My Dentist USA Home
Finance Your Procedure
Kansas Cosmetic Dentists
Philosophy Education Video Articles Testimonials Procedures FAQ Contact September 4, 2010

Cosmetic Dentistry Frequently Asked Questions
Provided by Dr. Alberto Castaneda of Kansas City


Click to learn more about:
Click here to contact Dr. Castaneda

Smile Makeover


In the movie City Slickers, the main character, Mitch, spent a lot of money and time trying to find his smile. Instead of going to a dude ranch and nearly getting himself killed, he could have gone to a cosmetic dentist and found his smile much quicker.

Getting one or two cosmetic dental treatments can go a long way toward improving your smile, but a complete smile makeover can completely change the way you look. A smile makeover is not one procedure, but is a progression of several procedures that are used to give you mouth a brand new appearance.

Dr. Castaneda will set up a treatment plan and map out a course of action on what sort of improvements can be made to improve your smile line. The procedures may include orthodontia to tooth whitening, and every procedure in between.

Indications

A good candidate for a smile makeover is simply someone who is dissatisfied with the appearance of his or her teeth, but whose mouth is in generally good health.

A smile makeover addresses:
  • Overall appearance of smile
  • Crooked teeth
  • Uneven teeth
  • Missing teeth
  • Gapped teeth
  • Long gums
  • Stained or discolored teeth
  • Chipped or broken teeth
Basically, anything that prevents you from smiling is a reason to plan a smile makeover today.

Options

Some of the procedures available in a smile makeover include:
  • Orthodontia - Depending on the doctor's skill level and the extent of tooth displacement, straightening of crooked teeth may be performed by the cosmetic dentist, or referred out to an orthodontist.
  • Dental inlays or onlays - Similar to porcelain crowns, these more conservative caps can be used to correct chipped or broken teeth, or to fill in gaps between teeth. Inlays and onlays may also be used to replace old, metal colored amalgam fillings.
  • Dental veneers - Made out of composite resin or dental porcelain, veneers can be placed over severely discolored or damaged teeth, giving them a new, bright appearance.
  • Crowns - Although more extensive than inlays and onlays, some corrections may require a crown of porcelain, composite resin, or gold.
  • Filling replacement - Old, ugly, and possibly toxic amalgam fillings can be replaced with newer, tooth colored composite dental fillings.
  • Dental bridges and implants - To address missing teeth a dental bridge or dental implants may be applied. The type of treatment is based on the specific need.
  • Gum shortening - To correct gums that extend too far down over the tooth, the doctor may shorten the gums using a laser tool, or even apply minor surgery to the gumline.
  • Tooth whitening - A wide variety of tooth whitening options may be applied after everything else is corrected to finalize the smile makeover.
Thanks to an exciting new development in dental care called CERAC, many of the restorations used to enhance your smile can be done in the office in one day; two visits are no longer required. This means you can find your smile quickly and resume your normal routine in just one office visit.


Click here to email Dr. Castaneda

Return to top

Inlays/Onlays


Dental inlays and onlays are usually created from porcelain, composite resin, or gold. Inlays treat decay on the top projections of teeth, also called cusps of teeth. Onlays treat decay extending to several cusps.

Onlays and Inlays:
  • repair rear teeth that have mild to moderate tooth decay
  • restore cracked or broken teeth when the damage does not require a dental crown
  • replace old metal fillings using a more natural-looking tooth colored material to create a more beautifully natural smile
Typically, we utilize Cerec technology to fabricate restorations (which allow for one-visit restorations traditionally). During your first dental visit, Dr. Castaneda will take an impression of your tooth, placing a temporary inlay over the decayed or damaged tooth. The impressions are then sent to the dental lab, and the inlay is created based on your tooth's unique specifications. On your second dental visit, the permanent inlay/only is cemented over your tooth. Dental inlays provide a very natural look and are highly customizable, making your teeth stronger than before.

The procedure for onlays is quite similar. Onlays are very natural and help to conserve the tooth's structure. Onlays, of course, can save more than one damaged tooth so that the patient might be able to avoid crowns, bridges, implants and more involved dental work.


