Dr. David Weinstock Creates Beautiful Smiles through Outstanding Cosmetic Dentistry

Many of our patients first come to our practice because they have heard from friends and have seen the results of Dr. David Weinstock's extraordinary skills and abilities for creating dental beauty. Using advanced cosmetic dentistry procedures, Dr. Weinstock provides his patients with beautifully proportioned, dazzlingly white smiles that build confidence and boost self-esteem.

When you schedule an appointment with Dr. Weinstock, he will work closely with you to create a personalized plan for aesthetic enhancement of your smile. Dr. Weinstock is proud to offer a comprehensive selection of cosmetic dentistry procedures to help you achieve the results you desire.

Teeth Whitening

Having a beautiful smile may be even easier than you think. Many people achieve the look they've been dreaming of with our simple whitening procedure.

Dental whitening can be used to correct many tooth discolorations. Tooth discolorations may have been caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Using the latest in bleaching technology, we can offer a safe method for creating a beautiful, brilliant smile. In cases of extreme tooth discoloration, bleaching may not be the answer and crowns or veneers may be the only choice, but because of the low cost of whitening treatments, bleaching is nearly always worth a solid try.

Key Benefits

Our Two Teeth-Whitening Methods

There are two methods that we have incorporated into our practice to whiten our patients' teeth: the Zoom2! and take-home tray whitening technique. We perform Zoom2! teeth whitening at our office in a single 45-minute session, after which our patients have achieved dramatically whiter teeth. Our home tray technique provides the same excellent whitening effects as Zoom2!, but results take two to four weeks to become apparent.

For confidence in appearance, whitening technology allows us to promise improvements in yellowing, aging or stained teeth. For very severely stained teeth, crowns or veneers may be more appropriate.

Zoom2! Teeth Whitening

Zoom2! is one of the most advanced teeth-whitening systems available. A quick Zoom2! treatment whitens teeth an average of eight shades with a significantly reduced chance of post-procedural tooth sensitivity. To perform the Zoom2! procedure, Dr. Weinstock first applies the hydrogen peroxide–based Zoom!® Whitening Gel to your teeth. He then exposes your teeth to the special Zoom!® light, which causes the gel to break down and erase stains from your teeth. The procedure is completely safe and provides astonishing results after just 45 minutes. Following the Zoom2! treatment, Dr. Weinstock will provide you with Zoom!® Take-Home Gel for occasional touchups, and he'll give you full instructions for caring for your teeth so that they maintain their pearly whiteness.

For more information on Zoom!® Teeth Whitening products, visit www.zoomnow.com.

Home Tray Whitening Technique

Our home tray whitening technique is safe, quick, and inexpensive. Just let us know at any appointment if you would like to begin whitening. An impression is taken to make a specialized "mouth guard" or "tray" to hold the whitening agent against the teeth. In only a few days your custom whitening trays will be ready for you to have fit. We provide you with a special whitening agent that you put into your clear, almost invisible trays. The material is used each night for about one to two hours for a number of weeks. With only a few hours of wear per day, this special whitening agent bubbles stains and discoloration right out of your enamel in a very short amount of time. At the end of your treatments, a significant improvement to your teeth's shade will occur. In some cases, the change is nothing short of brilliant. This process works without altering the structure of the teeth or existing dental work in any way. When your teeth reach the brightness you want, only occasional treatment is needed to maintain your new smile.

Considerations

Over-the-counter bleaching agents are available for purchase at drug stores and pharmacies. However, since these products can cause harm to the gums and teeth, it's better to use products that our practice recommends.

Instructions for Successful At-Home Tooth Whitening

Do's & Don'ts

Sensitivity

Additional Information

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Porcelain Laminate Veneers

If aesthetic dentistry is artistry, then porcelain veneers are the medium with which Dr. Weinstock creates masterpieces. Placing custom veneers requires a high degree of technical skill as well as attention to cosmetic detail. Our doctor routinely places veneers, and designs each case individually to match and enhance characteristics already present in each patient's teeth.

Veneers are thin porcelain facings that are bonded to the front of the teeth. Durable and incredibly natural-looking, veneers can be shaped to correct a multitude of problems. They are an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility.

Porcelain veneers can:

Dr. Weinstock only works with one the finest dental labs in the world. These master technicians handcraft each individual veneer for optimal shading and characterization. Most importantly, these craftsmen share Dr. Weinstock's exceedingly high standards for exceptional quality.

