumline in conjunction with scaling and root planing to fight active infection and promote healing
Periodontal Maintenance: More frequent prophylaxis (3 or 4 month intervals instead of 6 month intervals) in order to prevent calculus, tartar and bacteria from reaching damaging levels

 

Bonding

 

In recent years bonding has proven to be a highly effective treatment for closing spaces between the teeth. Composite resin, a plastic material, is applied to the teeth to make them wider in areas were gaps exist. Bonding can also be used to close a space temporarily until crowns are made, for example. If you are closing gaps with bonding, also consider taking care of any other visible defects such as rotated or broken teeth at the same time. As in most esthetic problems, computer imaging can help show you how many teeth will need treatment. Also remember that gum disease or bone loss must be treated before bonding takes place.

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Full Mouth Reconstruction

 

If you have worn, broken, decayed or missing teeth or if you suffer from a bad bite that is contributing to jaw pain, neck pain, headaches and/or TMJ problems, then Full-Mouth Reconstruction may be right for you. Dr. Zenn has the expert training to first determine if your bite is significantly contributing to your symptoms. He can create a provisional new bite for you that will alleviate your symptoms and also feel comfortable. Dr. Zenn believes it is important for you to be comfortable with the new bite before a financial commitment is made to receive Full-Mouth Reconstruction. Dr. Zenn has improved the quality of life for many of his patients by giving them lasting comfort and attractive, natural-looking teeth and a beautiful smile through Full-Mouth Reconstruction.

 

If Dr. Zenn’s assessment indicates that your symptoms of jaw pain, neck pain and/or headaches can be improved with corrective bite (occlusal) treatment, he prefers to correct the problems with a temporary solution to ensure that his patients experience significant relief from symptoms, and obtain the desired results.  Only then does Dr. Zenn recommend Full-Mouth Reconstruction to sustain the optimal bite permanently.

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In order to achieve a natural and successful result, a highly technical process is required. Post-graduate courses are necessary as well as extensive experience. Artistic ability and technical skills are required to obtain an impeccable Smile Design.

 

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Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are common disorders that affect the temporomandibular joint (the jaw joint also known as TMJ) and the muscles that open and close the jaw. 

 

Many different things can cause TMD. Trauma (car accidents, overstretching of the jaw etc) is one. Abnormal habits such as clenching and grinding your teeth (bruxism) lip biting, and fingernail biting which cause abnormal jaw positioning can be a second. Malocclusion, which refers to the abnormal way your teeth bite and fit together, is a third.  Another factor may be the abuse of certain prescription medications, which affects the central nervous system and the muscles that contribute to TMD.

 

TMD symptoms include pain or discomfort in or around the ear, jaw joint, and/or muscles of the jaw, temples and neck on one or both sides.  The pain may arise suddenly and progress with fluctuating frequency and intensity over months to years. Clicking, popping, grating, locking, limited opening or deviating jaw movement, chewing difficulties, and headache are also associated with TMD. Occasional discomfort in your jaw or muscles is quite normal and usually not a cause for alarm. 

Call our office if you:
 

Experience radiating pain in your shoulders, neck or face.

You have a painful clicking sound in your jaw joint when you open or close
 

Your jaws suddenly don’t line up correctly
 

You have difficulty opening and closing your jaw or you get locked in one position.
 

Because there is no known “cure” for TMD, management of patients with TMD symptoms is similar to management of patients with other orthopedic or rheumatologic disorders.  The goals of TMD management include decrease in pain, decrease in adverse pressure on the jaw joints, and restoration of function of the jaw and normal daily activities.

Dr. Zenn treats TMD very conservatively and uses management techniques such a physical therapy, medications, jaw exercises and orthopedic appliances. These practices have proven to be safe and effective in the majority of TMD cases.  Most patients suffering from TMD achieve good long-term relief with these conservative and reversible therapies.

 

There are also some treatments that patients should practice at home.

Limit jaw opening (yawning, etc.).

 

Rest the jaw by avoiding heavy chewing (gum, bagels, tough meat)

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Avoid grinding and clenching of teeth by keeping the teeth slightly apart and the jaw relaxed

 

Avoid leaning on or sleeping on the jaw

 

Avoid tongue thrusting and chewing non-food items (fingernails, pens, pencils, etc.)

 

Avoid playing wind, brass and string musical instruments that stress, retrude or strain the jaw

 

Massage of the affected muscles

 

Perform gentle range-of-motion exercise of the jaw as directed by your doctor or therapist

 

Dr. Zenn examination will consist of touching different areas of the head, neck and inside the mouth, measurements and evaluation of the jaw, head and neck, and gentle provoking of the pain. This can be with light touches, heavy touches cold or heat.  Dr. Zenn may also perform some simple neurological tests. Psychological tests may also be appropriate since anxiety and depression often accompany persistent pain.  Depending on the complexity of the problem, Dr. Zenn will decide which of the diagnostic tests are appropriate. After piecing together the results of the history, examination, and diagnostic tests, Dr. Zenn will make a diagnosis and recommend a treatment strategy. Usually, treatment is done on a trial basis and sometimes several treatments may be attempted before an effective approach is found. Treatment of pain disorders may require considerable patience to eventually control the pain.  The first, or even the second method of treatment may not be successful but try to avoid being discouraged if you do not get results immediately. Maintain close communication with your doctor in a cooperative manner in an effort to obtain the most effective results. 

