Colonial Heights Dental Associates

Oral Screening | White Fillings | Crowns | Bridges | Porcelain Veneers | Implants

Invisalign

Ivisalign, with breakthrough technology that lets you have the smile you've always wanted - without the hassle of braces.

The clear alternative to metal braces.

By using a series of clear, removable aligners, Invisalign straightens your teeth with results you'll notice sooner than you think. The course of treatment involves changing aligners approximately every two weeks, moving your teeth into straighter position step by step, until you have a more beautiful smile. And unlike braces, these clear aligners can be removed while you eat and brush your teeth as usual.

Less treatment time.

An average Invisalign course of treatment takes about a year. You'll see Dr. Bartley every 6 to 8 weeks for adjustments and to check progress. At regular intervals, you'll receive a new set of custom-molded clear aligners to continue the straightening process. The total number of clear aligners is specific to you, determined by Dr. Bartley for your course of treatment.

Clear. And comfortable.

Since Invisalign is practically invisible, there's no unwarranted attention to your mouth. In fact, very few people will notice at all - unless you tell them. They're comfortable to wear and remove easily when you eat, brush, and floss.

All across the country, people like you now have great smiles and straighter teeth, thanks to Invisalign. Why not join them?

Zoom! Teeth Whitening

It's Your Choice! Whether you want your teeth whiter right now or over a few nights while you sleep, Zoom! is your answer. The Zoom! In-Office Whitening System uses proprietary technology to whiten your teeth an average of eight shades in a little over an hour while you relax at Dr. Bartley's office. It's ideal for anyone who wants immediate results. The Zoom! Take-Home Whitening System uses a revolutionary patent-pending gel to whiten your teeth an average of six shades in three nights. And you may go even lighter with additional applications. Start on Friday and by Monday you'll have a whole new smile.

Oral Screening

Current research indicates that problems with your mouth can affect your overall health. The opposite is also true. It is important to detect dental problems early so that your mouth and your entire body remain healthy.

Periodontal (gum) disease affects three out of four adults at some time in their lives. It doesn’t necessarily hurt and you may not even be aware you have it until an advanced stage. Regular dental visits are essential for detecting periodontal disease at an early stage, before the gums and the supporting bone are irreversibly damaged. Dr. Ford will screen your mouth for signs of periodontal disease every time you visit our office for an oral examination and prophylaxis (teeth cleaning).

During your exam, Dr. Ford will also screen for pre-cancerous changes in your oral tissues, head and neck. Cancer detected at an early stage can be more successfully treated. Dr. Ford will check your head, neck and oral tissues for lumps, masses, growths, red or white patches, and recurring sore areas.

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White Fillings

White fillings can change the appearance of teeth, strengthen teeth, and more conservatively treat teeth – all things that silver fillings cannot do.

White fillings are bonded to tooth structure – this means 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 advancement in the creation of fantastic and healthy smiles.

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Crowns

Crowns are used to repair badly decayed, broken, discolored, or misaligned teeth. Crowns completely cover teeth, restoring them to their natural size, shape and function. The location of the crown in the mouth usually dictates the type of material used. The tooth under the crown is reduced in size and the crown will be permanently cemented over the reduced tooth.

While you are waiting for the permanent crown to be fabricated you will be fitted with a temporary crown to wear. Crowns have a much longer life span than bonding, resist stains better, hold their color and resists chipping and cracking. However, crowns take longer to prepare than bonding and are not reversible.

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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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Porcelain Veneers

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.

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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Implants

Implants are made of titanium, an inert metal which has been proven to be effective at fusing with bone, a process known as "osseointegration". The cylindrical or screw type implant called "root form", is similar in shape to the root of the tooth with a surface area designed to promote good attachment to the bone. It is the most widely used design and generally placed where there is a sufficient amount of bone.

Root form implants are commonly used in wide, deep bone to provide a base for replacement of one, several or a complete arch of teeth. After implants are placed the healing period usually requires 4 to 6 months. During this time the bone grows in and around the implant creating a strong structural support. When healing is complete, your implant is uncovered and an abutment is attached to it. Now the implant and abutment act as a solid unit ready to support your new tooth or teeth.

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