Cosmetic Dentistry - Lighthouse Dental Care - Thomas Worcester D.D.S. - Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Florida

Teeth Whitening

One of the most dramatic ways to improve the overall appearance of your smile is with professional teeth whitening. Because the teeth are porous, they absorb the staining elements found in nicotine, wine, sodas, and other foods; even certain medications can cause the enamel to turn a grayish hue. Lighthouse Dental Care, near Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton, uses the in-office teeth whitening system from Zoom!® to brighten smiles in just one hour’s time. Zoom!® teeth whitening is safe, comfortable, and provides lasting results.

During the treatment, your teeth will be coated with a unique gel that is then activated by the intense Zoom!® lamp to deep clean the stains that have built up over the years. Many patients ask us about sensitivity problems after having a teeth whitening procedure, and we are pleased to inform them that the state-of-the-art Zoom!® treatment causes almost no increase in sensitivity. The only noticeable “side effects” are a whiter, more stunning smile.

Dr. Thomas Worcester also offers professional-grade whitening kits for patients to take home and use at their own convenience. Although it does not work as quickly as in-office whitening, the Nite White® ACP teeth whitening system gives amazing results in as few as six days. And because Nite White® ACP contains a patented combination of fluoride, potassium nitrate, and amorphous calcium phosphate, it is clinically proven to cause the least amount of sensitivity compared to other similar kits.

Porcelain Veneers

Many patients come to our practice hoping to completely makeover their smile. Teeth that are misshaped, cracked, yellowed, or otherwise damaged can benefit from the application of porcelain veneers. This innovative dental miracle can be used to transform one tooth or an entire smile; the effect is so remarkable, veneers are sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics.” Made of a very fine layer of composite porcelain, the veneers can be colored to match the exact shade of a patient’s natural teeth to create a seamless smile.

The porcelain veneer process is completed in three separate stages. First, Dr. Worcester will meet with you for a consultation to discuss all the details of undergoing this cosmetic dentistry procedure. He will review all your options and ascertain exactly what type of smile you are looking for. During your second session, the doctor will slightly reshape the tooth or teeth that will receive a veneer to prepare for the additional thickness of the porcelain. After he has removed approximately one-half-millimeter of enamel, Dr. Worcester will make a mold of your mouth. From this precise model, the lab will craft the customized porcelain veneers which will eventually replace the removed layer of enamel.

The third stage of the process is the application of the veneers. During your final appointment, Dr. Worcester will carefully apply an adhesive to the teeth, and then place the custom-made veneers. A special light is used to harden the adhesive resin and permanently secure the veneers, and the dentist will buff and polish the teeth to give them a brilliant, natural glow.

Dental Implants

Do you need to replace one or more teeth, but can’t imagine wearing dentures? Do you already have dentures, and wish there was a more stable, lasting solution? Practical, comfortable, and beautiful: dental implants have revolutionized the way dentists treat lost and damaged teeth. Through our partnership with excellent implant surgeons, Lighthouse Dental Care can help you to permanently restore the natural look and feel of your own teeth.

Restoring your smile with dental implants takes place in three steps: implantation of a unique titanium “post,” integration of the post with the surrounding soft and hard tissue, and attachment of the pontic (replacement tooth) to the post. Because the process involves oral surgery, receiving dental implants takes approximately three to six months from start to finish, depending upon the placement of the implants. For example, a full arch restoration takes longer to complete than replacing two or three teeth.

Dental implants allow our patients to smile, laugh, and enjoy their favorite foods with confidence. Unlike dentures, they do not provoke jawbone deterioration and they won’t slip out of place.

Dental Bonding

When teeth are slightly cracked, chipped, or discolored, dental bonding can be a great way to cover imperfections and strengthen teeth. Using a special composite resin that is colored to match the shade of your natural teeth, Dr. Worcester carefully “paints” layers of the bonding material onto the damaged tooth. Once the layers have hardened, the doctor shapes the bonded tooth so that it is seamlessly integrated into your smile.


Tooth-colored Fillings

In the past, cavities were filled using an amalgam of metals. They did the job, but left an unnatural metallic glint behind. Fortunately, advances in dental technology have led to a new type of filling that uses tooth-colored porcelain composite instead of metal. These tooth-colored fillings look incredibly natural and are nearly impossible to discern in a patient’s mouth. They are also significantly safer than traditional amalgam fillings, which some doctors believe can cause health problems due to their mercury content.