Dental Implants

Crowns and conventional bridges or dentures may not be your only options when replacing missing teeth. Dental implants offer a smile that looks and feels very natural. Surgically placed below the gums, implants fuse to the jawbone and serve as a base for individual replacement teeth, bridges or a denture

Dental implants provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Made from titanium posts, they provide a safe and effective way to improve your smile and your ability to eat the foods you love. Because they fuse directly with the bone, implants will also help to preserve facial structure, preventing bone deterioration, which can occur when teeth are missing

Bone Grafting

When a tooth is lost or extracted, the remaining jaw bone becomes susceptible to bone deterioration if the problem is not addressed with a bone graft. This procedure promotes healing in the jawbone and eliminates the problems that can occur when a tooth is lost. A bone graft will provide structural stability and linkage, as well as stimulate osteogensis, or healing in the bone.

Taking care of the jaw bone when a tooth is removed or lost is an important step that is often overlooked.

Sinus Lifts

A sinus lift is a surgical procedure designed to augment bone mass in the top jaw in order to facilitate the successful placement of a dental implant. Dr. Harris examines each patient on a case-by-case basis to determine when this procedure is necessary. When required, a sinus lift will significantly enhance the longevity of a dental implant.

Dentures

Complete Dentures are prosthetic devices used to replace a patient's natural teeth. Dentures allow a patient to regain their smile, and eat foods more easily.

Additionally, dentures provide natural support to facial muscles, which would otherwise sag and cause the appearance of premature aging.

There are two basic types of dentures. A conventional full denture is made and placed in the patient's mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed which may take several months. By contrast, an immediate complete denture is inserted as soon as the remaining teeth are removed. The dentist takes measurements and makes models of the patient's jaws during a preliminary visit. With immediate dentures, the denture wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period.

Most dentures are made of acrylic. The teeth are meade of plastic, porcelain, or a combination of the two. Over time, dentures will wear and need to be replaced or relined in order to keep the jaw alignment normal. The alignment will slowly change as the bone and gum ridges recede or shrink due to the extraction of the teeth. Regular dentist examinations are important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for changes or disease.

Bleaching

Bleaching is a highly effective way to brighten your smile quickly and safely. This procedure will correct brown, yellow, and spotted tooth staining. It provides a lasting effect, and works on people of all ages.

The procedure begins as Dr. Harris creates a custom stent which will hold the bleaching agent against your teeth at night. Within 1 to 2 weeks you will notice a dramatic difference. Your mouth guard will be ready in 1 to 2 days for you to pick up and begin using. While severe cases may require the use of a veneer or a crown, bleaching will restore most yello, spotted, or brown teeth to a brilliant white.

Bridges

If a patient is missing one or more teeth, chewing and speaking can become a problem. Bridges can be the solution. They help to maintain the shape of a patient's face, as well as reducing stress on surrounding teeth while biting.

Bridges can be provided in one of two ways. The first is a natural tooth bridge, in which the bridge is suppored by a patient's natural teeth adjacent to the void (abutment teeth). These bridges can either be permanent, or removable.

The second type is an implant retained bridge. It is used when the patient has more than one natural tooth missing. In this type of bridge, Dr. Harris first creates a dental implant to support the bridge. The implants are extremely secure, as they attach the artificial teeth directly to the jaw. As an implant specialist, Dr. Harris is able to provide his patients with several options based upon their specific needs.

Crowns

Crowns are used to cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn't enough tooth left. They can also be used to attach a bridge, protect a weak tooth from breaking or restore one that's already broken. Crowns can be made or surfaced with various materials, resulting in a finish that matches a patient's natural teeth. Crowns are long lasting, often for 20-30 years.

Crowns can be used whenever extreme damage to a tooth has occurred. They are often used to replace missing teeth, offer support ot misshapen teeth, fix smile and chewing problems, and to strengthen teeth with root canal fillings. Best of all, they look completely natural.

