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Cosmetic Dentistry Frequently Asked Questions
Provided by Dr. Afshin Azimi of Las Vegas


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Dental Implants


A dental implant is special surgical grade titanium post, manufactured to highly precise specifications, under strict sterile conditions, that is inserted surgically into the jawbone below the gum surface. As the bone bonds to the post, it forms a secure foundation onto which your new teeth are then attached and shaped to match your mouth. Implants can help replace a single tooth, or a full set of teeth.

Dental Implants are a vast improvement over older methods of restorative dentistry. They are more stable than regular dentures and as easy to clean and maintain as natural teeth. Also, because dental implants are integrated into the jaw, they stimulate the underlying bone and prevent the gum and bones from atrophying.


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Dental 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.

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.


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Crowns


Unlike a filling, which fills in or covers just a part of the tooth, a crown, sometimes referred to as a "cap", is a type of restoration that completely covers the portion of the tooth at or above the gum line when cemented into place. The purpose of a crown may be to restore a tooth to its original shape, to strengthen it, or to improve its cosmetic appearance. While a filling could also restore a tooth's shape, a crown is more advantageous in that it is created outside of the mouth in a laboratory where it can be sculpted perfectly according to bite and jaw movements, whereas a dentist has less control over a filling. Crowns may be made out of porcelain, metal, ceramic, or a combination.

The procedure consists of two stages. First, portions of your natural tooth's structure will be removed for the crown. An impression is made and sent to the lab to be sculpted into a crown in about two weeks. Meanwhile, a temporary crown will be in place until your next visit, whereupon the dentist will replace it with your very own custom crown cemented into place.


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Root Canals


When tiny canals within your tooth become infected, a dentist will clean and fill them and give the tooth either a filling or a crown. The procedure usually requires one to two visits (not including follow-up visits). The area around the tooth is numbed and you may be offered a mild sedative. All of the diseased pulp in the tooth is removed, and the canal is cleaned with an antiseptic solution and filled with a flexible plastic material. The tooth is temporized for a short period of time until a permanent crown is put into place.


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Invisalign®


FDA approved Invisalign is the "invisible" way to straighten your teeth without wearing conventional metal braces. Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners to move your teeth. Because you remove your aligners before you eat and drink, there are no food restrictions or problems with flossing or brushing. This technology is also more comfortable, avoiding the mouth abrasions that can be caused by the metal and wires of conventional braces. And this technology is also more convenient, since you are likely to spend less time in the doctor's office getting adjustments.

The Invisalign system uses advanced three dimensional computer imaging technology to design a complete treatment plan, from the initial teeth alignment to the final, desired positioning. This advanced computer imaging system allows you to preview your new smile before begining the Invisalign treatment.


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Teeth Whitening


Teeth enamel discoloration can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Some of the more common causes of teeth discoloration are medications, coffee, tea or cigarettes. People who drink significant amounts of cola soft drinks can experience similar staining.

Teeth bleaching is chemical process used to lighten the color of the patient's teeth. The procedure can be performed entirely in the cosmetic dentist's office or it can be performed by the patient in their home, using a materials provided by the dentist. The home method is often used because it saves the patient from having to make an office visit for each treatment.

Before the patient embarks on the home teeth whitening regimen, the cosmetic dentist creates a custom mouth tray for the patient. The custom tray is a critical component of the treatment. It ensures that the correct amount of whitening solution is used and that the patient's teeth are properly exposed to the whitening solution. The custom made mouth tray provides for a better fit than a one-size-fits-all mouth tray to help increase the margin of patient safety.

The Zoom! In-Office Whitening System is a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure. It's safe, effective and fast - very fast. In just over an hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter. Zoom! Whitening is ideal for anyone looking for immediate results. The convenience of Zoom! in comparison to days of wearing trays and gradual whitening makes it the perfect choice for the busy individual.

The Zoom! teeth whitening procedure is easy and pain-free. It starts with a short preparation to isolate your lips and gums. Then the proprietary Zoom! whitening gel is applied. The Zoom! whitening gel is then activated through the application of a specially designed light. Finally, the procedure is completed with a five-minute floride treatment. The procedure often leaves teeth up to six to ten times whiter.


