Imagine yourself with a brilliant, white smile. Teeth whitening can refresh and brighten your smile. One of the easiest and most popular cosmetic dental procedures, teeth whitening can make a dramatic difference in your appearance. Teeth whitening treatments can drastically improve the appearance of your smile by concealing stains caused by soda, coffee, tea, smoking, or other products that discolor teeth. We offer both in-office and at-home whitening treatments. Our in-office treatment allows you to walk out of the practice in about an hour with the results you deserve. For those who prefer at-home teeth whitening, Dr. Collins also provides a tray whitening system that has proven successful for our patients. Whatever your lifestyle, we have an effective and convenient whitening solution for you.

At the practice of Mark W. Collins, we offer tooth-colored restorations and fillings that give your smile a beautiful and natural looking appearance. Composite fillings are made of resin filled with porcelain particles; the fillings are bonded to the teeth during placement. Research has shown that a well-sealed composite filling can restore the strength of a decayed tooth to almost the level as an unfilled tooth. Larger cavities may require porcelain onlays to properly restore the shape and function of a broken or decayed tooth.

Having the smile you’ve always wanted has never been so simple. Completed in a relatively short time, porcelain veneers transform years of wear and imperfections to the dazzling perfect smile you’ve dreamed about. Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made restorations that are bonded to your existing teeth. They have a translucency and polish that can look like an incredibly beautiful natural tooth. Porcelain veneers can be used for a variety of cosmetic improvements on a person’s smile. They can repair a single tooth or an entire mouthful of teeth. Porcelain veneers are the answer for instant orthodontics to straighten smiles, close spaces, and reshape your teeth, or to conceal chips and stains.

Crowns are dental restorations that fit over an entire tooth to restore the normal size and shape of the tooth. Crowns may be necessary when teeth have broken down old fillings or are damaged due to fracture or decay. Crowns are also used to improve the appearance of natural teeth that are misaligned or malformed. Crowns are made of natural looking porcelain and are designed to improve your smile or to blend in with your natural teeth.

A dental implant is an artificial root that is placed into your jaw by an oral surgeon or periodontist. Dr. Collins then attaches an artificial tooth onto the implant, allowing you to regain the full function and feel of the missing tooth.

Sleep Dentistry (Oral-conscious Sedation)

Imagine not being afraid of going to the dentist, having all of your dental care completed in one or two appointments, and being able to smile with confidence and chew food without pain after years of putting off dental work. If this is you, you may want to see if you are a candidate for conscious sedation dentistry.

What is Sedation Dentistry?
Conscious sedation dentistry is an altered state of consciousness, where you become disassociated with your surroundings. Memory, anxiety, and perception of pain are greatly reduced, and you become relaxed and comfortable. Many people think they have been asleep because they cannot remember anything that went on from the time the sedation was started until they left the office. Years of neglect can be reversed in a few hours!

Who is a Good Candidate?
Any reasonably healthy person can have conscious sedation dentistry. It is generally considered for adult patients who have a fear of dental visits, have had previous traumatic dental experiences, have difficulty getting numb, have a bad gag reflex, have very sensitive teeth, or do not like shots and needles or the noises and smells associated with dental care.

How is Sedation Dentistry done?
Before starting any treatment, Dr. Collins will meet with you and review your medical history and explain how sedation dentistry can work for you. Often, oral pre-medication is given to you to help you relax before your appointment and may be prescribed for you to take the night before and the morning of your visit. A companion will take you to and from our office. Our experienced clinical team will make sure you are relaxed and completely comfortable. You will be continually monitored throughout the procedure. Our patients have no discomfort during or after treatment and usually very little memory of the visit.

Is Sedation Dentistry safe?
Yes, but it is important that you let us know about any and all medications you are taking and any medical problems that you may have had, so that the sedation procedure can reflect your special needs. Oral sedation has been used in dentistry for over 30 years and is considered very safe.

Invisalign® is the invisible way to straighten without braces. Invisalign® uses a series of clear, removable aligners to straighten teeth. You wear each set of aligners for about two weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next, your teeth will move- little by little, week by week- until they have straightened to the final position Dr. Collins has prescribed. You visit our office about once every six weeks to ensure treatment is progressing as planned. This treatment will give you the smile you have always wanted without the braces you’ve always avoided.

Our office uses digital imaging and radiographs (x-rays), which provide up to 80% lower radiation to the patient.

Gum disease is one of the most common diseases in the United States, affecting about 90% of American adults to some degree. Gum disease is caused by plaque and tartar, the latter of which can be removed only during a professional hygiene treatment by a dentist or hygienist. Left untreated, periodontal disease can do serious damage to gum tissue, teeth, and underlying bone, and has also been linked to heart disease. Thankfully, regular periodontal screenings and proper hygiene can help to control the disease. This is one of the reasons that Dr. Collins encourages all of his patients to schedule regular oral exams, even if they are not experiencing discomfort at the time. If you consult a dentist early enough in the progression of the disease, there is an excellent chance that the infection can be controlled through deep cleaning and medication.

Of course the best way to combat disease and tooth pain is to take steps to prevent them from occurring beforehand. Although advances in dental technology have made it possible for Dr. Collins to restore the health of your mouth with relative ease and comfort, it is always preferable to preserve and protect your existing teeth. In addition to maintaining a sensible oral hygiene regimen, it is essential that you visit your dentist regularly to have your teeth professionally cleaned and screened for potential problems. By doing so, you increase the chances that your natural teeth will serve you well for your entire life.

Our office accepts most insurance plans. Our staff can also help with payment options that work with your budget. Interest-free and low-interest financing plans are available.