:: Welcome to Our Seattle Dental Practice
January 15, 2010
Some companies market products that are made of clear plastic that are designed to move teeth orthodontically. While the idea is solid, the results are rarely what was desired. If “close†is good enough, then there IS satisfaction, but many people today desire perfection.
Brackets and wires have been around for a long time. Recently, advances in technology allow them to be tooth colored, so the results are more predictable and more affordable without compromise in looks. While not COMPLETELY invisible, the tradeoff is worth it!
In the example below, “clearly†the brackets and wires are NOT unattractive!Â
 
Which one has the brackets?
If you would like straight teeth, call Dr Timmerman at 206-241-5533 to learn more!
November 18, 2009
Dr Timmerman is excited to offer digital dental impressions by Cadent. The iTero machine allows for impression taking WITHOUT gooey gunk. No gagging, but the best part is the accuracy.
iTero captures the prep, emails the info, creates CAD/CAM models which are sent to the dental lab for final crown/bridge/veneer fabrication.
The accuracy is unsurpassed. Most crowns are placed permanently in the mouth with NO adjustments. From a patient comfort perspective, wouldn’t it be nice to come in and mere minutes later be on the road again? All dental impression materials distort to a degree and talented labs must compensate. With iTero, there is no need to compensate and the accuracy and fit are simply a given.
If you would like the best that dentistry has to offer, call 206-241-5533!
November 17, 2009
Quite often people ask for “No Prep Veneers”. When the case allows, the results can be fantastic.
However, most cases do not allow this. Most people have teeth that overlap to a certain degree, or are flared out and would need to be brought in. If tooth structure is located in an area where none should be, then it would need to be removed to create the ideal appearance. This eliminates the case from “No Prep” consideration.
This is not a bad thing. “Prep” veneers do not weaken teeth, and usually are stronger than if the teeth were not restored at all. The result is both beautiful AND strong.
November 14, 2009
Dr Timmerman is asked all the time for cheap esthetic or cosmetic dentistry. Honestly, nobody wants this. Dr Timmerman wants to provide care that people want and are proud of, and people want care that warrants pride.
He often talks of the “3 E’s of Dentistry”. These are esthetic, economics and efficiency. You can have 2, but not all three. If you want them to be pretty and quick, they won’t be cheap. If you want them to be cheap and efficient, they won’t be pretty. If you want them to be pretty and cheap, they won’t be efficient (quick or convenient).
We ALL want our cake and to eat it too. Sometimes, cutting corners is not a good idea. Do you want cheap brain surgery? You might not like the outcome. Same with cosmetic dentistry.
Low fees come at a premium. What corners are being cut in order to save you money? Do you want veneers created in China, where we don’t really know what they are made from? There are many cases of materials made in Asia where the results are NOT what one would want. When it comes to one’s health, is that REALLY a wise thing?
November 12, 2009
Branding works. With the internet, patients are learning material options and even ask by BRAND! That didn’t happen in the past, people just came in, got advice and trusted the dentist to do a good job.
There is nothing wrong with asking for materials by brand. Most of the time, the choice is a great one. But sometimes the material is NOT a great choice, and Dr Timmerman can share the reasons why.
One of the great new materials on the market today is from Ivoclar Vivadent.
eMax.
This comes in several types, pressed or CAD. Zirconium can be a part of it too, called ZirPress or ZirCAD. eMax and eMax HT (high translucency for a natural look). All flavors have advantages and settings that are more ideal.
If eMAx is the material you desire, call 206-241-5533 today!
November 10, 2009
In the past, dental offices had a “unique” smell and the experience was often less than pleasant. Dr Timmerman offers an experience unlike many others. With the aromatherapy candles, the paraffin hand waxing and the heated neck pillows, you will almost forget it is a dental office!
Although Dr Timmerman is skilled enough to make the appointments quicker than expected, you can’t stay all day.
Come see what all of the fuss is all about! 206-241-5533.
October 25, 2009
Botox has many uses. Popular amongst the cosmetic people, there is also a very therapeutic use. While the goal of TMJ care should be the elimination of the problem, relief of symptoms is a goal as well.
For some people, the process to diagnose and treat TMJ disorders is beyond what they want to do. Therapeutic use o botox, in the masseter muscles and temporalis muscles, can provide relief. Botox effects WILL wear off over time, usually within 3-6 months.
If you would like to know more about Botox and how it can help you, call 206-241-5533.
October 24, 2009
As time has gone on, people have developed allergies to metals. People with old fashioned crowns called PFM’s (porcelain fused to metal) that have been in service for many years suddenly have inflammed gum tissues. Replacing these restorations with metal free alternatives allows the tissues to return to normal, proving that the metal was a primary factor.
Mercury amalgam fillings in the past were the only choice when filling decayed cavities. With bonding technology developments, mercury amalgam fillings are no longer necesary, and composite resin fillings can be used.
Dr Timmerman replaces many mercury amalgam fillings but never places them. Some dentists offer both, but since Dr Timmerman would never place them in his daughter’s mouth, he feels that the same level of care should be given to his patients.
If you have metal restorations and would like an upgrade, or if you are facing treatment that includes metal restorations, call 206-241-5533 today to find out your options!
October 16, 2009
Dr Timmerman doesn’t use the phrase “instant orthodontics†often, because it can be misleading. Orthodontics is moving teeth, either with brackets and wires or with retainers or Invisalign. “Instant orthodontics†is in quotes, because while the results are instant, the teeth are not actually moving.
By placing porcelain veneers, teeth can appear straight when in fact they didn’t move at all. Veneers allow the illusion of alignment as well as gaining proper shapes and desired color. If done right, the first visit can be so drastic that it looks like an instant change.
Porcelain veneer smile makeovers can be completed in as few as two visits, so if you would like to know more, call 206-241-5533 today!
September 23, 2009
There are some things in life that finding the lowest cost makes sense. Video equipment in one store is the same as another, so the lowest price is a wise search. But in health care, is that really a good idea? Would a discount brain surgeon be worth the savings (although in the end, if you are a vegetable, do you really care?)?
A fair amount of our cosmetic cases are redoing work from another dentist. There are many fantastic dentists out there that really do a wonderful job with cosmetics, but there seem to be MORE that just “prep and pray†that the end result is nice. And for some people, that is all they want.
If I am redoing work done by others, did the people REALLY save any money? The fee is NOT less when redoing the work, it is often MORE expensive, since there is MORE work needed when fixing a botched case. Sometimes when originally 8-10 veneers is all that was needed, a redo is 8-10 veneers AND a few root canals or implants.
Consumers need to do some homework. Not all dentists are trained equally. Not all have experience in cosmetics. If you would like to know more, call 206-241-5533.
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