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White Fillings


White fillings through composite bonding essentially "fill" your dental cavities. They can transform your smile in just one visit to the dentist. Contrary to old metal fillings, white fillings match the shade, translucency, and even texture of your own natural teeth. However, unlike veneers, fillings don't have the strength or stain-resistance of porcelain veneers.

If the filling procedure requires a local anesthetic, the dentist will first numb the area around the tooth through an injection into the gum area. Cotton balls or a rubber dam will keep the tooth dry while the dentist shapes it. The surface of the tooth will then be prepared for bonding by etching a special gel onto its surface. A special light then activates the composite bonding material to harden it. This process may be repeated several times before buffing and polishing.


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Smile Design


During the past year or two there has been a lot of media attention about cosmetic dentistry, especially extreme makeovers. Our philosophy is to enhance the beauty and not create an artificial generic look. Through technological advancements, it is now possible to conservatively improve and strengthen the health and function of a patient's appearance and smile.

The most important consideration when thinking about a smile design is the expertise of the cosmetic dental team. Imagine building your dream house. You wouldn't just hire the best architect and not pay attention to the general contractor and the materials they are using to build the house. The same analogy holds true in a smile design. It starts with knowledgeable cosmetic dentists with an artistic flair that takes into consideration all the facial features when designing a new smile, all the way to the ceramist that can reproduce what the dentist has envisioned.


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Removable Prosthesis


Dentures & Partial Dentures

A denture is a removable dental appliance replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and may even enhance your smile.

There are two types of dentures - complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. A Partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from shifting.

A Complete denture may be either "conventional" or "immediate." A conventional type is made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed, usually taking 4 to 6 weeks. During this time the patient will go without teeth. Immediate dentures are made in advance and immediately placed after the teeth are removed, thus preventing the patient from having to be without teeth during the healing process. Once the tissues shrink and heal, adjustments will have to be made.

Dentures are very durable appliances and will last many years, but may have to be remade, repaired, or readjusted due to normal wear.


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Temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ) disease


Temporomandibular joint disease (also known as TMD, or TMJ disease) is a chronic degenerative disease that may take years to develop. It is a progressive condition, and if left untreated can cause severe damage to the teeth. People who suffer from TMJ disease have a structural imbalance in their jaw-to-skull relationship, caused by a misaligned bite.

Neuromuscular dentistry is the art and science of using the relaxed position of facial muscles to place the jaw in its optimal position. Thirty years of research and clinical trials have shown this TMJ treatment technique to be very effective in eliminating chronic migraines and neck pain. Placing the jaw optimally before performing restorative dentistry also increases the lifetime of any dental work you have, and protects your natural teeth. Dr. Ziv is one of very few dentists accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry who has extensive training and experience in neuromuscular dentistry.

While Dr. Azimi devotes a great deal of his time improving and re-creating smiles, he has an equal passion for helping those with chronic head and neck pain caused by poor occlusion through his TMJ treatment options.


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Full Mouth Reconstruction


Full mouth reconstruction requires an advanced treatment procedure that uses state-of-the-art technology. A significant portion of the procedure involves Dr. Azimi deciding an appropriate course of action individualized for the patient's particular needs.

If severe dental problems are causing you discomfort, you may be a good candidate for a full mouth reconstruction. Dr. Azimi can combine the aesthetics of cosmetic dentistry with the science of neuromuscular dentistry to perform a full mouth reconstruction. Orthodontic appliances can be used to help properly position your jaw. Once the jaw is properly aligned, relieving some of the pain caused by the TMJ syndrome, cosmetic and restorative dentistry procedures (porcelain veneers, dental crowns, bridgework, dental implants, and onlays) are completed. The result is an attractive, pain-free new smile.