The results are simply amazing. The smiles are radiant, beautiful and healthy. They absolutely enhance the appearance of each patient; but more than that, they improve lives. Once they have their new smiles, many of Dr. Weinstock's patients say that they feel more confident, self-assured and happy than ever before.

What are porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front surfaces of the teeth. Placing custom veneers requires a high degree of technical skill as well as attention to cosmetic detail. Our doctors routinely place veneers and design each case individually to match and enhance characteristics already present in each patient's teeth.

Will they 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. Weinstock will ensure that your veneers are crafted from the highest quality porcelains and 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.

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A Smile Makeover with Porcelain Veneers

A smile makeover with porcelain veneers is easy, painless and can change your entire appearance overnight! You'll have results a more youthful looking smile that will make friends and relatives wonder what's different — a new hairstyle, sudden weight loss, plastic surgery? No one could imagine that a visit to the Dr. Weinstock could generate image enhancing, life-changing results. Our patients travel from all over to have their smiles recreated by Dr. Weinstock.

A smile makeover takes as little as a few weeks to complete. The procedure starts with an initial consultation where patients can view a simulated version of their future smile makeover via computer imaging. Imaging allows the doctor and the patient to decide together what would be the most beautiful, natural-looking smile achievable.

Because each patient is different, Dr. Weinstock assesses several factors which impact the outcome of the smile, including:

FACE SHAPE - The shape of the face affects the shape of the teeth. For example, if a patient has a round face, Dr. Weinstock use porcelain veneers to create long, square teeth that will ultimately have a slimming affect on the patient's face.

TOOTH COLOR - The color of the teeth corresponds with the age of the patient — the younger, the whiter. Dr. Weinstock suggests patients go two to three shades lighter, but beyond that range, the color may look artificial. Translucency is key — a tooth with no translucency does not look real or natural looking. Also, skin tone and hair color can influence the shade selection of the veneers.

TOOTH SIZE - Longer teeth are synonymous with youth. Older teeth are shorter because of years of wear and tear. For a more youthful appearance, Dr. Weinstock typically lengthens the front central teeth.

CROOKED TEETH - Without orthodontics, Dr. Weinstock can correct crooked teeth by filling in spaces with veneers — giving the appearance of straight, perfectly-aligned teeth.

DISCOLORATION - Veneers can cover stained, discolored teeth or be applied to whiten and brighten the entire smile. The veneers can be made to match existing teeth.

WORN TEETH - By bonding a longer veneer to the original tooth, Dr. Weinstock can add length to short, worn teeth, making them look younger and stronger.

CHIPPED TEETH OR TEETH WITH SPACES - Veneers can cover chipped teeth, repairing any imperfection. They can also close spaces.

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All-Ceramic Crowns

Crowns are the aesthetic dental solution for teeth that have suffered too much damage to be repaired with fillings, inlays, or onlays. Occasionally a tooth cracks or breaks because of tooth decay, teeth grinding, an accident, or other reasons. When this occurs, Dr. Weinstock can repair the damaged tooth with a natural-looking porcelain crown that will be virtually indistinguishable from surrounding teeth.

With traditional crowns, a porcelain "tooth" covers a metal cap, which is affixed to the prepared tooth remnant. While this method is excellent for restoring strength and structure to damaged teeth, the edge of the metal cap can show at the gum line. For this reason, Dr. Weinstock typically uses traditional porcelain-on-metal crowns only to repair back teeth. This way, patients can benefit from the added strength of the metal cap without having to worry about obvious discoloration over time.

When front teeth become damaged, all-ceramic crowns provide the ultimate in aesthetically pleasing tooth restoration. All-ceramic crowns not only accurately recreate the shape of the tooth, they have superbly translucent appearance that makes them virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. Dr. Weinstock will customize your all-ceramic crown to complement the color, size, shape, and texture of your surrounding teeth. Indeed, his precision and attention to detail ensure such natural-looking results that you may forget which of your teeth was repaired.

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Tooth-Colored Fillings

Many people have silver/mercury (amalgam) fillings from years past in their mouths. These fillings are not particularly pleasing to the eye, and we know that by unavoidable design, silver/mercury fillings ultimately result in a weaker tooth. Porcelain inlays and composite resins create fillings that are not only beautiful (or invisible) but also add strength to weakened teeth. These restorations are aesthetically pleasing and very strong thanks to new bonding technologies.

