Tooth whitening is a simple, safe procedure that can dramatically brighten your smile. Bleaching can be done to help brighten up those teeth that have become discolored from age, coffee, tea, or smoking. We will make trays that our custom made for your mouth that you will use to bleach your teeth at your own convenience. The initial bleaching process normally takes a couple weeks of nighttime wear and is then followed up by periodic refreshers for a night or two, once or twice a year.

Regular dental cleanings and periodic oral exams are important in the prevention of gum disease, tooth decay and other oral diseases. In addition to brushing and flossing thoroughly everyday, it is recommended to have a professional dental cleaning done every 3-6 months. Routine cleanings remove stains, tartar, and help to prevent gum disease and gingivitis. This helps you in maintaining an optimum oral and general health.

Bonded fillings are the same color as your tooth so they are able to blend in and be "invisible". Because they are bonded to your tooth they are able to be smaller, saving natural tooth structure.

This type of crown has the most aesthetic appearance. Made out of pure ceramic or a new reinforced ceramic, it mimics the appearance of nature to the point where it is difficult to tell that it is even there. It takes advantage of new bonding technology, which allows it to bond to your tooth so that it acts as one with your tooth--it's like an enamel replacement. It is metal-free, and thus satisfies the needs of patients with metal sensitivities. Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are placed onto the front portion of your teeth in order to enhance their color or shape, and improve the esthetics of your natural smile. Porcelain veneers are primarily used on teeth with uneven surfaces or that are chipped, discolored, oddly shaped, unevenly spaced or crooked. With porcelain veneers you can mask such undesirable tooth defects as stains caused by tetracycline, an injured tooth or other defects that result from such procedures as a root-canal. More so, veneers are ideal for masking discolored fillings found in the front of your mouth. They are a popular way of closing gaps between front teeth or a covering visibly chipped teeth. Porcelain veneers can also be used for cosmetic repositioning, also called “instant orthodontics,” as an alternative to traditional metal braces or retainers. Porcelain veneers are an excellent replacement for composite bonding, and the process is less invasive than being fitted for crowns – porcelain simply covers the imperfections in your own smile. The procedure for implementing the porcelain veneers is remarkably simple and in fact, little anesthesia is needed. The advantages of veneers are many - as they have a longer life expectancy and color stability than bonding and are highly resistant to the permanent staining that can be caused by coffee, tea and cigarette smoking. Porcelain veneers are extremely lifelike and translucent and hold their radiance, while also being an extremely strong material. We use the highest quality materials for porcelain veneers to ensure that they remain brilliant and stain-free long into the future.

Invisalign is a groundbreaking orthodontics technology. Compared with traditional metal and wire braces, Invisalign offers a wealth of advantages. Almost invisible, it is transparent, made of durable medical grade plastic and not as obvious as metal braces. For each patient, we custom fit a series of aligners to reposition teeth. The aligners are molded to gradually straighten your teeth in stages into a beautiful smile. In the process, it improves oral hygiene by keeping your teeth more free of plaque and particles which typically become trapped in metal brackets. In the end, by having straighter teeth and facilitating ease while brushing, it prevents periodontal disease, eliminates plaque buildup, and reduces tooth decay. Compared to metal braces, the underlying benefit of invisalign is the comfort level. Patients experience less dental irritation and require fewer adjustments or dental appointments. Our 3-D computer technology shows how your teeth will look after treatment, presenting you with the peace of mind that you will have the straight teeth that you’ve always wanted. Your Invisalign treatment will consist of a series of aligners that you switch out about every two weeks. Each aligner is individually manufactured with exact calculations to gradually shift your teeth into place. Not only is Invisalign versatile, helping to correct a broad range of dental and orthodontic issues, but it really works and can positively impact your health as well. LEARN MORE

