Restorative Dentistry

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Sleep Apnea

Did you know over 12 million Americans are affected by sleep apnea? Are you one of them? If you wake up tired or suffer from excessive snoring then you may be suffering from this common illness. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder affecting your breathing and state of rest. During the night, your breathing may stop several times leading to a number of symptoms, including:

Fatigue
Snoring
Abnormal sleep patterns
High blood pressure
Sudden awakenings

There are many more, which can have a negative impact on your life.

The most common types of sleep apnea are:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Central Sleep Apnea
Mixed Apnea
Complex Sleep Apnea

If this is not treated then it can lead to a frustrating lifestyle and open up the risk of more serious ailments and consequences.

Dr. Pham is able to help by diagnosing sleep apnea and providing a number of treatment recommendations such as medication, behavioral changes, and dental appliances such as a continuous positive airway pressure machine (CPAP) or night guards.

Inlays & Onlays

Occasionally a simple dental filling is not enough to repair a tooth that has suffered injury or severe decay. If a larger piece of the tooth is missing an inlay or onlay may be the best option.

Inlays and onlays are dental restorations designed to replace a missing part of your tooth. They are both made using CEREC® technology.

For both inlays and onlays, Dr. Pham takes digital impressions of your tooth after cleaning away any decay or debris. Next, the impressions are used to design and create the restoration in-house. Once created, we place the inlay or onlay and make any further adjustments before bonding it into place.

Inlays and onlays are made of a tooth-colored material that is aesthetically pleasing and very strong. Inlays are mostly used when the damage to the tooth occurs within the cusp, whereas onlays are used when the damage is more comprehensive. Whichever restoration you need, you can be assured of a quality finish!

Watch our video to learn more.

Extractions

Although we always aim to save your tooth, there are times when an extraction or removal is the best option. We only remove a tooth when absolutely necessary. This can be due to severe decay, trauma, or for orthodontic preparation. Whatever the reason rest-assured we will perform the procedure painlessly and efficiently.

The extraction begins with Dr. Pham applying a local anesthetic to the area. An elevator is used to wiggle the tooth from the socket and then it is removed.

Post-removal, we protect the area and keep it clean. Dr. Pham also discusses the ideal replacement option such as a dental bridge or dental implants.

Dentures

Losing your teeth not only causes difficulty day-to-day with eating and speaking but can also affect your oral health. If you have lost your teeth due to trauma, tooth decay, or gum disease then it is important to find a replacement. If left untreated, it can lead to your remaining teeth shifting and your jawbone deteriorating. This, in turn, can cause further tooth loss and narrow-down your treatment options.

At our office, we offer a range of denture options:

Complete: Your dentist in Gastonia, NC Dr. Pham, begins by taking an impression of the upper and lower arches of your mouth. This mold is then used to create your custom-made denture. We also consider your gum color, bite, and discuss your preferences. The denture is then fitted and adjusted until the ideal function and appearance are met. The end result is a beautiful new set of teeth designed to look and act as your natural teeth did.

Immediate: If your teeth are removed then an “immediate denture” may be recommended. Created from an impression of your mouth, the denture is placed immediately after tooth removal.

Partial: If only a section of your teeth is missing then a partial denture may be the best option. The partial is removable and is held in place by a clasp attached to your natural teeth. Much like a complete denture, the partial is created using impressions and your personal preferences.

Temporary: A StayPlate or temporary denture may be used while your gums and their supporting bones are healing. This partial denture maintains your smile until your permanent solution is ready to be fitted.

Watch this video to learn more.

Crowns & Bridges

Crowns: A dental crown is an ideal restoration when a tooth has become cracked or broken and needs to be repaired or protected. The crown is similar to a tooth-shaped cap that is cemented over your natural tooth. This restores the strength and appearance of your tooth and solidifies your smile. Our crowns are tooth-colored and blend in with your smile. What’s more, these beautiful and durable crowns can be created in a single-visit thanks to our CEREC® technology.

Learn more about crowns here!

Bridges: When you have lost a tooth, dental bridges can be the ideal solution. Bridges are a fixed replacement consisting of two crowns on either side of an artificial tooth. The crowns are placed over your natural teeth and cemented into place. This supports the artificial tooth and holds it securely into position.

Dental bridges are a permanent restoration that restores your bite and enhances the appearance of your smile.

Watch this video about bridges here!

