Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry

Dr. Pooley has been an Invisalign® Preferred Provider and has helped many patients achieve their ideal smile with Invisalign® treatment since 2009. This innovative technology straightens crowded or spaced out teeth with a series of clear, virtually invisible, custom-molded aligners. These aligners replace the wires and brackets of traditional braces, making orthodontic care practically unnoticeable to others. And, unlike traditional braces, these clear aligners can be removed while you eat and brush your teeth.

The average Invisalign® course of treatment takes about a year. During that time, you will change to a new set of aligners every two weeks. Each set of aligners gently moves your teeth one step closer to their optimal position until you develop a beautiful, healthy smile. This treatment promotes healthy gums, improved chewing, and less abnormal tooth wear.

Please call us to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Pooley to see if Invisalign® is right for you.

Using porcelain veneers from Empress Ceramics, Dr. Pooley can completely reshape your teeth for a beautiful, white smile. Many people suffer from dental problems such as:

• Stained or discolored teeth
• Unsightly gaps between front teeth
• Chipped teeth
• Rough or jagged edges on front teeth
• Teeth that are too small or large in proportion to the rest of the mouth
• Crooked teeth
• Worn teeth

These can be corrected with a thin shell of porcelain that covers the front of each tooth (known as veneers). Veneers bond directly to the front of the tooth, similar to the way artificial fingernails work. Each veneer is a work of art, carefully crafted in a dental laboratory to fit your individual smile.

Although they are highly durable, porcelain veneers are not permanent. Well-crafted veneers will last many years, but will eventually need to be replaced.

If you have ever worried about having dull, gray or yellowed teeth, you’re not alone. Many everyday things like coffee, tea and wine can significantly discolor teeth. Some foods, such as berries and chocolate, can also stain teeth. Aging and smoking can also cause dull or discolored teeth.

Fortunately, Opalescence BOOST is ideal for patients who want whiter teeth immediately, because it safely and effectively delivers visible results in one 2 hour visit. Take home whitening trays are included in this procedure for continued at home whitening and touch ups.

The advantages are excellent:

• Significant whitening results in just one visit
• Long lasting
• Chemically activated-no light needed
• 38% hydrogen peroxide
• Includes potassium nitrate and fluoride for stronger enamel and decreased sensitivity

Comparison of Whitening Options:

Opalescence BOOST In-Office

Treatment Length: 2 hour visit and continued home use
Average Result: 4-6 shades*
Professional Home Trays

Treatment Length: 7-14 days
Average Result: 3-5 shades*
Whitening Strips / Paint on Gel

Treatment Length: 7-30 days
Average Result: 2-4 shades*
Whitening Toothpaste

Treatment Length: 30+ days
Average Result: 1-2 shades**A shade is a color matching key used by dentists to determine the brightness of teeth. Each patient’s result may vary depending on the patients starting shade.

Do you suffer from chipped or jagged teeth? Wish you could fill in the gaps between your teeth? With bonding from Dr. Tom Pooley and his expert team, you can!

Bonding uses a composite resin, which is a tooth-colored material, to match the natural look and shape of your teeth. The material is bonded to the surface of your teeth and carefully sculpted to keep a natural appearance while covering or replacing the problem area. It is then “cured” or hardened with an intense ultraviolet light.

Bonding is a great alternative to porcelain veneers or crowns for those with smaller budgets.

At River Valley Dental, traditional amalgam (silver) fillings are in the past. We offer tooth-colored composite restorations to all our patients. If you are suffering from decay or want to replace your old silver filling then we are the practice for you.

A composite restoration is a tooth-colored, free from mercury, quartz-like material. After Dr. Pooley removes the decay from a tooth, the composite is layered into the tooth. Each layer is hardened or cured with highly intense visible light and is then shaped and polished to match the tooth. The final restoration is essentially invisible.

In severe cases of decay, Dr. Pooley may recommend inlays, onlays, or a dental crown.

An infected tooth due to decay or injury can cause a number of symptoms, such as chronic tooth pain from contact with hot and cold liquids, pain from pressure or biting down, and an increased risk of the tooth dying.

Inside each tooth is a pulp chamber that contains the nerves and blood supply for the tooth. When the pulp becomes infected due to decay or injury to the tooth, the pulp must be removed from the center of the tooth and the canals of each root. After Dr. Pooley removes the pulp, the remaining chamber is then filled with a rubber-based material to seal it off.

All teeth that have had root canal therapy must be protected with a crown. Our experienced team uses modern technology and comforts to make your experience is as painless and effective as possible.

When your tooth becomes extensively decayed, damaged, or fractured then a dental crown can protect it.

A crown (often called a “cap”) covers the tooth and restores it back to its original shape and size. Dr. Pooley will start by removing decay from the tooth, and then take a highly accurate impression of the prepared surface. This impression is then sent to a dental laboratory and used to create a model of the tooth, which is then used to create a porcelain (tooth colored) crown. Finally, the crown is returned to our office and bonded to the prepared surface of the tooth.

Crowns protect and strengthen the remaining tooth structure and will fit almost perfectly onto the prepared tooth, creating a virtually seamless margin between the crown and the tooth. This helps minimize the risk of decay forming under the crown.

All porcelain (Celtra) crowns can be placed on both anterior and posterior teeth. The Celtra crown produces long-lasting, natural-looking, high-quality standards.

Bridges are a great way to replace missing teeth and prevent potential complications that come along with this issue.

A bridge is a fixed appliance attached to the teeth on either side of the space where a tooth is missing. An artificial tooth is placed in the middle of the bridge to fill the gap. Dr. Pooley prepares the teeth on either side of the gap for crowns (see crowns) and takes a highly accurate impression of the prepared area. This impression is sent to a dental laboratory and used to create a porcelain (tooth colored) bridge. The bridge is then returned to our office and cemented onto the prepared surface of the teeth, effectively creating the appearance of a “new” tooth.

In some instances, a resin-bonded bridge may be used. In this case, the teeth on either side of the gap are not prepared for crowns. Instead, the bridge consists of a false tooth with metal brackets on the back extending to either side. The brackets are attached to the back of the natural tooth on each side.

Dentures are prosthetic devices constructed to replace missing teeth; they are supported by surrounding soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity. Conventional dentures are removable; however, there are many different denture options available, some which rely on bonding or clasping onto teeth or dental implants.

Some denture options include:

• Immediate Dentures: These are placed “immediately” after your teeth have been removed.
• Complete Dentures: This type of denture replaces all teeth on either your lower or upper arch.
• Partial Dentures: Replaces one tooth or several missing teeth on an arch.
• Overdenture: Dental implants or the roots of your natural teeth support this style of dentures.
• Implant Dentures: A fixed denture that is supported by dental implants.

Whatever type of denture you need, rest assured that Dr. Pooley will be able to guide you to the ideal solution.

When you have a missing tooth, it is only natural to want to replace it as soon as possible. After all, a missing tooth can result in loss of confidence, potential bite or jaw problems, a sunken face, and so much more.

With dental implants, you can restore your smile and your confidence! A dental implant is a fixed appliance used to replace the roots of a missing tooth. Dr. Pooley works in conjunction with an Oral Surgeon during the implant process. The Oral Surgeon surgically inserts the implant into to the jaw bone, then an artificial tooth (crown) is attached to the top of the implant by Dr. Pooley, creating a natural looking, virtually undetectable replacement for the missing tooth. Implants are strong, stable, durable, and long-lasting.

In the event that more than one tooth is missing, several implants may provide a base for a series of artificial teeth known as a fixed bridge (see fixed bridges.) Implants can even be used to secure a full set of removable dentures for people who have no remaining natural teeth.