Cosmetic Dentistry

Veneers

Cosmetic dentistry was designed to help patients achieve the confidence and poise that comes from a fantastic smile. For patients with uneven or damaged teeth, Dr. Heck offers porcelain veneers to correct and align the teeth.

Often called “instant orthodontics,” veneers can create a beautiful smile in a relatively short time. Veneers are thin panels of porcelain that can be permanently bonded to existing teeth to create the appearance of straight, healthy looking teeth without the use of traditional orthodontics, like braces or retainers. Veneers can also be used to cover chipped and stained teeth and, when applied properly, are indistinguishable from the natural tooth. Maintaining your new smile will be easy because veneers are stain-resistant and highly durable.

Please contact Dr. Heck today to find out more about veneers.

Aesthetic Fillings

In the past, cavities could only be treated with unsightly metal fillings. These fillings, especially when close to the front of the mouth, are highly noticeable and look nothing like natural, healthy teeth. Sometimes, the filling is so large that it causes discoloration of the entire tooth. Fortunately, though, metal fillings can now be a thing of the past. Dr. Heck has provided tooth-colored fillings to replace metal fillings for over 25 years.

Tooth-colored fillings are made of durable resin or porcelain and can be bonded to your teeth to permanently and effectively treat cavities. For patients with existing metal fillings, our practice offers a replacement option. In such cases, Dr. Heck will remove the existing metal fillings and replace them with the more aesthetically pleasing tooth-colored fillings. The new fillings will be virtually undetectable and still provide the same necessary tooth protection.

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Tooth Whitening

As we age, our teeth lose the brilliant whiteness that implies good dental health and youth. The unsightly stains associated with tobacco, dark liquids, and other factors can leave us feeling less than confident about our smiles. Fortunately, there is a simple solution to this dental problem: cosmetic tooth whitening. Dr. Heck provides both take-home and laser in-office tooth whitening to his patients.

Laser Tooth Whitening

Laser tooth whitening is an effective and quick way to dramatically whiten your teeth. Currently, our practice offers Zoom!® laser tooth whitening. Considered one of the safest and most effective methods of tooth whitening, the Zoom!® procedure takes about an hour and will be performed by Dr. Heck in his office.

Laser tooth whitening begins when Dr. Heck applies a custom whitening gel containing pH-balanced hydrogen peroxide to the patient’s teeth. Next, a special light will be directed towards the teeth, activating the whitening gel. The light will remain directed at the teeth for approximately one hour. Following the procedure, the patient’s teeth will be dramatically whiter.

Take-Home Tooth Whitening

We know that some patients prefer to whiten their teeth in the comfort of their own home, according to their own schedule. For such patients, our practice offers professional take-home tooth whitening kits. These kits contain customized dental trays and whitening gel. The patient usually wears the trays and gel for about two hours a day until the teeth have reached the desired shade.

Please contact Dr. Heck today to learn more about our tooth whitening options or to find out which one is best for you.

Bonding

Bonding is a quick, simple solution for teeth that are stained, chipped, or slightly misaligned.

In the bonding procedure, Dr. Heck will paint a thin layer of color-matched resin over the teeth. When it dries and hardens, it will leave a durable, attractive finish that will hide discoloration, fill small cracks, and correct minor chips and misalignment. The treated teeth will be virtually indistinguishable from natural, healthy teeth following the bonding procedure.

To find out if bonding is the right option for you, please contact Dr. Heck today.

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General and Restorative Dentistry

Crowns and Bridges

For patients suffering from misaligned, cracked, or damaged teeth, crowns are an excellent option. Crowns are fitted over the tooth like a cap to repair these dental problems. The support provided by crowns can greatly reduce pain associated with damaged teeth and also prevent further damage to the area. Aesthetically, crowns can improve your smile because they prevent further decay, chipping, or other damage from occurring. Dr. Heck uses only tooth-colored dental crowns, which are virtually indistinguishable from the natural tooth.

Sometimes a bit more work is needed to give you the smile you want. If you are missing teeth, having trouble speaking or chewing, and noticing strain when biting, bridges may be the ideal procedure to help make your mouth healthy and beautiful again. Often referred to as “fixed partial dentures,” bridges literally bridge gaps between teeth by filling them with strong, natural-looking artificial teeth. Bridges can only be removed by a dentist but are long-lasting, comfortable, and proven to make teeth strong.

To find out if crowns or bridges are the right option for you, please contact us today.

