Elahe P. Wissinger, DMD - Tucson Cosmetic Dentist

Elahe P. Wissinger, DMD
E Dental Solutions
Dr. Wissinger received her degree from Boston University
and has been practicing general dentistry for 11 years. In
addition to general, cosmetic, implant and reconstructive
dentistry, Dr. Wissinger offers invisible braces using the
Invisalign system. She has a passion for cosmetic/implant
dentistry because of the “Profound effects it has on those
who receive the services. It drastically improves their
self image and confidence level. I also enjoy connecting
with people while providing the best services available
and creating relationships that will last a lifetime. My
most memorable case involved working with a woman
with badly decayed upper front teeth. She didn’t smile
much and when she did, she covered her mouth. After
a smile makeover, her personality changed. Now she smiles
all the time. Her husband said she hasn’t stopped smiling!”
Her advice for those thinking about getting into dentistry:
“Don’t get into it for the money. If you are creative,
artistic, like working with people, a good listener and
immensely compassionate, then this is the right field
for you.”
CONTACT INFORMATION:
2504 E. River Rd.
(520) 745-5496
www.edentalsolutions.net
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Oral Health Care Professionals
As the commercial once said, you never get a second
chance to make a first impression, and nothing can make
a better impression than a beautiful smile. Tucson is fortunate to have many excellent dentists whose practices are
centered on oral health and aesthetics. In the following
pages, you will meet some of these dentists, orthodontists
and periodontists.
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S P E C I A L A DV E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E
it’s not just about
YOUR SMILE
H
aving pearly whites is just one good reason to brush and
floss. Periodontal disease, aka gum disease, can add to —
or cause — a host of other health concerns, such as cardiovascular problems, stroke, bacterial pneumonia and increased risk
during pregnancy.
Gum disease usually is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria
that constantly forms on the teeth. If it is not removed via brushing
and flossing, the gums can become irritated and inflamed, and the
tissue can separate from the teeth and form spaces called pockets.
Bacteria can move into the pockets, where they continue to promote irritation. Left untreated,
the process can continue until
the bone and other tooth-supporting tissues are destroyed.
The early stage of periodontal disease is called gingivitis. It
often results in gums that are
red and swollen, and that
bleed easily. The good news is
that this early stage usually is
reversible. Even if you brush
and floss regularly, you may
not remove all the plaque,
especially along the gumline.
Over time, plaque hardens
into a rough, porous deposit
called calculus or tartar. Once
hardened, it can be removed
in the dental office during
your regular cleaning. Sometimes, all that it takes to improve the
situation is more regular professional cleanings.
Warning signs:
• Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing
• Red, swollen or tender gums
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Pus between the teeth and gums
• Loose or separating teeth
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• A change in the fit of partial dentures
Information courtesy of the American Dental Association.
Improving Your Smile
From subtle changes to major repairs, your dentist can perform a
variety of procedures to improve your smile. There are many techniques and options to treat teeth that are discolored, chipped,
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misshapen or missing. Your dentist can reshape your teeth, close
spaces, restore worn or short teeth or alter their length. Common
procedures include bleaching, bonding, caps, crowns, veneers and
reshaping and contouring.
Many of these treatments can improve oral problems, such as
your bite.
Bleaching
Bleaching is a common and popular chemical process used to
whiten teeth. Some people get their teeth bleached to make stains
disappear, while others just
want a whiter shade. Discoloration occurs in the enamel
and can be caused by medication, coffee, tea and cigarettes.
Discoloration also can be
caused by your genetic makeup or simply getting older.
Bleaching can be performed by your dentist in the
office or, under dental supervision, at home. Many patients
enjoy bleaching at home
because it is more convenient.
Treatment begins when your
dentist creates a custom
mouthpiece to ensure the correct amount of whitening
solution — 10 to 20 percent
carbamide peroxide — is used and that your teeth are properly
exposed. Typically, whitening at home takes two or three weeks;
whitening in the office may necessitate two to six 45-minute visits
to your dentist’s office.
Bonding
Bonding is tooth-colored material used to fill in gaps or change
the color of teeth. Requiring a single office visit, bonding lasts several years. Bonding is more susceptible to staining or chipping than
other forms of restoration. When teeth are chipped or slightly
decayed, bonded composite resins may be the material of choice.
Bonding also is used as a tooth-colored filling for small cavities and
broken or chipped surfaces, to close spaces between teeth or cover
the entire outside surface of a tooth to change its color and shape.
