Plainfield Family Dental

Timothy J. Williams, DDS

Dental Services for Patients of All Ages

How to Maintain A Healthy Smile for Life
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1620 Hawthorne Drive, Suite 100, Plainfield, IN 46168

Dental Implants

by | Oct 4, 2022 | Cosmetic Dentistry, General Dentistry

Dental Implants

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are a fairly modern advancement in dentistry, allowing a missing tooth to be replaced with a similar artificial tooth. The implant itself replaces the root of the original tooth, allowing for the placement of a crown or other restoration with stability and function similar to the natural tooth that was replaced.

Dental Implants

What are the benefits of dental implants?

Ordinarily, in the case of missing teeth, bone loss will result in the surrounding area. However, the titanium posts of dental implants bond well with the jaw bone and help stimulate the growth of the surrounding bone structure, minimizing the loss of bone.

A dental implant in place of a missing tooth can prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting, resulting in bite issues or other problems.

Dental implants can be used alone or in combination with other restorations such as dentures and partials, allowing for much better bite strength than would be had without them.

 

Who are dental implants for?

Dental implants can be used for those who are missing only a single tooth or used in combination with other restorations to give back the smiles of those who are missing many or all of their teeth.

Missing teeth can cause a range of problems, from self-esteem issues to difficulties with eating and speaking, so if you’re one of those people with tooth loss, ask Dr, Williams about what solutions might be right for you. Dr. Williams can recommend an implant specialist for implanting the posts, after which he can work with you to place the restorations, be it a single crown, a bridge, or implant-retained dentures.

Schedule an Appointment Today!

For questions or to schedule an appointment, please give us a call. We are looking forward to caring for you and your family!

Call 317-839-8684

Teeth Whitening

by | Apr 20, 2020 | Cosmetic Dentistry

Teeth Whitening

For those who don’t require more extensive procedures like veneers or dental crowns to treat their discoloration, a teeth whitening treatment is a minimally-invasive way to get a whiter smile.

Not everyone has teeth that are as white as they may want them to be.

Teeth can become discolored for a number of reasons, including:

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Tooth injuries
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Prescription medications
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Stains from food and drink
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Smoking
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At Plainfield Family Dental, we offer Lumibrite and Opalescence GO at-home teeth-whitening.

Custom whitening trays

Lumibrite teeth whitening uses a set of custom-made take-home trays that will be created from an impression Dr. Williams will take of your teeth. You can use the provided bleaching gel to whiten your smile over the course of two weeks. Your custom trays can be used for touch-ups or additional treatments later, as well.

Pre-filled trays

An alternative to over-the-counter whitening products, Opalescence Go uses pre-filled whitening trays, built to conform to any smile. No impressions will need to be taken, and the trays are ready to use right out of the box. Whether you want to use these to start whitening your teeth, or as a method of maintaining a previous whitening, these are a great option for treating your teeth at home.

Schedule an Appointment Today!

Let Dr. Williams know if you’re looking to have a whiter and brighter smile and he’ll recommend the option that’s the best fit for your needs.

Call 317-839-8684

Bonding

by | Apr 20, 2020 | Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental Bonding

For repairs to minor damage to tooth enamel—things like chips or cracks in teeth—Dr. Williams can use bonding to make your teeth look like new.

What is Bonding?

Dental bonding is a process that uses a tooth-colored composite material for repairing damage to teeth or for filling cavities. It can be used for cosmetic purposes as well. Bonding material can be used to extend teeth to close small gaps, even out teeth, and essentially act as a non-invasive form of a smile makeover.

Dental bonding will typically take only a single visit to our office.

dental bonding

How is bonding done?

Depending on the type of bonding treatment being done, an anesthetic may be used at the start of the procedure.

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To prepare your tooth, Dr. Williams will briefly apply an acidic solution to the surface where the bonding material will be attached.

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The resin will then be placed and shaped by the doctor before being hardened with a curing light. Dr. Williams will repeat this same process, building up the resin until it is in its final shape.

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Once complete, the bonding material is firmly attached to your tooth, and looks and feels smooth. You may notice some slight sensitivity after the treatment, but this should subside shortly afterward.

Schedule an Appointment Today!

For questions or to schedule an appointment, please give us a call. We are looking forward to caring for you and your family!

Call 317-839-8684

Porcelain Veneers

by | Apr 20, 2020 | Cosmetic Dentistry

Porcelain Veneers

For those who are looking for a complete cosmetic smile makeover, porcelain veneers might be the right treatment for you.

What are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are bonded to the front of your teeth to give your smile a completely new appearance.