Extractions

In some cases, a dental problem may require the use of an extraction. Dr. Harris will consult with a patient to determine when this is necessary, and when it is, he will advise on possible ways to deal with a missing tooth, often by replacement. Dr. Harris will also provide extraction patients with post-care advice to ensure fast recovery and minimal discomfort.

Prosthetic

Dr. Harris is capable of providing several alternatives to the patient with complex dental needs, including implant prosthetics.

There are two basic types of prosthetics:

Fixed

Fixed prosthetics are not removable by the patient, and therefore must be designed such that the patient is able to clean and maintain it with regular brushing and flossing.

Removable

Removable prothetics must be removed in order for the patient to clean them.

Regardless of which type used, Dr. Harris will design each device to minimize visual impact to the patient, and to match the patient's mouth and face. Both types are tailor made to each patient to maximize function and aesthetic appeal.

Veneers

Many people desire a brighter, cleaner, more attractive smile, but have chipped, stained, discolored, unevenly spaced, or even slightly crooked front teeth. If this sounds like you, we will be glad to help evaluate your specific situation, listen to the exact changes you have in mind, and show you examples of the end result, before any treatment is performed.

Many people desire a brighter, cleaner, more attractive smile, but have chipped, stained, discolored, unevenly spaced, or even slightly crooked front teeth. If this sounds like you, we will be glad to help evaluate your specific situation, listen to the exact changes you have in mind, and show you examples of the end result, before any treatment is performed. Often, porcelain veneers can provide a completely improved and dazzling smile in just a few appointments.

The actual treatment usually involves only two visits. The number of pre-operative visits, to work out details to insure predictable results, depends on the complexity of your situation and the changes you desire. There usually is a follow up visit or two for final adjustments and polishing, and to review instructions for care of your new smile to insure it lasts years and years.

Whitening

Do you wish your smile could be whiter? Well with today's teeth whitening technology, there is no reason you can't give your smile the bright white look. In as little as one hour or three nights, your teeth can be the whitest they can be. At Smiles on Southern, we use only the most advanced teeth whitening techniques available.

With either fast one hour whitening or home trays, we can wipe away years of stain from coffee, tea, soda, smoking, wine or just about anything that has caused your teeth to become dull or yellow. Come visit us so that we can develop a whitening plan for you and your smile.

Invisaligng

Invisalign is an alternative to traditional metal braces. The major benefits are improved oral hygiene, as you take them out to eat, brush, and floss. Also, invisible braces are nearly undetectable and extremely aesthetic.

For more information, please visit the Invisalign website

Smile Design

We use the latest proven technology to treat the "problem areas" of your smile. From professional teeth whitening systems to porcelain veneers and bonding, to orthodontic appliances, we can give you the smile you've always wanted.

Let us use our imaging system to show you how your smile could look with these different options! Our intra-oral fibre optic cameras allow you to visualize what we see.

Composite Fillings

A composite (tooth colored) filling is used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, fractures, etc. The decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled with a composite filling.

There are many types of filling materials available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Composite fillings, along with silver amalgam fillings, are the most widely used today. Because composite fillings are tooth colored, they can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth, and are more aesthetically suited for use in front teeth or the more visible areas of the teeth.

Hygiene / Cleanings

We use the latest in comfortable care for your teeth and gums. We are knowledgeable about how to keep teeth their brightest, and how to maintain cosmetic work for health and beauty. We take great care to create the most gentle cleaning you have ever had and at the same time provide excellent treatment of gum problems with superior results.

Digital Xrays

Many people are concerned about the radiation they get from traditional xrays. Although the radiation is minimal (equivalent to being exposed to the sun for about 20 minutes), digital xrays have 90% less radiation, and provide instantaneous, accurate pictures for the dentist.

Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection. In order to save the tooth, the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and any decay are removed and the resulting space is filled with special, medicated, dental materials, which restore the tooth to its full function.

Having a root canal done on a tooth is the treatment of choice to save a tooth that otherwise would die and have to be removed. Many patients believe that removing a tooth that has problems is the solution, but what is not realized is that extracting (pulling) a tooth will ultimately be more costly and cause significant problems for adjacent teeth.

