Our Procedures

Brushing at least twice a day and flossing regularly are good habits for healthy teeth, but having routine cleanings and dental check-ups at least once every six months is vital to preventing tooth decay, gum disease, and premature tooth loss. At our office in Mesa, Arizona, Dr. Clifford offers comprehensive oral exams as well as preventative, reconstructive, and cosmetic dentistry services.

• LUMINEERS®
• Deep Bleaching Procedure
• Porcelain Veneers
• Inlays/Onlays
• Porcelain Fillings
• Composite (Tooth-Colored) Fillings
• Dental Crowns
• Root Canal Therapy
• Dentures
• Dental Implants
• Implant Supported Bridges

Deep Bleaching Procedure

Unlike traditional whitening procedures, deep bleaching treatments can safely and effectively remove even the darkest stains from teeth. Dr. Clifford offers a variety of bleaching options, from one-hour chair side procedures to take home bleaching trays. He is able to treat minor discoloration or combine treatments to remove deep, challenging stains with phenomenal results. Consider our deep bleaching procedure for a dramatic difference in your smile! Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are used to cover chipped, stained, cracked, or misaligned teeth; they also serve as an excellent alternative to crowns. These thin shells of porcelain are bonded to the surface of teeth, through a relatively simple application process. Porcelain is long lasting, and since it reacts to light much the same way enamel does, it has a natural-looking appearance.

Veneers can:

• Reduce or eliminate spaces between the teeth (diastemas)
• Repair broken or chipped teeth
• Whiten dark teeth, yellow teeth, permanently stained teeth or otherwise discolored teeth
• Correct misshapen or crooked teeth
• Close small holes or pits in teeth
• Improve the appearance of teeth that are too small, too big, or uneven

What are the different kinds of veneers?

There are two kinds of veneers:

• Composite or direct veneers, where a special plastic is molded and bonded directly to the tooth in one appointment; and

• Porcelain or indirect veneers, where thin shells are custom-made in a lab and applied to the teeth. These require two appointments: one for taking an impression, and a second for preparing the natural teeth and placing the veneers once they have been created. Lumineers are a new kind of porcelain veneers that are so thin they don't require any tooth-buffing before placement.

What are the steps of porcelain veneer placement? 
We will first take photographs of your smile and impressions of your mouth so we can use this information to design your new smile.  It is important to understand how your teeth relate to your eyes and the rest of your face so that your new smile is in harmony.

This information and the model work is then given to the laboratory where the technician will then apply and sculpt wax onto the teeth so we can have a preview and essentially a blueprint of what will be.

On the second appointment, the teeth that will receive veneers are shaved or shaped, as minimally as possible to allow for the transformation.  We must compensate for the added thickness of the veneer so afterwards; your teeth are the same size as they were before.  An impression is taken of the preparations to the teeth and a beautiful temporary is made over the teeth that will match our blueprint (wax up).

At the third appointment, the temporary is removed and veneers are tried in to make sure they are the correct shape, size and color.  We then bond each of the veneers in place using bonding solutions and cement which are hardened with a special light.

We then take special care to be sure your bite is balanced so there are no interferences that may lead to a chip in the porcelain.  We want you to enjoy your new smile with confidence for many years to come.

To learn more about veneers or to find out if porcelain veneers are right for you, contact Dr. Clifford today.

 

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Inlays/Onlays

Inlays and onlays are used to restore back molars in cases where the broken or decayed part of the tooth is too large for a filling, yet the damage is not extensive enough for a crown. Both inlays and onlays are bonded to the damaged area of the tooth; however, while inlays are more like fillings between the cusps of the tooth, an onlay extends out over one or more cusps. Because they are made of porcelain, inlays and onlays are virtually indistinguishable from your natural tooth. They not only prevent further decay, but also strengthen teeth. To find out if you can benefit from inlays or onlays, contact Dr. Clifford to schedule an appointment today.

Porcelain Fillings

Porcelain fillings, better known as composite fillings, are a popular choice for their aesthetic appeal. Composite looks much like enamel, making them virtually invisible. They are made of a durable, long-lasting resin material bonded directly to your teeth to treat smaller cavities, providing strength while also preventing further decay. To learn more about porcelain fillings, please contact our office today.

 

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Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is performed on teeth with an infected or injured pulp. The pulp is essential to a tooth’s health because it holds vital nerves and provides the tooth with nutrients. If the pulp is injured, the nerves will die. Without endodontic treatment, the root usually becomes infected leading to pain and discomfort. Root canal therapy is designed to save teeth with a damaged pulp. In short, we remove the dead or infected nerve tissue and seal off the canal with a rubber like material called gutta-percha. The tooth is then permanently sealed with a crown.

Dentures

Patients who have lost all of their teeth may benefit from dentures. Dentures can be made to feel comfortable, are durable, and look completely natural. They function like your original teeth and help to support your facial muscles. To learn more about dentures, contact Dr. Clifford today.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are a superior choice for many patients missing one or more teeth. These artificial tooth roots made of titanium are implanted in the jaw to provide support for replacement teeth. Not only do implants provide aesthetic improvement by filling in the gaps left by the missing teeth, they can be used to support or add retention to a partial or full denture. For more information on dental implants or to find out if they are right for you, contact our office today.

Implant Supported Bridges

Patients missing several teeth may benefit from implant supported bridges. Implant supported bridges improve the health and appearance of your smile by filling in gaps left by missing teeth. They are of particular advantage when there are little to no back teeth and a removable partial is the only other option. With implants, we can replace the back teeth or even front teeth to build back a beautiful smile and strength to chew with. To find out if you can benefit from implant supported bridges, contact Dr. Clifford today.

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