Crowns, also known as caps, are used in cases where other procedures will not be effective. Crowns have the longest life expectancy of all cosmetic restorations, but are the most time consuming
procedure.
Veneers
Veneers are placed over the front teeth to
change the color or shape of your teeth.
Veneers are used on teeth with uneven surfaces or that are chipped, discolored, oddly
shaped, unevenly spaced or crooked. Veneers
are thin pieces of porcelain or plastic cemented over the front of your teeth. Little or no
anesthesia is needed. Veneers are used to treat
some of the same problems as bonding.
This treatment is an alternative to crowns,
which are more expensive. The procedure
requires your dentist to take an impression of
your tooth. Before the custom-made veneer is
glued directly onto the tooth, your dentist will
lightly buff the tooth to compensate for the
added thickness of the veneer. Once the
cement is between the veneer and your tooth,
a light beam is used to harden it. Porcelain
veneers require more than one visit because
they are fabricated in a laboratory. Veneers
have a longer life expectancy and color stability than bonding.
Contouring and reshaping
Tooth reshaping and contouring is a procedure to correct crooked,
chipped, cracked or even overlapping teeth in a single session. Tooth
reshaping and dental contouring is commonly used to alter the length,
shape or position of your teeth. Contouring also may help correct small
problems with bite. It is common for bonding to be combined with
reshaping.This procedure is ideal for candidates who have normal
healthy teeth, but want subtle changes to their smile. Your dentist will
take X-rays to evaluate the size and location of the pulp of each tooth to
ensure that there’s enough bone between the teeth to support them.
Information reprinted with the permission of the Academy of General
Dentistry, April 2007.
Dental Implants:
Teeth That Look and Feel Like Your Own
You know that your confidence about your teeth affects how you
feel about yourself. Perhaps you hide your smile because of missing
teeth, or maybe your dentures don’t feel secure. Perhaps you have difficulty chewing. If you are missing one or more teeth and would like
to smile, speak and eat again with comfort and confidence, there is
good news. Dental implants can offer the look and feel of natural
teeth. Under proper conditions, such as placement by a periodontist
and diligent patient maintenance, implants can last a lifetime. Longterm studies continue to show improving success rates for implants.
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that a periodontist places
into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants
are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have
lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury or some other reason. Although high-tech in nature, they are actually more toothsaving than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on
neighboring teeth for support.
Dental implants can replace one or more teeth without affecting bordering teeth. Support a bridge and eliminate the need for a removable
partial denture. Provide support for a denture,
making it more secure and comfortable.
Types of Implants in Use Today
• Endosteal (in the bone): The most commonly used type of implant. The various types
include screws, cylinders or blades surgically
placed into the jawbone. Each implant holds
one or more prosthetic teeth. This type of
implant is generally used as an alternative for
patients with bridges or removable dentures.
• Subperiosteal (on the bone): These are
placed on top of the jaw with the metal framework’s posts protruding through the gum to
hold the prosthesis. These types of implants
are used for patients who are unable to wear
conventional dentures and who have minimal
bone height.
Advantages of Dental Implants
Over Dentures or a Bridge
• Dental implants look and feel more like natural teeth. Since they integrate into the structure
of your bone, they prevent the bone loss and gum recession that often
accompany bridgework and dentures.
• Dental implants don’t sacrifice the quality of your adjacent teeth like a
bridge does because neighboring teeth are not altered to support the
implant. More of your own teeth are left untouched.
• Dental implants allow patients to once again speak and eat with comfort and confidence, without the irksome clicks and worries of loss
associated with dentures.
• The success rate of dental implants is highly predictable. They are
considered an excellent option for tooth replacement.
Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?
The ideal candidate for a dental implant is in good general and oral
health. Adequate bone in your jaw is needed to support the implant,
and the best candidates have healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease.
Dental implants are intimately connected with the gum tissues and
underlying bone in the mouth. Since periodontists are the dental
experts who specialize in precisely these areas, they are ideal members
of your dental implant team.
What Can I Expect After Treatment?
Your own teeth require conscientious at-home oral care and regular
dental visits. Dental implants are like your own teeth and will require
the same care. In order to keep your implant clean and plaque-free,
brushing and flossing still apply!
After treatment, your periodontist will work closely with you and
your dentist to develop the best care plan for you. Periodic follow-up
visits will be scheduled to monitor your implant, teeth and gums to
make sure they are healthy. TL
Text courtesy of The American Academy of Periodontology.
All rights reserved.
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