Dr. Beadling and his staff go to great lengths to assure that you are comfortable during all dental procedures.

• Waterlase™ Laser: Many procedures can be done without the need for an injection.
• Anesthetic: If necessary, we use the strongest topical anesthetic on the market and we give it time to work.
• The "Wand": To deliver the anesthesia - the "Wand" is a computerized anesthetic delivery system that pumps the anesthetic gently and slowly under the gums. This combination makes the vast majority of procedures completely painless.

Other comfort items include:

• Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) to relax you
• Headphones with a large selection of music to drown out any noises
• Blankets are available if you get cold
• Bite blocks are available for you to rest on so that your jaw doesn't get tired
• Heated Water Spray: Used in our hygiene rooms in case your teeth are sensitive to cold

We know that having dental work is not high on most people's list of favorite things, so we try very hard to make it as comfortable as possible.

Restore Your Smile

A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that is bonded to a tooth to improve its color and shape. A veneer generally covers only the front and top of a tooth. Veneers can be used to lengthen small or short teeth, straighten crowded teeth, close spaces between teeth, or whiten stained or dark teeth. When teeth are chipped or worn, veneers can protect them from damage and restore their original appearance.

Porcelain Veneers Resist Staining

Cosmetic dental bonding materials utilized in the past had the shortcoming of being susceptible to staining and discoloring. This was especially a problem for those people whose teeth had excessive exposure to tea, coffee, red wine, or cigarette smoking. A significant advantage of porcelain veneers over other types of cosmetic dental bonding is related to the fact that a porcelain veneer's surface is just that, porcelain. Since porcelain is a ceramic, and therefore glass-like, its surface is extremely smooth and impervious. This means that the surface of a porcelain veneer will not pick up permanent stains.

How do we restore teeth with veneers?

It usually takes two appointments to restore teeth with veneers. During the first appointment, we shape and roughen the teeth. We then take impressions of your teeth, which we use to make precise models of your mouth. It's on these models that our laboratory artistically crafts veneers to fit the prepared teeth.

During the second appointment we clean the prepared teeth and then use a strong dental adhesive to bond the veneers to the teeth. A harmless, high-intensity light is used to harden the adhesive. Once in place, veneers virtually become part of the teeth. You can use them like you would your own teeth because the bond is extremely strong. The final result is beautiful and natural-looking teeth.

Dr. Beadling has had extensive training in preparing and placing veneers as well as in all phases of cosmetic and esthetic dentistry. Ask our staff to show you some of our before and after pictures when you are in the office.

Dental implants have become commonplace recently and many people are finding that this is the best way to replace missing teeth. Implants are titanium "screws" about the size of a normal root of a tooth. They are placed in the jaw by an Oral Surgeon (see image right) and they essentially become the new root of the tooth to which we can attach crowns.

The advantages of implants are that they are very strong and long lasting, they do not require any preparation to the adjacent teeth, and they are the closest we can come to a natural tooth when replacing a missing tooth .Dr. Beadling has taken several hands-on training courses in the restoration of implants, has experience working with different implant systems, and has completed many implant cases with most of the Oral Surgeons in Kalamazoo. The next time you are in our office ask Dr. Beadling or one of the hygienists if implants might be an option for you.

Dr. Beadling believes in using the best materials available to restore teeth to their natural function and appearance. After he is done treating a tooth he wants it to look good, feel good, and be functional-just like a natural tooth. That is why Dr. Beadling uses tooth colored restorations exclusively in his practice.

With the exception of gold, which is still one of the best ways to restore teeth in non-esthetic areas, there is no need to place metal restorations into teeth. The old style silver mercury amalgam fillings are no longer the only way to restore teeth. The new ceramic and resin materials that are available today can restore the strength and function to a tooth without the drawbacks associated with silver fillings.

No More Ugly Fillings

Silver amalgam fillings are made up of 50 percent mercury, which like a thermometer expands when it gets hot and contracts when it gets cold. This constant expansion and contraction of a filling inside your tooth over time can cause the tooth to weaken and crack, usually leading to the need for a crown and sometimes a root canal. This is the main reason (plus the fact that silver fillings are ugly) that Dr. Beadling stopped using silver fillings in 1996.