Fillings

When a cavity forms it may be necessary to treat it with a dental filling. If left untreated, the cavity could grow and infect the inside of your tooth, which would lead to a root canal or more dental problems. A dental filling can quickly and effectively restore your tooth and prevent further issues.

At Enhanced Smiles, we use white or tooth-colored fillings to repair your teeth. Using a composite material, these fillings match the color of your natural tooth for an effective yet discreet restoration. The composite material used is applied to the cleansed tooth and shaped to fit your bite. Once in place the material is hardened using a blue light and bonds to your tooth.

Your comfort is paramount to us so we use general aesthetic to eliminate pain by numbing the area. Dental fillings can be placed in one-visit and are extremely durable.

Orthodontics

Many patients we see suffer from a misaligned, overcrowded, or crooked smile. This can cause embarrassment, low self-esteem, and additional dental problems. Dr. Alex Pham is in the business of enhancing smiles and this includes providing comprehensive orthodontics. Using braces (or Invisalign®) our Gastonia dentist is able to align your smile and boost your confidence.

When using traditional braces, Dr. Pham will explain how the treatment works and the benefits you’ll experience. This form of orthodontics gradually moves your teeth into place using brackets, wires, and a series of adjustments. The end result is a beautifully aligned smile that not only looks great but actually improves your oral health too.

Dr. Pham has years of experience and additional training in the field of orthodontics. He is happy to answer any questions, ensures you feel comfortable, and is always excited to help you reach your smile goal.

Porcelain Veneers

Do you look in the mirror and feel unhappy with your smile? Perhaps your teeth are crooked, stained, cracked, broken, or misaligned. If this is the case, it can affect your confidence and force you to conceal your smile. At our office, we are here to help you “enhance” your smile and feel good about your oral health. One of our most popular cosmetic options is porcelain veneers. This treatment can completely transform your smile and sky-rocket your confidence.

Veneers are thin shells of porcelain designed to fit over the front of your natural teeth. To prepare for the placement of the veneers, Dr. Pham removes a half a millimeter of enamel from your natural tooth. He then takes a mold of your teeth, discusses your preferences, and sends this information to our dental lab. At the lab, the veneers are created using porcelain and sent to our office.

Your veneers are then carefully placed over your teeth and adjusted to fit your specifications. When you are happy, Dr. Pham bonds the veneers to the teeth leaving you with a beautiful, white smile.

Watch this video to learn more about veneers!

Invisalign®

Dr. Alex Pham is a certified provider of Invisalign®, a clear aligning system designed to straighten your smile without any metal or wires. Invisalign® is fast-becoming a popular choice for teens and adults who want a beautiful smile without people being aware of their treatment. This is possible due to the clear aligners (similar to trays) that gradually move your teeth into the desired position.

This revolutionary system uses 3D computer technology to take a digital impression of your smile. Then using the innovative software, Dr. Pham can plan your treatment and actually show you what your smile could look like after the treatment.

Each set of aligners is custom-made to fit your smile and should be changed every two weeks. The aligners are removable, which allows you to enjoy your favorite food, drinks, and brush and floss as normal. Invisalign® truly is the number one choice for discreet teeth aligning treatment.

Dental Bonding

When your teeth have become chipped or broken due to trauma or are damaged from decay, it can cause you to hide your smile. Those feelings of anxiety or embarrassment can become a vague memory thanks to cosmetic dental bonding.

Dental bonding allows Dr. Pham to reshape and whiten your smile. He uses a beautiful tooth-colored composite resin to fill in any gaps, change the color or your teeth, and improve your smile. The resin is layered onto your natural teeth and shaped to the desired finish. A high-intensity light is applied to harden the material, which is then polished.

The final result is functional, beautiful, and confidence boosting!

Teeth Whitening

It is an unfortunate truth that as we age our teeth become stained and may lose their vibrant white glow. However, our cosmetic dentist in Gastonia, NC is able to help you rediscover your smile with teeth whitening.

We offer a few whitening options, depending on your personal needs.

Bleaching Kits: These kits use custom-made trays filled with a special gel that removes stains and brightens your teeth. The kits are safe and the process is overseen by our skilled dentist.

Take-Home Kits: Our ready-made whitening kits can be used in the comfort of your own home to improve the appearance of your smile.

Dr. Pham will discuss the ideal choice to meet your cosmetic goals.

