Cosmetic Dentistry Services
Are you unhappy with your smile? Cosmetic dentistry offers you the opportunity to make positive changes to your teeth and to your smile. We can help correct imperfections, repair damage, and restore your teeth to their natural beauty. Our cosmetic dental services include whitening, crowns, bridges, dentures and implants. Let our dentists create the stunning smile you have always wanted today!
Teeth Whitening
The increased demand for pearly white teeth has led to the proliferation of individuals offering teeth whitening services without a dental license. Don’t risk damaging your teeth by using those fly-by-night whitening services at the mall. White teeth do not automatically equate to healthy teeth. Before using any teeth whitening service/product, consult with your dentist to ensure your teeth are healthy enough for the treatment and remain so afterward.
Take-Home Whitening Trays
The tray method is recommended for badly stained teeth. The process begins by taking impressions of your teeth. The impressions are then sent to the laboratory for fabrication of custom vinyl whitening trays. A whitening gel, carbamide peroxide, is placed in these trays and the trays are worn for about 3 hours per day, or overnight. Three different strengths of gel may be used. The higher the strength, however, the greater the likelihood of reactions or tooth sensitivity. The home tray whitening method takes three (3) to four (4) weeks of daily use. It may also take several months of use to see significant color improvement. For maintenance of whitened teeth, the trays should be used every several months. Benefits of using the tray method include less post-treatment sensitivity and cost, which is nearly half as expensive as the in-office procedure. The end results, whether using trays at home or having in-house bleaching, is the same – a bright and radiant smile!
Restorative Dentistry
Chipped, cracked, discolored, and even missing teeth can all be addressed through restorative dental treatments. Depending on the extent of damage, we may recommend one or several of the following cosmetic dentistry solutions.
Crowns
Crowns are used to fully cover a tooth that is weak or too decayed to be fully restored with a filling. This is generally done following a root canal treatment or when a large filling wears out. A weakened tooth is at risk of breaking or cracking, which is a serious matter and much more difficult to treat. Crowns ride over the weakened tooth, restoring strength and protecting the tooth from additional damage that can be caused by normal biting and chewing. Using Cerec 3D CAD/CAM imaging, our office can prepare and deliver a crown the same day.
Bridges
Bridges fill the gap created by a missing tooth, both functionally and cosmetically. Traditionally, a bridge is created by placing a crown on each of the natural teeth on either side of the gap. Then, a false tooth (or teeth) is anchored to the crowns. The bridge can also be anchored to implants, if needed. The materials used to create the false tooth include: gold alloys, porcelain bonded to metal alloy, or all ceramic. The choice of material depends on the requirements for strength, wear, and/or aesthetics. Options should be discussed with your dentist. Delaying replacement of a missing tooth can lead to long-term complications, such as bone loss, damage to adjacent teeth, gum disease, eating difficulties and TMJ. Bridges evenly distribute the force of chewing and biting while preventing dental complications that can occur when a tooth is missing. There is a slight recovery period and it may take some time for you to become accustomed to your bridge, but within a short period your appearance will be restored and you’ll regain normal functionality of your teeth.
Veneers
Veneers are a way for you to take back your smile and fix discolored, chipped or decaying teeth. A veneer is a porcelain, tooth colored shell that is placed as a cover over the front of an individual tooth to restore its bright and healthy appearance. While it’s a common solution to these issues, a consultation is still necessary to determine if veneers are right for you. The process of receiving a veneer involves removing a layer of enamel from your tooth, which means it’s irreversible. Veneers can still stain or chip, so your dentist may recommend you stay away from certain foods and drinks to keep them looking fresh.
Dentures
When bone loss around the roots of teeth is great enough to loosen them, or allow them fall out, it’s time for dentures. There are different types of dentures, such as implant dentures and conventional dentures, but they all share a common goal – replacing your natural teeth, recreating your smile, and allowing you to eat regular foods.
Conventional Dentures (Full & Partial)
Our denture process begins by examining the entire mouth. We need to assess the health of your teeth and jaw, and to determine which teeth, if any, can remain. Partial dentures can be created if there are natural teeth that are healthy and strong enough to remain in the mouth. Complete dentures are made when all teeth need to be extracted. Following the extraction of the loose or unhealthy teeth, there is an adjustment period. Your gums will need to heal and you will need time to adjust to your dentures. Once accustomed to the dentures, however, you’ll enjoy full functionality and an improved appearance.