More Durable Restorations

The newer resin and ceramic restorations have the same rate of expansion and contraction as your natural teeth and therefore do not cause the cracking of teeth after they are placed. They are strong and beautiful-the way teeth ought to be.

Although Dr. Beadling's main goal is for you to keep your natural teeth for your entire life, there are times when teeth must be taken out. Rest assured that teeth can be extracted today without any pain and with very limited post-operative discomfort. Dr. Beadling has extensive training in tooth removal and can handle all but the most difficult extractions. He and the staff make sure we offer you everything at out disposal to make the experience as comfortable as possible.

In addition, Dr. Beadling will often use laser technology during the tooth removal process which greatly enhances healing and reduces post-operative swelling and discomfort. We know that extractions are not fun which is why we do our best to make it an easy and comfortable experience.

Crowns

Crowns are used to restore teeth that break, crack, have very large fillings, or have had a root canal. A crown is made to fit entirely over the damaged tooth to make it whole and functional again. Crowns are very strong and will last for many years. There are several types of crowns, including the single appointment CEREC crown , and Dr. Beadling will discuss the options with you to decide which type of crown would best suit your needs.

Bridges

The Problem

• A missing tooth or teeth
• Potential bite and jaw joint problems from teeth shifting to fill the space
• The "sunken face" look associated with missing teeth
• Desire to improve chewing ability
• Desire for a more permanent solution than dentures

The Solution

Bridges (as seen to the right) are used to replace missing teeth and there are several types of bridges including gold, porcelain, or reinforced resin bridges. Bridges, like crowns, are bonded or cemented to the teeth and are very strong. Bridges work best in situations where there is just one or two teeth missing.

Ask one of our hygienists if a bridge might be a good option for you.

There are many ways to replace missing teeth including implants, bridges, and removable partial dentures. Partial dentures are a relatively inexpensive and non-invasive way to replace multiple teeth at once.

Valplast Partials Give You A Metal-Free Appearance

There are several types of partial dentures and Dr. Beadling will help you decide the best option for your particular needs. An exciting new material called Valplast is a lightweight, flexible, yet unbreakable resin that gently clips into your mouth around your existing teeth and replaces any missing teeth that you might have.

Valplast was developed specifically to provide the precision fit and strength needed for the fabrication of metal-free partial dentures. It also has a gentle feel and a more secure fit. If you have missing teeth, ask us if a Valplast Partial will work for you.

At Home Whitening Systems You Can Trust

Over time, your teeth darken as minerals penetrate their outer enamel layer. This darkening can be caused by foods and beverages that stain, such as coffee, colas, tea, red wine, or berries. Tobacco products, like cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco, can cause teeth to take on a yellowish brown hue. And the natural aging process can also cause your teeth to darken.

We can prescribe a home whitening system that will safely lighten these stains, giving you a whiter, brighter smile. A specially formulated whitening gel gently forces oxygen through the enamel of your teeth. The gel is designed to be highly effective, yet safe. The process virtually erases stains and brightens your teeth without damage to enamel or gums.

Designing your whitening system

First we thoroughly examine your teeth and your mouth to make sure at-home whitening is an appropriate option for you. We then take impressions of you teeth, and use the impressions to make exact models of your teeth. Using these models, we make a custom fitted whitening tray that fits over your teeth, allowing us to achieve optimum results.

At home you will fill the tray with the whitening gel and place it over your teeth, keeping it in place for several hours each day. You can wear the whitening trays while you sleep or if you prefer, you can wear them as you go about your day. Typically, you’ll begin to see results in one to two weeks.

We’ll monitor your progress on a regular basis, ensuring that your gums aren’t becoming irritated and your teeth are whitening as desired. When the process is complete, your smile will be noticeably whiter and brighter.

Maintaining your new whiter smile

• Let us know if you experience some sensitivity during or following the whitening process. This is normal and should subside shortly. We can suggest toothpaste that will alleviate the sensitivity.
• Avoid foods and beverages that stain, like coffee, cola, tea, berries, and red wine, or brush or rinse with water after consuming them.
• See us periodically for touch-ups to remove new stains.