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Dr. Zenn will provide a thorough examination and will then decide the appropriate treatment option for you. Maintaining close communication with Dr. Zenn will help to achieve the most effective results.

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Sealants for Children

 

A child's smile is like magic; it can light up a room and tug at your heart. Here at Dr. Zenn’s office we take your little one’s smile seriously. We focus on preventing possible problems and the goal is for our patients to grow up without ever getting a cavity!

 

Sealant Applications

One of the most common places for tooth decay to occur is on the chewing surfaces of back teeth, called premolars and molars. When you run your tongue along the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, you can feel depressions and grooves. These indentations, called pits and fissures, help to grind food, but are difficult to keep clean. The tooth brush bristles can´t reach into the microscopic grooves to remove plaque bacteria and tiny particles of food.

Because pits and fissures are difficult to keep clean, we can recommend dental sealants. A dental sealant is a plastic material that is applied to the chewing surface of a back tooth and acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acid. Sealants can benefit children and adults since you never outgrow cavities.

 

How Sealants are Applied

The procedure is simple and fast and there is little, if any, discomfort. First the teeth to be sealed are thoroughly cleaned and conditioned. Then the sealant is applied to the chewing surfaces where it bonds to the enamel. A special curing light is used to help the sealant harden. As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth´s chewing surface will be protected from decay. Sealants, which hold up well under the incredible force of everyday chewing, usually last several years before reapplication is needed. We always check their condition during your regular examinations.

 

 

Non-Surgical Gum Care

 

Periodontal disease is an infection of the teeth and gums, as well as the bone that surrounds the teeth. If left untreated, it causes supporting bone to be lost from around the teeth. Periodontal disease is the number-one cause of tooth loss in the United States today. There are three stages to periodontal disease - gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. Plaque, a sticky film of food and bacteria, forms constantly on teeth. If it isn´t removed daily, it begins to harden and forms tartar (calculus). In this early stage, before bone loss has occurred, the gums become red and swollen; this is gingivitis.

 

As the plaque and tartar work their way down below the gum line, the gums begin to separate away from the teeth, forming pockets. Once a pocket has formed, the process accelerates, as new, even more destructive types of bacteria begin to populate the pocket. If the tartar isn´t removed by dental professionals, your body´s defensive reaction to the infection produces enzymes that cause the loss of supporting bone; this is periodontitis.

 

Over time, if periodontitis continues unchecked, this bone loss continues. Eventually, so much bone is lost that some of the teeth begin to loosen. This is advanced periodontitis.

 

Periodontal Disease Increases Your Risk of Heart Disease

Recent studies have shown that individuals with severe gum disease are four times more likely to suffer from coronary heart disease. Research has discovered that this chronic infection in your mouth creates an open doorway for plaque bacteria to enter the bloodstream. These streptococcus bacteria may cause blood clots that can block your arteries and even trigger a heart attack.

 

Other studies have shown that plaque bacteria entering the bloodstream through infected gums may also cause a potentially fatal heart disease called infective endocarditis. This is a bacterial infection which causes the sac around the heart to become inflamed.

 

How You Can Reduce Your Risk
Regular dental exams can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. So do your heart a favor. Brush, floss, and visit us twice a year for a checkup and cleaning!

Conscious Sedation Dentistry

 

Patients who are apprehensive about receiving dental treatment often avoid going to the dentist. Ultimately, this avoidance can lead to advanced disease and the need for expensive treatments that could have been avoided.

Conscious Sedation provides a safe, effective way to alleviate dental anxiety and provide patients with the treatment they need. How it Works:

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Conscious sedation induces a drowsy, relaxed feeling via an inhaled extremely safe gas.  However, Dr. Zenn has found that nearly all of patients feel relaxed with him, so very few of patients require the need this treatment.
 

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About Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth, officially referred to as third molars, are usually the last teeth to develop and are located in the back part of your mouth. They usually complete development between the ages of 20 and 25, a time traditionally associated with the onset of maturity and the attainment of Wisdom. Since the wisdom teeth are the last to develop, they may not have enough room to adequately erupt into the mouth to become fully functional and cleansable teeth. This lack of room or space can result in a number of harmful effects on your overall dental health. Dr. Zenn treats wisdom teeth conservatively and will recommend removal only if patient’s are aware of or even unaware of problems they are creating.