Implant Dentist | Invisalign | Sedation Dentist | Children Dentist

Dental Implants

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We can replace your teeth in the strongest and most secure way possible with dental implants, to help you smile with confidence and joy.

Dental Implants

Dental implants, available at our City Center office located in Newport News, VA, are artificial titanium tooth roots placed directly into the jawbone. Since titanium is very compatible with biological tissue, the roots are securely integrated into your mouth. As alternatives to conventional dentures or bridges, dental implants are an excellent solution for missing teeth, since they serve both an aesthetic and functional purpose. Once the tissue and bone around the dental implant have healed, the dental implant is covered with an aesthetic crown for a natural appearance. To ensure that your treatment is as effective and relaxed as possible, we offer various ways to keep you comfortable, such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral sedation.  To learn more about dental implants, contact our City Center office, located in Newport News, Virginia.

Implant Crown Restoration

Dr. Griffin or Dr. Hayes can also place or replace implant crowns. He takes into account tooth color and size as well as other features to ensure that the porcelain crown is as realistic looking as possible. If you would like to learn more about implant crown restoration, contact our City Center office, located in Newport News, Virginia.

Implant-Supported Dentures

Dental implants can also be used to hold dentures in place. The dentures may be held in place by an individual dental implant or by multiple dental implants. In either case, the implant-supported dentures look natural and are extremely durable. For more information on dental implants-supported dentures, contact our City Center office today.

Implant-Supported Bridges

Comfortable and natural looking implant-supported bridges fit discreetly over dental implants for optimal support. Available at our City Center office, located in Newport News, Virginia, these effective implant-supported bridges are 100% resistant to decay, so they can last as long as you do!

Invisalign

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Why Invisalign Treatment?

Choose the clear aligner system committed to continuous innovation, with 20 years of clinical research and more than 700 patents. No other clear aligner is backed by the data and experience of 4 million cases.

Up to 50% faster treatment times*

With weekly aligner changes, you are on your way to the smile you want even faster.

Proven results

SmartTrack® material and SmartForce® features are clinically proven to achieve 75% more predictable tooth movement.**

Better fit, better comfort

Aligners made from SmartTrack material are more comfortable, better fitting, and easier to put on and take off.***

Effective for a wide variety of cases

Proprietary SmartForce features and SmartTrack material make Invisalign treatment effective for complex cases. With innovations like these, your doctor can move your teeth more precisely.

Unique feature for teens

Invisalign clear aligners for teens contain compliance indicators that fade from blue to clear to help gauge wear time.

City Center Dental Care is proud to say that one of our excellent doctors, Dr. Sonia Tao-Yi, is an Invisalign Preferred Dentist.  So, look no further!  Give us a call TODAY!  757-873-3001.  We are an Invisalign Preferred Provider in Newport News, VA serving the Hampton Roads area since 1983.

Sedation Dentistry

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Drift though your dental treatment comfortably and relaxed with sedation dentistry.  We can help make dentistry a walk in the park!

Sedation Dentistry or Dental Sedation

For some patients, dentistry can be rather difficult to endure.  Perhaps there was a difficult dental experience early in life, or maybe a low threshold of discomfort.  Whatever the reason, such patients can be very well-served through the enhanced comfort available with sedation dentistry.

Sedation Treatment

For many patients, a trip to the dentist creates an overwhelming sense of panic or anxiety. It is this fear that has kept so many people from getting much-needed dental care. To help patients relax, Dr. Griffin has received advanced training, including advanced cardiac life support, so that he can  offer a revolutionary option called conscious sedation. Conscious sedation dentistry, available at our City Center office in Newport News, allows maximum comfort during dental treatment and is extremely safe. Sedation dentistry helps the patient enter a complete state of relaxation, where he will be virtually unaware of any treatment. The patient is gently awakened after treatment and has no recollection of any discomfort.

