San Antonio dentist, Dentist in San Antonio, TX

This patient had moderate staining, irregular spacing and areas of decay on her front teeth. She wanted a brighter more youthful smile. Models of her teeth were taken and the desired changes were first made on the model in a white enamel like wax which allowed the patient to preview her new smile. Once she could see the dramatic change, Porcelain Veneers/Lumineers were selected as an ideal treatment. The "Smile Transformation" was complete in two treatment appointments.

This patient has a nice smile but was not happy with the color of her teeth. Whitening was the only treatment necessary to produce a dazzling white smile. Dr. Stanley uses only Opalescence* Boost and Opalescence PF since they have been tested and found both safe and effective by the American Dental Association. (See www.opalescence.com)

This is an example of a congenitally missing lateral incisor.(The permanent tooth never formed.) The Dental Implant was placed by the surgeon to replace the missing root of the natural tooth, and then allowed to heal for about four months. A special porcelain implant crown was fabricated by Dr. Stanley to mimic the same tooth on the opposite side. It was connected to the Dental Implant using a special tooth colored "abutment". The implant and porcelain crown have the same appearance as the natural tooth on the opposite side.

In other cases similar to this we have also worked with an orthodontist to reposition the natural teeth to improve the appearance of the smile before providing implant treatment. Dental Implants can replace a single tooth, several missing teeth, or restore an entire mouth with all the teeth missing.

Bonded Porcelain Restorations are the most common and the most durable way for adults to make permanent changes in tooth appearance. These two teeth (central incisors) have a large center space and smaller lateral spaces. They were reshaped with bonded porcelain restorations to not only close the space, but also give a much more desirable and natural appearance. Tooth color may be matched to the existing shade of the adjacent teeth, or in many cases bleaching is done first to lighten the teeth, before the final porcelain restorations are completed.

Children and young adults present a different problem since their mouths often change as they mature. Direct bonding is often used to reshape and restore teeth in these patients. Enamel colored material is bonded directly to the tooth to close spaces, alter the shape, or repair a damaged tooth until the patient has reached full maturity. Direct bonding is not as durable or as color stable as a porcelain restorations.

Bonded White Fillings are known to dentists today as RBC or Resin Bonded Composite restorations. This refers to the fact that they actually bond to the enamel and dentin surfaces to increase strength. These fillings are made of a composite material containing a dental resin and a micro fine porcelain "nano" filler. They mimic the appearance of natural enamel, and most importantly do not contain mercury as the amalgam or silver fillings do.

This is an example of the difference RBC restorations make in the mouth. I have used RBC restorations for over 20 years now and have many patients with very long term RBC restorations.

I also use the same RBC technique to "build-up" a weak or badly decayed tooth before a crown is placed on it.