Case Presentation: Special Veneer Restoration

This case is a great example of the more complex esthetic procedures performed at our office. Today's patient came to us with discoloration and decalcification on their anterior teeth. Additionally, their left lateral incisor (the lightest colored tooth in the before pictures) had an existing crown over a root canal. It had a poor long term prognosis and could not endure any more trauma. With this in mind, Dr. Kari created a set of five veneers that restored symmetry to the patient's teeth while incorporating the esthetics of the previous crown. The result is a more natural and youthful smile that does not compromise the existing dental work. A true win-win!  

Dental Questions: What are my options in improving the esthetics of a single tooth?

This new tooth was restored using only bonding and disking. What a change!

Teeth can become cosmetically damaged through a number of different means; from chipping to fractures, staining, decay or even as a result of problems in development. Likewise, our office offers a variety of ways to restore your teeth and make them appear natural in your mouth once again.

As with any procedure, we start the process by making sure the tooth in question is sill alive and healthy. There is no sense in restoring a tooth with serious underlying problems. Secondly, we assess the extent of the damage. For minor chips and blemishes, a combination of bonding and “disking” may be the perfect fix. This process is virtually drill-less and conserves as much tooth structure as possible. You may be surprised to see what we can achieve without a crown or veneer!

For teeth with larger blemishes, or those missing a substantial amount of structure, we will often elect to utilize a crown or veneer. Cosmetic veneers are usually placed on anterior (front) teeth to modify their appearance. Since they are cemented to only one surface, they do not add any additional structural integrity. In other words, the underlying tooth must be in good condition to receive a veneer. In contrast, crowns can be used to improve the cosmetics of a tooth that has lost a significant amount of structure.  Since crowns wrap around the tooth, they can restore shape in every dimension while adding strength and rigidity to the underlying enamel and dentin.

In any instance, the result of your treatment will be a beautiful and natural looking tooth. We pride ourselves in offering high quality cosmetic solutions, no matter what the problem. If you would like to know more about bonding, veneers or crowns, please give us a call!

Case presentation: Full Anterior Veneers

Take a look at this beautiful transformation performed at our office! In the before pictures, notice how the biting surfaces of this patient's anterior (front) teeth are worn down and uneven. Flattened and discolored teeth create an older appearing smile, regardless of age. The new veneers allowed Dr. Hong to develop a uniform and well rounded smile, while correcting the tooth shade. The results are absolutely stunning! If you would like to know more about veneers or any other cosmetic services offered at our office, please let us know!

Office Construction: Final Reveal

Here's a panoramic view of our completely renovated waiting room. Even more inviting than before! A special thanks to The Sofa Guy and Room and Board for the sofas and media center. Also, check out the new artwork courtesy of Latitudes Fine Art. Last but not least, a big thank you to JRP Design and Remodel for their excellent workmanship and timely completion of all our projects. We cannot wait to show you our new look!

Office Cabi Party

Talk about having fun outside the office! Last friday, our hygienist Lori hosted a night of friends, fun and Cabi shopping. No teeth talk tonight! Pictured here are Faith, Kristi, Lori, Mia (Faith's daughter) and Dr. Kari with Duke. We always enjoy the time we get to spend with each other, both in and out of the office!

Back to School!

Its about that time of year! This week Dr. Kari's two oldest sons, Mark and luke, started third and first grade. In the midst of this hectic season, we hope everyone is having and easy transition back to school. To all our young patients: have fun, make new friends and remember to floss!

Case Presentation: Veneer Transformation

In many cases, veneers provide a drastic change to the the teeth and smile appearance. This patient was no exception, where cosmetic veneers were used in conjunction with a full Invisalign treatment. By removing a small amount of tooth structure, Dr. Hong created room for a set of lithium disilicate veneers to be placed on the four front incisors. These veneers corrected for irregularities in tooth shape, size and dimension. They also allowed her to develop a more robust and youthful profile by adding contour to the front of the teeth. The overall effect is instantly noticeable and we are very happy with the results! If you would like to know more about veneers or would like to schedule a consultation with our office, please give us a call!

Dental Questions: Why shouldn't I use mall bleaching?

If you’ve been to a shopping mall recently, chances are you walked past booths offering “professional” teeth whitening in under an hour. They are usually decorated with scientific looking instruments, comfortable chairs and big blue lights to “speed up” the treatment.  You may be tempted to try a session for a mid-day shopping break, but we suggest you take a different detour. These bleaching services may not be worth your time or money.

 Any bleaching product that will work should contain a peroxide compound. This chemical oxidizes the “staining” molecules that are stuck in the dentin layer of your teeth, turning them more transparent/white. The American Dental Association recommends that any concentration over 10% hydrogen peroxide equivalent should be administered by a dental professional, to avoid burning or damaging the gum tissue.

It is important to understand that the employees operating these booths are not dental professionals. Therefore, they cannot be administering anything stronger than a Crest Whitestrip-type product. Some may claim that they use 35% bleach-- which is true, except they are using the significantly weaker carbamide peroxide instead of hydrogen peroxide.  

In some states, these bleaching booths have been shut down for practicing dentistry without a license. In response, their employees are not allowed to actually administer any part of the whitening. They are usually only allowed to hand you a bleach tray and tell you to position the light on your own. In this sense, you’re paying the price of an entire box of over-the-counter whitening products for a single treatment!

The ADA recommends that you talk with a dentist before performing any type of whitening treatment. Although this may seem trivial, it could save you hours of pain or headaches later. Don’t be fooled by the gimmicks or convenience of mall whitening. Over-the-counter products will get you real results for the same price. If you do want instant results, we provide that safely and effectively at our office. Our Zoom! whitening system is scientifically proven to lighten tooth shade in one treatment. If you would like to know more about bleaching systems, how they work, or any potential drawbacks, please call our office!

Office Construction: Almost Done!

Construction is officially wrapping up at Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry. The crew is putting the final touches on paint, flooring and fixtures. We got to spend a little time at the office this weekend to enjoy our new look. Here you can see Duke (Dr. Kari's son) with Katie and Jonathan (Michael's wife and son). A true family affair! Even though we are still finishing work, our phones are open to any of your questions or concerns. Just give us a call!

Office Construction: Progress Pictures

Pardon our dust; we're making some big changes! These photos really show our office remodel coming together. The new floors, paint and interior are working to create a more relaxing and welcoming space. The consultation room is also moving along nicely, providing a quiet area to discuss any of your needs. Work should be complete early next week, allowing us to start seeing patients right away. We can't wait to welcome you back to our brand new space!