Invisalign Braces, Porcelain Veneers, Dental
Implants, Whitening, Crowns, Bridges, and more...
Everyone
on our team is dedicated to helping you make the
finest decisions for yourself. We
will always recommend the best first. Where there
are choices we are happy to discuss the options with
you.
Invisalign
What Is Invisalign®?
Straighten Your Teeth Without Braces...
Invisalign® is the invisible way to straighten
your teeth without braces. Invisalign® uses
a series of clear removable aligners (pictured
to the left) to straighten your teeth without
metal wires or brackets. Invisalign® has
been proven effective in clinical research
and in over 40,000 patients nationwide. Here's
why you should get Invisalign treatment.
How Does Invisalign® Work?
You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks,
removing them only to eat, drink, brush,
and floss. As you replace each aligner with
the next in the series, your teeth will move
- little by little, week by week - until
they have straightened to the final position
we have prescribed. You'll visit us about
once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment
is progressing as planned. Total treatment
time averages 9-15 months.
How Are Aligners Made?
You'd Be Amazed... The aligners are made through
a combination of our orthodontic and cosmetic
expertise and 3-D computer imaging technology.
Why Get Invisalign®?
Get The Smile You Have Always Wanted...
Misalignment of teeth or Malocclusion is one
of the most prevalent clinical dental conditions,
affecting over 200 million individuals, or
approximately 75% of the U.S. population.
Besides appearance factors, many people do
not realize that malocclusion may also be responsible
for dental problems such as tooth decay, tooth
loss, gum disease, jaw joint pain and headaches.
However, because of the compromised aesthetics,
discomfort and other drawbacks associated with
conventional braces, only a relatively small
proportion of people with malocclusion seek
traditional treatment.
With the introduction of Invisalign®,
though, you can now get treatment for malocclusion
without braces or other discomforting orthodontic
procedures.
Invisalign® can help you get the
great smile you've always wanted because
it's...
Invisible
Invisible, so no one can tell you're straightening
your teeth. So now you can smile more during
treatment as well as after.
Removable
Removable, so you can eat and drink what you
want while in treatment, plus brushing and
flossing are no problem.
Predictable
Invisalign® allows you to view your own
virtual treatment plan before you start - so
you can see how your straight teeth will look
when your treatment is complete.
Comfortable
Comfortable, because it has no metal to cause
mouth abrasions during treatment. And no
metal and wires usually means you spend less
time in our office getting adjustments.
Visit the Invisalign Web Site for More Information |
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Whitening
Regardless
of how well you care for your teeth, it is
inevitable that, over time, some yellowing
or discoloration will occur. This
gradual change can be caused by aging, substances
that stain your teeth (such as coffee and
tobacco), excessive fluoride, or the deterioration
of a tooth's nerve. A tooth whitening treatment
can be performed either as an at-home, dentist-supervised
process or in the dentist's chair. While
neither of these methods stops future discoloration,
these treatments bring about whiter teeth
and help create a brighter smile
The active ingredient
is carbamide peroxide. It
is applied to your teeth in a soft custom
tray. When applied, the peroxide breaks
down and oxygen enters your teeth and removes
the unwanted color. Only the color is removed:
tooth structure is not affected! |
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Bridges
A bridge
is a device used to fill the space where a
tooth has fallen out or been removed. A
typical bridge consists of a pontic (a filler
tooth) that is attached to two surrounding
abutments (crowns). 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 spur periodontal disease. Bridges safeguard
the integrity of existing teeth and help maintain
a healthy, vibrant smile.
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Why a Bridge?
Spaces left by missing teeth affect the rest of your
teeth. These gaps can cause chewing problems. If even
one tooth is missing, other teeth may slowly shift out
of place. This changes the way your teeth fit together.
A poor bite may make your jaw sore. |
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Your teeth may become harder to clean,
leading to tooth decay and gum disease. And shifting
teeth may change your smile.
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What is a Fixed Bridge?
A fixed bridge is one or more replacement teeth attached
to the natural teeth next to them. The bridge can only
be removed by a dentist. A bridge can be made of metal,
tooth-colored porcelain, or a combination of the two.
