1)  What is your office philosophy?

Our philosophy is summed up in our mission statement.  Our team strives to provide quality comprehensive esthetic dental care in a relaxing and comfortable environment.  We believe in offering and providing the same high standard of care that we desire and provide for our own team and families.

2)  May I see photos of cases you have treated?

It is important to see what the product can look like before you purchase it.  Dentists who are proud of their cases, both straight forward and complex, should have a portfolio of their dental work.  Our team will be happy to show you our portfolio and explain the treatment that was performed  You may also view our portfolio on our website.

3)  Where were you trained to do cosmetic dentistry?

Cosmetic Dentistry is not something that is taught in dental schools, it isn’t a self learned skill, nor do you know how to do it just because you have been a dentist for a long time.  Providing cosmetic dentistry requires proper training and understanding of all pertinent aspects to ensure that the enhanced smile flows with the lips, face, body and personality of the individual.  Dr. Burghardt regularly attends courses at world renowned esthetic dental facilities such as The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, where he continues to learn new and better ways to deliver and exceed his high standard of care.

4)  What portion of your practice pertains to Cosmetic Dentistry? 

We consider our office to be an Esthetic Dental Practice.  Whether we are working in the back of the mouth or the front, it is our mission to ensure the job is as esthetically pleasing as possible.

5)  Do you offer Neuromuscular Dentistry?

Dr. Burghardt is highly trained in Neuromuscular Dentistry, and uses this knowledge in treating all of his patients.  Neuromuscular Dentistry follows principles that are not taught in dental schools; it requires appropriate training and care.  It is very important for your dentist to be trained in Neuromuscular Dentistry, so that he/she can understand the entire system pertaining to the muscles, jaws, teeth and facial complex.  This discipline is essential to recognizing, diagnosing, treatment planning and ultimately treating disorders relating to this complex system.

6)  Do you offer Sedation Dentistry?

Some of us have always had good experiences at the dentist, while others have not.  No matter what seat we are in, there are times when our nerves get the best of us.  Sedation is a service that improves our patients' comfort by reducing anxiety.  This in turn eases the treatment procedures and improves the quality of the end result.  Dr. Burghardt is trained and equipped to provide conscious sedation on the premises.

7)  What sort of advanced technology is used at this office?

Dr. Burghardt and his team are committed to quality dentistry, and so are committed to the use of key equipment to ensure this high quality end result.  CEREC 3D single visit restorations, computer guided implant surgery, complex intra oral photography, digital photography, computer systems, radiographic, LASER, electric hand piece, TENS and other specialized equipment are imperative to the success of every case.

8)  Is your team prepared to handle a medical emergency?

The best way to treat a medical emergency is to avoid one all together, and proper planning helps minimize the occurrence of medical emergencies.  In saying this, medical emergencies are often completely unexpected. Our entire team is trained to provide Level C Basic life support, and some members are trained to use our emergency drug kit, Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Automated Pulsoximeter, and a nitrous oxide/oxygen delivery system to stabilize compromised patients until appropriate help arrives.

If you’re feeling somewhat self-conscious about your teeth, or just want to improve your smile, cosmetic dental treatments may be the answer to a more beautiful, confident smile.

Cosmetic dentistry has become very popular in the last several years, not only due to the many advances in cosmetic dental procedures and materials available today, but also because patients are becoming more and more focused on improving their overall health.  This includes dental prevention and having a healthier, whiter, more radiant smile.

There are many cosmetic dental procedures available to improve your teeth and enhance your smile.  Depending on your particular needs, cosmetic dental treatments can change your smile dramatically, from restoring a single tooth to having a full mouth make-over.  Ask your dentist how you can improve the health and beauty of your smile with cosmetic dentistry.

Cosmetic Procedures:

Teeth Whitening: Bleaching lightens teeth that have been stained or discolored by age, food, drink, and smoking.  Teeth darkened as a result of injury or taking certain medications can also be bleached, but the effectiveness depends on the degree of staining present.

Composite (tooth-colored) Fillings: Also known as “bonding”, composite fillings are now widely used instead of amalgam (silver) fillings to repair teeth with cavities, and also to replace old defective fillings.  Tooth-colored fillings are also used to repair chipped, broken, or discolored teeth.  This type of filling is also very useful to fill in gaps and to protect sensitive, exposed root surfaces caused by gum recession.

