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M.J. Hendrickson, D.D.S. View Info		Enter Your Zip Code: How did you hear about us? Select One TV Radio Billboard Magazine Other What is Teeth Whitening? Teeth whitening refers to one of a number of techniques including chemical whitening, mild acid whitening, and abrasive teeth brightening that are performed to correct discoloration of the teeth by removing brown and yellow staining. The process of teeth whitening begins by creating a custom fitted mouth tray for the patient. The mouth tray provides a proper fit for comfort and also ensures the proper distribution of whitening solution to the teeth. Once the mouth tray is created, the dentist provides the patient with materials and instructions to follow through on their treatment. Typically, the teeth whitening session involves keeping the tray and solution in your mouth for between 2 to 3 hours. Occasionally the dentist might even instruct you to keep it in overnight. This process will continue anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks after which you would return to the dentist for a follow-up visit. What is Teeth Bleaching? Teeth bleaching refers to one of a number of techniques including chemical bleaching, mild acid bleaching, and abrasive teeth brightening that are performed to correct discoloration of the teeth by removing brown and yellow staining. The process of teeth bleaching begins by creating a custom fitted mouth tray for the patient. The mouth tray provides a proper fit for comfort and also ensures the proper distribution of bleaching solution to the teeth. Once the mouth tray is created, the dentist provides the patient with materials and instructions to follow through on their treatment. Typically, the teeth bleaching session involves keeping the tray and solution in your mouth for between 2 to 3 hours. Occasionally the dentist might even instruct you to keep it in overnight. This process will continue anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks after which you would return to the dentist for a follow-up visit. What is laser tooth whitening? Laser teeth whitening refers to a technique that does not require a mold to be cast. Instead a translucent whitening gel applied to the teeth is activated by a laser light which penetrates the teeth enamel causing them to reflect more light. This is generally a one office visit procedure and the effects will be noticeable immediately. What is Laser Teeth Bleaching? Laser teeth bleaching refers to a technique that does not require a mold to be cast. Instead a translucent bleaching gel applied to the teeth is activated by a laser light which penetrates the teeth enamel causing them to reflect more light. This is generally a one office visit procedure and the effects will be noticeable immediately. What are "dental veneers"? Dental Veneers can be a less expensive and less invasive alternative to crowns. They are an ideal choice for people with severe staining and discoloration caused by coffee, soda or cigarettes. They can also be used to correct crooked, chipped, misshapen and oddly shaped teeth. Unlike tooth crowns, Veneers do not require the dentist to remove much of the tooth itself although in certain circumstances removing a part of the tooth might be necessary. Be sure to discuss these requirements with your dentist before the procedure. Veneers will not stain and they are very durable, lasting anywhere from ten to fifteen years and they are perfect for people looking to acquire a pleasant smile. The first step in getting tooth veneers is to have your dentist cast moldings of your teeth. Once these moldings are cast, the veneers themselves are created. Veneers are essentially thin slices of porcelain or plastic molded to the shape of your teeth. The dentist will then lightly buff the outer layer of your teeth to allow for the added thickness of the veneer. In certain cases, he may also have to remove a part of your tooth. The dentist will then use cement to bond the veneer to your tooth. Be sure to request a temporary placement in the beginning to make sure you are happy with the results. Once you are satisfied with your new smile, the dentist will then cleanse your teeth with chemicals and replace your veneers using permanent cement and a light beam to achieve a durable bond. What are "porcelain veneers"? Porcelain Veneers can be a less expensive and less invasive alternative to crowns. They are an ideal choice for people with severe staining and discoloration caused by coffee, soda or cigarettes. They can also be used to correct crooked, chipped, misshapen and oddly shaped teeth. Unlike tooth crowns, Veneers do not require the dentist to remove much of the tooth itself although in certain circumstances removing a part of the tooth might be necessary. Be sure to discuss these requirements with your dentist before the procedure. Veneers will not stain and they are very durable, lasting anywhere from ten to fifteen years and they are perfect for people looking to acquire a pleasant smile. The first step in getting Porcelain veneers is to have your dentist cast moldings of your teeth. Once these moldings are cast, the veneers themselves are created. Veneers are essentially thin slices of porcelain molded to the shape of your teeth. The dentist will then lightly buff the outer layer of your teeth to allow for the added thickness of the veneer. In certain cases, he may also have to remove a part of your tooth. The dentist will then use cement to bond the veneer to your tooth. Be sure to request a temporary placement in the beginning to make sure you are happy with the results. Once you are satisfied with your new smile, the dentist will then cleanse your teeth with chemicals and replace your veneers using permanent cement and a light beam to achieve a durable bond. What is a "tooth crown"? There are a variety of factors that may contribute to the deterioration of teeth over the course of time. Age, tooth decay, defective fillings, improper bites and chewing patterns all play a role in the eventual wearing down and cracking of teeth. Dental crowns can reverse the effects of time by covering the entire visible surface of a tooth with enamel and porcelain to both strengthen the tooth and increase its durability. Crowns also improve the appearance of worn down and damaged teeth. Your dentist can tell you which problem areas in your mouth might be helped by the placement of a crown. Crowns come in three basic types: gold, ceramic and ceramic veneered gold crowns. Gold is by far the most durable material and is normally used in molars where the action from chewing can be most damaging. However, ceramic and porcelain veneered crowns are very popular as they can be made to closely resemble natural tooth color. Advancements in composite resin materials and bonding technology have also limited the need for metallic crown anchors that hold the crown in place by the two adjoining teeth. However, in situations where appearance is not an issue, gold anchors can still provide the most durable and precise fit. What is the difference between composite and porcelain veneers? A composite tooth veneer involves the placement of a bond and enamel directly onto the tooth’s surface. This procedure can usually be completed during one office visit to your dentist. Porcelain veneers are thin slices of porcelain applied to the surface of your teeth. They require moldings to be cast and usually at least two office visits to your dentist. They also involve having a lab create the molding piece. What is a dental implant? Dental implants are titanium bolts which are surgically screwed into your jawbone to allow for a realistic looking crown to be anchored in place. Implants can be a welcome alternative for people missing most or all of their teeth and can also be used to replace a single missing tooth. The procedure requires surgery and, depending on the size and shape of your jawbone, might also require a bone graft. However, once it has ‘taken’, the implant will last a lifetime. The crowns anchored to an implant do have to be replaced every ten to fifteen years. Dental implants are a very delicate and labor intensive procedure. It is important that you find an accredited and well-regarded dentist to perform it. There are also a number of variables depending mostly on the shape of the jawbone and the number of implants that need to be placed. The surgery to insert the implant into your jawbone can require a three to six month healing period. In certain cases it might also be necessary to perform a bone graft in order to strengthen the placement of the anchor. But once the implant has fused with the surrounding bone, the resulting anchor is very strong and durable and makes for excellent results.