Steven D. Spitz, DMD

Products And Services

• Full Mouth Reconstruction

  Full mouth reconstruction refers to the process of completely restoring all of the teeth in your mouth. Full mouth reconstruction, unlike a “smile makeover,” is a necessary series of procedures, rather than an elective surgery. Full mouth reconstruction is needed when: Teeth have been lost Teeth have been injured or fractured Teeth have become worn as a result of acid-erosion Jaw pain is present due to bite problems PROCEDURES INVOLVED IN FULL MOUTH RECONSTRUCTION Every patient’s needs are different and, therefore, require different procedures. Usually, full mouth reconstruction requires multiple office visits and some amount of healing time. Dr. Grant will determine which procedure or combination of procedures is necessary to restore and rebuild your perfect smile. Dr. Grant will also refer you to other dental specialists if needed. Some options include: Teeth cleaning (prophylaxis) Crown lengthening to prepare tooth structure for possible crowns or bridges Surgery to reposition the jaw (orthognathic surgery) Contouring of the gum tissue Reduction of natural tooth structure to prepare for crowns, bridges, and veneers Placement of temporary restorations to get you used to your new teeth or bite adjustment Placement of permanent restorations such as crowns, veneers, inlays/onlays, or bridges Braces to move teeth into the ideal position for reconstruction Bone or soft tissue grafting to increase the stability of your teeth or implants

• Dental Implants

  WHAT ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS? A natural tooth consists of a root and a crown. If you compare natural teeth to implant-supported replacement teeth, you’ll see they have the same basic parts. Both have a crown (the visible part used to chew food). Both have a root that holds the tooth securely under the gum and is anchored into the jaw. The difference is that the implant is made of titanium – the same time-tested material used by surgeons for artificial joints. When you lose a tooth, you lose both the root and the crown. Before replacing the crown, the root must first be replaced with a small dental implant. Time is allowed for bone to heal and grow around the dental implant. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. A support post (abutment) is then placed on the implant and a new replacement tooth (crown) is placed on top of the abutment. In many cases a temporary replacement tooth can be attached to the dental implant immediately after it is placed. If all of your teeth are missing, a variety of treatment options are available to support the replacement teeth.

• Porcelain Veneers

  Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front surfaces of the teeth. They are an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility. As a cosmetic dental procedure, dental veneers create a brighter, whiter smile composed of more perfectly aligned and shapely teeth. Veneers are sometimes placed for cosmetic reasons alone, rather than for necessary health purposes. The translucent quality of today’s porcelain veneers provides a more natural look than what has been available to past generations. This allows a beautiful and natural looking smile. Porcelain material is a perfect solution for the demands of your teeth. Placing custom teeth veneers requires a high degree of technical skill as well as attention to cosmetic detail – skills that demonstrate the extensive training prosthodontists undergo. Arizona Specialists places veneers routinely and designs each case individually to match and enhance the characteristics of each patient’s smile. Despite the cause of unattractive teeth, veneers alone have the ability to solve most, if not all, of your cosmetic concerns regarding your smile and existing teeth. These problems include: Wear and Tear: Teeth naturally wear down as people age. Older teeth are more likely to have cracks, chips, or an uneven appearance. Worn Enamel: The thin, hard white substance covering your teeth (enamel) may become worn, dulled, and discolored over time. Uneven Teeth: Uneven length or width of teeth can be the result of teeth grinding or general wear. Genetics: Certain people may be born with abnormal appearance of teeth or spacing between the teeth that grows wider as they age. WILL DENTAL VENEERS LOOK LIKE NORMAL TEETH? When bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers are virtually undetectable and highly resistant to coffee, tea, or even cigarette stains. For strength and appearance, their resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel is unsurpassed by other restorative options. HOW DURABLE ARE PORCELAIN VENEERS? With proper care, porcelain veneers will brighten your smile for well over a decade. Dr. Grant will ensure that your veneers are crafted from the highest quality porcelains and are bonded with the most advanced and proven materials available. Refraining from using your veneers as tools to open and cut things will prolong their life and if accidental breakage or damage occurs, it is usually possible to replace only the veneer involved.

• Dental Crowns

  A dental crown should look, feel and function exactly like a natural tooth. At Premier Care of Sonoma County, we use cutting edge materials and techniques to produce crowns with maximum longevity and maximum aesthetic appeal.

• Tooth Colored Fillings

  Porcelain inlays and tooth colored restorations (onlays) are unnoticeable and actually add strength to weakened teeth. These restorations look great and are very strong thanks to new bonding technologies and the advanced skills of your prosthodontist.

• Dental Bridges

  A dental bridge — a device used to replace missing teeth — attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, called abutment teeth. Bridges are either permanently attached (fixed bridges) or they can be removable (removable bridge). Fixed bridges are applied by either placing crowns on the abutment teeth or by bonding the artificial teeth directly to the abutment teeth. Removable bridges are attached to the teeth with metal clasps or by precision attachments.

• Dental Sealants

  Dental sealants protect the depressions and grooves of your teeth from food particles and plaque that brushing and flossing can’t reach.

• Dentures

  A denture or a complete denture as it is often called, is an appliance that is inserted in the mouth, replaces natural teeth and provides support for the cheeks and lips. Most dentures are made of acrylic and can be fabricated two different ways. A conventional denture is made after all teeth have been extracted and the tissues (gums) have healed. An immediate denture is fabricated and inserted immediately after the teeth are extracted and the tissues are allowed to heal under the denture. An upper denture has acrylic, usually flesh colored, that covers the palate (roof of the mouth). A lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to leave room for the tongue.

• Denture Relines

  New dentures will typically fit your mouth very securely as it has been designed specifically for your gums. As time goes on, your gum tissues will change and the fit of the denture will become more loose and more prone to movement inside your mouth. Having the denture professionally relined every one to two years will keep the denture secure and functional.

• Dental Bonding

  Dental bonding is an alternative to teeth veneers and can be used as a restorative procedure for teeth that are chipped, cracked, discolored, or misarranged. How does dental bonding work? The tooth is prepared for dental bonding by lightly etching the surface and applying a bonding liquid. Once the liquid sets, a plastic resin is applied and sculpted into the desired shape by the prosthodontist. Once set, the resin is trimmed, smoothed, and polished for a natural appearance.

• Inlays & Onlays

  Inlays and onlays can be made of porcelain, gold, or a composite resin. These pieces are bonded to the damaged area of the tooth. An inlay (which is similar to a filling) is used inside the cusp tips of the tooth. An onlay is a more substantial reconstruction (similar to the inlay), but extending out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth. Traditionally, gold has been the material of choice for inlays/onlays. In recent years, however, porcelain has become increasingly popular due to its strength and color which can potentially match the natural color of your teeth.