Custom Dentures

Custom dentures are an excellent option for patients who have lost some or all of their natural teeth. Custom dentures are made precisely to fit the individual patient’s mouth and provide superior comfort and usability. The color of the dentures can also be matched to existing natural teeth to provide for maximum aesthetics. Dr. Heck offers both partial and full custom dentures.

Partial dentures are ideal for patients who have lost only some of their teeth. Partial dentures are strong and are ideal replacements for missing teeth. When properly fitted, it is almost impossible to distinguish the dentures from natural teeth.

Full dentures are intended for patients who have lost all of their teeth. In these cases, full dentures are needed to ensure that a patient can comfortably chew and speak. They are made to match the size and shape of the patient’s mouth, to maintain the definition of the jaw line.

To find out more about the custom dentures that Dr. Heck provides, please contact our offices today.

Dental Implants

Implant dentistry replaces the damaged roots of missing teeth. The procedure begins with metal studs implanted into the jaw as anchors to secure single tooth replacements or a set of replacement teeth. Once bone and gum growth surrounds the stud, it is as secure as a natural tooth root. This prevents the receding gums and additional tooth loss associated with traditional artificial teeth.

Implant dentistry provides patients with replacement teeth that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The new teeth are strong, durable, and are nearly indistinguishable from other teeth. The best candidates for dental implants are patients with healthy jawbone and gums.

Dr. Heck’s patients can receive dental implants for a single tooth or for multiple teeth. For patients who have lost all their teeth, Dr. Heck offers implant dentistry that will support, secure, and retain a full set of dentures.

Please contact Dr. Heck today for more information about implant dentistry.

Root Canal Therapy

Each of our teeth contains a long, thin strand of dental pulp that provides the tooth with nutrients and nerves and extends down to the tooth’s root. If the pulp becomes infected or injured, the tooth’s nerves die. Root canals are designed to save such damaged teeth. During the procedure (performed under anesthesia), an access point is drilled into the tooth’s crown and pulp chamber, diseased pulp is removed, the canal is filled, and the tooth is permanently sealed with a porcelain, tooth-colored crown.

To find out if you are a candidate for a root canal, please contact Dr. Heck today.

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Periodontics

Non-surgical Periodontics

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease and gingivitis, can have many negative effects on a patient’s overall health. Common symptoms of periodontal disease are bad breath, swollen, red, and bleeding gums, or a receding gum line. If allowed to progress to advanced stages, periodontal disease can result in tooth loss and other health problems. Bacteria found in gum disease affects pregnant women, smokers, diabetics, and patients who neglect routine oral care.

Despite promises made by some companies, products bought over the counter cannot treat periodontal disease. Patients must seek professional treatment by a dentist who has been trained in periodontal care. Fortunately, Dr. Heck offers professional treatment to his patients suffering from periodontal disease. Depending on the stage of the disease, patients may require several treatments to effectively and permanently eliminate gum disease.

Unfortunately, once gum tissue has receded, it does not grow back. Often, the effects of gum disease are irreversible. Therefore, if you are experiencing any of the problems or signs, it is important to contact Dr. Heck immediately to see if you are suffering from periodontal disease.

For more information, please contact Dr. Heck’s office today.

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Preventive Care

Your family’s oral health is of utmost importance to Dr. Heck and his staff. We strive to provide any and all services necessary to ensure that health. Because of this, we offer a full range of dental services to adults and children, from preventative care to dental implants and dentures.

Routine Cleanings and Dental Care

General dental maintenance and restorative care are important elements in your family’s ongoing dental health. Though brushing and flossing thoroughly every day can go far to maintain oral hygiene, bi-annual professional cleanings and checkups are the only way to truly ensure optimal dental health. Dr. Heck and his staff of dental professionals offer these dental services to adult and child patients.

Additionally, we offer preventive care procedures to all of our patients, specially designed to protect developing and existing teeth. Dr. Heck provides the following services to his patients:

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride, an element found in nature, can be used to protect the teeth against cavities and root canals and to help remineralize minor decay. Dentists often recommend that children in their second to third year of life receive regular fluoride treatments to assist the developing enamel in being resistant to decay. Fluoride treatments also help prevent cavities around roots and crowns in adults.

Dental Sealants

Because brushing and flossing cannot reach all tooth surfaces, dentists also recommend that children with permanent teeth receive dental sealants. Sealants are made of a durable plastic material that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The plastic material fills in the grooves and pits of the teeth, protecting tooth enamel from decay caused by plaque and acids. Dr. Heck also offers dental sealants to adult patients who wish to protect their teeth from further decay.

For more information about preventive care, including dental sealants and fluoride treatments, please contact Dr. Heck today.

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