This amazing procedure is available at the Beaverton and McMinnville locations.

BriteSmile offers clients safety and science within the comforts of your dentist's office. First you'll have a complimentary consultation to answer all your questions. If you are interested in moving forward with the treatment, our dentists will then examine your teeth and gums to ensure that they're healthy for whitening at that time. Then, while you relax, watch TV, or even nap, our proprietary gel and blue light treatment work to whiten teeth to their optimal brightness.

What does the whole procedure look like?

1. Your gums and mouth are protected with isolation materials and a "Before" picture is taken.

2. The BriteSmile whitening gel is professionally applied and activated by the light source.

3. After three 20-minute applications over a one-hour period, your whitening is completed and your "After" picture is taken.

4. You rinse. You smile. Wow!

You can feel confident in your decision to have our dental professionals whiten your teeth. Clinical testing has proven that the procedure is safe and sound. Safety studies conducted at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey found conclusively that BriteSmile whitening resulted in no structural change in teeth; no adverse impacts on fillings and no softening of tooth enamel. And these study results were confirmed by senior researchers at New York University. See our in-depth safety studies under "How BriteSmile Works."

The pH balanced proprietary gel is not harmful to the gums and because it is not ingested, the gel does not carry many other risks or side-effects of other options in the marketplace.

Unlike the "do-it-yourself" at-home whitening options, dentists and dental assistants perform every aspect of the BriteSmile process. Before moving forward with the procedure, our dentist examines your mouth and gums to ensure they are healthy. If any problems are detected, you are referred back to your own family dentist. Additionally, BriteSmile's whitening gel has a very small amount of hydrogen peroxide gel which further ensures the safety of your teeth and gums.

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Until recently, dentists filled and sealed cavities exclusively using a silver and mercury amalgam. Unfortunately, these fillings (or restorations) often weaken teeth due to the large amount of the original tooth that has to be removed. Modern dentistry has increasingly turned to composite fillings as a strong, safe and more natural looking alternative. Composite fillings utilize a soft white plastic substance that includes a hardening agent.

The Filling Procedures
During your initial visit to the dentist, he or she begins by anesthetizing the tooth and removing any remaining decay. Once the tooth has been prepared, the dentist places the composite into the tooth where it binds to the original surface. The process is typically performed in several layers wherein each layer is cured or hardened with the use of a hardening light. Composite restorations (fillings) for the back teeth are referred to as inlays. If the inlays need to be custom-made at an off-site dental lab, two visits to the dentist may be required. Once the dental office receives the custom inlays, the patient returns to the dentist's office, where the inlays will be bonded into place.

After the Fillings Have Been Placed
Patients may have increased sensitivity in the tooth for several weeks following the procedure. Unlike veneers, composite fillings are porous. Over time, they may become stained from coffee, tea, tobacco, etc. Many dentists place a clear covering over the filling to avoid any future staining. Composite fillings typically last three to twelve years, depending on the location of the restoration, an individual's occlusion (or bite), and several other factors.

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When a tooth is cracked, decayed, or damaged, a crown may need to be fitted onto the tooth. A crown is a permanent covering that fits over the original tooth. Crowns can be made of porcelain, gold and other metals, acrylic resin, or an amalgam (a mix) of these materials. Porcelain crowns typically have the most realistic appearance, although they tend to be less durable than other materials. Crowns can whiten, reshape, and realign existing teeth, adding to a healthy and vibrant smile.

Preparing the Tooth and Crown
During your first visit, the dentist will numb the tooth to be crowned and remove the decay in or around it. The tooth is then rescultped to provide an easy fit for the crown. This is a painless process that is performed in the dentist's chair.

An impression of your teeth is then taken and sent to the dental lab where permanent, custom-made crowns are created (this usually takes one to two weeks). During this interim period, temporary crowns made of an acrylic resin are fitted onto the teeth.

Applying the Crown
On your next visit, the dentist removes the temporary crown and fits the permanent crown onto the teeth. He or she makes sure the crown has the proper look and fit, and then cements the crown into place.

Maintaining Your New Crown
The proper dental hygiene for normal teeth should be applied to your new crown. Daily brushing and flossing will help to keep the teeth, gums, and new crown free from the bacteria that can cause gum disease. Avoid chewing on hard foods such as ice or pistachios, which, over time, can cause crowns to crack or break. Given proper care, crowns can last several decades, and may last a lifetime.

