Cosmetic Dentistry – Jose J. Alvarez, DMD & Associates |North Miami Beach

Jose J. Alvarez, DMD & Associates are widely known in North Miami Beach for offering professional cosmetic dentistry at the most competitive prices. Cosmetic dentistry aims at improving the look of your face using suitable dental procedures. It includes re-aligning the teeth or gums, teeth whitening, dental implants etc. Most common type of cosmetic dentistry is teeth whitening, which is very cost-effective and convenient. Dental bonding is a part of cosmetic dentistry that replaces or treats cracked or decayed teeth. Another widely used cosmetic dentistry procedure is dental implants that are used as a solution for missing teeth.

Cosmetic dentistry has emerged as one of the most famous medical fields and is gaining a lot of popularity. Jose J. Alvarez, DMD & Associates is one of the most experienced cosmetic dentists in North Miami, who help their patients maintain good oral health. Proper cosmetic dental operations can greatly boost your self-esteem and confidence by providing a beautiful smile and improving your appearance. Contact the team of Jose J. Alvarez, DMD & Associates to get any cosmetic dentistry procedure done. Our team provides best advice and treatments at reasonable prices.

When you need cosmetic dentistry, and you’re wondering “Is there a cosmetic dentistry near me? We’re here to answer that question for you. Call us today at 305-948-5002 for a Dental Appointment, or for more information about our services.

Cosmetic Dentist North Miami Beach

Porcelain Veneers

Dental veneers are very thin pieces of durable, tooth shaped porcelain that are custom made (for shape and color) by a professional dental laboratory. They are bonded onto the front of tooth to create a beautiful and attractive smile.

Veneers can completely reshape your teeth and smile. They can often be alternatives to crowns and the ideal solution in treating many dental conditions.

As with most dental restorations, veneers are not permanent and will someday have to be replaced. They are very durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful long lasting smile.

Porcelain veneers are recommended for:

Porcelain veneers usually require two visits to complete the process, with local anesthesia required during the procedure. The teeth are prepared by lightly buffing and shaping the surface to allow for the thickness of the veneer. A mold or impression of the teeth is taken and a shade (color) will then be chosen by you and the dentist.

On the second visit the teeth will be cleansed with special liquids to achieve a durable bond. Bonding cement is then placed between the tooth and veneer and a special light beam is used to harden and set the bond. You will receive care instructions for veneers. Proper brushing, flossing and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new veneers.

Porcelain Inlay and On-lay

To repair damage to the tooth’s biting surface, rather than using a simple filling, or a crown, Dr. Alvarez will often use a porcelain inlay or on-lay, this is now becoming the material of choice because of its strength and potential to match the natural color of your tooth. An inlay is similar to filling and lies inside the cusp tips of the tooth. They are custom-made to fit the prepared cavity and are then bonded into place. An on-lay is a more extensive reconstruction that covers one or more cusps of a tooth. On-lays are indicated in situations where a substantial reconstruction is required. However, more of the tooth structure can be conserved compared to placement of a crown.

Composite Fillings (fancy name for a Plastic Filling)

Composite fillings are a mixture of glass or quartz filler in a resin or PLASTIC medium that produces a tooth-colored filling. They are sometimes referred to as composites or filled resins. Composite fillings provide fair durability and resistance to fractures in small restorations that need to withstand moderate chewing pressure.

Originally designed for cosmetic anterior teeth restorations, it is broadly abused in dentistry as a “universal” filling material for the restoration of posterior teeth, especially in HMO driven dental offices. Far better materials such as amalgam are not options due to poor insurance reimbursement or low established fees.

In Dr. Alvarez’s opinion, composite fillings are creating an enormous amount of dental problems on patients.

Problems with composite fillings include:

• Recurrent decay
  Due to shrinkage during curing (placement), contraction and expansion from thermal changes and flexibility from biting forces, bacteria can leak under these restorations faster and more frequently then with other filling materials such as ceramics or amalgams.
• Sensitivity
  To thermal changes (cold/hot), air, biting forces that could lead to irreversible nerve damage and the need of root canal treatment.
• Excessive wear
  Due to poor properties of this plastic material, Dr. Alvarez frequently finds this problem, especially on the biting (occlusal) surface of posterior teeth creating a distortion of the relationship between opposing (upper and lower) teeth, and in many cases requiring extensive reconstruction to correct the damages.
• Defective interproximal contact
  Lack of posterior teeth interproximal strong/tight contact of this filling materials can lead to food impaction, gum inflammation, pain, discomfort, bone lose, localized gum disease and root sensitivity, along with other complications among other things. These problems related to composite fillings can lead to frequent filling replacement, root canal treatment, crowns, tooth loss, and much more. “I do not recommend the use of mid to large size composite (bonding) restorations for molars (posterior teeth) because of the poor properties of the material that lead to the list of problems mentioned above”, says Dr. Alvarez.