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Porcelain Inlays / Onlays

When over half of the tooth's chewing surface has been damaged, a dentist will often use an inlay or onlay.

What are inlays and onlays?

Inlays and onlays can be made of porcelain, gold, or 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 and 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.

How are they applied?

Inlays and onlays require two appointments to complete. During the first visit, the filling being replaced or the damaged or decaying area of the tooth is removed, and the tooth is prepared for the inlay or onlay. To ensure proper fit and bite, an impression of the tooth is made by the dentist, and sent to a lab for fabrication. A temporary onlay will then be fitted to the tooth and your next appointment will be scheduled.

At the second appointment, the temporary inlay is removed. The Dr. Weinstock will then make sure that the inlay or onlay fits correctly. If the fit is satisfactory, the inlay or onlay will be bonded to the tooth with a strong resin and polished to a smooth finish.

Considerations

Traditional fillings can reduce the strength of a natural tooth by up to 50 percent. As an alternative, inlays and onlays, being bonded directly onto the tooth using special high-strength resins, can actually increase the strength of a tooth by up to 75 percent. As a result, they can last from 10 to 30 years. In some cases, where the damage to the tooth is not extensive enough to merit an entire crown, onlays can provide a very good alternative.

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Bonding

Bonding can be used as a restorative procedure for teeth that are chipped, cracked, discolored or misarranged, and is an alternative to veneers.

How does it work?

The tooth is prepared for the procedure 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 dentist. Once set, the resin is trimmed, smoothed and polished to a natural appearance.

Considerations

The bonding procedure can often be completed in a single office visit, and can improve the appearance of a tooth significantly. However, since the plastic resin used is not as strong as your natural tooth enamel, it is more likely to stain, chip or break than natural teeth. Bonding typically lasts three to five years before need of repair.

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Post-Op Information

All informational materials and instructions provided in these sections are intended as basic, general, guidelines for post-treatment care. If you have any questions regarding your treatment that are not covered here, please contact our office at 610-667-2770 and we will provide you with personalized instructions and answer any questions you may have. If you are having a true dental emergency please contact our office at 610-667-2770 and contact Dr. Weinstock on his beeper.

After Cosmetic Reconstruction

Remember that it will take time to adjust to the feel of your new bite. When the bite is altered or the position of the teeth is changed, it takes several days for the brain to recognize the new position of your teeth or their thickness as normal. If you continue to detect any high spots or problems with your bite, call our office so we can schedule an adjustment appointment.

It is normal to experience some hot and cold sensitivity. The teeth require some time to heal after the preparation of tooth structure, and there may be sensitive in the interim. Your gums may also be sore for a few days. Warm salt water rinses (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) three times a day can help reduce pain and swelling. A mild pain medication (I tablet of Tylenol or Ibuprofen [Motrin] every 3-4 hours) should ease any residual discomfort.

Don't be concerned if your speech is affected for the first few days. You should quickly adapt and start speaking normally. You may notice an increase in salivary flow. Your brain may respond to the new size and shape of your teeth by increasing salivary flow. This should subside to normal with in a week or so.

Daily brushing and flossing is a must for your new dental work. Daily plaque removal is critical for the long-term success of your new teeth, as are regular cleaning appointments.

Any food that can crack, chip or damage a natural tooth can do the same to your new porcelain or bonded teeth. Avoid hard foods and substances (such as beer nuts, peanut brittle, ice, fingernails, pencils, and sticky candies. Smoking can cause your new teeth to stain. Minimize or avoid foods that can stain your teeth such as coffee, red wine, tea and berries.

If you engage in sports let us know so we can make a custom fit athletic mouth guard. If you grind your teeth at night, it will be necessary to make you a night guard that you can wear at night when you sleep. Adjusting to the look and feel of your new smile will take time. If you have any problems or concerns, please contact us at 610-667-2770 and let us know. We always welcome your questions.

After Composite Resin (Tooth-Colored) Fillings

When an anesthetic has been used, your lips and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid any chewing and hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off. It is very easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while you are numb.

It is normal to experience some hot, cold, and pressure sensitivity after your appointment. Injection sites may also be a bit sore. Ibuprofen (Motrin), Tylenol or aspirin (one tablet every three to four hours as needed for pain) work well to alleviate the tenderness. If pressure sensitivity persists beyond a few days or if the sensitivity to cold or hot increases, contact our office.

You may chew on your composite fillings as soon as the anesthetic completely wears off since they are fully set when you leave the office.

If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office at 610-667-2770.

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