Crowns, bonding via sedation treatment

Sedation dentistry allows for a faster, more comfortable dental visit. Dr. Griffin may complete multiple long procedures – even years’ worth of dental work – in just one convenient appointment. A wide variety of procedures and treatments can be accomplished with the aid of sedation dentistry.  At our City Center Newport News, Virginia, office, Dr. Griffin can offer treatment such as crowns,bridges, veneers, extractions, implants, gum treatment and dentures – all in a comfortable environment.  In addition, Dr. Griffin has found over the years that patients who are sedated seem to heal faster and with less discomfort!

TMJ Treatment

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The most complicated joint in the body is the Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ).  There are three main reasons for this.  First, the TMJ is controlled by multiple muscles acting at different angles to allow for opening and closing.  If any one of these muscles is not working properly, then it can throw off the entire range of movement.  Secondly, the TMJ is a bilateral joint – there are two of them, and the operation of one is inseparably tide to the other.  Thirdly, the TMJ is significantly affected by how the teeth come together, such that if a person’s bite is asymmetrical or lopsided, then the joint can be harmed over time.  For all these reasons, it can be a real challenge to diagnose and treat TMJ problems.

Dr. Hayes and Dr. Tao have experience dealing with this complicated joint. They are able to assess and treat TMJ symptoms with occlusal splint therapy. Please call 757-873-3001 for additional information.

Sleep Apnea

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Snoring/Sleep Apnea Treatment

Patients who snore can be an annoyance to themselves, as well as those trying to sleep nearby.  However, many people don’t realize that snoring can be a sign of a more serious problem called Sleep Apnea.  In this condition, a person actually stops breathing during sleep, which greatly reduces the amount of rest they get, and predisposes them to other medical problems.

Dentists Treat Sleep Apnea, Too

Did you know that many dentists are trained to help treat and manage your snoring and sleep apnea? Dental sleep medicine is an area of dental practice that focuses on the use of oral appliance therapy to treat sleep-disordered breathing, including snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Dentists work together with sleep physicians to identify the best treatment for each patient.

If you have trouble tolerating continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy or prefer an alternate treatment for sleep apnea, talk to our dentists about possible treatment options.  Oral appliance therapy can help you and your bed partner get a good night’s sleep, and it will improve your health and quality of life.

Your Health and Quality of Life

The quality of your sleep has a dramatic impact on your health, well-being and overall quality of life. Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea disrupt your sleep and increase your risk of severe health problems. Remember that snoring is a warning sign that should never be ignored. Across the country, many dentists are prepared to provide oral appliance therapy to treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Talk to your doctor and dentist about your treatment options.

Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Snoring is a common warning sign for obstructive sleep apnea. Prior to treatment, you should be diagnosed by a board-certified sleep medicine physician. If you have snoring without sleep apnea, your doctor should give you a prescription for an oral sleep appliance. If you have sleep apnea, your doctor will discuss treatment options with you.

The most common treatment for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. The CPAP machine keeps your airway open by providing forced air through flexible tubing. CPAP therapy requires you to wear a mask as you sleep. Although CPAP therapy is effective, some people are unable to adhere to it. Your doctor should consider giving you a prescription for a sleep apnea appliance if you are unable to tolerate CPAP therapy or prefer an alternate treatment. Many people like an oral appliance because it is comfortable, quiet, portable and easy to wear. In some severe cases of sleep apnea, upper airway surgery may be another treatment option.

Introduction to Oral Appliance Therapy

Dentists pioneered the use of oral appliance therapy for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring in adults. An oral appliance is a device worn in the mouth only during sleep. It fits like a sports mouth guard or orthodontic retainer. A custom-fit oral sleep appliance is an effective treatment that prevents the airway from collapsing by supporting the jaw in a forward position.

Oral appliance therapy is an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and snoring. Provided by a dentist, oral appliance therapy uses a custom-fit, “mouth guard-like” device worn only during sleep. Oral appliance therapy helps maintain an open, unobstructed airway.

Watch video of brief overview of the fitting process for an oral appliance. 

Read more about oral appliance therapy for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

Qualified Dentists and Patient Care

Oral appliance therapy should be provided by a qualified dentist who has technical skill and knowledge in dental sleep medicine. Training in how to provide oral appliance therapy is uncommon in dental schools. So not all dentists have the training or experience to provide optimal care for adults with snoring or sleep apnea.