Click here to email Dr. Castaneda

Return to top

Porcelain Veneers


Porcelain veneers have become a very common treatment for a variety of common dental problems. Porcelain veneers are the ideal restoration choice for those who wish to change the color and shape of their teeth or want to correct chipped, crooked or misaligned teeth. Made from ultra-thin, but very durable porcelain, porcelain veneers are directly applied to the front of your natural teeth, and can be an easy and relatively quick solution to a more attractive smile. The result is a very natural looking smile that brings confidence.

The Process

The first step is for Dr. Castaneda to take molds of your teeth and have a laboratory fabricate a mock up (blueprint of your final veneers for your approval. To do so, the enamel on the front of the tooth is reduced to about the same thickness of the veneer, so that the end result is a tooth that is the same thickness as the original tooth before bonding.

Next, Dr. Castaneda will make an impression (dental mold) of the tooth or teeth using impression putty. The impressions are sent to a dental laboratory where, in about four weeks, your veneers will be ready. Dr. Castaneda may place temporary veneers on your teeth while waiting for your porcelain veneers to be custom made just for you.

On your second visit, Dr. Castaneda will have your custom porcelain veneers back from our specialized lab.

Now that the shape and color of your veneers has been created, it's time to bond your veneers onto your natural teeth. The cement is placed on the veneer and the veneer is placed on your tooth. A special light is shined onto the veneer to quickly 'cure' or dry the cement.

In the final stages of this process, Dr. Castaneda will trim and polish away any excess cement around the edges of your veneers and will evaluate the contours of your veneers and reshape them as needed. Your bite will also be evaluated to make sure the veneers are not interfering with it.

You will be asked to return in about one week for an evaluation of your gums and to see if any further adjustments are necessary.


Click here to email Dr. Castaneda

Return to top

Tooth Whitening


It seems wherever you go everyone is talking about whitening and brightening their teeth. And no wonder. Our faces and our smiles convey so much more than mere words. It's important to project an image of confidence when speaking with others. But hiding behind an unsightly smile has caused many to avoid social situations, miss out on promotions, and lose out on so much that life has to offer, all because of embarrassment over their smile.

Zoom!

In about an hour. One beautiful smile! Zoom!, a revolutionary teeth-whitening system, offers safe, effective, fast whitening that won't soften tooth enamel, damage fillings or cause structural changes to your teeth. And best of all, it's completely painless!

A specially formulated hydrogen peroxide bleaching gel whitens teeth quickly, safely, and effectively in just one visit, and Zoom's cutting edge light system activates the gel to speed up the whitening process, so your teeth reach optimal whiteness in just under one hour.

During Zoom! Tooth Whitening, the dental technician applies the specially formulated hydrogen peroxide bleaching gel, and the gas plasma light shines on the gel, penetrating teeth to break up stains and discoloration.

Discover Dental Care is your dental health partner, and your oral health is of the utmost importance to us. That is why Dr. Castaneda will meet with you prior to your Zoom! treatment to determine if periodontal disease is present. If so, this will be treated before your whitening procedure is done.

Some patients experience sensitivity following Zoom! Whitening. Dr. Castaneda's office can provide you with special toothpaste to alleviate these symptoms, so be sure to discuss this during your consultation.


Click here to email Dr. Castaneda

Return to top

Dental Implants


Dental implants have become a popular procedure for replacing one or more missing teeth due to their natural feel, as compared to a bridge or dentures. If you are missing one or more teeth, it is vital to the overall health of your mouth to replace those teeth. When a tooth is missing, it can affect the structure of other teeth, and, slowly over time, tooth migration and bone loss occur. Dental implants solve these problems with a natural-looking and feeling prosthetic tooth that is durable and long lasting.

Most implants require metal anchors placed in the jawbone. The anchor fuses to the bone, an extension is placed on the anchor, and a prosthetic tooth is placed on top of the extension. This multi-step process provides an end result for patients that looks better, feels better, and performs better than other more traditional approaches to tooth replacement. They also have the advantage of a high success rate and will not get decay like natural teeth.

If you're considering dental implants, you may want to know what will take place during your consultation with Dr. Castaneda. First, he will examine your teeth to make a determination as to whether dental implants are a good solution for your dental issues. Dr. Castaneda may take x-rays to find out how much jawbone has been lost. When the examination is complete, you will have all the information you need to know if implants will work for you and what type of implant Dr. Castaneda feels is most appropriate.


