COSMETIC DENTISTRY SERVICES IN UNION, NJ

Temporary Dentures
Temporary dentures are a convenient solution for patients undergoing cosmetic dentistry to replace a missing tooth. They provide a natural-looking smile while waiting for dental implants or a bridge to be completed. Ideal for situations like a tooth being knocked out during sports or an accident, temporary dentures are secured with a metal wire, functioning like a retainer, and can be easily removed. They are intended for short-term use, typically a few months. Call (908) 688-2484 for immediate assistance.

Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are an effective option for replacing a few missing teeth. They are supported by a plastic base that matches the color of your gums and secured with a metal framework. Unlike permanent cosmetic dentistry solutions, partial dentures are removable. If you still have natural teeth, a full denture set is not an option, making partial dentures a practical choice. Patients in the Union area can schedule a consultation to explore whether partial dentures or a cosmetic procedure is the better solution.

Complete Dentures
Complete dentures are used when all teeth are missing, offering a reliable way to restore a full smile. Advances in technology have made them more comfortable and natural-looking. After tooth removal, it typically takes eight to twelve weeks for gums and bones to heal before complete dentures can be fitted securely. Immediate dentures are available for those who prefer not to wait, though adjustments will be needed as the gums and bones settle.

Benefits of Dentures
Dentures are a convenient, non-invasive solution for replacing missing teeth, whether a full or partial set is needed. Temporary dentures can be fitted immediately, providing a quick and simple option. For those seeking a more natural feel, cosmetic dentistry may be worth considering.

At Morris Dental, we can provide you with an in-office teeth whitening using professional-grade whitening solution. This is an important distinction to make because the whitening kits that are sold in the store contain solution that is not nearly as strong and will not produce the same level of results. Patients may also visit our office after trying a kit at home and wish they had come here first. The reason for the difference is that a store-bought solution will typically only remove the surface stains from the teeth. This can help to eliminate some of the stains caused by recent food or beverage consumption. It will not remove the deep staining and discoloration that is coming from within the tooth, but our solution will.

Teeth Whitening

Yellow and stained teeth are a sign of age since teeth are whiter the younger you are. By eating foods that are artificially colored, drinking coffee, tea, and wine, and smoking, teeth can become yellow and severely stained. This will negatively impact your appearance and can even make you look unhealthy. As a result, patients throughout Union have their teeth whitened to remove the stains.

There are several ways to whiten your teeth. An in-office whitening procedure can whiten your teeth by up to eight shades in a single office visit without causing any discomfort. For those who would prefer to whiten their teeth on their own schedule, an at-home treatment may be better. In this scenario, an impression is taken of your teeth, and a customized Teeth Whitening tray is created in a dental lab. It is made to fit perfectly so that the whitening solution stays in place and your teeth feel comfortable. If necessary, we will provide you with a whitening solution that can be used at home so that you can improve the appearance of your teeth regardless of where you are or how busy your schedule is.

Dental Veneers

Patients with severely stained or damaged teeth can have dental veneers placed in order to improve their smile. We are a veneers dentist and can help create natural-looking dental veneers that can transform ordinary smiles into something truly stunning. In fact, many Hollywood stars have used veneers to improve their smile, as most people have an imperfection or two. When you schedule an appointment with our Union dentist office, we will examine your teeth to determine if veneers are the best option for achieving the goals you have for your smile. They can be used to close gaps in between teeth, make teeth even in length, cover dark stains, and restore teeth that have been cracked or chipped. Some crooked teeth can even appear straighter using veneers.

Dental Crowns

When teeth are more severely damaged or broken, a dental crown is often a better solution for transforming its appearance and functionality. A crown can be made entirely of an all-ceramic or all-porcelain material that surrounds the tooth. This improves the appearance of the tooth and strengthens it since when a crown is used; nothing touches the natural tooth. In the past, people may have had dental crowns that were made out of metal. These are functional but are unattractive and make it difficult, if not impossible, for a smile to look natural and healthy. Replacing metal crowns with ceramic ones makes it possible to have the restoration that you need without anyone knowing your tooth has ever been damaged. We can treat patients who want their smile makeover to include getting rid of outdated metal crowns.

Dental Implants

Our patients trust our team at Morris Dental to replace their missing teeth in a way that looks completely natural. Dental implants are an excellent way to restore missing teeth because once the procedure is completed, you can enjoy all of your favorite activities and foods without worrying about the tooth falling out or becoming loose. This is important because, with other procedures like dentures, teeth can get loose while running around or eating lunch with friends. Dental implants are so durable that you will not be able to tell the difference between the implant and natural teeth.