References

Ramar K, Dort LC, Katz SG, Lettieri CJ, Harrod CG, Thomas SM, Chervin RD. Clinical practice guideline for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring with oral appliance therapy: an update for 2015. Journal of Dental Sleep Medicine2015;2(3):71–125.

Scherr SC, Dort LC, Almeida FR, Bennett KM, Blumenstock NT, Demko BG, Essick GK, Katz SG, McLornan PM, Phillips KS, Prehn RS, Rogers RR, Schell TG, Sheats RD, Sreshta FP. Definition of an effective oral appliance for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. Journal of Dental Sleep Medicine 2014;1(1):51.

Scherr SC, D L, Almeida FR, Bennett KM, et al., authors. Definition of an effective oral appliance for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring: a report of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. Journal of Dental Sleep Medicine2014;1:39–50.

Rogers RR, Remmers J, Lowe AA, Cistulli PA, Prinsell J, Pantino D, Rogers MB. History of dental sleep medicine. Journal of Dental Sleep Medicine 2014;1(1):67–74.

Updated Aug. 7, 2015 by ASDSM.org

Cosmetic Dentistry

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Let us help you create that smile that you’ve always dreamed of!  Your smile will be extraordinary with cosmetic dentistry!

Benefits One-Visit Crowns

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Would you like to have a healthy and natural looking smile in a single visit? City Center Dental Care provides same day dental crowns! Using CEREC technology, we are able to repair chipped, cracked, and damaged teeth in a single visit.

What is the CEREC Machine?

The CEREC Machine can create a porcelain crown in a single visit. In the past, a dental crown would require multiple visits and a temporary crown was worn while you waiting for a laboratory to create a permanent crown. Temporary crowns often do not look natural and can even cause pain if they are not fitted properly. Temporary crowns also require patients to avoid a number of foods as certain foods could cause the tooth to become loose or fall off. The CEREC machine allows patients to have a faster, more esthetic result that requires less injections and drilling, and you can avoid multiple visits and dental impressions to create a crown that suits the natural look of your smile.

How Do Same Day Crowns Work?

We begin the process by preparing the tooth in the same way a traditional crown is created. A digital image of the tooth is created using a special camera instead of an impression mold. The digital image is brought to a screen next to the dental chair where the dentist will guide the machine through the design of the crown. Once the crown has been created, we will cement it into place, and you are good to go home with a completed smile once again!

The Benefits of One-Visit Crowns

City Center Dental Care is pleased to provide one-visit crowns to our patients. Here are 10 benefits of same day crowns:

  1. A new smile today!
    1. You receive a new smile in one visit
  2. Save time
    1. You don’t miss too much work going to multiple appointments
  3. No need for temporary crowns
    1. Avoid a tooth that isn’t aesthetically appealing for several weeks
  4. Digital map of your mouth
    1. No need for impressions and no more discomfort
  5. Natural looking color to match your existing teeth
    1. Multiple color shades available to match your smile
  6. Safe material
    1. CEREC crowns are compatible with the body has they have same characteristics as tooth enamel
  7. Noninvasive procedure
  8. Less prone to cracks
  9. Natural look and feeling and smoothly polished to match your smile
  10. Designed to fit properly to reduce discomfort

For more information about same day crowns, contact our City Center Dental Care office today. Call 757.873.3001

Teeth Whitening

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Do you wish you had a whiter, brighter smile?

Teeth whitening is one of the easiest and most economical ways to enhance your smile! Although whitening toothpastes help brush away surface stains on your teeth, they do not whiten teeth as well as professional products. Professional whitening formulas activate a bleaching process that reverses discolorations of the tooth enamel to provide whiter, long lasting results. Our office recommends two safe and effective whitening options: Take-Home Opalescence and In-Office Opalescence Boost by Ultradent

Download Teeth Whitening Brochure (PDF)

Guidelines for both whitening options

1. Your teeth should be clean. To maximize the effectiveness of either whitening option, all plaque and tartar should first be professionally removed from your teeth. If the in-office Boost option is chosen, the teeth should be cleaned at least 24 hours prior to the treatment to help minimize sensitivity.