Click here to email Dr. Castaneda

Return to top

Porcelain Crowns


Today's dental patients want their teeth to not only look good, but to function effectively and provide long-term dental health. That is why Dr. Castaneda offers durable, metal-free alternatives for your dental crowns and bridges.

Porcelain Crowns

A porcelain crown is a porcelain cap that covers the tooth and repairs or changes the tooth's shape or color.

Just a short time ago, dental crowns were made with metal foundations. Today, they're made from porcelain. While metal foundation crowns may still sometimes be used for teeth in the back of the mouth, porcelain crowns are the first choice for front teeth.

Porcelain crowns repair badly broken teeth, misaligned teeth, or large areas of tooth decay. When placed by a qualified cosmetic dentist, porcelain crowns provide a natural-looking result that is virtually undetectable.

Porcelain crowns/onlays are also necessary after endodontics (root canal therapy). Endodontics is a dentistry specialty that focuses on tooth pulp and tissues surrounding the tooth root. The pulp can become diseased or injured through decay or trauma and cannot repair itself. Eventually, the pulp dies and endodontic treatment is required. The most common endodontic procedure is root-canal therapy which can save a tooth that might otherwise need to be extracted because of infection caused by decay.

Cosmetic dentists need specialized training to perform these restorations. Dr. Castaneda has the training, skill and experience and has helped hundreds of patients achieve beautifully restored smiles with the use of porcelain crowns. In fact, Dr. Castaneda's office is equipped with the latest technology, including CEREC, a machine that creates porcelain veneers and crowns chairside in just one dental visit!


Click here to email Dr. Castaneda

Return to top

Bridges


Bridges can be made with metal or zirconia substructure and are natural-looking dental appliances that replace missing teeth. Because they are custom-made, bridges are barely noticeable and work well to restore the natural contour of teeth as well as the proper bite between upper and lower teeth.

Some bridges are semi-permanent and bonded to existing teeth or implants. Other bridges are removable and can be cleaned by the wearer whereas some need to be removed by a dentist.

If you have missing teeth, the spaces left unfilled may cause surrounding teeth to drift or sink in towards the space, as well as cause your natural teeth and gums to be more susceptible to decay and disease.


Click here to email Dr. Castaneda

Return to top

Gum Treatment


If a 'gummy' smile is causing you embarrassment, Dr. Castaneda's expertise with the YAG laser is just what you need. Known in cosmetic dentistry circles as "gingival recontouring," correcting a gummy smile with the YAG laser is now a quick and painless procedure that can dramatically improve your appearance through a more natural-looking smile.

Some of the benefits of gum contouring treatment with the YAG laser include:
  • no drills
  • no pain
  • more efficient
  • less discomfort
  • faster healing
  • instant pain relief
  • less post-op discomfort



Click here to email Dr. Castaneda

Return to top

Dental Bonding


If you are looking for a safe, painless, proven way to.
  • restore decayed teeth
  • enhance the color of your teeth
  • reshape your teeth
  • lighten teeth stains
  • close gaps in your teeth
  • correct crooked teeth
  • or make other cosmetic improvements
Dental bonding may be the answer for you.

Dental bonding uses a durable, long-lasting composite resin material that naturally and completely covers flaws in your teeth, first by applying a thin coat of the composite material to the surface of your prepared tooth and then sculpting and shaping the tooth to achieve the desired look. A high-intensity light helps to harden the composite and the surface of your tooth is finely polished for a wonderful final result.

If you've been living your life embarrassed by your teeth and your smile, bonding can effectively solve these issues and give you the smile you have always wanted!


Click here to email Dr. Castaneda

Return to top

Porcelain Fillings


If you want a more natural-looking smile, without the use of ugly metal fillings, composite resin fillings offer an attractive and healthy option for longer lasting results.

The term white fillings refers to tooth-colored fillings that differ from amalgam, gold, or temporary filling materials. Many different formulations of composite fillings exist, but microscopic glass or porcelain particles embedded in resin acrylic are most common.

