COSMETIC DENTISTRY

This can be anything done to correct imperfections in the appearance of the mouth. Anyone who is unhappy with their smile can have it fixed. The upper teeth show, usually, only when smiling, 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 whitening, smile design, re contouring of the shape of the teeth, veneers, bonding, and all ceramic/porcelain crowns.

WHITENING

This is the procedure of making teeth whiter, and therefore more attractive. Our office uses several methods: In office chair-side whitening, passive tray whitening, and professional strength white strips.

Chair-side whitening is a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure. It’s safe effective and fast, very fast. In just over an hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter. The convenience of chair-side whitening in comparison to days of using strips or wearing trays makes it the perfect choice for the busy individual. The one hour chair-side whitening procedure is simple. It begins with a short preparation to isolate your lips and gums. The clinician then applies the proprietary whitening gel that will lighten and whiten your teeth. Teeth typically become at least six to ten shades whiter, sometimes more. A calcium phosphate treatment completes the procedure. You’ll be amazed with the results. In most cases, teeth get even whiter the first few days after the procedure. Trays with gel are recommended afterward for maximum whitening and maintenance.

The tray method involves having impressions taken from which laboratory fabricated custom vinyl trays are made. A carbamide peroxide gel is placed in these trays and the trays with gel are worn for 1 hour. The entire process takes 1-2 weeks of daily use. Three different strengths of gel may be used, however the higher the strength the greater the likelihood of reactions or tooth sensitivity. The tray method is recommended for badly stained teeth, such as tetracycline staining, and it may take several months of use to see significant color improvement. For maintenance of whitened teeth the trays should be used every several months.

The end results whether using trays at home or doing chair-side whitening is the same. The cost of the tray method is the same as chairside whitening, however, there is usually less post-treatment sensitivity.

VENEERS

Veneers are a dental procedure in which a covering is placed over the outside (visible area) of the tooth. Veneers are usually only done to the part of the teeth that are visible when talking or smiling. The procedure can be direct or indirect.

The direct technique usually involves placing 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 the teeth are prepared, impressions taken, and the teeth are given a temporary covering. In two to three weeks the veneers are back from the laboratory, the temporaries are removed and the veneers are bonded to the teeth. The laboratory fabricated veneers are usually made using porcelain or pressed ceramic, and are very esthetic.

The advantage of veneers versus crowns is that much less tooth material is removed, and the procedure is generally less uncomfortable. Veneers are recommended for teeth that have large fillings or little tooth structure.

CLEAR ALIGNERS

Overview

Clear aligners are an alternative to traditional braces and are designed to help guide teeth into their proper position. Similar to braces, clear aligners use a gradual force to control tooth movement, but without metal wires or brackets.

Benefits of Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are a good alternative for patients who want a straighter smile, but do not want to wear traditional braces. Additionally, aligners are beneficial for patients with previous orthodontic treatment who want to make minor corrections to their smile. There are several advantages to using clear aligners:

• Clear aligners are removable so it is easier to brush and floss after meals
• Clear aligners are easier to keep clean
• Clear aligners are more comfortable and less likely to irritate the gums and cheeks

What to Expect

Aligners are clear, thin, plastic-like trays that are formed to fit an individual’s teeth. Patients are responsible for putting in and removing their aligners. A series of aligners is created to move teeth. Each aligner is worn for 2-3 weeks, and moves teeth a fraction of a millimeter at a time. Patients must remove aligners for meals and when brushing/flossing. The number of aligners needed to correct misaligned teeth varies based on the individual’s orthodontic problem and its correction.