Some people may also use dental implants to straighten teeth that are crooked or teeth that are not responding to orthodontics. This is an important part of a smile makeover because if all of your teeth are white and beautiful, but one is severely crooked, your new smile will feel incomplete.

To begin, we will need to conduct a consultation and examination. This examination will involve reviewing the patient’s medical history, current state of health, any pre-existing conditions or prescribed medications we need to know about and the position of the patient’s teeth. We will then take a mold of the patient’s teeth and measurements. With all of this information, we will send it to the lab to create the Invisalign® trays.

After creating the trays, we will then meet with the patient to ensure that they fit and that the patient understands all of the steps in the straightening process. It is important that the patient understands a few key factors when wearing Invisalign® on a regular basis.

How is Invisalign® different for adults vs teens?
The process for straightening your teeth is fairly similar. When asked how Invisalign® is different for adults vs. teens, the answer is simple: it is not. Invisalign® straightens teeth by using a series of clear plastic aligners. They look like a clear retainer and are virtually invisible so that no one will know that you are wearing them. Every two weeks or so, you switch out the aligners with a new one in the series and each time you do, your teeth move that much closer to straight. We help teens throughout the Union area to improve their smiles, and one of the first things we do is ask questions about what you are interested in. This isn’t small talk – it is important. If, for example, you play a wind instrument, wearing traditional metal braces may be extremely uncomfortable. With Invisalign®, this is not an issue. The better we understand your needs, the more equipped we are to make the right treatment recommendation.

At Morris Dental, we treat teens and adults, using Invisalign® to transform smiles. Perhaps the biggest difference between treating adults and teens is that teenagers may have a lot more going on. In contrast, adults are busy with work and family obligations. Teenagers will have school, extracurricular activities, and time with friends each day. With this in mind, you can take your aligner out when you have to so that it doesn’t slow you down. This may delay your treatment time slightly, but it will also make it possible to have fun without worrying about your teeth.

Advantages of Invisalign® compared to traditional braces
As an Invisalign® Dentist in Union, New Jersey, we understand that there are many advantages to Invisalign® over traditional braces. The experience is 100 percent different. Even though they both straighten your teeth, that is where the similarity ends. When you wear braces, everyone can tell that you are straightening your teeth. With metal braces, it can be difficult to eat, brush your teeth, play sports or play an instrument without feeling uncomfortable. Lots of teens are embarrassed to grab a hamburger for fear that the food will become stuck in braces and make them look funny. This is a legitimate fear, but with Invisalign® for teens, you do not have to worry about it. You are supposed to take your aligners out when you eat so there is no risk of food becoming stuck and no chance of becoming embarrassed.

We also recommend that patients take out their aligner when playing sports. Teens can then run around the field and have fun without worrying about the aligner coming loose or feeling like they need to play safe in order to protect their teeth. At Morris Dental, we also suggest that patients take out their aligner when playing an instrument, singing in the choir or other activities where it could cause discomfort.

The advantage of Invisalign® over traditional braces is that you do not have to slow down. You can straighten your teeth and still hang out with your friends, smile boldly in pictures, eat all the foods that you love and never worry about your teeth. When you wear braces, you have to think about your teeth constantly. With Invisalign®, you have the freedom to enjoy life and live it your way – without restriction.

