COSMETIC DENTISTRY 

Cosmetic dentistry is one of the fastest growing trends in healthcare today.  Patients are realizing that they no longer have to live with unsightly gaps or missing teeth, stained teeth or ugly silver mercury fillings.  The advancements in dentistry in the past decade have nearly eliminated the use of metal of any kind in restoring teeth.  Instead, patients can expect natural, tooth colored restorations, smooth, white porcelain veneers and crowns, and a more beautiful end result that will last for many years to come. 

We find that many of our patients have questions about what is possible.  While Dr. Singleton and his team will explain your case in detail, we have found it helpful to explain some of the procedures in a format that you can review at your leisure.

What is cosmetic dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is an aspect of modern dentistry that allows us to conservatively restore your teeth back to their natural strength and beauty.  It also allows us to enhance the appearance of your smile by closing gaps, straightening crooked teeth, lengthening worn and chipped teeth, and whitening teeth for a more youthful, clean and healthy-looking smile.  

It takes years of experience and advanced training to be able to design a natural looking smile.  A cosmetic dentist must combine artistry with science to create a smile that looks undistinguishable from nature.  Dr. Singleton has pursued years of advanced training through the internationally renowned Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies.  The Institute has also named Dr. Singleton to the position of Clinical Instructor, where he teaches other dentists from around the world how to create spectacular smiles. 

What will my new smile look like?

Every smile is as unique as the person who wears it.  Dr. Singleton takes great care in designing a smile that suits the individual patient.  A series of careful facial measurements will help Dr. Singleton to create a smile that is in proportion to your bone structure, age and gender. 

Thanks to advances in computer technology, Dr. Singleton is also able to show you an image of your new smile before you even begin the procedure.  Through digital imaging software, Dr. Singleton is able to manipulate a digital photograph of your existing smile and show you your redesigned smile.  This is an excellent way to share your excitement with spouses and family members.

 What technologies do you use in cosmetic dentistry?

Modern technology is an integral part of cosmetic dentistry.  The use of intra-oral cameras, for example, allows us to see your teeth magnified on a high-resolution monitor, allowing for better diagnosis and more conservative treatment.  Our soft tissue laser provides for conservative gum surgery to heighten or even out a smile line, many times with no need for anesthesia. 

 What can be done if I have stained or discolored teeth?

Many people achieve a whiter, brighter smile with our simple smile whitening procedure.  It’s safe, quick and inexpensive.  You can whiten only your upper or lower teeth, or your entire smile.

 Dr. Singleton will begin by taking an impression of your teeth and fabricating a custom fit tray that will precisely conform to your mouth.  This tray is extremely thin and nearly invisible.  Patients may elect to bleach their teeth at night while sleeping, or for a few hours each day.  A special whitening agent bubbles stains right out of your enamel in a very short time without altering tooth structure or existing dental work in any way.  Your new smile should stay white and bright for a long time with only occasional touch-ups. 

What do you use to fill cavities?

The days of silver mercury fillings are now nearly obsolete.  Our practice uses no silver mercury, and will be happy to assist you in replacing older, failing amalgam restorations.  Today’s porcelain inlays and composite resins create fillings that are not only natural looking but also stronger than materials of the past.   

What are porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin sheets of ceramic that bond directly to the front surfaces of the teeth.  They are an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility.  When bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers are virtually undetectable and highly resistant to coffee, tea or even cigarette stains.  For strength and appearance, their resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel is unsurpassed by other restorative options.

 What are inlays and onlays?

We use inlays and onlays made of porcelain or composite resin.  These pieces are bonded to the damaged area of the tooth.  Inlays, similar to a filling, are used inside the cusp tips of a tooth.  Onlays are a more substantial reconstruction, extending out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth. 

While traditional fillings can reduce tooth strength by up to 50%, inlays and onlays made of high strength resins can actually increase tooth strength by up to 75%, lasting from 10 to 30 years.

 What is bonding?

Bonding is a restorative procedure for teeth that are chipped, cracked, discolored or misarranged.  Dr. Singleton will lightly etch the surface of the tooth and apply a bonding liquid.  A plastic resin is then applied and sculpted into the desired shape.  Bonding can often be completed in a single visit and can significantly change the appearance of your smile.  However, plastic resin is not as strong as tooth enamel and is more likely to stain, chip or break than natural teeth.  Veneers are a more long lasting solution for chips and gaps. 

How can you replace my missing teeth?

Many options are available, including bridges, implants or even precision fit natural looking and feeling partial and full dentures.  There is no reason to live with missing teeth.  Replacing missing teeth can add self-confidence, and also allows other teeth to last longer by reducing the stress placed on the remaining natural teeth.

NEUROMUSCULAR DENTISTRY

 Modern dentistry is about much more than improving the appearance of a smile.  Advances in the science of complete dentistry have taught us how to bring the jaw into a relaxed position to help alleviate years of pain and discomfort.   

Neuromuscular dentistry uses the relaxed position of the muscles of the head and neck to place the jaw into an optimal physiologic position.  Twenty-five years of research and clinical experience have shown this position to be effective in treating patients with head and neck pain. 

Who is affected?

Tempromandibular joint disease (also known as TMD or TMJ) affects 75 million people at any one time.  It is a chronic degenerative disease that may take years to develop.  People who suffer from TMD have a structural imbalance in their jaw-to-skull relationship, caused by a bad bite.  This disease causes the following: 

• Alteration of the position of the tempromandibular joint by placing excessive pressure on the joint and tissues around them.

• Twisting the jaw into a strained position.  This further affects the muscles in the face, back, neck and shoulders. 

What are the symptoms?

You may be a candidate for neuromuscular dentistry if you experience any of the following symptoms on a regular basis: 

• Headaches or migraines
• Unexplained loose teeth
• Worn, chipped or cracked teeth
• Cracking, chipping or breaking dental restorations
• Pain or soreness around the jaw joints
• Pain in teeth that seems to move around
• Neck, shoulder or back pain
• Facial pain
• Clicking or grating sounds in the jaw joints
• Limited movement or locking jaw
• Numbness in your fingers and arms
• Congestion, stuffiness or ringing of the ears

How can you help me?

Dr. Singleton is well trained and highly capable of treating the neuromuscular symptoms of a patient with a poor bite (malocclusion).  Following a comprehensive examination, Dr. Singleton may diagnose malocclusion and recommend a treatment plan that will correct your bite and alleviate pain and discomfort. 

To correct this malocclusion, Dr. Singleton may recommend the use of dental restorations that can precisely raise or lower areas of your bite to create a naturally comfortable position for your jaw.  In most cases, we can reposition your jaw without surgery or braces, and complete the treatment in a few short weeks. 

What technologies do you use in neuromuscular dentistry?

The treatment process involves using the Myotronics K7, a sophisticated computer program to record and interpret tempromandibular joint sounds, masticory (chewing) muscle activity (EMGS) and the path of movement the jaw follows in function.  Dr. Singleton may also request specialized jaw joint x-rays, called tomographic views, to actually see the position of the jaw in a variety of resting and active positions.  The results of these tests allows us to find the most relaxed position for the jaw to create your best possible bite for comfort and appearance.

 How will I look following the treatment?

We find that many patients experience a moderate to significant change in their facial appearance following completion of the treatment.  Patients with recessed lower jaws may have a new profile, accenting a stronger jaw line and chin.  Areas of the jaw that may have protruded excessively will be pulled back in alignment.  In addition, all of the restorations necessary to correct the bite will be created with consideration to the aesthetic result of the smile.  Not only will this procedure correct pain, it will give patients the smile they have always dreamed about.