Cosmetic dentistry can be transformative to your smile and your confidence.
Our office also specializes in cosmetic dentistry, which means that we not only pay attention to the health and function of your teeth, but we also pay close attention to esthetics. We want you to maintain great oral health but we also want you to have a beautiful smile and the confidence to smile often.
With our expertise and advanced technology, we can help you visualize and attain the beautiful smile you want. Using just one procedure, such as veneers, or a combination of procedures, we can transform your smile and help you have the confidence that comes with knowing your smile looks great.
Here are the procedures used alone or in combination to create beautiful smiles.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth will naturally lose their brightness over time. Drinking coffee or tea, or smoking, as well as certain childhood medications can cause teeth to discolor or darken even faster than normal.
Whitening, also known as bleaching, is the procedure used to brighten teeth. There are two different ways to achieve a desired whiter smile: in-office bleaching and at-home bleaching.
Teeth whitening can provide a dramatic difference in a short amount of time.
In-office bleaching usually requires only one office visit. A protective gel or a rubber shield is placed over the gums to protect the soft tissue. A bleaching agent containing carbamide peroxide is applied to the teeth, and a specialized light is then used to enhance the action of the whitening agent. This is the fastest way to achieve results.
At-home bleaching requires an impression of the teeth to be taken to make a customized mouth guard to hold the whitening gel, which contains carbide peroxide, against the teeth. Once the mouth guard is made, it is worn for a period of time, as instructed by our office. The amount of time may vary from a couple hours a day or all night, to up to four weeks or longer, if desired.
Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain used to recreate the natural appearance of teeth. To place a veneer, a thin layer of the original tooth enamel must be removed. Afterward, an adhesive layer is placed between the prepared tooth and the veneer. The adhesive is then hardened with the use of a specialized curing light.
Cosmetic Bonding
Cosmetic bonding is the process of filling or restoring teeth with a tooth-colored material in order to improve a tooth’s appearance. In order to bond a tooth, composite material is added to the tooth structure to adjust the size, shape or color of the existing tooth.
Bonding is often used to:
- Correct the shape of a chipped tooth
- Correct the appearance of a cracked tooth
- Provide more even tooth color
Advantages of bonding over other treatments include:
- Bonding can be a less expensive treatment than other cosmetic options
- An appointment for bonding treatment usually takes less than one hour to complete
- Bonding usually allows the tooth’s structure to be preserved
- Bonding may sometimes be preferred over veneers or crowns but may not be as long-lasting or durable. Bonding material can stain from coffee, tea, tobacco or some foods, so proper home care is important.
Microabrasion
This technique can minimize or eliminate stains, yellowing or spots by removing a very thin layer of the tooth’s enamel.
Cosmetic Services May Also Include