Full Mouth Rehabilitation corrects imperfections in bite position and enhances the appearance of the smile. Anyone with short, worn teeth or those that are chipped and broken throughout the mouth would be an excellent candidate. Dr Azimi will help you decide an appropriate treatment plan. This is where the full mouth rehabilitation specialist really shines. Though the specific techniques may vary depending on your needs, he will ensure that the end result is the same-a lovely smile and a more confident you.


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Inlay / Onlay


More conservative than a crown, inlays and onlays are two methods of restoring normal tooth structure after decay or other damage. Inlays and onlays are known as indirect fillings because unlike a standard filling that is done in our office, both are made in a laboratory and cemented or bonded to the surface of the tooth during a second visit. And unlike standard fillings, inlays and onlays do not weaken the tooth structure, but actually strengthens it. After the procedure the tooth can bear up to 50 - 75% more chewing force.

An inlay is done when the tooth structure replaced is within the cusp tips of the tooth. If the damage is more extensive and the new structure covers the entire chewing surface including one or more tooth cusps, the procedure is called an onlay.

Inlays and onlays are ways of repairing relatively extensive tooth decay or damage without having to replace the whole outer portion of the tooth as with a crown. Less tooth material is removed so inlays and onlays tend to be more conservative and esthetic than crowns. Unlike fillings, these procedures tend to last longer than a filling, because they can be made from durable, tooth-colored porcelain, they offer much more enduring and natural-looking results than metal fillings. In addition, their customized nature allows dr Azimi to securely bond them to the tooth surface, adding structural integrity and preventing bacteria from entering and forming cavities.

Dentures are very durable appliances and will last many years, but may have to be remade, repaired, or readjusted due to normal wear.


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DIAGNOdent


One of the most important things we do for our patients is to identify and fill cavities. Since any spot of decay can threaten the integrity of an entire tooth, this is key to preventing a host of future problems. Historically, that's why lengthy poking and prodding sessions have been an acceptable, if not very comfortable, part of dental exams. However, such methods of decay detection are only 50% to 75% successful: cavities can hide along fissure lines, or inside biting or occlusal surfaces. Further, mechanical exploratory methods are limited to finding only those cavities that are equal to or larger than the probe head. Enter DIAGNOdent: a revolutionary, thorough means of detecting cavities.

DIAGNOdent technology uses a laser diode to inspect your teeth, comparing reflection wavelength against a healthy baseline wavelength to uncover decay. First, we take a benchmark reading by aiming the laser onto one of your healthy enamel tooth surfaces, shining the laser into all suspect areas. As it pulses into grooves, fissures and cracks, the laser reflects fluorescent light of a specific wavelength which is measured by receptors, converted to an acoustic signal, evaluated electronically to reveal a value between one and 100, and then displayed on a screen. Any variation from the healthy baseline value stimulates emission of a different wavelength and alerts us to a weakened area of decay. Not surprisingly, this technology quickly and precisely identifies even the tiniest bit of decay. This means shallower, simpler fillings, preserving more tooth structure, and providing a specific mean of monitoring suspicious areas without repeated x-rays.


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Anxiety Free Dentistry


Most people can manage dental treatment with little more than some slight anxiety. For some people however, going to the dentist is a lot more difficult. If you have ever avoided getting much needed dental care out of fear or anxiety, or if the thought of going to the dentist makes you anxious or nervous, then anxiety free dentistry could be for you. Dr. Azimi receive many referrals from patients who have found their experience with sedation dentistry to be life changing. Anxiety free dentistry allows a patient to be calm and drowsy while still remaining in control. This also allows people who have avoided seeking necessary dental care to receive the treatment they need – and avoid unnecessary burdens on their oral health – without undue fear or discomfort.

You may want to consider sedation dentistry for the following:

People with stressful lifestyles, high anxiety and busy schedules can complete treatment comfortably in less visits.

Aversion to dental sounds and smells.

Past bad dental experience.

Fear of needles and drills.

After you are comfortable, Dr. Azimi and their experienced clinical team will take care your dental needs. You will remain in control but will be unaware of the treatment as if you were snoozing.


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Afshin Azimi, DDS
Modern Dentistry

Office Address:

820 South 7th Street
Suites C and D
Las Vegas, NV 89101
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