Implants and Cosmetic Dentistry for Patients Coming From Shelby
Shelby, the seat of Cleveland County, lies along US 74 on the western edge of the Charlotte area, with Gastonia about 21 miles to the east. Our office is at 3135 Springbank Lane, Suite 150, in south Charlotte, so a visit is a real trip. We suggest checking your route in advance and allowing extra time, especially on weekday mornings.
Because of the distance, we work to make each appointment count. Dr. Edwin Porter, DDS, FAGD, DICOI, plans cases with 3D imaging and digital tools, and a complimentary consultation will show how treatment could be organized.
Dental Implants for Lasting Tooth Replacement
A lost tooth leaves a gap that affects chewing, speech and the bone below. An implant addresses all three with a titanium root and a crown that is color-matched to the teeth around it.
No grinding down neighboring teeth is needed, which is the main trade-off with a traditional bridge.
Dentures that slide are frustrating, and relining them only helps for a while. Fixing the denture to implants gives you a stable result that you do not have to hold in place with adhesive.
The implants also help prevent the jaw from shrinking the way it does under a standard denture.
If a full upper or lower set of teeth needs replacing, All-on-4 uses four implants to carry a permanent bridge. The functional teeth can often be placed the same day as surgery.
Since our team handles imaging, planning and the lab work together, fewer handoffs happen between steps.
For travelers especially, a calm appointment makes the day easier. Nitrous oxide, oral sedation and IV sedation are all available.
Oral and IV sedation mean you cannot drive afterward, so plan on a ride for the trip home from Charlotte.
Cosmetic Treatments to Update Your Smile
Stains from coffee, tea, tobacco or aging respond to professional whitening more than to anything off the shelf. The treatment is done here under our care.
If you are planning other cosmetic work, whitening is usually done first so the new restorations match.
Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible and removable, which suits adults who would rather not wear braces. They are made from digital scans to fit your teeth specifically.
Dr. Porter is a top Invisalign provider in his area. You change to a new set of aligners in sequence as your teeth shift.
Porcelain veneers are a way to reshape the look of front teeth. Think of them as a thin custom covering that corrects chips, gaps, uneven size and stubborn color.
They are matched to your natural shade so they blend with the rest of your smile.
Crowns strengthen and cover teeth that have broken, worn down or been repaired many times. Bridges close the space left by missing teeth by linking replacements to supports on each side.
CEREC same-day crowns can cut down on return trips, which matters when you are traveling to the office.
Fewer Trips, Clearer Plans
When you are coming from farther away, a clear plan helps. At the consultation we outline each stage of treatment, which steps can be combined, and what to expect before the next visit.
The consultation is complimentary, and we are out-of-network friendly. Financing is available through CareCredit, Cherry and Proceed, and patients without insurance can ask about our Premier Dental Savings Program.
Dr. Edwin Porter
Dr. Edwin Porter, DDS, FAGD, DICOI, is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He has been recognized as a Top Dentist in Charlotte and is a top Invisalign provider in his area.
His office uses cone beam imaging, digital impressions and an in-house lab so your plan can be reviewed in detail up front.
Replacing an Entire Arch With All-on-4
Living without most of your teeth in one jaw affects nutrition, speech and confidence, and the jawbone gradually loses density as time passes.
All-on-4 supports a full arch on four implants, with the rear ones tilted to take advantage of the bone that is already there. Whether it is right for you depends on your scans and health history.
Everything from digital planning to the lab work takes place with our team. Surgery day often ends with a working set of teeth, and the final bridge follows after the area heals.
Shelby Patients Ask: Planning Your Visit
Shelby is the Cleveland County seat, on US 74 about 21 miles west of Gastonia. Our office is at 3135 Springbank Lane, Suite 150, in south Charlotte (28226). We do not quote drive times because they vary with traffic, so check your route on the day and allow extra time for your first appointment.
Often we can. Planning, surgery and restorations all happen in one office, and same-day CEREC crowns are possible for many cases. At your consultation we will go over which steps may be combined for your situation.
The consultation is complimentary. We are out-of-network friendly and will help you understand your benefits. For patients without insurance, our Premier Dental Savings Program and financing through CareCredit, Cherry or Proceed are available.
If you choose oral or IV sedation, arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home. Nitrous oxide is lighter and wears off faster, but we still recommend discussing it ahead of time. We will go over plans when you book.
There are single implants for one tooth, implant-supported bridges and dentures for several, and All-on-4 for a full arch. Which is right depends on your bone, your bite and what you want your smile to do.
Sometimes. The angled back implants are intended to make use of available bone. Dr. Porter will review your 3D images and health history before recommending it.
Veneers are custom porcelain shells, and most types involve removing a thin layer of enamel. Lumineers are an ultra-thin brand that often involve little or no removal. Both are cosmetic coverings, and the right one depends on your teeth.
Whitening can be done first so that any crowns or veneers are matched to the brightened shade. Invisalign is for straightening, and who qualifies depends on the health of your teeth and gums. We can sequence both at the consultation.
Sedation Dentistry for Longer Appointments
Some procedures take time, and not everyone is comfortable lying back that long. Nervousness around dental work is common and nothing to be embarrassed about.
We have three levels of sedation: nitrous oxide, oral and IV. After oral or IV sedation you will need a driver, so please arrange a ride before you set out for Charlotte.
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