Full Mouth Reconstruction

Full Mouth Reconstructions allows Dr. Christopher Harris to fully rebuild worn, broken down teeth to ideal proportions and function. For many adults, years of mismatched crowns, fillings, and other dental work can change the bite so significantly, that the teeth work poorly even causing TMD, a very debilitating arthritic jaw joint disease. For others, years of grinding and wear have left the teeth short and flat. With FMR, not only are the teeth and bite restored, but also mid-face wrinkles or deep lines can be eliminated. Mid-face lines around the nose and mouth can be caused by a collapsed bite and worn down teeth. FMR rebuilds the teeth and bite which in turn supports and fills in the mid-face tissues and thereby give a young look to the face.

Oral Cancer Screening

Traditionally, dentists have only checked a patients' mouths for abnormalities with the naked eye during exams. With oral cancer, as with most serious diseases, early detection is the key to successful outcomes. Unfortunately, the problem is that approximately 70% of the time oral cancer is not visible to the dental professional until it has reached an advanced stage. New screening technology assists Dr. Harris in seeing abnormal tissue in the mouth, before it is plainly obvious. This technology uses a special mouth wash and a diagnostic light to more easily reveal abnormalities in soft tissue.

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth that are healthy and properly positioned can be a valuable asset to the mouth, unfortunately, this is often not the case and problems will eventually develop. Teeth can often become impacted because the jaw may not be large enough to accommodate them. They may grow sideways, emerge partway, or trapped beneath the gum and the bone. X-rays will need to be taken to evaluate the shape, position, and condition of the wisdom teeth.

• The Reason Wisdom Teeth are Removed
• Removing Wisdom Teeth Early
• What to expect From the Procedure

Bonding

Bonding is the way we utilize tooth colored filling materials. Traditionally, decay was removed with a drill and extra healthy tooth structure was removed to allow silver fillings to be placed. The metal would be place while it was soft, and the extra grooves placed in the tooth would hold it in after it set-up and got hard. With current technology, we now only remove the area of decay and minimal unsupported tooth structure. After the decay is gone, we actually bond tooth colored material to the tooth. By keeping as much healthy tooth structure possible and using special adhesive, we can restore smiles with both more conservative and naturally aesthetic techniques.

Bonding is safe and also is both metal and Mercury-free.

The Reason Wisdom Teeth are Removed

Extraction of the Wisdom Teeth can protect the overall health of the mouth. It is generally recommended when the following occur:

Impacted wisdom teeth may continue to grow without adequate room, potentially damaging adjacent teeth. A fluid filled sac(cyst) or tumor forms which can destroy the surrounding bone and gums. Wisdom teeth can also only partially erupt. This leaves an opening for bacteria, thus causing an infection. TMJ, pain, swelling, or jaw stiffness can be a result if wisdom teeth are not removed. For wisdom teeth that fully erupt, the degree of difficulty for maintaining good home hygiene is extremely high. Flossing and brushing are more difficult, and subsequently decay is more like to develop. Also, erupted wisdom teeth can cause crowding and rotation of the teeth in front of them.

Removing Wisdom Teeth Early

People between the ages of 15 and 30 years old should have their wisdom teeth evaluated. If they need to be removed, it should be considered before the age of 30 years when generally fewer complications occur. Tooth roots are not fully formed at a younger age and the surrounding bone is much softer making the process much easier for the patient. Healing is generally faster when the patient is younger. The bone that surrounds the teeth has a greater capacity for healing before the age of 30.

What to expect From the Procedure

Before surgery we will explain what to expect, have you sign a consent form and give you personalized instructions to follow. These general items make the procedure go smoothly.

Some patients experience numbness or tingling following surgery. Normal sensation usually returns in a period time. Occasionally, a dry socket occurs when the blood clot breaks down earlier than normal. A dressing is often placed in the socket to protect it until the socket heals. Talk to us about any questions that you may have. It is especially important to let us know, before surgery, of any illness that you have and medications that you are taking.