There are two main types of bridges: conventional and
Maryland. |
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Crowns
A
crown ( also called a cap) is a man-made
cover that protects the top of a tooth. It
may be used to restore and preserve a decayed,
broken, or cracked tooth. Crowns can also
correct some cosmetic tooth problems, giving
you a better smile.
Why You May
Need a Crown
- A decayed or damaged tooth that needs to
be restored to its normal shape and size
- A cracked or broken tooth with large cavities
or worn fillings
- A poor-fitting crown
- A tooth that has a large opening on its
top surface root canal surgery
- A cosmetic tooth problem
- A bite problem
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Implants
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For individuals
who wish to replace missing teeth, dental
implants may be an effective long-term solution. Implants
provide greater structural support and last
longer than either bridges or dentures. Implants
serve as the artificial root to which new
teeth are bonded. They are typically constructed
of titanium, a strong and safe material that
effectively attaches to bone. The procedure
to insert dental implants typically involve
three steps: the implant insertion stage,
osseointegration (the period of healing for
the jawbone), and the attachment of the restoration
or new tooth.
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Partials
| A Partial
Denture Replaces Missing Teeth |
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You now have a partial denture to replace missing
teeth and restore your smile. You should be able
to chew more easily and with greater comfort.
The partial will also help preserve your remaining
teeth. Wearing a partial can be easy. Just spend
a time getting used to it. And take good care
of your partial to keep your mouth healthy and
help keep your partial last.
Your Partial Denture |
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| A partial denture is made up of one
or more porcelain or plastic replacement teeth.
Gum colored plastic attaches these teeth to a metal
framework. The partial is removeable. It is held
in your mouth with either metal clasps or precision
attachements( special clasps made to fit into crowns). |
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Sealants
| Sealants
are safe, painless, and low cost way to help
protect your child's back teeth from decay. Sealants
have been used on children's teeth for more
than 10 years. A thin plastic coating is bonded
to the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars.
The sealant forms a hard shield that keeps
fodd and bacteria from |
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getting into the tiny grooves in
the teeth and causing decay.
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Why
Should Children Have Sealants?
The chewing surfaces of the back teeth have tiny grooves
that form as each tooth develops. This is where most
decay occurs in children. That's because the bristles
of toothbrush can't get down into the |
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| grooves to remove the food and bacteria
that get trapped there. |
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Veneers
Veneers
are a thin, translucent coating made out
of porcelain or resin (plastic). They
are applied to the front teeth to improve
their color, size, or shape. Veneers can
help you achieve the smile you want.
Are Veneers
Right for You? Veneers
can correct many dental problems. These
include:
- Teeth discolored from medication or age
- Front teeth that are worn or chipped
- Gaps and other spaces between teeth
- Crooked teeth
Veneers may
require 2 or 3 office visits from start
to finish. We will first examine your teeth. Then
discuss what kind of veneers will be used.
Your teeth are prepared for veneers. And
the veneers are bonded to your teeth.
Before bonding,
we will ft the veneers on your teeth and
check the color. Slight
changes in veneer color can be made by
varying the color of the cement. The surfaces
of your teeth are then cleansed. The veneers
are bonded to your teeth with a special
cement that is hardened with a high-intensity
light. Any excess cement is removed. Finished
veneers should feel comfortable. |
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Call
1-219-836-1111 to Schedule an Appointment |
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During my course of treatments, you and
your staff are still treating me as I am your only patient
at Ridge Dental Care and my needs are number one. You ’ve
worked with me to regain a great smile, one I’m very
proud of and I thank you for restoring my confidence and personality
I began to lose. As a professional myself, I will try with
my clients to utilize the friendly, professional and compassionate
attitude you’ve shown me.
Sincerely,
Pam Kindt
Lansing, Illinois
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I was very self-conscious
about my teeth and didn’t smile much. After having my
teeth whitened and veneers applied, I began smiling all the
time. People said I was like a new person. Wow, what a difference!
Thanks, Ridge Dental Care, for my beautiful smile. I love it!”
Sincerely, Joanne
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