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Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry Mark A. Cruz, DDS understands every patient has different needs and goals for treatment. Dr. Cruz and his team are equipped to offer services ranging from customized home or in-office professional whitening for modest stain correction to full-mouth rehabilitation or reconstruction, which combines procedures such as porcelain veneers and dental implant-supported teeth to improve function and comfort as well as the appearance of your smile.

For patients in Orange County and the surrounding areas who are considering services primarily for cosmetic reasons or for functional reasons with a cosmetic benefit, Dr. Cruz also offers the following procedures in addition to the treatments noted above:

  • Composite resin bonding
  • Tooth-colored fillings
  • Lifelike conventional and non-conventional bridges
  • Porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns

Please note: This is only a partial list. Dr. Cruz will discuss options for treatment once he examines your mouth and discusses goals for treatment with you.

Cosmetic dentistry has come a long way, yet some patients may still think of dental procedures as what they were decades ago, prior to advancements in dental materials and techniques. Dr. Cruz is happy to clear up these misconceptions, by answering some commonly-asked questions.

Do dental fillings still look like dark silver or black spots on people’s teeth?

Many materials are available today to fill decayed areas and rebuild tooth structure. These materials include:

  • Gold
  • Silver amalgam
  • Composite
  • Ceramic
  • Glass ionomer

Each material has its pros and its cons. A material your family member or friend prefers may not be recommended for you, depending on factors such as the location of the tooth and personal budget. Dr. Cruz makes it a priority to educate each patient on the risks and benefits of all materials.

I’ve heard about inlays and Onlays? What are they exactly?

These types of fillings (or restorations as they are also known) are similar to other types of fillings. The difference is they are fabricated in dental laboratories, which is similar to the approach taken when creating a customized dental crown. Since information about your mouth must be sent to an outside lab, where lab technicians make them, inlays and Onlays require 2 visits:

  • The first appointment – Tooth preparation and planning, including rendering a mold or model of the tooth and surrounding teeth
  • The second appointment – Placement of the inlay or Onlay

During the second visit, Dr. Cruz will also check the fit of this structure. If an inlay is what you need, it will lie within the cusps of the chewing surface of the tooth. Onlays are placed on the chewing surface and over the cusps or tips of the teeth. While a more significant alternative to a filling, these approaches are less aggressive than the conventional crown, which is considered full coverage for patients who have more damage to the tooth structure.

Inlays and Onlays, as well as some of the other procedures mentioned here depend on the current state of health of your mouth as well as aesthetic preferences and considerations. Call (949) 661-1006 to schedule an appointment and discuss these concerns with Dr. Cruz.

Full Mouth Rehabilitation Silver Filling Replacement Diagnostic Wax Up
Before and After
Before and After
Diagnostic Wax up Prior to Treatment
Diagnostic Wax up Prior to Treatment
Diagnostic Wax up Prior to Treatment  2
Diagnostic Wax up Prior to Treatment
Diagnostic Wax up Prior to Treatment  3
Diagnostic Wax up Prior to Treatment
Before and After Case 2
Before and After
Before and After Case 3
Before and After
Before and After Case 4
Before and After
Before and After Case 5
Before and After
Final Smile
Final Smile
Cosmetic Dentistry 09
Silver Filling Replacement BEFORE
Cosmetic Dentistry 10
Silver Filling Replacement AFTER
Cosmetic Dentistry 11
Silver Filling Replacement AFTER SIDE VIEW
Cosmetic Dentistry 12
Silver Filling Replacement BEFORE
Cosmetic Dentistry 13
Silver Filling Replacement AFTER
Tooth Colored
Failing composite (tooth colored) filling on lower first molar & decay under existing porcelain crown on 2nd molar
Removal and clean out of old filling material and crown
Removal and clean out of old filling material and crown.

Restoration of 1st molar with ceramic onlay
Restoration of 1st molar with ceramic onlay and new porcelain crown on 2nd molar.
Chipped tooth isolated
Chipped tooth isolated with rubber dam ready to be restored with cosmetic bonding
Preparation of chipped tooth for bonding
Preparation of chipped tooth for bonding

Initial restoration
Initial restoration of chipped tooth with composite bonding
Final result of chipped tooth restored
Final result of chipped tooth restored with cosmetic bonding
Note old tooth colored restorations
Note old tooth colored restorations

Patient smile with old tooth colored restorations
Patient smile with old tooth colored restorations. Note worn, shortened teeth
Teeth after old tooth colored restorations removed prior to re-restoration
Teeth after old tooth colored restorations removed prior to re-restoration
Restored teeth to appropriate length and proportion
Restored teeth to appropriate length and proportion with tooth colored restorations
Diagnostic Wax Up 01
Patient presents with dissatisfaction with her smile
Diagnostic Wax Up 02
Note lack of lip support and inadequate display of teeth
Diagnostic Wax Up 03
Measurement of teeth on diagnostic casts to determine appropriate length, display and proportion
Diagnostic Wax Up 04
Cast of duplicated diagnostic wax up showing increased length of teeth
Diagnostic Wax Up 05
Full mouth diagnostic wax up on dental articulator instruments which mimics jaw movements
Diagnostic Wax Up 06
Image of upper jaw diagnostic wax up
Diagnostic Wax Up 07
Image of lower jaw diagnostic wax up
Diagnostic Wax Up 08
Image of upper jaw diagnostic wax up side view
Diagnostic Wax Up 09
Diagnostic wax up of front teeth side view
Diagnostic Wax Up 10
Image of diagnostic wax up showing overlap and overjet relationship of front teeth
Diagnostic Wax Up 11
Diagnostic wax up showing tooth cusp and fossa relationship of posterior teeth, side view
Diagnostic Wax Up 12
Posterior view of relationship of upper and lower teeth (cusp-fossa relationship)
Diagnostic Wax Up 13
Image of diagnostic wax up showing overlap and overjet relationship of front teeth
Diagnostic Wax Up 14
Diagnostic wax up showing tooth cusp and fossa relationship of posterior teeth, side view
Diagnostic Wax Up 15
Posterior view of relationship of upper and lower teeth (cusp-fossa relationship)
Diagnostic Wax Up 16
Note appropriate lip support and natural appearance of ceramics
Diagnostic Wax Up 17
Note esthetic display of teeth with patient in rest position
Diagnostic Wax Up 18
Patient smile prior to diagnostic work up
Diagnostic Wax Up 19
Patient smile after completed treatment

Meet Dr. Mark Cruz

Dr. Mark Cruz Dr. Mark Cruz graduated from the UCLA School of Dentistry in 1986 and started his dental journey in Monarch Beach. He is a well-known lecturer internationally, and he was a part-time lecturer at UCLA. He gives individual attention to each patient while creating a friendly and enjoyable dental experience. He makes the patient a part of the dental procedure, educating them about the problem at hand.

Connect with Dr. Mark A Cruz on Linkedin

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