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Porcelain veneers are an excellent choice for patients who have…

Damaged tooth enamel

Years of general wear and tear can take their toll on your teeth. You may have minor chips and cracks, and worn down enamel can leave your teeth looking dull and more yellow than they did in the past.

Discolored teeth

Teeth can become discolored due to a number of different causes, some of which can’t be addressed with a tooth-whitening procedure. If you’re concerned about the color of your teeth, check with Dr. Williams to find out what treatment option will provide you with the best results. Veneers might be the ideal way to have a brilliant white smile again.

Gaps between teeth

Uneven teeth or small spaces between teeth can be addressed without the use of orthodontics. Porcelain veneers can be made in such a way as to close these gaps and give your teeth a straighter, more even appearance.

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What’s involved with getting porcelain veneers?

Any dental treatment begins with a thorough checkup with Dr. Williams to ensure your mouth is healthy, and any dental ailments are treated. Your oral health is what’s most important! Once it’s been determined that your mouth is healthy and treatment can proceed, the process of getting dental veneers will usually require two visits to our office over a six-week time period.

APPOINTMENT 1 – Dr. Williams will help select the shade of veneers that will look best for you. To prepare your teeth for bonding, and to make sure the veneers look and fit as best as possible, he will do a minimal amount of reshaping to each tooth that will be receiving a veneer. A local anesthetic will likely be used to keep you comfortable. Once ready for the next step, Dr. Williams will make an impression of your teeth. A dental lab will use this impression when manufacturing your porcelain veneers so that they will be a perfect fit. They will take some time to make, however, so you may be provided with temporary veneers in the meantime.

APPOINTMENT 2 – On your second appointment, Dr. Williams will remove the temporary veneers and place the final ones, completing your new smile.

Taking care of veneers

Routine checkups and cleanings are important no matter what, but, during these regular appointments, Dr. Williams will check your veneers to verify that they’re still in good shape. Porcelain veneers are sturdy and should be able to last for many years.

Veneers cannot be fixed if they are damaged, and will require replacement, so it’s important that you take care of them.

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Avoid misusing your teeth for things like tearing open packages, or biting on hard objects.

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Continue to brush your teeth twice a day and floss. To avoid damaging your veneers while brushing, use a non-abrasive toothpaste.

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Veneers will resist staining, but it's still a good idea to brush your teeth after drinking anything that could cause stains, such as red wine, coffee, tea or soft drinks.

Schedule an Appointment Today!

For questions about veneers or to schedule an appointment, please give us a call. We are looking forward to caring for you and your family!

Call 317-839-8684

Dental Crowns

by | Apr 20, 2020 | Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental Crowns

A dental crown looks virtually identical to a natural tooth, but is, in fact, a type of restoration that encases the entire visible portion of a tooth.

What is a crown?

A crown, sometimes referred to as a “cap,” is a complete covering for a tooth that is used to restore functionality to a tooth that has suffered damage.

dental crown

When is a crown needed?

Crowns are one of many options available for restoring teeth and may be an option when bonding or other more conservative treatments are not an option. Typically crowns are used to preserve the structural integrity of a tooth that has been damaged or weakened, whether by decay or trauma. They can also be used after a root canal if it’s been decided that the tooth will be too weak to go without one. Dental crowns are also used in combination with dental implants when a single implant is being used to replace one tooth. In this case, the implant acts as the root of the tooth with the crown as the visible part of the tooth.

Crowns are usually made from porcelain and fashioned to look just like the top of a natural tooth.

 

Getting a Crown from Dr. Williams

Depending on the situation, your new crown can take one or two visits to complete. Your tooth will first need to be prepared for the crown, after which Dr. Williams will make an impression of the area which will be used to design the crown to be a perfect match for your tooth.

Your final crown will be created in a dental lab, using the impression. In the meantime, you will be fitted with a temporary crown. Once your crown is ready, you’ll be asked to return to Plainfield Family Dental in order to have it bonded in place.

 

How do I care for my crown?

The lifespan of your crown can depend on how well you take care of it. Crowns don’t require any special treatment outside of the same maintenance required by your natural teeth. Be sure to brush twice a day and floss, making sure to remove any plaque from where the crown meets your gumline in order to prevent gum disease.

It’s best to avoid biting into hard food or other objects which might damage your crown (such as fingernails). Let Dr. Williams know if you have a habit of grinding your teeth, as this should be addressed to help protect, not only your crown, but all of your teeth from damage.

Schedule an Appointment Today!

For questions about crowns or to schedule an appointment, please give us a call. We are looking forward to caring for you and your family!

Call 317-839-8684

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