Cosmetic dentistry is used to give patients a healthy and attractive smile. Many solutions can be found for different problems such as:

• Closing spaces
• Hiding gummy smiles
• Lengthening worn out teeth
• Lighten/Whiten teeth
• Invisible filling
• Straightening of the teeth

Dr. Berbari will design a smile that harmonizes with your features. Whether you would like a younger smile, subtle changes or a complete makeover, he has the solution to give you that perfect smile you have always dreamed of.

A crown is a cap that covers and protects a tooth either because the tooth has a very large filling, is cracked or has had a root canal. It lets us re-create the tooth structure that has been lost due to breakage or cavities and helps add strength to the damaged tooth. It can be made of several different materials like metal combined with porcelain, all porcelain or plain gold. The tooth is filed down of about 1 millimeter to give the necessary space to fit the cap. It usually takes two appointments to restore the tooth with a crown because a crown is custom crafted in a dental laboratory to precisely fit a tooth.

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Veneers are a thin shell of porcelain that is bonded to the surface of the tooth. They are used to improve the color and/or shape of a tooth. It covers only the front surface and the top of a tooth. They are used to close spaces, whiten or even correct misaligned teeth. The high quality of porcelain now used is very natural and durable. They are usually used to correct healthy teeth because less dental structure then crowns needs to be removed.

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A dental implant is a small titanium cylinder that replaces the root of a tooth. It is surgically inserted into the bone of the jaw. An artificial tooth or crown is attached to the implant. Implants can be used to replace a single tooth or many teeth with no need to damage healthy teeth to hold the bridge. Even edentulous patients can benefit from dentures that are clipped or screwed over implants.

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Amalgam is the most commun material and the least expansive .It has a grayish color and is usually used on back teeth.It is strong and usually does the job.

A tooth colored filling is made of a new strong synthetic resin or porcelain. This filling is invisible because it matches the natural color of the teeth. The benefits of this type of restoration are that they look very natural and, since they are bonded it also adds strength. They also contain no mercury like amalgam grey filling. They are a little more expensive then the usual grey amalgam but look so much more natural.

The most durable are overlays.They can be made out of porcelain or gold. They are custom made fillings made by our laboratory technician. It takes 2 appointments to complete the work, An Overlay covers and protects the tooth. They are most expensive in the short run. However because they are more durable and don’t have to be replaced has often they become less expensive in the long run. They also reduce to need for a crown.
A gold inlay is the highest quality of filling because of it is strong and has a very accurate fit.

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If your teeth are:

• crowded
• have spaces in between them
• don’t fit together
• aren’t straight
• misaligned

Orthodontic treatment may be the answer to your situation.

Orthodontic treatment can help to improve your smile and to correct your bite by changing the position of your teeth. A malocclusion that isn’t corrected can really affect a person’s profile and appearance. It may also contribute to tooth decay, bone destruction, loss of teeth and jaw joint problems causing headache, difficulty in opening and closing, clicking and popping and sore and painful jaw muscles. The goal of orthodontic is to guide, correct and supervise dento-facial structure during growth or at maturity, either by moving teeth or by stimulating and redirecting the functional forces. It permits to attain and maintain an optimal relationship between your teeth. The use of metal bands and bracket that are bonded to the teeth is necessary to straighten the teeth. A steel wire of different size that connects to the brackets applies pressure to move the teeth. The wire applies tension to the teeth and guides them into their new straight position. The time spent in braces depends on the severity of the malocclusion, but it is usually between one and three years.

oday’s braces can be attractive and comfortable. Although wearing braces will take many adjustments, appointments and time. You can be sure that orthodontic treatment will be an investment that will benefit you for a lifetime.

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Almost anyone can benefit from tooth whitening. It is a fast, safe and effective method to bleach the teeth. It is effective on most discolored teeth, even the ones with dark stains. Tooth whitening is a well established procedure in cosmetic dentistry and it has been safely used for many years. You will need to wear a custom made tray filed with a bleaching agent for 4 hours a day for a period of 2 to3 weeks. The longer it is worn, the lighter the teeth will become. If you need more information, ask your dentist. He can help you get this whiter and brighter smile you have dreamed of and it is so simple.

Congratulations! You have decided to bleach your teeth. Tooth whitening is a well established procedure in cosmetic dentistry. The active ingredient, Carbamide peroxide has been safely used for many years.

The degree of whiteness can vary from person to person depending on the number of application, the length of time it has been used and of the structure of the tooth itself.