Aesthetics –When it comes to appearance, nothing beats Invisalign®. Keep this in mind when comparing Invisalign® vs. traditional braces for teens. The aligners are clear, so hardly anyone will notice that they are wearing them. The biggest aesthetic benefit is that as their teeth begin to move, their smile will look better. Being able to see an improvement quickly will help your teen to feel encouraged to keep up with the process, knowing that their smile will only get more and more attractive.
Eating –In our Union dental office, one of the biggest concerns we hear from teens (especially the hungry ones) is that wearing orthodontics will impact their daily diet. We know that most of our younger patients are fairly particular in what they eat and at the very least, have multiple favorite foods. If things like pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches and popcorn are on their “must have” list, than Invisalign® is a far better option than braces. When wearing traditional metal braces, teens have to eat carefully. You cannot simply bite into a burger or sandwich and if you do, you will have a ton of food stuck in between your teeth. For teens, and adults, this can be completely embarrassing. Many teens change what they eat while wearing braces while others simply don’t eat in public. Both can be inconvenient and silly when Invisalign® provides a better way. Since the Invisalign® aligners are designed to come out while eating, your teen can eat whatever they want without worrying about how they look or their orthodontics becoming damaged. This means that life can continue on like normal, without the annoying adjustments that teens don’t enjoy.
Oral hygiene –Another factor to compare when evaluating Invisalign® vs. traditional braces for teens is oral hygiene. This is a big deal because, as a dentist, we do not want any of our patients to suffer from decay and as a parent, you do not want your child to end up with a bunch of cavities. At Morris Dental, our solution is to provide teens with Invisalign® instead of braces. When wearing braces, the risk for decay naturally goes up because it is harder to keep teeth clean. With Invisalign®, the aligners come out while brushing so their oral hygiene routine can remain virtually the same. The only slight difference is that the aligners need to be brushed with warm water and a soft toothbrush before being put back in. We can also recommend a special cleaning solution but otherwise, the process is the same as always and completely easy. If your teen gets braces instead, they will need to use a special flossing tool and a brush that looks like a tree to get the food particles and plaque off of the area around the brackets. This has to be repeated for every tooth so you can imagine how much longer it will take.
School activities –Don’t forget school activities when comparing Invisalign® vs. traditional braces for teens. At Morris Dental, we have found that the majority of our patients do more than simply go to school. They are in the band, choir, play sports, act in the school play, etc. In other words – they are busy. Braces can interfere with this because they can be uncomfortable and make it difficult to play an instrument. They can also create a hazard when playing high-impact sports. Fortunately, Invisalign® does not. The aligners can be removed during any of these activities so that your teen does not have to sacrifice anything to straighten their teeth. They will be far happier with the process as a result. If you are unsure about a specific activity and how Invisalign® could impact it, visit our Union, NJ dental office to speak with Dr. Fariba Sharifan, DMD.
After braces –Once your teen is done wearing Invisalign or traditional braces they will need to wear a retainer. It is normal and few, if any, can escape this reality. The reason is simple. Teeth can revert back to their old position, if only slightly. Wearing a retainer at night, can help to keep teeth in the correct and improved position. The good news is that your teen will be so used to wearing their aligners, a retainer will not seem like a big deal. In our Union dental office, we can explain the various options for retainers but typically recommend a clear, full retainer that closely resembles the aligners they are accustomed to.

Procedure
When patients visit our Morris Dental offices, we will take an impression of their teeth to create the veneers in a lab. The veneers will match the size, shape, and color of your teeth, taking a week or more to create.

In order to place dental veneers, we will first prepare your tooth by removing a portion of the enamel. This helps the veneer lay flat and in line with your gum tissue. After preparing the tooth, we will secure a temporary veneer using removable glue. While wearing a temporary veneer, it is important to brush your teeth gently and avoid eating any foods that may push it out of place. Since it is secured by removable glue, it can be moved fairly easily.

When your permanent veneers are ready, you will come back into our Morris Dental offices so that we can remove the temporary and ensure that the new veneer is a perfect fit. It is typically attached using a water based solution to see how it looks. If any adjustments need to be made, it will be done at this time. Otherwise, the tooth will be cleaned, and the dental veneer will be bonded to the tooth. Patients will enjoy how the results look. They are instant, and you can start flashing your smile right away.

After the Procedure
Your teeth will typically be sore for a few days after the preparation phase and after placing the permanent veneers. During this time, you can take pain medication to help you stay comfortable. Patients can also benefit from getting rest and using a cold compress to reduce any swelling. We recommend that patients watch what they eat for a few days and stick with foods that are soft. While there is a short recovery time when getting veneers, the procedure is entirely worth it because in the end, you will have a beautiful smile.

Benefits of Dental Veneers
One main benefit of veneers that patients enjoy is how the veneers make their teeth look. This procedure is an excellent solution, since the veneers can transform your smile into one that looks perfect and beautiful.

The Downside
As with most cosmetic procedures, there can be some discomfort associated with getting dental veneers installed. This is to be expected, however, we do our best to keep patients comfortable during the procedure so that you will not experience any pain while the veneers are being placed or your teeth are being prepared. The process can take several weeks so there will be a period where you need to be careful about what you eat and what activities you engage in. In other words, do not play football after getting temporary veneers placed onto your teeth. You should schedule the procedure for a time where you will be close to home and able to take easy.

Ametic Dental Bonding: A Natural-Looking Solution
If you damage your tooth and are searching for a natural-looking restoration, consider restorative bonding. In this procedure, we apply a tooth-colored resin material to your tooth and shape the resin until it matches your naturally occurring tooth. We then harden it in place with a special dental light, effectively bonding it to the tooth. At Morris Dental, we will ensure that, regardless of the type of restoration you receive, your smile will look amazing.