The Journey

How we get to know you - This may be as simple as maintaining your perfect, God given smile. If however, we discover together that your desired outcome requires more, then we need careful communication and planning. This starts with a relaxed conversation to determine what is important to you. You have to be clear as to what it is you are desiring and I have to be clear in the understanding. The type of examination that follows is based on the desired outcome and what it will take to get there. Sometimes The Journey is a subtle one. You may only want to maintain a healthy mouth and tissue. That's terrific! We are not interested in taking you where you don't want to go. Many folks have walked down this path for years and then discovered that age is beginning to show in their smile. Through wear, teeth flatten out as one ages. The youthful appearance is gone. Sometimes, through very simple procedures, re-shaping and re-contouring can add back that youthful look. It must be done thoughtfully and artistically! We are as proud of our small achievements and we are of our most complicated cases.

The Process

The Journey of discovering your needs, wants, desires leads us into the process of the initial examination. This can take several forms. Someone who wants specific cosmetic results will require a significantly more complicated examination than someone who just wants to be maintained. A significant exam would be referred to as a Comprehensive Exam This would require a smile analysis, and facial photographs, which are then studied. Facial measurements are taken along with study models. X-rays are studied to show both soundness of the tooth as well as roots and bone. These are analyzed for decay, abnormalities of/or around the roots, defective restorations, bone loss, calculus and tartar and crown to root ratio to evaluate the strength of the foundation. Then there is a tooth color analysis and an examination to inventory the existing restorations. Periodontal charting is done to measure the pocket depths and the health of the supporting tissues and the areas of recession. Before any treatment can be started, it is of vital importance that the gum tissue be as healthy as possible, or the result will be faulted. We will not begin until a healthy gum tissue has been achieved and gum (periodontal) disease eliminated. There is a great deal of engineering that must be studied in-order that a functional, strong occlusion be built into the dazzling result. When all of the above has been studied and analyzed, then a computer generated mock-up is done to show the final outcome. Many hours are spent in analyzing all the records taken during the exam. This is crucial if the outcome is to be an excellent one and one of lasting value. We believe that to get an excellent result, you have to go where the excellence is being delivered. We also believe that everything about us says "excellence is being delivered here"! From the driveway leading to the office, to the atmosphere inside, you will know that something very different is evident. When we have finished gathering and analyzing all of the necessary data then we are ready to Create the smile.

Create the smile

Now is the time to bring your dream to a reality. If other specialists, such as: oral surgeons, periodontists, endodontists, orthodontists, or if implants need to be part of the overall treatment plan, we will be part of those consultations to insure that the communication process is clear. This is true of every step that involves an outside source. Communication is paramount to the success of the outcome. When that moment finally arrives for a case to be sent to the laboratory, it is essential that it be chosen based on superb quality, esthetic craftsmanship and the ability to handle the structural demands.