Composite materials have been in use for front teeth for quite some time for aesthetic reasons but only recently have been used on back teeth as the technology has improved. Because of their improved strength and durability, composite fillings are a good solution for overlaying large biting areas.

Patients concerned with sensitivity or cracks in their teeth should talk to their dentist about replacing amalgam fillings with porcelain fillings or onlays. While no definitive reports about toxic reactions to filling materials have ever been published, many dentists, including Dr. Castaneda, prefer to avoid them for your safety and the for the safety of the staff.


Click here to email Dr. Castaneda

Return to top

Dental Porcelain


Porcelain is an ancient invention introduced to the West from China. It is made of ceramic materials and heated at temperatures exceeding 2,000° F. The final product is a white, translucent, hard material that is perfect for cosmetic dentistry. Because it has many of the same qualities as natural tooth enamel, porcelain is the material of choice for creating a winning smile.

By using a number of porcelain products, Dr. Alberto Castaneda creates brighter smiles, usually in one day, whether you are looking for one smile correction, or a complete smile makeover.

Applications

During a procedure using porcelain, Dr. Castaneda makes an impression of the base tooth to which the product will be applied. The specifications are then sent to the in-office CEREC fabrication system, where the appliance is created and fired to give it its glassy composition. The translucent qualities of porcelain give the replacement tooth or veneer a lustrous aspect as it reflects light.

Dental porcelain is used for a variety of procedures including:
  • Dental implants
  • Porcelain veneers
  • Dental Crowns
  • Bridges

Color matching

During the evaluation and impression process, the color of the new application is carefully matched to the surrounding teeth to ensure a unified smile. The porcelain itself is matched first, with Dr Castaneda getting the closest shade possible to the surrounding teeth.

When fired, the porcelain becomes translucent; meaning the color of the paste, or bond material will show through the thin veneers and will affect the color. The paste color is also adapted to make an even closer match to the surrounding teeth. Trial paste is used to ensure the best color selection is made. It is important to verify the color prior to bonding since the veneer cannot be removed once it is cemented into place.

If the veneer is meant to change the color of a tooth to brighten a smile, the dental technician adjusts the opacity of the porcelain, taking into account the underlying tooth color and the color of the cement to improve the over all color of the tooth.

Care

After getting a porcelain application installed, normal dental hygiene should be resumed. Since the veneer, crown, or implant is basically glass, biting hard objects like ice and seed casings should be avoided to prevent chipping or breaking.

Creating a brighter smile is more than just filling cavities and cleaning teeth, it is almost an art form. It is important to select a cosmetic dentist with proven experience working with dental porcelain.


Click here to email Dr. Castaneda

Return to top

Oral Sedation


Conscious Sedation dentistry, also known as sedation dentistry, induces an altered state of consciousness where pain and discomfort are minimized with sedatives, administered orally. Patients can speak and respond to questions but will not remember much about the procedure.

Conscious sedation dentistry is extremely safe when administered by a trained professional. The dentist will administer the anesthetic and remain with the patient at all times, monitoring the patient's vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, oxygen level and alertness throughout the procedure.

For some patients, a very temporary period of amnesia may follow conscious sedation dentistry.

Other side effects include:
  • Headache
  • Hangover-like feeling
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Rarely, unpleasant memories of the surgical experience
When your procedure is over, your dentist will provide you with specific instructions for home care, including:
  • No driving a vehicle
  • No operating dangerous equipment
  • No important decision-making for 24 hours


Dr. Castaneda offers modern facilities and state-of-the-art technologies to provide you with the highest quality dental care, including conscious sedation dentistry.


Click here to email Dr. Castaneda

Return to top

Dentures/Partials


Dentures are removable dental appliances that replace missing teeth. Unlike dental implants and dental bridges, which are more or less permanently affixed to the bone, dentures are prosthetic teeth attached to a supporting structure.

Full Dentures

Full dentures are for those patients who have lost all of their natural teeth in the upper or lower jaw or both. Full dentures restore confidence in one's appearance and help the wearer to speak and eat more normally. For those people who have loose dentures that fall out during speaking and chewing, dental implants can reestablish some of the previous chewing ability.

