In the hands of an experienced and capable dentist, cosmetic
dentistry is a subtle blend of science and aesthetics, with
the ultimate goal of producing results that are completely
natural looking. With this goal always in mind, Dr. Paige
Sohn has dedicated her career to helping her patients achieve
their ideal smiles. She takes pride in offering individualized
care to her patients, assisting them in setting realistic
goals and customizing plans to suit their specific needs.
Using the latest technology, Dr. Sohn performs a variety
of cosmetic procedures designed to give you a beautiful,
healthy smile that you can be proud of. She is continually
educating herself on the latest techniques and technologies
in cosmetic dentistry, integrating the most promising of
these into her practice. She strives to expand and improve
her practice in a continuing effort to offer her patients
the most pleasant, relaxing, and stress-free dental experience
possible.
Composite Dental Bonding
A
fast, effective alternative to veneers and crowns, dental
bonding produces exceptional results in as little as a single
office visit. During the procedure, Dr. Sohn places a strong
tooth-colored resin material onto your tooth, sculpting and
polishing it until it is indistinguishable from your surrounding
natural teeth. When exposed to a high-intensity ultraviolet
light, the resin hardens, and the procedure is complete.
The bonding material, while not as durable or stain resistant
as the porcelain used in veneers and crowns, will endure
for years with proper care. In any event, the immediate and
visually stunning results make dental bonding ideal for many
patients.
back to top Porcelain Veneers
Dr. Sohn
is proud to offer porcelain veneers as an option to help
you achieve a healthier looking, more beautiful smile. Veneers
are thin porcelain shells that bond directly to the front
of your teeth, covering stains, chips, and other imperfections.
Because they are custom designed to match the size and color
of your surrounding teeth, the results are completely natural
looking and virtually undetectable to others. In addition,
they are extremely comfortable and can even help correct
a variety of bite problems, ultimately restoring both beauty
and function.
One of the primary advantages of porcelain veneers is their
resilience. The porcelain material is strong, durable, and
highly stain resistant. With proper care, your veneers will
give you a flawless, confident smile for many years to come.
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to top Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain
crowns – or “caps,” as they are sometimes called – are
an excellent way to repair and strengthen badly damaged teeth.
Like veneers, they dramatically improve the appearance of
your teeth; however, unlike veneers, they cover the entire
surface area of the tooth, helping to prevent weaker teeth
from cracking or breaking. By strengthening these weaker
teeth, they effectively reduce or eliminate pain, sensitivity,
and difficulty with chewing and speaking. They are also commonly
used to keep errant fillings in place. Whatever else their
function, they will mask imperfections in the teeth, giving
you a more pleasing, attractive smile.
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to top Porcelain Bridges
As its name implies, a porcelain dental bridge literally
bridges the gap where a tooth is missing. The bridge consists
of an artificial tooth and two porcelain crowns, one for
each natural tooth on either side of the gap. Dr. Sohn customizes
the bridge to fit snugly and comfortably in your mouth, fixing
it into place so that it cannot fall out or be removed by
hand. The results are remarkably natural looking and extremely
strong, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with full confidence.
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to top Tooth-Colored Fillings
Tooth-colored
fillings have always presented a more aesthetically pleasing
alternative to traditional silver and amalgam fillings. However,
due to evolving technology, they are now also stronger and
more durable than their metallic counterparts. Indeed, a
small filling may last a lifetime without ever requiring
repair, while larger fillings should last for many years
with appropriate care. Plus, tooth-colored fillings feel
and function more like your natural teeth, allowing you to
eat, speak, and smile with increased confidence and comfort.
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to top Dental Implants
A dental
implant is an artificial tooth root that is permanently placed
into your jaw. Dr. Sohn then fixes an artificial tooth or
bridge onto the implant, allowing you to regain the full
function and feel of the missing tooth. These implants can
also be used to support a full set of dentures, making chewing
and speaking significantly easier.If you are interested in
learning more about dental implants or any of our other cosmetic
dentistry options, please contact the office of Dr. Paige
Sohn today. We are always pleased and grateful to welcome
new patients to our practice.