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Lasers can eliminate painful drilling and reduce patients' fears about cavities. The laser vaporizes decay and is usually painless, eliminating the need for anesthesia. Dentists can use either the erbium:YAG laser or a microair abrasion unit for the removal of decay. The erbium:YAG laser was FDA approved for adults in 1997 and for children in 1998. Lasers have been approved for laser gum surgery since 1995.

No irritating noise -- First of all, the laser works quitely. The only sound you may hear aside from the clicking as it operates, is a slight crackling as the laser beam does its work.

Reduced bleeding -- When used to treat gum disease, the dental laser actually cauterizes blood vessels and virtually eliminates bleeding, reducing the chance of infection.

Ongoing protection -- Many dental problems are caused by the presence of destructive bacteria. The laser's ability to reduce the level of bacteria makes it an excellent tool for treating dental disease.

Greater conservation of health tissue -- The laser's precision allows your dentist to perform dental procedures with less destruction to healthy tissue.

Earlier interception of disease -- The nature of the laser light also lets your dentist treat emerging dental problems earlier than ever before.

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For individuals who wish to replace missing teeth, dental implants may be an effective long-term solution. Implants provide greater structural support and last longer than either bridges or dentures. Implants serve as the artificial root to which new teeth are bonded. They are typically constructed of titanium, a strong and safe material that effectively attaches to bone. The procedure to insert dental implants typically involve three steps: the implant insertion stage, osseointegration (the period of healing for the jawbone), and the attachment of the restoration or new tooth.

The most popular form of implant is the Root Implant. This type of implant is very effective and mirrors the size and the shape of a patient's natural tooth. Many times, this implant will be as strong structurally as the original tooth's root.

Another form of implant is the Plate Form Implant. This implant is ideal in situations where the jaw bone is not wide enough to properly support a Root Implant. The Plate form inplant is long and thin, unlike the Root Implant, and anchors into thin jawbones.

The last type of implant is the Subperiosteal Implant. These implants are utilized when the jawbone has receded to the point where it no longer supports a permanent implant. These implants are placed on top of the bone and imbedded in the gums, but not in the jawbone as with the other types of implants.

example of an implant case

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Over time, people's teeth tend to naturally deteriorate. When a tooth has deteriorated substantially, it often needs to be extracted. And when multiple teeth are extracted, dentures may be the most appropriate solution. Dentures can create a natural and healthy looking set of teeth. As well, a properly fitting set of dentures can greatly enhance your smile and sense of self-esteem.

Complete and Partial Dentures
Many types of dentures exist, including complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when few of the original teeth remain. The dentist begins by removing any remaining teeth so the dentures can be fitted. He or she then makes a mold of the gums and sends it to a dental lab where customized dentures are constructed. Patients are typically fitted with temporary dentures until the permanent set of dentures have returned from the laboratory. Partial dentures are prepared in much the same way as a complete set, and are utilized when only a few teeth are missing..

Over Dentures
If the roots of a patient's remaining teeth (the tissue and gums) are strong, the dentist may suggest over dentures. Over dentures fit on top of the remainder of teeth in the mouth. With over dentures, the remaining teeth are resculpted and covered with metal caps to stop future decay. The advantage of over dentures is that they do not have to be relined as frequently as a complete set of dentures because the jawbone and gums recede less. In addition, over dentures create less occlusion (bite) problems than complete dentures.

Once Your Dentures Have Been Placed
At first, your dentures will feel uncomfortable because the gums and tissue are not accustomed to contact with man-made relining material. Once placed, patients should wear their dentures continually for the first few days to reduce the amount of swelling that may occur in the mouth. This swelling typically recedes in two to three days. Until patients become accustomed to their new set of teeth, the dentures may feel loose and awkward while chewing food. Eating soft food may also be necessary for the first few days. Reading aloud helps to overcome any speech impediments that may occur from the new dentures. Typically, lower dentures take longer to get used to than upper dentures. The underlying jawbone may take several months to completely heal and become accustomed to the dentures. Once this occurs, the dentist removes the dentures and creates a permanent lining for your teeth (a denture lining is the soft material that cushions the contact between the denture and the gum tissues).

