Cosmetic dental bonding is a quick, easy and affordable solution to enhancing a cracked, chipped, gapped or other minor aesthetically affected tooth. Dental bonding removes little to zero of the original tooth during the process, making it a great restorative option. Dental bonding uses composite resins that are matched to the natural original tooth color, so there is unnoticeable difference in the restoration from the rest of the tooth.

At Westgate, our procedure only takes about 30-60 minutes. During that procedure, one of our dentists will apply a mild solution and then several layers of tooth-colored, putty like composite resin to the tooth. After each layer is applied, it is then hardened by a dental curing light. Once enough layers are applied, the dentist will then mold and shape the resin according to the patient’s needs.

Some substances, such as coffee, tea or cigarettes, can stain the dental bonding resin. It is recommended to avoid these products for at least 48 hours after the procedure and to follow up on all scheduled hygienist cleanings.

Teeth grinding and teeth clenching are two different types of wear people exhibit.  Most people grind or clench their teeth; however, habitual teeth grinding and teeth clenching, usually at night, can be very detrimental.

The most common and effective remedy for clenching and grinding during sleep is a custom mouth guard.  With clenching, the mouth guard reduces the amount of pressure that is exerted on the upper and lower jaw.  With grinding, the mouth guard helps by providing a protective barrier between the upper teeth and lower teeth, thus reducing the chance of tooth damage.  If you have either of these issues, a custom mouth guard is an effective solution.

In addition to helping treat cleaning and grinding, custom mouth guards are often needed for sports like football and hockey. Let us help you keep your smile healthy so you can show your real game face!

If you have a missing tooth, a natural-looking dental bridge may be an option to help you regain your confidence and function. Dental bridges fill in the missing tooth area for aesthetic and functional improvement. Westgate Dental can provide you with the appropriate dental bridge to prevent future oral damage and aesthetically enhance one’s smile.

Missing teeth can cause other teeth to shift, which can potentially create issues with the jaw and/or periodontal disease. Bridges are effective at preserving the integrity of the surrounding teeth to help ward off future issues that could otherwise occur if a tooth remains missing.

If you have a missing tooth, a natural-looking dental bridge may be an option to help you regain your confidence and function. Westgate dentists can create a replacement tooth, also called a pontic, that is attached to the surrounding teeth, also called abutments. This dental bridge is a natural-looking solution for your health and smile.

Dental crowns offer a solution that can be a restorative and aesthetic benefit for damaged teeth. Westgate Dental provides crowns that will give you all the needed benefits of a natural tooth.

Crowns are often needed for large filling area when there is not enough tooth remaining. They are needed for protection in order to prevent a weak tooth from fracturing, for restoration or repairing a tooth after a root canal.

Although there are several materials used in crowns, Westgate Dental most commonly uses porcelain crowns. Porcelain crowns offer a natural, realistic solution to the damaged tooth. Porcelain crowns can also be used aesthetically to enhance an existing tooth by realigning or reshaping.

For some people, the natural look and feel of dental implants may prove a better suited option than the traditional crown or bridge. Westgate offers dental implants as part of our array of services aimed at restoring your confidence.

Implants are surgically placed below the gums over a three-step process in order to fuse them to the jawbone, which is then used as a base for individual replacement teeth, bridges or a denture. Because of the nature of the fused implant, replacement teeth tend to feel more nature and secure than many other replacement methods.
Implants can be a great choice for a natural look and feel for a replacement tooth, but patients need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support implants in order for the process to be effective.

One of our Westgate dentists will assess if you are a good candidate for dental implants. If you are determined to be a good candidate for the procedure, we will refer you to a partner who will place the implant. Once the implant is placed and has had adequate healing time, we will complete the steps of finalizing the tooth.

X-rays play a vital role in teeth and gum health. Westgate dentist use the X-rays to look for decay between teeth or under existing fillings or restorations, developmental abnormalities and for infections. X-rays can also help reveal gum disease, cysts and tumors that could be cancerous.

Digital X-rays are a time saving alternative toward traditional X-rays. In addition, digital X-rays use three to four times less radiation than as conventional X-rays, according to Dentistry Today.

Our digital X-rays are very safe and emit low radiation. We make sure to take standard precautions when administering the X-rays to keep radiation exposure to a minimum.