If you need more information, ask your dentist. He can help you get this whiter and brighter smile you have dreamed of and it's so simple.

The first step is to have a complete examination of your mouth and to have a professional scaling and polishing of your teeth. The dentist will explain to you the procedure for tooth whitening and will inform you of is recommendations in your specific case. An impression is then taken. It just takes a few minutes. The assistant will then make a custom made bleaching tray.

At your next visit, she will give you your bleaching kit and explain the procedure. You should follow them carefully.

You will need to wear the tray 4 hours a day for a period of 2 to3 weeks. The longer it is worn, the lighter the teeth will become. We suggest you to wear it at night while you sleep. The trays are thin and comfortable and should not disturb your sleeping habits. It is that simple! We recommend a follow up appointment 2 weeks after the beginning of the treatment so we can evaluate the color of your new smile.

Some patient may experience some light sensitivity to the teeth and gums during this period. These symptoms are usually temporary and should disappear from 1 to 3 days after the end of the treatment. If the sensitivity worsens, you may use a high concentration fluoride gel that is available at the pharmacy. It should improve the sensitivity to cold. If you have tried this option and you are still not comfortable, stop the treatment for a few days and then restart the treatment. You can try reducing the time of each application.

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Healthy gums should be snug against the teeth, although sometimes they can recede. This may be caused either because gums are of poor quality or really thin. The surface of the root can even be exposed and age a healthy smile. A dentist might suggest to you a gum graft. This simple surgery consists in harvesting a piece of gum of the palate and carefully stitching it to a site to improve the quality of the gum. A screen or palatal guard is usually custom made for your comfort to wear during the healing process. Some pain is to be expected but is usually mild. The healing process takes about 1 week.

For post-op instructions click here.

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TMJ stands for the articulation that joins the temporal bone (head) to the mandible bone (jaw). If there is an imbalance in these joints, cycle of pain or muscle spasm can occur. Some common results are:

Headaches Earaches Difficulty in opening and closing A clicking or popping in the joint A dull aching pain around the ears that spreads to the face. Sore and painful jaw muscle Clenching and grinding Toothaches.

To restore balance to the joint, the bite or occlusion can be adjusted. A splint, which is a plastic mouthpiece, can help restoring the harmony to the joints. In extreme severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the damage part of the joint.

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Adults lose more teeth due to gum disease than to cavities.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is rarely painful. When the brushing and flossing is not done properly, the accumulation of plaque around the teeth build up and mineralizes to become tartar which causes gingivitis. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. Signs of gingivitis are gums that turn red, become swollen or even bleed.

As gum disease gets worse, the gum and the bone tissue supporting the teeth gets destroyed. Without treatment, the teeth loosen and eventually fall out.

How to prevent gum disease?

You must brush and floss your teeth regularly. It is also very important to have a dental check up every 6 months because even if you have an excellent hygiene gum disease can develop anyway.

What are the possible treatments?

A complete examination will allow us to evaluate the stage of the gum disease you are at. If in the early stage, maybe you will just need a scaling of your teeth and reminder of the proper brushing and flossing technique or a periodontal cleaning which is a cleaning of the roots below the gum line. In the more advance stages of gum disease, surgery is often the only answer. At the very last stage sometimes even extraction are necessary.

What are the goals of gum surgery?

The goal is to remove all of the tartar off the root of the tooth and to lower and reshape the gum line up to where the bone lost level is so it is easier to remove plaque in the future.

What to do once treatment is completed?

Brush and floss properly and regularly. You should visit your dentist for follow ups as recommended. Gum disease can re-appear even if treated. With the help of your dentist, you will keep your smile and we'll help you work your way to a healthy smile.

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Cosmetic dentistry is used to give patients a healthy and attractive smile. Many solutions can be found for different problems such as:

• Closing spaces
• Hiding gummy smiles
• Lengthening worn out teeth
• Lighten/Whiten teeth
• Invisible filling
• Straightening of the teeth

Dr. Berbari will design a smile that harmonizes with your features. Whether you would like a younger smile, subtle changes or a complete makeover, he has the solution to give you that perfect smile you have always dreamed of.

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The Ideal characteristics of a terrific smile are:
Straight teeth not crooked.
Teeth that are evenly spaced with no gaps.
Teeth that are white not stained.
The top teeth show when a person smiles, but not the gums.
The gum line is smooth, not uneven.
The edges of the top teeth smoothly follow the curve of the lower lip.

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