Porcelain Veneers: Veneers are thin custom-made, tooth-colored shells that are bonded onto the fronts of teeth to create a beautiful individual smile.  They can help restore or camouflage damaged, discolored, poorly shaped, or misaligned teeth.  Unlike crowns, veneers require minimal tooth structure to be removed from the surface of the tooth.

Porcelain Crowns (caps): A crown is a tooth-colored, custom-made covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size.  Crowns protect and strengthen teeth that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.  They are ideal for teeth that have large, fractured or broken fillings and also for those that are badly decayed.

Dental Implants: Dental implants are artificial roots that are surgically placed into the jaw to replace one or more missing teeth.  Porcelain crowns, bridges, and dentures can be made specifically to fit and attach to implants, giving a patient a strong, stable, and durable solution to removable dental appliances.

Orthodontics: Less visible and more effective brackets and wires are making straightening teeth with orthodontics much more appealing to adult patients.  Also, in some cases, teeth may be straightened with custom-made, clear, removable aligners that require no braces.

Thanks to the advances in modern dentistry, cosmetic treatments can make a difference in making your smile shine!

Since teeth whitening has now become the number one aesthetic concern of many patients, there are many products and methods available to achieve a brighter smile.

Professional teeth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel, and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile.  Over-the-counter products are also available, but they are much less effective than professional treatments and may not be approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).

As we age, the outer layer of tooth enamel wears away, eventually revealing a darker or yellow shade.  The color of our teeth also comes from the inside of the tooth, which may become darker over time.  Smoking, drinking coffee, tea, and wine may also contribute to tooth discoloration, making our teeth yellow and dull.  Sometimes, teeth can become discolored from taking certain medications as a child, such as tetracycline.  Excessive fluoridation (fluorosis) during tooth development can also cause teeth to become discolored.

It’s important to have your teeth evaluated by your dentist to determine if you’re a good candidate for bleaching.  Occasionally, tetracycline and fluorosis stains are difficult to bleach and your dentist may offer other options, such as veneers or crowns to cover up such stains.  Since teeth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is also important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. before bleaching begins.  Once the bleaching is done, your dentist can match the new restorations to the shade of the newly whitened teeth.

Since teeth whitening is not permanent, a touch-up may be needed every several years to keep your smile looking bright.

The most widely used professional teeth whitening systems:

Home teeth whitening systems: At-home products usually come in a gel form that is placed in a custom-fitted mouthguard (tray), created from a mold of your teeth.  The trays are worn either twice a day for approximately 30 minutes, or overnight while you sleep.  It usually takes several weeks to achieve the desired results depending on the degree of staining and the desired level of whitening.

In office teeth whitening: This treatment is done in the dental office and you will see results immediately.  It may require more than one visit, with each visit lasting 30 to 60 minutes.  While your gums are protected, a bleaching solution is applied to the teeth.  A special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent while the teeth are whitened.

Some patients may experience tooth sensitivity after having their teeth whitened.  This sensation is temporary and subsides shortly after you complete the bleaching process, usually within a few days to one weak.

Porcelain veneers are very thin shells of tooth-shaped porcelain that are individually crafted to cover the fronts of teeth.  They are very durable and will not stain, making them a very popular solution for those seeking to restore or enhance the beauty of their smile.

Veneers may be used to restore or correct the following dental conditions:

• Severely discolored or stained teeth
• Unwanted or uneven spaces
• Worn or chipped teeth
• Slight tooth crowding
• Misshapen teeth
• Teeth that are too small or large

Getting veneers usually requires two visits.  Veneers are created from an impression (mold) of your teeth that is then sent to a professional dental laboratory where each veneer is custom-made (for shape and color) for your individual smile.

With little or no anesthesia, teeth are prepared by lightly buffing and shaping the front surface of the teeth to allow for the small thickness of veneers.  The veneers are carefully fitted and bonded onto the tooth surface with special bonding cements and occasionally a specialized light may be used to harden and set the bond.

Veneers are an excellent dental treatment that can dramatically improve your teeth and give you a natural, beautiful smile.