Mouthguards

Do you wake-up in the morning with jaw pain or sensitive teeth? If so, it could be the result of teeth grinding (bruxism) while you sleep. This affects millions of people, which, if left untreated, can lead to jaw problems, shorter teeth, tooth sensitivity, and even tooth loss.

There are many reasons for night-time teeth grinding, including:

Stress or anxiety
Caffeine or drug abuse
Smoking
Misaligned bite

If you are grinding your teeth then Dr. Alex Pham may recommend a custom-made night guard. These mouthguards fit comfortably over your teeth and deflect the hard forces generated when you grind at night.

In order to get an ideal fit for the mouthguard, we take an impression of your teeth and send it to our partner lab for creation. When ready, we finalize the fit so you can enjoy a comfortable treatment that yields great results.

Root Canals

If the nerve inside your tooth becomes damaged through trauma, decay, or another reason then Dr. Pham, your dentist in Gastonia, NC may recommend a root canal. Root canals are most commonly performed in order to save your natural tooth and prevent infection from spreading.

When the inside of your tooth is compromised it can lead to a number of symptoms:

Tooth sensitivity
Pain
Discolored teeth
Inflammation around the tooth
Tender or swollen gums

With a root canal, we can save your tooth and eliminate pain. Contrary to popular belief, root canals don’t have to be painful. In fact, we are able to provide a comfortable experience while we save your tooth. The procedure involves Dr. Pham removing any infection from the inside of the tooth, sealing off the cavity, and filling the root canal with a special material. This reinforces the tooth, which is then topped with a crown allowing for normal tooth function.

Root canals save your tooth and prevent further dental problems such as tooth loss or jawbone deterioration.

Watch our video to learn more!

Sealants

Each of us has small grooves on the surface of our teeth. For some these grooves can be hard to brush allowing for debris to become trapped. If not removed then this debris can cause plaque build-up and thus lead to tooth decay. This particular problem is more common in children.

In response to this, Dr. Pham offers dental sealants. This treatment involves our dentist cleaning your teeth and then applying a special clear resin, which fills the grooves of your teeth. Once hardened, sealants deflect any debris from becoming stuck in the grooves so it can be easily brushing away.

Dental sealants are more popular with our younger patients but work equally as well for adults. After this painless and speedy procedure, you can care for your teeth as normal.

Exams & Screenings

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy relies on a daily brushing and flossing and regular visits to your Gastonia dentist. These six, monthly visits allow Dr. Pham to assess your oral health and prevent small issues becoming serious problems.

Your typical exam will include the following:

Evaluation of your face and neck
Examination of your mouth for any abnormalities
An oral cancer screening
Bite check
Review of your teeth and gums

Occasionally (especially during your first exam) Dr. Pham may take some x-rays to get greater insight into your jawbone and tooth structure.

Your comprehensive exam is gentle and comfortable. We address any concerns you have during this appointment and spend time discussing any potential treatment needs.

Oral Hygiene

With good oral hygiene comes less dental problems and improved overall health. In addition, to your regular dental check-ups, our team recommends routine cleanings with a dental hygienist. During these cleanings, we remove dental plaque and tartar, which has gradually built up around your gum line or on the tooth surface. Even the most avid brushers may still suffer from some plaque build-up. If this isn’t addressed then it can lead to tooth decay and future dental problems.

Our dental hygienist uses an ultrasonic spray to gently remove any plaque or tartar. This spray vibrates to remove the deposits while keeping you cool with a mist of water. Once all the teeth are cleaned, your hygienist polishes them for a beautiful, refreshing finish.

After your cleaning, we’ll take some time to discuss your at-home routine and provide some helpful hints to improve the health of your teeth and gums.

Periodontics

This area of dentistry relates to the health of your gums and bone, which supports your teeth. Both Dr. Alex Pham and your dental hygienist assess the health of your gums and provide expert advice on how to avoid periodontal (gum) disease. This disease is a leading cause of tooth loss and can negatively affect your entire well-being.

When you visit Enhanced Smiles, we examine your gums and clean away can plaque around the gum line. This helps remove bad bacteria that can cause common gum disease symptoms such as:

Inflamed gums
Sensitive gums
Bleeding gums
Loose teeth
Tooth loss

If you catch gum disease early then it is possible to treat the problem with a series of routine cleanings. However, if gum disease is more advanced, a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) is needed.

Dr. Pham is experienced in this area of dentistry and works hard to help you avoid the effects of periodontal disease.