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to top
Tooth Whitening
People
with stained or dull teeth usually benefit from whitening,
which is a safe and effective way to brighten stained, discolored
or dull teeth. Even a stubborn single tooth that is noticeably
duller or less white than your other teeth can be individually
brighten. Teeth bleaching products, which contain peroxides,
actually change your natural tooth color anywhere from five
to seven -- but even up to twelve -- shades brighter. One process
known as chairside bleaching involves applying either a protective
gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect the soft tissues
in the mouth. A bleaching agent is then applied to the teeth,
and a special light is used to enhance the chemical action.
If your teeth aren't very
dark or very stained, you may need only one bleaching
session. Tooth bleaching safely lightens the color of
your teeth, and can last up to five years. The other
process is done with take home professional whitening
kits. Your professional custom fit trays are fabricated
by impressions taken in our office. Once the trays are
fabricated, you can whiten your teeth from the privacy
of your own home.
In general, bleaching works for most people. Tooth bleaching
is most effective if your teeth are darkened from age, coffee,
tea or smoking. Teeth darkened with the color of yellow,
brown or orange respond better to lightening. Other types
of gray stains caused by fluorosis, smoking or tetracycline
can be lightened, but with less-than-satisfactory results.
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to top
Many
people postpone going to the dentist out of fear, preferring
to live with excruciating mouth pain rather than face whatever
unknown horrors lie ahead at the dentist's office. For decades,
dentistry has been stereotyped as the branch of medicine
in which the cure is more frightening than the disease, itself.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Due to the continuing evolution of modern dentistry, there
are more options for safe, quick, and relatively pain-free
treatment of serious dental problems than ever before. Recovery
time and post-procedural discomfort have been dramatically
reduced over the years, meaning that in most cases you will
be able to resume normal activity almost immediately. Factor
in Dr.Sohns gentle touch and compassionate manner and you
may be surprised at how relaxing and pleasant a trip to the
dentist can be.
Truly, there is no reason to live with tooth pain when safe,
gentle, comfortable treatment is only an office visit or
two away.
Periodontal Care
Gum disease is one of the most common diseases in the United
States , affecting about 80% of American adults to some degree.
Thankfully, regular periodontal screenings and proper hygiene
can help to control the disease without the need for more
drastic treatments such as surgery. This is one of the reasons
why Dr. Sohn encourages all of her patients to schedule regular
oral exams, even if they are experiencing no mouth pain at
the time.
Gum disease is caused by plaque and tartar, the latter of
which can only be removed through a professional cleaning
by a dentist or hygienist. When left untreated, the buildup
of plaque and tartar can lead to periodontitis, a disease
in which the bones, gums, and other tissues that support
the teeth are slowly destroyed by infection. If you consult
a dentist early enough in the progression of the disease,
there is an excellent chance that the infection can be controlled
through deep cleaning and medication.
If you are experiencing gum pain or other signs of periodontal
disease, Dr. Sohn can help to restore health to your mouth.
If your teeth and gums feel perfectly healthy, Dr. Sohn can
help to prevent the onset or the progression of gum disease
through regular screenings and gentle cleanings. Please contact
our office for more information or to schedule an initial
consultation.
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to top Restorative Endodontics (Root
Canals)
Possibly the most misunderstood of all dental
procedures, having a root canal is actually an extremely
safe and relatively pain-free process. Each of your teeth
contains a long, thin strand of pulp that extends down
into the root of the tooth. When this pulp becomes inflamed
or infected, the result is often searing tooth pain and,
in some cases, the eventual death of the tooth. A root
canal restores health to the tooth by removing the affected
pulp through a gap drilled in the tooth's crown. The canal
is then filled, and the tooth is permanently sealed with
an artificial crown. This procedure allows you to preserve
your natural tooth, which, whenever possible, is ideal.