Invisalign offers a modern, nearly invisible method to correct misaligned teeth without the need for traditional braces. As a certified provider, Westgate Dental expertly delivers this innovative treatment, customizing clear aligners to fit your unique dental structure. Perfect for adults and teenagers, Invisalign aligners are not only discreet but also removable, allowing you to enjoy your favorite foods and maintain oral hygiene with ease. Our experienced team ensures a comfortable and effective alignment process, guiding you towards the confident smile you deserve. Start your journey to a straighter smile with Westgate Dental’s Invisalign treatment.

Porcelain Veneers are a way to provide damaged, stained or broken teeth a makeover for a delightfully natural look.

Our Westgate dentist will make a mold of your teeth and send it to a dental lab where they create customized dental veneers for you. It takes seven to 10 days for your veneers to return to our office. After the veneers return, the dentists will bond the permanent veneers to the teeth. Some patients may choose to have temporary restorations placed on their teeth while they wait for their permanent veneers to arrive.

In addition to brushing and flossing, those with veneers may choose to avoid stressful foods such as ice that could damage the veneers. Mouth guards are recommended for those who grind their teeth in their sleep.

A root canal is a very common dental procedure used to remove infection and save a tooth from further health issues complicated by the nerve and pulp.

During root canal therapy, the pulp, the nerve and the collection of surrounding blood vessels are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. The root canal helps eliminate infection and protect the tooth from future infection, which could potentially spread to the adjoining bone.

Westgate Dental may elect to refer the root canal out to a local specialist who can quickly and efficiently treat the root canal. Once the root canal is treated, our doctors will restore the tooth to its full function with the addition of a crown.

Sleep apnea can significantly impact your health and quality of life. Westgate Dental provides an effective solution with our custom-fitted sleep apnea devices. These oral appliances are designed to maintain an open airway during sleep, reducing apnea episodes and promoting uninterrupted rest. Unlike CPAP machines, our sleep apnea devices are user-friendly, discreet, and perfect for those seeking a comfortable alternative. Our dedicated team works with you to ensure a personalized fit, enhancing both your sleep quality and overall well-being. Let Westgate Dental help you achieve a restful night’s sleep with our specialized sleep apnea treatment.

Professional teeth cleaning plays a vital role in proper oral hygiene and cavity prevention. Westgate Dental would like to help you maintain your healthy smile with six-month teeth cleaning visits to remove plaque, tartar and stains.

Plaque is a sticky substance created by food, saliva and bacteria that causes decay and disease. Tartar is hardened plaque that must be removed to prevent gingivitis (infected gums), which is the beginning stage of periodontitis (gum disease).

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults and can cause other negative health effects throughout your body. The Centers of Disease Control estimates that over 47 percent of Americans currently have periodontitis.

Our Westgate dentist can help diagnose gum problems before your health becomes affected. These preventative procedures can save money on many costly procedures down the line.

We also perform an Intra Oral/Extra Oral exam as part of a complete cancer screening. 45,750 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year, according to OralCancerFoundation.org. Westgate Dental performs our exam with every six-month cleaning to make sure our patient’s health is optimal.

Many patients come to our office looking for today’s bright, white smile. Westgate Dental is proud to be able to provide that smile to you at an affordable cost. Westgate provides a variety of teeth whitening products and procedures to help you achieve the smile you want. Perhaps your teeth have yellowed because of drinking coffee, tea or soda. Maybe age or consumption of red wine or smoking tobacco has discolored your teeth beyond your liking and you are looking for a solution to brighten your day. If that is the case, teeth whitening is an easy solution.

Westgate offers two methods of teeth whitening. For our one-day, in-house whitening service, we can schedule you to come in and apply our special whitening gel to your teeth. Afterward, we activate the gel with a special light to make your smile shades brighter.

In addition, we do offer take home whitening kits with custom designed trays to match your teeth’s specific contours for optimal whitening. The trays contain a prescription grade gel that can work day or night. If you are looking for a bright smile, let Westgate help guide you there.

Composite, or tooth colored, fillings have come a long way since the early days of fillings. These fillings are used to fill in cavities and repair cracked, worn or broken teeth.

During the visit, we will remove any bacteria or debris from the designated area. One of our dentists will apply a mild solution and then several layers of tooth-colored, putty like composite resin to the tooth. After each layer is applied, it is then hardened using a dental curing light. Once there are enough layers, the dentist will then mold and shape the resin according to the patient’s needs.