2. Your teeth color will lighten, but not the color of your fillings or crowns. If you have had front teeth treated with fillings or crowns, they may not blend in as well after the whitening process. When your treatment is finished, you may want to have previous dentistry replaced so that it will compliment your brighter, more youthful smile.

3. Some temporary sensitivity is normal. The amount and duration of sensitivity that you will experience is variable, but it always goes away with time. Both the in-office and the take-home products contain ingredients that help reduce sensitivity and protect tooth enamel.

4. Whitening can last several years, but it is not permanent. Reasons why teeth become discolored include aging, illness, injury to teeth, some antibiotics, tobacco use, and contact with stain-causing food and drinks over time (e.g., berries, red sauces, coffee, cola, black tea and red wine). If you receive regularly scheduled cleanings, avoid tobacco products, and limit your intake of stain-causing food and drinks, your teeth may stay bright for several years after whitening. You can also periodically touch up your smile by wearing your trays with Opalescence for one day to one week. Our EverWhite plan provides free Opalescence refills for life to our eligible whitening patients! Please ask about this plan and any other whitening questions you have by calling us at 757-873-3001.

Before starting teeth whitening, your oral health is evaluated by one of our dentists.  Almost anyone is a candidate for whitening, however, dark yellow or yellow-brown teeth tend to whiten better than gray or bluish-gray teeth.  Multi-colored teeth, especially those stained due to antibiotics such as tetracycline, will need consistent, long- term treatment.  Both the take-home and in-office Opalescence formulas are chemically activated, so no light or laser is needed for either option.  Also, the color of existing fillings, crowns, inlays and onlays cannot be changed by whitening.

Take-Home Whitening

If this option is chosen, an assistant makes thin, custom-fitted mouth trays for your upper and lower teeth.  At home, you apply the Opalescence carbamide peroxide whitening gel formula into the trays, and wear them for short times each day or overnight.  Significant results can be seen within a week or less, although the rate of whitening can vary considerably from person to person.  This is our most-recommended option because it costs less than Boost whitening yet yields equally beautiful results, just taking a little longer.

In-Office Whitening

Opalescence Boost is a power whitening treatment performed in our office in about two hours that brightens teeth FASTER than the take-home option. To keep your gum tissues comfortable, the assistant covers them with a protective barrier.  Then, the highly concentrated Boost hydrogen peroxide gel formula is applied to the teeth up to three times for 20 minutes each. The advantages of in-office whitening include:

  • You recline in a dental chair while our staff performs the treatments
  • Boost whitening gel is several times stronger than the take- home whitening gel
  • This appointment takes much less total time than you would spend whitening your teeth at home to obtain the same resultsSince in-office whitening treats only the upper and lower front teeth in your “smile zone,” this option also includes the Take-Home Opalescence kit. Additional at-home treatments allow you to decide when all of your teeth have whitened to your satisfaction.

Crowns & Bridges

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Crown and Bridge Treatment is a long-term method of replacing missing teeth or badly broken teeth. A crown is placed over an individual tooth, molding to the surrounding bone structure. This method is used when there is no longer sufficient tooth structure left to place a filling. A bridge spans a space where one or more teeth have been lost in the dental arch. The teeth on either end of the span are crowned and are referred to as abutments or anchors. The false teeth in a bridge that join the abutments are referred to as pontics.

Crowns and bridges are made from superior biologically compatible materials, precious metals (gold), ceramics, composites, or a combination thereof. Most dental restorative methods require more than one visit to the dentist. Esthetics, biocompatibility, function, and long term predictability are considered when selecting the dental material most suitable for you. In our practice, getting a crown is done in one visit! Patients do not need to wait in order to have a permanent crown made at a lab, they are made right in the office of biocompatable ceramic materials containing no metal using the CEREC cadcam process.

Missing teeth can also be restored with dental implants, which are made of titanium, and have a long-term record of success and also seem to have a high level of biocompatability.