Partial dentures

Partials are for those patients who have lost some teeth but don't want to get dental implants or bridges. Removable partial dentures can also have a metal support structure.

Dr. Castandeda can create partials that have gum-colored clasps so no metal will show.

Dr. Castaneda can beautiful, well-fitting dentures and would be happy to speak with you about your dental needs. Why not contact him today to discuss your concerns? He offers free, private consultations in his modern, fully equipped Shawnee office, complete with comfortable neck pillows, TVs, and stereo headphones.


Click here to email Dr. Castaneda

Return to top

Root Canal Treatment


Endodontics is a dentistry specialty that focuses on tooth nerve and the tissues surrounding the tooth root. The nerve can become diseased or injured through decay or trauma and sometimes cannot repair itself. Eventually, the pulp dies and endodontic treatment is required. The most common endodontic procedure is root-canal therapy.

Not long ago, a tooth with a diseased nerve would be extracted. Today, root canal therapy can save that tooth. The pulp inside each tooth provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth. It runs down the root of your tooth like a string. If the pulp becomes diseased or is somehow injured, the pulp tissue eventually dies. If the damaged pulp is not removed with a root canal, it will become infected and very painful. Ignoring that pain and infection could lead to the loss of your tooth.

When the dentist removes the damaged pulp, he then cleans the root canal and seals it off to protect it from bacteria and further damage. Generally, a temporary onlay or crown will be placed over the tooth and a new crown will be lab-created for you. You'll visit the dentist a second time to receive the permanent porcelain crown. Or, alternatively we at Discover Dental Care use Cerec technology for onlays or crowns to be done in one visit.

Despite the unpleasant stories many tell about root canal therapy, today's advanced technology makes this procedure relatively simple, fast and virtually painless. Most importantly, the practice of endodontics means you can save your tooth and your beautiful smile.


Click here to email Dr. Castaneda

Return to top

Invisalign


One of the reasons some people avoid orthodontic treatment is because they don't want a mouth full of silver braces. This is especially true for professional adults. That's why a new product called Invisalign, a clear alternative to metal braces, is so popular.

Invisalign uses clear aligners, custom-molded trays to fit you just right. Virtually invisible, the aligners gradually reposition your teeth, creating a smile that will make you happy to look in the mirror once again.

Since your Invisalign aligners are clear and virtually invisible, you can go about your daily life and social interactions without embarrassment while receiving all the benefits of this discreet orthodontic treatment.
  • Healthier gums: brush and floss normally to prevent decay and gum disease
  • Easier cleanings: with no wire or metal, food particles don't get trapped
  • Improved chewing and speech: properly aligned teeth can help to solve these issues
  • Lower risk of trauma and abnormal wear: properly aligned teeth put less stress on supporting bone and joints



Click here to email Dr. Castaneda

Return to top

Braces


Children rarely have perfectly symmetrical teeth and a perfect bite, and many children are in need of braces.

Although braces can be effective for adults, the treatment is generally more efficient with children whose teeth are still developing.

Early intervention with orthodontic treatment can:
  • Straighten crooked teeth
  • Create space for incoming permanent teeth
  • Help erupting permanent teeth grow correctly
  • Prevent impacted permanent teeth,
  • Correct harmful habits like thumb sucking
  • Correct bite problems
  • Reduce or eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems
  • Shorten and simplify later orthodontic treatment
  • Prevent later tooth extractions
  • Improve appearance and self-esteem
The Shawnee, KS office of Dr. Alberto Castaneda, serving residents of Kansas City, can help you determine the need for braces and plan a course of action that will correct the problem to improve, not only your or your children's appearance, but your overall health.


Click here to email Dr. Castaneda

Return to top
  
Alberto Castaneda, DDS
Discover Dental Care

Office Address:

21620 Midland Drive
Shawnee, KS 66218
My Dentist USA is sponsored and made possible by the Cosmetic Dentists featured on this website.
MyDentistUSA.com is solely a provider of information. If information provided is used by the Internet user, said use is at that person's sole risk and discretion.
Please read the full Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions. By entering the website, you are agreeing to be bound by these Terms & Conditions.
© 2010 NKP Medical Marketing, Inc. · 10220 Culver Blvd · Suite 208 · Culver City, CA 90232