New Port Richey Dentist | Stephen E. Stein, D.D.S., P.A.

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Stephen E. Stein
D.D.S., P.A.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
General Dentistry Office - (727) 863-2497
Family Medical Center - 10806 US Hwy 19 - Port Richey, FL 34668

When you are looking for the right dentist for you in Port Richey, FL, you want to be assured that you are making the right choice, and that you are selecting a dentist where you feel always comfortable that you get the best service possible, and that you can feel good about coming back to your dentist in the future. Give us a call today - You’ll be glad you did.

Partial Dentures
    Partial Dentures Make Your Smile Complete

Invisalign®

Every one of us knows the struggle teens go through to “fit in.” Little is as important in the teen years as being like everyone else. For the last three decades, orthodontics has made the cool factor pretty hard to achieve for the millions of kids that required braces. In the late 90s, all that changed when Align Technology introduced Invisalign® to the world.

Since the product was introduced, over 250,000 people have been treated successfully with Invisalign.

Invisalign: Ins and Outs

Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners. The biomechanics of Invisalign are exactly the same as traditional metal braces. The series of custom-made aligners press directly on the teeth to exert pressure and gradually move them into place.

For the Invisalign dentist, everything is done prior to the start of any treatment. The orthodontist or dentist will prescribe each movement and attachment during the treatment course during the evaluation appointment. Planning is crucial and is geared towards the patient’s need.

The Process

- An Invisalign Certified Orthodontist/Dentist evaluates and creates a program of treatment. Photos/impressions are taken.

- A CT scan is made of your teeth.

- CAD (Computer Aided Design) software is used to approximate the movement of your teeth for treatment.

- Dentist reviews/modifies/approves treatment plan before any aligners are created.

- Invisalign creates molds of your teeth at each stage of treatment.

- Aligners are created.

- You will wear your new aligner for about two weeks.

Invisalign Vs. Braces

The big difference is the clear factor — Invisalign can be used for virtually all malocclusions with positive results. A huge selling point is its unobtrusive look; few can tell you’re wearing them. A lisp is common during the first day or two of wear, but then you get used to the fit and your speech returns to normal.

Chair time is greatly reduced — With wire braces you’re in the dental office every two weeks or so for a tightening. With an Invisalign program, you’ll see your dentist only every six weeks and he’ll arm you with your next few sets of aligners and monitor your progress.

Oral hygiene is improved - Unlike braces, with Invisalign the only time you’re supposed to remove your appliance is when you eat, drink, brush and floss. Improved cleanings make for healthier teeth. Those wire brackets can trap a lot of food and act as a catch-all for plaque. Yuck!

Only you and your dentist/orthodontist can decide if Invisalign is right for you. The nature of your teeth, the degree of work that will be required and your lifestyle are all taken into account. If the sheer unsightly look of metal in your mouth has kept you out of braces, there is hope! Straighter teeth make for easier cleanings and a healthier mouth. Discuss all your options with your dentist.

Inlay

If you get self-conscious about your silver fillings, take comfort in the fact that there are other alternatives to natural-looking fillings, such as an inlay.

An inlay is a type of restoration that typically looks like natural teeth and fixes an existing tooth that is too damaged to support a filling, but not so much that it needs a crown. It covers the chewing surface between the cusps, while onlays restore one or more fractured cusps.

Both inlays and onlays are intended to repair the tooth’s chewing surface, and in some cases, repair teeth with other restoration options: the filling, which fills a hole in the tooth, and the crown, which covers most of the tooth.

A dentist may choose from materials such as gold, tooth-colored composite resin and porcelain to create an inlay, depending on your choice of aesthetic appeal, longevity and your budget. Regardless of the material your dentist recommends, inlays are often more durable than amalgam or composite fillings, less expensive than crowns and are not likely to have complications during the procedure.

Placing an Inlay

Typically, an inlay procedure is an “indirect dental restoration,” a restoration that requires a mold made in a laboratory and is usually completed in two or more visits. The dentist administers local anesthesia, prepares your tooth, makes a mold of the area and places a temporary inlay. Then, the mold is sent to a dental lab where the custom inlay is created.

While this whole process normally takes a few visits, recent advancements in dental technology such as CEREC® have now made it possible to complete these procedures in just one visit.

Handle With Care

Just like with natural teeth, caring for inlays requires good oral hygiene habits like brushing and flossing daily, things you should already be doing anyway. And don’t forget your regular dental checkups — these visits allow your dentist to detect any problems at their early stages.

Talk to your dentist about inlays and other natural-looking restoration options you may have.