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to top Dentures/Dental Implants
There
is a greater range of options than ever before for denture
wearers. Existing denture wearers who want to achieve greater
control over chewing and speaking may want to explore the
possibility of getting dental implants. These allow you to
restore both function and beauty to your mouth, and require
less maintenance than traditional dentures. Future denture
wearers can choose between implant supported dentures and
traditional dentures. Whichever option you prefer, Dr. Sohn
will personally monitor the development of the materials
to ensure a natural look and a comfortable, secure fit.
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to top Porcelain/Metal Crowns
Crowns – or “caps,” as
they are sometimes called – are
metal cap covered with porcelain and is an excellent way
to repair and strengthen badly damaged teeth. Covering
the entire surface area of the tooth, they help to prevent
weaker teeth from cracking or breaking. By reinforcing
these weaker teeth, they effectively reduce or eliminate
pain, sensitivity, and difficulty with chewing and speaking.
Crowns can also be used to hold together teeth that are
currently cracked and in danger of breaking, as well as to
keep loose fillings in place. Aside from alleviating and
preventing future pain, they can also restore beauty to your
mouth. Click here for information on cosmetic dentistry.
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to top
Inlays and Onlays
Inlays
and onlays offer stronger, longer lasting alternatives to
traditional fillings. Sometimes referred to as “indirect” fillings,
inlays and onlays are crafted out of hard-wearing porcelain
or metal to fit the specific contours of your teeth. They
perform essentially the same function as traditional fillings;
that is, to occupy and protect the space where decay has
been removed. However, unlike fillings, they are cemented
into place – inlays, inside the tooth; onlays, on the tooth's
outer surface.
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to top Regular Cleanings and Oral
Exams
Of course, the best way to combat mouth diseases
and tooth pain is to take steps to prevent them from occurring
in advance. Although advances in dental technology have
made it possible for Dr. Sohn to restore the health of
your mouth with relative ease and comfort, it is always
preferable to preserve and protect your existing teeth.
In addition to maintaining a sensible oral hygiene regimen,
it is essential that you visit your dentist regularly to
have your teeth professionally cleaned and screened for
potential problems. By doing so, you increase the chances
that your natural teeth will serve you well your entire
life.
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to top
It's perfectly normal to be a little anxious about visiting
the dentist's office. If the thought of going to the dentist
conjures up scary images, you may want to consider one of
our sedation options. Conscious sedation is a safe, effective
treatment used to help anxious patients relax so that they
can get the dental care they need. Patients are always carefully
monitored during treatment, ensuring the highest standards
of safety. To find out more about conscious sedation, please
contact our practice today.
Intravenous Sedation
Otherwise
known as “twilight sleep”,
intravenous (IV) sedation is a safe and effective way to
manage fear and anxiety. Once our patients are fully monitored,
IV medication is given to patients, which is designed to
put you in a 'twilight' state. Patients sleep through the
procedure, and in most case do not remember any of the
procedure. We are equipped with anesthesia monitors and
automated external defibrillator (AED) for the safety of
our patients. Although this method of relaxation requires
more planning and is more costly, it can be very helpful
to those with moderate to severe anxiety.
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Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous
Oxide, also known as “laughing gas' can be an effective
way to manage patients with mild to moderate dental treatment
anxiety. This provides a quick and safe method of reducing
anxiety. In addition, the nitrous oxide wears off quickly
allowing you to drive to and from your appointment without
any safety concerns or advanced planning.
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to top Oral Medication
If you don't think the nitrous oxide will not provide enough
relaxation, we can prescribe a medication for you to take
the night before and the morning of your appointment. This
approach has the advantage of ensuring a good night's rest,
and a relaxed attitude prior and during your visit. Oral
medication can be used with or without nitrous oxide. However,
advanced arrangements should be made to have someone drive
you to and from your appointment.
back
to top We invite you to read about some of the dental procedures
and services that we offer and then to contact our office
to arrange a consultation with Dr. Sohn. During this consultation,
Dr. Sohn will openly and honestly discuss your options with
you, helping you to determine which procedure or procedures
are best suited to your goals.
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