Straight Teeth in 6 Months! Many people, especially adults 15 years and older, don’t pursue the straighter smile they desire because they think braces take two to three years and only use metal brackets and wires. Guess what? They don’t have to! Dr. Ray is very pleased to be one of the first dentists in the area to provide 6 Month Braces that use clear or tooth-colored brackets and small, space-age wires to straighten your teeth in less time. 6 Month Braces use low force to move teeth with minimal or no loss of tooth structure. By focusing on moving the teeth that show when you smile without making significant changes to your bite, Dr. Ray can safely and relatively comfortably correct your crooked or spaced teeth in about six months. Studies have shown that a healthy and attractive smile can boost your self-confidence, improve your personal and professional life, and enhance your overall well-being. Straight teeth can also make it easier for you to keep your teeth clean, healthy, and looking great! ADVANTAGES to 6 Month Braces: • LOOK - The tooth-colored brackets and small, nickel titanium wires used for 6 Month Braces are much less noticeable than regular braces. People will hardly notice that you’re wearing braces. What they will notice is your straight teeth afterwards! • FEEL - As with any orthodontic treatment, minor discomfort can be experienced. Because such low forces are used during 6 Month Braces treatment, we are able to keep this discomfort to a minimum, to safely and effectively transform your smile! • COST - Even though 6 Month Braces offer the advanced benefit of being accelerated, they are usually less expensive than regular braces. We also offer flexible financing, so you can get the smile of your dreams on a plan that fits your budget. Upon completing 6 Month Braces treatment with our office, you’ll get a free whitening kit! Please call us today to schedule your FREE orthodontic consultation.

Crowns are placed when a tooth is no longer strong enough to support a filling. Types of crowns are all-porcelain, porcelain fused to metal/gold, or all gold. Our doctors will discuss with you what is right in your situation.

Composite tooth bonding is a cosmetic dentistry technique that can work wonders for your smile. Using materials that match the shade, translucency and texture of your teeth, gaps between the teeth can be closed; spots, chips, and discolorations can be eliminated, and your self-confidence can be enhanced through the improved appearance of your smile. This is a virtually painless procedure and is mostly completed in one visit. Our patients are amazed with their new attractive, natural looking smile following the bonding procedure.

Today, dental implants are a routine procedure. Implants can used to replace teeth, support permanent bridges and missing teeth, or support full/partial dentures. Implants are surgically placed into the jawbone to act as tooth root substitutes and thus serve as an anchor to stabilize artificial teeth. Once the implant is placed, it is allowed to integrate into the jawbone, enabling it to be firm and stable. After several months, the implant can then be used to support an implant crown, implant fixed bridgework or implant supported dentures. With implants, we can replace one, some or even all of your missing teeth and help eliminate the instability associated with surface adhesives and removable bridges. Dental implants also act to stop the deterioration in the jawbone, which occurs when the natural teeth are lost. Implants are made from different types of metallic and bone-like ceramic materials that are bio-compatible with body tissue. Dentures can be firmly secured by implants. Strategically placed implants are surgically inserted into the jaw bone that connect to your dentures and then are secured in your mouth, keeping the dentures from moving or coming out entirely. As an alternative to dentures, we can use implants to strategically create a support mechanism for permanently cemented bridges, thus eliminating the need for a denture. Implants resemble and "feel" like the real thing, and improve chewing ability compared to dentures. For this reason, dental implants are quickly becoming the alternative choice to traditional dentures. However, dental implants are not for everyone and each patient must be thoroughly examined with diagnostic x-rays to evaluate proper bone support. Implant supported reconstructions are considered an excellent option for tooth replacement. The success rate of implants are high and highly predictable. State-of-the-art technology in implant dentistry makes it possible to provide replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth.

Root canal treatment may be necessary in cases where there is advanced decay, trauma to the tooth, periodontal disease, bruxism (teeth grinding) or cracked teeth. Root canal therapy or endodontic treatment consists of the removal of inflamed or infected pulp tissue (dental nerve) and the cleansing and sealing of the internal tooth structure. New technology enables Dr. Ray to treat most cases in one appointment. Treatment is painless and a successful result is accomplished in a very high percentage of cases.

Sealants are a plastic material that are applied on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth like the premolars and molars to help reduce tooth decay. The material is bonded over the deep grooves that your toothbrush is not able to clean into, therefore acting as a protective coating preventing the penetration of decay causing bacteria.

Periodontal disease or gum disease is primarily caused by bacterial plaque, although factors like genetics, smoking, tobacco and certain medical conditions such as diabetes, are also known to be causes. Many times gum disease is painless and can go undetected until it is too late. The initial symptoms are bleeding gums and bad breath. We perform periodontal therapy on patients diagnosed with early periodontal disease. This is performed by removing deep tartar by a procedure called scaling and root planning. We may also be able to place a localized antibiotic directly into the diseased site. Periodic maintenance appointments are then scheduled until optimum periodontal health is achieved.