Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry can enhance the appearance of people of all ages. You will love your new natural look and enjoy smiling confidently again or maybe even for the first time. Patients are often amazed at how young they look after having a Cosmetic Dental procedure is done. It will take years off your face.

We live in a youth-driven, beauty conscious society. Three out of four Americans believe that an unattractive smile will hinder their career success and one-half of adults are unhappy with their smile. When we see someone's face, we draw instant conclusions. One of the biggest impressions is our smile. Clearly a beautiful confident smile is a tremendous asset in every realm of our lives - personally, professionally, and socially. What can be done to improve your smile? There are fortunately many options depending on what your individual needs are.Your smile can be brightened, straightened (with or without braces), restored (if worn, damaged or stained) and filled. Cosmetic Dentistry can give you the smile of your dreams!

Cosmetic Dentistry Smile Makeovers

Tooth Whitening
In-office whitening is done by applying bleaching solutions on the teeth which is accelerated by a high-intensity light. Teeth can often be whitened in one or two one-hour sessions. There are also in home whitening kits available. From simple impressions, we construct custom fitted bleaching trays. Patients then apply bleaching solution to the teeth and wear the trays for 30 to 60 minutes per day for an average of about two to three weeks.

Dental Bonding and Porcelain Veneers
Smiles can be altered by the use of cosmetic bonding or porcelain veneers. Dentists can repair chips, close spaces, remove discolorations, change colors and reshape teeth. These procedures are done with minimal or sometimes NO tooth enamel removal. Porcelain veneers are some of the most beautiful and durable restorations that dentistry has to offer.

Composite Resin
Restorations
Modern adhesive dentistry offers many restorative materials other than silver amalgam. Tooth colored materials now offer strong, esthetic, wear resistant restorations. These materials are bonded to existing tooth structures which, in essence "glues the walls of the tooth together," strengthening the tooth. In contrast, silver amalgam expands and contracts in the tooth which can cause "leakage" of the filling, recurrent decay, and actual fracture of the tooth.

Porcelain Veneers
Cosmetic bonding and porcelain veneers are basically dental "face-lifts" that fill in spaces between teeth and mend chipped teeth , reshape crooked teeth or hide unsightly stains or discolorations. The can even be used as "instant orthodontics " to give crooked teeth a straighter appearance.

Dental Implants
Before the availability of dental implants, dentists were limited in how they were able to replace missing teeth. Their options included fixed bridges, which frequently require reduction of sound teeth to replace a missing tooth; or removable appliances. Implants allow dentists to replace individual teeth, without altering other adjacent natural teeth. People who are wearing full or partial dentures can now replace these with non-removable appliances, or lock a denture into place to provide greatly enhanced chewing ability and comfort.

Restorative Dental Treatment
When caries are present on a tooth surface, they are removed and the cavity is then filled with tooth-colored bonded restorations.

Prosthetic Dental Treatment
Badly damaged or broken teeth necessitate a more aggressive treatment in the form of a crown and/or bridgework. They look and feel just like regular teeth.

Endodontic Dental Treatment
To save and restore a non-vital tooth to full function, dentists remove the nerve tissue which alleviates the symptoms associated with this condition. It is not an uncomfortable procedure.

Periodontal (Gum) Treatment
Gingivitis can lead to a wide range of problems. In order to prevent the bacteria responsible from creating periodontal disease, dentists provide treatment to remove plaque and debris from the teeth and beneath the gum area.

Dentures
To ensure the most natural and comfortable result, dentures must be custom fit to an individual's mouth and gums. Dentures that are correctly developed and fitted will restore a natural looking and secure bite and smile. Some dentists offer cosmetic dentures, partial plastic and metal dentures, complete dentures, denture adjustment and many other denture related services.

Dental Bonding
A composite resin, the color of tooth enamel, can be used to repair fissures or chips and get rid of or diminish gaps. It is also be used to fill cavities while maintaining a more natural look than traditional fillings. Bonding is not usually as permanent as porcelain veneers.

Porcelain Crowns
The affected tooth is reshaped so that it can be augmented by a natural-looking synthetic material, usually porcelain. This procedure is also beneficial for teeth that show wear and tear or are crooked.

Gum Disease
Periodontal diseases, including gingivitis and periodontal, are serious infections that can lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Some dentists offer deep cleaning, periodontal surgeries, cosmetic gum surgeries, and other treatments.

Diagnosis and Treatment of TMD (temporomandibular dysfunction)
A disorder associated with the joint of the jaw. Often caused by a misalignment of or a disparity in upper and lower jaw sizes. Some dentists offer TMJ treatment and diagnosis, bite splint therapy, pharmacological therapy, heat therapy, home exercise therapies, full mouth bite adjustment and more.

Non-Surgical Gum Care
Periodontal disease is a chronic infection of the gums and bones that hold your teeth in place. It also causes embarrassingly hard-to-control bad breath. It is common, affecting approximately 50 million Americans. This approach to treating horrible gum disease has taken a lot of strides within the past 10 years. New local antibiotic therapy can be applied directly to your gums right after a thorough deep cleaning to ensure that all the bugs are eradicated.

Bleaching
Bleaching is a procedure that brightens teeth that are discolored, stained, or have been darkened due to injury. It can be performed on any tooth, even one that has had root canal treatment. Bleaching may be done in the dental office (Chairside) or at-home (Nightguard). Chairside bleaching takes from 30-60 minutes per visit. A chemical oxidizing agent is 'painted' onto the teeth. A special light may be used to activate the agent. Generally 3-4 visits are all that are needed. Nightguard bleaching involves a custom-fitted mouthguard that contains bleaching gel. Treatment duration and time is prescribed by the dentist.

Bridges
Sometimes a beautiful smile takes work that is a bit more involved. If you notice strain when biting down, pain during chewing, or difficulty in speaking due to misaligned or missing teeth, bridges might be the right option for you. They work by literally bridging the gaps between missing teeth, closing spaces with durable, injury-resistant, realistic-looking artificial teeth. Because they are semi-permanent, bridges can be removed only by a dentist but are long-lasting and strong.