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Zoom Whitening
Your smile is important. It's one of the first things you notice when you meet someone. A whiter, brighter smile is beautiful - it can help you feel better about yourself and make a memorable impression.
Your lifestyle and the aging process can stain and darken your teeth. Many things we do on a regular basis can contribute to stained teeth, such as drinking coffee, tea, cola and red wine or smoking.
Whitening can get your smile looking its best. Non-professional procedures and clinically unproven teeth whitening tips can often lead to unsatisfactory results, you should look for a whitening procedure that is:
Fast and convenient
Long lasting
Low sensitivity
Proven to be safe and effective
Performed by a Dental Professional
Other whitening systems don't compare to the Zoom! Chairside Whitening System. Nothing whitens better or faster.
"Zoom has made my smile look twenty years younger. I was amazed at how short and easy the process actually was. I'm recommending Zoom! to all of my friends who want a simple, safe way to look better in less than an hour."
- Iris
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Cosmetic Dentistry
What is cosmetic dentistry and how can it improve my smile?
Dr. Wright can perform a variety of cosmetic procedures to improve your smile-from subtle changes to major repairs. There are many techniques and options to treat teeth that are discolored, chipped, misshapen, or missing. Your dentist can reshape your teeth, close spaces, restore worn teeth, or alter the length of your teeth. Common procedures include teeth whitening, bonding, caps, crowns, veneers, and reshaping and contouring.
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Veneers
Of all the methods available today for changing and improving the look of your smile, veneers are among the most popular and successful with our patients. Dr. Wright removes a small amount of tooth surface to place the veneers. The dental technician fabricates the veneers from models. The veneers are then bonded to teeth. Advantages of veneers over bonding are resistant to staining and increased longevity.
No-prep porcelain veneers can give you the beautiful smile you've always wanted with no shots, no drilling and no pain! Dr. Wright will simply take impressions of your teeth, and the lab will fabricate razor-thin veneers to be placed on top of your natural teeth. No-prep veneers can be used to close spaces between teeth, reshape chipped or worn teeth, or whiten discolored smiles. Dr. Wright will determine if minimal- or no-prep veneers are right
for you. If you are a candidate, your smile makeover can be completed in as few as two appointments.
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Porcelain Fillings or Inlays
Dr. Wright can replace old, broken down metal fillings or missing teeth that detract from your smile using composite or ceramic materials.
Composite or ceramic restorations look natural because shades are selected to match the color of your teeth. These restorations are kind to your opposing teeth,wear more like natural enamel,and can regain most of your tooth's original strength. Ask Dr. Wright which option would be best for you.
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Implant Dentistry
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically anchored to the jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in place. One of the major benefits of implants is that they do not rely on neighboring teeth for support and they are permanent and stable. Implants are a good solution to tooth loss because they look and feel like natural teeth.
What are implants made of ?
Implant material is made from different types of metallic and bone-like ceramic materials that are compatible with body tissues. Most implants are made of titanium, which bonds well with bone and is biocompatible, making it an ideal material for implants. How are implants placed? First, the dentist will perform surgery to place the implant's anchor in the jaw. it may take as long as six months for the jaw bone to grow around the anchor to hold it firmly in place. Once the implant is stable and the gums have healed, the dentist or specialist makes the artificial teeth and fits them to the post portion of the anchor. Your dentist will work with you to create an implant that fits well and is comfortable and attractive.
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Nightguards
Does your jaw feel stiff or do you have difficulty opening your mouth wide? Are your teeth sensitive to cold drinks? Do your jaw muscles feel tired in the morning? You may be grinding your teeth at night (a medical condition called bruxism) or you may be clenching your teeth, which can be just as harmful. People with nighttime grinding habits may wear away their tooth enamel "ten times faster" than those without "abusive chewinghabits."1 Eventually, your teeth may be worn down
In addition to relieving head, neck, jaw joint and shoulder pains, treating bruxism and clenching is cost effective compared to ignoring the condition and exposing teeth to continued grinding. Without treatment, crowns (caps), bridges, implants and dentures are often needed to repair or replace worn and damaged teeth. Ask your dentist if a nightguard can help to provide temporary relief from grinding, bruxing or clenching.Nightguards are custom made and are easy to insert & remove.
1. G.J. Christensen, DDS, MSD, PhD. “Treating Bruxism and Clenching,”
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Sedation Dentistry
Sedation allows dentists to create a state of relaxation and thus manage the fear and pain patients may experience during dental procedures. There are several different types of sedation in dentistry.
Local anesthesia is administered by injecting medication into tissue or by applying a medication topically to an area to eliminate sensation.
Minimal sedation is used most frequently in dentistry and usually involves taking medications orally. All bodily functions remain normal and the person is able to breathe on his or her own. The patient may respond normally to verbal commands and may experience some degree of amnesia about what happened during their dental appointment. Nitrous oxide or "laughing gas" may be used to achieve minimal sedation and in combination with a recommended dosage of oral medication.
Moderate sedation is achieved by using medications that can be taken orally or intravenously (IV). Patients who undergo moderate sedation are awake and respond to touch and/or verbal commands. All bodily functions remain normal, and the patient does not need assistance breathing.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of sedation in dentistry?
Minimal and moderate sedation reduce anxiety that is typically associated with dentistry and allow the patient to relax. The amnesia usually associated with these methods also is a plus for many patients. However, sedation in dentistry does have disadvantages. Minimal sedation usually cannot be administered to patients with respiratory problems like emphysema or asthma or those who are sensitive to the class of drugs used for minimal sedation. With moderate sedation, the level of sedation cannot be adjusted without administering additional medications and sensitivity to certain medications can be a factor. Also, the patient should be prepared for supervision after the dental visit until the effects of the medications have passed. This applies to sedation administered both orally and intravenously. With intravenous deep sedation, a needle has to be put in the arm or hand, so it may not be the most relaxing method if you are afraid of needles. It is possible to experience complications, such as hematoma (a localized swelling filled with blood) at the site where the needle entered. In addition, recovery from IV-administered or oral medications may not be complete at the end of dental treatment, so the patient should be prepared to be escorted home by a responsible adult.
Is it safe?
Sedation is safe although you should talk to your dentist and/or the specialist and gain a thorough understanding of how it works and what is expected of you before the procedure. Your medical history will be examined comprehensively to ensure safe sedation and your vital signs will be monitored throughout the entire procedure to confirm that your blood pressure, pulse rate, and blood oxygen levels are normal.
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LANAP
New at Waccamaw Dental Care
843-237-4231
Left photo: Before Laser Periodontal Therapy with LANAP.
Right photo: Nine days after LANAP. Patient was a very fearful woman who had been diagnosed with gum disease 15 years earlier and refused conventional "cut and sew" gum surgery. Patient lived in a chronic state of infection and pain until she heard about lasers for gum treatment. Patient had minimal discomfort after treatment.
LANAP - A patented bold, breakthrough LASER technique for dentists to treat periodontal disease. The Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure offers patients a significantly less traumatic alternative to traditional periodontal surgery. Call Dr. Charles Wright of Waccamaw Dental Care at 843-237-4231 for a complimentary consultation.
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Clear Braces.
Invisible braces are the clear and simple way to straighten your teeth
so you can show off your smile!
Looking for an alternative to metal braces? ClearCorrect is the clear and simple choice. No wires. No brackets. Just clear, convenient comfort—every reason to smile.
With ClearCorrect, your dentist can straighten your teeth using a series of clear, custom, removable aligners. Each aligner moves your teeth just a little bit at a time until you eventually get straight teeth
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