The Life of your Dentures
Proper care and cleaning will increase the life of your dentures. Although they typically last five years, proper care and minimal jaw recession can extend the life of dentures up to 25 years. Dentures should be cleaned daily with a normal or specially-made denture toothpaste. Once the swelling has reduced, it is advisable to leave one or both dentures out at night to allow the gum tissues to breathe. In order to prevent dentures from warping, they should be left in water overnight. Over time, the lining of the dentures may change, owing to the wear and tear of daily use. In the case of tissue/bone shrinkage, worn down teeth, or breakage, dentures may come loose and need to be remade.

example of dentures

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Root Canal

Prior to recent advances in medicine, damage to the core of a tooth usually meant its quick removal. The modern solution is a root canal, known in the medical community as endodontic treatment. This procedure usually involves several trips to the dentist and is performed in the dentist's chair. A root canal procedure cleans, disinfects, and refills the interior of the tooth, thereby preventing serious pain and permanent damage to decayed teeth.

Why It Happens
A root canal is usually performed on a cracked tooth or a tooth with a deep interior cavity. If a root canal is not performed, bacteria is able to enter the core of the tooth (the pulp) and cause decay of the nerve, tissue, and blood vessels in the tooth's canal(s). If left untreated, the diseased tooth may become extremely sensitive to heat and cold, may throb, or even cause infection in the jawbone (an abscess).

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Regardless of how well you care for your teeth, it is inevitable that, over time, some yellowing or discoloration will occur. This gradual change can be caused by aging, substances that stain your teeth (such as coffee and tobacco), excessive fluoride, or the deterioration of a tooth's nerve. A tooth whitening treatment can be performed either as an at-home, dentist-supervised process or in the dentist's chair. While neither of these methods stops future discoloration, these treatments bring about whiter teeth and help create a more vibrant smile.

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Veneers are thin shells that are laid onto the teeth and bonded to the surface. Although they can be made of different materials, porcelain is frequently used because of its durability and realistic appearance. Veneers are a more conservative alternative to crowns since they require less removal of the tooth's original surface. With veneers in place, patients can expect straighter, whiter, and more even looking teeth.

The Procedure
During the initial visit, the patient and dentist discuss the process of placing veneers and the options available (e.g. types and shades of veneers). On your next visit, the dentist removes a very small layer of each tooth's outer enamel. A local anesthesia may be used, but is typically not necessary. The dentist makes a mold of the teeth and then sends it to a dental lab where they create customized veneers for the teeth. The lab prepares the veneers in roughly seven to ten days. During this time, the teeth have a slightly different appearance because of the removal of the outer layer of enamel. Some patients choose to have temporary restorations placed on their teeth, but this step is usually not necessary. Once the veneers have returned from the lab, the patient makes their final dental visit. The dentist applies the veneer to the tooth using a bonding material. When exposed to light, this bonding material dries and hardens.

Following the Procedure
Patients may experience some sensitivity in the teeth, especially with contact to hot or cold substances. This sensitivity should lessen within two weeks. If you grind or clench your teeth while you sleep, your dentist can fit you with a mouthguard to protect the teeth. Veneers are quite strong and can withstand considerable force when a patient bites down, but they may fracture or break if twisted. Patients should therefore avoid hard or sharp foods such as ice or pistachios that may cause undue stress. Veneers should be cared for in much the same way as normal teeth, this includes daily brushing, flossing, and periodic check-ups with a dentist. Given the proper care, veneers can keep you smiling for decades to come.

Before	After

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A dental bridge is a false tooth, which is fused between two porcelain crowns to fill an area that is left by a missing tooth. The porcelain crowns are attached to your teeth on each side of the false tooth.

The procedure
Your dentist will first prepare your teeth on either side of the space for the false tooth. You will be giving a mild anesthetic to numb the area, and the dentist will remove the area of each tooth on either side of the space to accommodate for the thickness of the crown. The dentist will next make an impression which will be used as a model from which the bridge, false tooth and crowns will be made by a dental laboratory.

A temporary bridge will be placed for you to wear while your bridge is being made until your next visit. On your second appointment, the temporary bridge will be removed. Your new permanent bridge will be fitted and checked and adjusted for any bite discrepancies. Your new bridge will then be cemented to your teeth.

Caring for your dental bridge
Brush and floss daily all areas around the bridge. It is not possible to floss between the replacement tooth and the attaching crowns (it is made as a solid piece). In order to solve this problem - it is necessary to use a special type of floss to go under the replacement tooth and keep this area of gum tissue healthy.

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