Dental Bridges

Many problems can occur if missing teeth aren’t replaced. The rest of your teeth begin to shift, which can change your bite, making your jaw sore. Moving teeth can increase your chances for gum disease and decay as oral hygiene becomes more difficult to maintain with a mouth of shifting teeth. Speech is also more difficult if you have missing teeth.

Bridge Basics

One of your options when facing missing teeth is a bridge. A dental bridge is also known as a pontic and is permanently placed between two healthy teeth. The bridge is held in place by porcelain crowns. The area on each tooth that will anchor the bridge is called an abutment. Often times an area on each abutment needs to be removed in order to accommodate the width of the crown.

First, impressions will be made and a temporary bridge will be placed to keep your teeth from moving. The temporary is called a flipper. It can be attached with a wire or plastic piece that fits in your mouth. This is only temporary until your bridge is ready. Then a dental lab will create a bridge made just for you. Your dentist will place the bridge in your mouth and anchor it to your natural teeth.

Maintaining Your Bridge

A bridge is a permanent solution to missing teeth. Once cemented into your mouth, it cannot move. Good oral hygiene is going to be crucial because you will not be able to remove your new bridge.

In virtually any drug store you can purchase special flossers — some brand names are BridgeAid® and Glide® Threader Floss. This is special floss that will help you to reach under your replaced teeth. This is going to be paramount to the care of your bridge. Excellent oral hygiene is a must.

Bridge Medley

- Traditional Fixed Bridge — Most common type of bridge as described above. This restoration will absorb light, creating a natural-looking smile.

- Resin Bonded Bridge — Less expensive, false tooth fused to metal bands and bonded to abutment teeth with resin, minimizes the amount of preparation needed for adjacent teeth. This type of restoration will actually reflect light, creating an unnatural look.

- Cantilever Bridge — Used in areas of your mouth that are under less stress, will anchor false tooth on only one side over one or more adjacent teeth.

If you are missing one or more teeth, a bridge might be the right decision for you. Speak to your dentist and find out if this is the permanent solution for your missing teeth.

Dental Braces

The 80’s have long been over, but it’s hard to think about dental braces without picturing an awkward teenager in knee-high socks and roller skates with a mouthful of metal. If you were one of the lucky ones who didn’t have to wear metal braces back then, you may never fully appreciate the plight of those seeking a perfect smile.

But the fact is the promise of a perfect smile is enough to commit even the most vain among us to wearing braces. Because if you have certain types of abnormal bites (malocclusions) such as buck teeth, crowded teeth or gapped teeth, then braces can help. A lot.

Types of Braces

A great smile captivates everyone, so it’s no wonder that we’ve become a smile-obsessed nation. Fortunately, orthodontics have come a long way since the era of metal mouth, and these days you can still look good while you try to look even better.

The type of braces you’ll need depends on the type and severity of your malocclusion. Fortunately, today’s braces are less conspicuous than their metal predecessors:

- Ceramic Brackets — Also known as clear braces, these tooth-colored brackets are made of composite materials. Well-known brands include Clarity™, Transcend™ and Interactive Mystique®.

- Sapphire Brackets — Clear white brackets made of pure monocrystalline sapphire. Inspire ICE™ is a brand of sapphire brackets.

- Lingual Braces — Similar to traditional metal braces, but placed behind the teeth so that they’re virtually unnoticeable.

- Teeth Aligners — Removable mouthguard-like devices made of clear plastic. Invisalign® is an example of a teeth aligners.

Treatment depends on the specific type of braces your orthodontist prescribes, but generally includes three phases: pretreatment, active treatment and retention.

Keep in mind that the road to a straight smile is not short: Though it varies, the average treatment time for fixed braces is 24 months and about a year for teeth aligners. If you wait until your adult years to get braces, plan on treatment taking longer than a child’s.

The Health Benefits

Whatever your motivation is for getting braces, the fact is that straight teeth don’t just look better, they’re healthier, too. When teeth are properly aligned, they’re easier to clean; and when your teeth are clean and plaque-free, you’re less likely to suffer from tooth decay or gum disease.

Wearing braces can also help prevent excessive wear of your teeth; help you chew better; and correct misaligned jaw joints that could be the cause of those nagging headaches and neck pain. Of course, only a qualified orthodontist can determine if you need braces. Although a complete orthodontic exam is recommended by the age of 7, it’s also common to get one as an adult.

Braces

Crowns & Bridges

Dentures

Implants

Laser Dentistry

+ Tooth Whitening+ ProductsDentist Prescribed

Over the Counter

Veneers