Cosmetic Dentistry
From Teeth Whitening to Veneers
Cosmetic Dentistry is any procedure that corrects imperfections in the appearance of the mouth. Anyone who is unhappy with their smile can have it fixed. Normally when smiling, only the upper teeth show while the lower teeth remain hidden. This is reversed when talking, with the upper teeth remaining hidden while the lower teeth show. The color, alignment, spacing as well as regularity of the teeth are the characteristics that give the overall appearance. Any of these can be repaired to give a stunning look to the mouth.
We offer a wide variety of cosmetic options. Some of these options are teeth whitening, smile design, recontouring the shape of the teeth, veneers, bonding, and all-ceramic/porcelain crowns. Let us tell you about a few of them.
Teeth Whitening – in the Office or at Home
Teeth whitening makes the teeth whiter, and therefore appear more attractive. Our office uses several methods: In-office Teeth Whitening, Take-Home Trays, and Disposable Trays. Our In-office Teeth Whitening procedure is safe, effective, and very fast. In just over an hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter. The convenience of In-office Teeth Whitening compared to days of using strips or wearing trays makes it the perfect choice for the busy person.
The In-office Teeth Whitening procedure is simple. It begins with a short preparation to isolate your lips and gums. The clinician then applies the proprietary whitening gel. Teeth typically become at least six to ten shades whiter, sometimes more. You’ll be amazed by the results. In most cases, teeth whitening continues for the first few days after the procedure. Trays with teeth whitening gel are recommended afterward for maximum teeth whitening and maintenance.
The Custom Take-Home Teeth Whitening Tray method involves having impressions taken from which laboratory-made custom vinyl trays are created. A carbamide peroxide gel is placed in these trays and the trays with gel are worn for about 1-3 hours, or overnight. This entire teeth whitening process takes 2-3 weeks of daily use. Three different strengths of teeth whitening gel may be used, however the higher the strength, the greater the likelihood of tooth sensitivity. For maintenance of teeth whitening, the trays should be used every several months.
Disposable Teeth Whitening Trays are the simplest way to whiten teeth quickly. These teeth whitening trays come pre-loaded with teeth whitening gel and may be worn for 15-60 minutes, depending on the strength of the gel. You will see results very quickly.
The end results, whether using In-office Teeth Whitening, Custom Take-Home Trays, or Disposable Trays is the same. The differences are in the cost and the time it takes to complete.
Veneers
Veneers are a dental procedure in which a covering is placed over the outside (visible area) of the tooth. In this way, the teeth are shaped to be more aesthetically pleasing. We usually place veneers only on the six upper and lower anterior (front) teeth because those are most visible when talking and smiling. The procedure can be direct or indirect.
In the direct technique usually we place composite resin on the outside of the tooth using bonding. This method is usually referred to as “Bonding.”
The indirect technique usually involves two appointments because the veneers will be fabricated at a dental laboratory. At the first appointment, we prepare the teeth, take impressions or scan the teeth, and give the teeth a temporary covering that will look natural. In one to three weeks, when the veneers come back from the laboratory, we remove the temporaries and bond the veneers to the teeth. These veneers are usually made of porcelain or pressed ceramic and look like natural teeth.
The advantage of using veneers instead of crowns to reshape the tooth is that with veneers, we remove much less tooth material, and the procedure is generally more comfortable. Crowns are recommended for teeth needing large fillings or those having little tooth structure left.
Bonding
Bonding involves adhering composite resin material that is matched to the color of the tooth, to the front of the tooth. This is done to repair damage done to the tooth by decay, to alter the alignment of the tooth, close gaps between the teeth, or for cosmetic purposes.
First the surface of the tooth is roughened in order to accept the bonding and hold it. A gel is applied to micro etch the tooth surface, and a primer/bond agent is applied so the material adheres to the surface. Then the material itself is placed on the tooth and hardened with intense light. The composite resin material is shaped and polished to get a lustrous finish as a last step.