Cosmetic Dentistry is using a variety of materials and techniques to improve the appearance of an individual’s smile. The color, alignment, spacing, as well as regularity of the teeth are the characteristics that shape our smile. Any of these can be altered or enhanced to give an improved appearance to the face and smile. We offer a wide variety of cosmetic options. Some of these include: whitening, smile design, re-contouring of the shape of the teeth, veneers, bonding, and all ceramic porcelain crowns.
BONDING
Bonding is the art of adhering composite resin material to a tooth with the intention to repair damage done by decay, to alter the alignment of the tooth, to close gaps between the teeth, or for various other cosmetic purposes. This restorative process is achieved by applying a micro etch and a primer/bonding agent to bond the resin to the tooth’s surface. These resin agents are cured with a bonding light. The composite resin material is meticulously shaped and polished to a lustrous finish in order to achieve the best possible aesthetic result.
WHITENING – INCLUDING Zoom!
Whitening brightens the color of the teeth , enhancing their appearance. Our office uses two methods:
Zoom! and Tray Whitening.
Zoom! is a safe, effective, and fast method to dramatically whitening your teeth in a short amount of time. The convenience of Zoom! in comparison to days of using strips or only wearing trays makes it the perfect choice for the busy individual. The Zoom! Whitening procedure is simple. It begins with a short preparation to isolate your lips and gums. The clinician then applies Zoom! whitening gel that is activated by a specially designed light. Teeth typically become many shades whiter. A fluoride treatment completes the procedure. 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.
Tray Whitening involves having impressions taken from which laboratory fabricated custom vinyl trays are made. A carbamide peroxide gel is placed in these trays which are worn for as briefly as one hour per day depending upon the strength of gel prescribed. Three different strengths of gel may be used. Sensitivity to the gel can be minimized under close supervision by trained technicians. The entire process can take as few as 5 to 7 days. However some will require 10 days to 2 weeks. The tray method is recommended for darkly stained teeth, such as those with tetracycline staining, and it may take several months of judicious use to see significant and uniform color improvement.The tray method is the most consistent and reliable long term method for whitening. Whitening trays can be used over many years for the purpose of maintaining your whitened smile.
- The end results, whether using trays at home or doing Zoom!, is the same.
- All necessary supplies are provided and cost varies depending on the system you choose.
- Most opt for a combination both systems.
VENEERS
Veneers are a cosmetic dental procedure in which a covering is placed over the outside (visible area) of the tooth or that part which is visible when talking or smiling. The procedure can be indirect or direct.
The indirect technique 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 one to three weeks the veneers are back from the laboratory, the temporary covering is removed and the veneers are tried in and bonded to the teeth if the desired results are achieved. The laboratory fabricated veneers are usually made using porcelain or pressed ceramic, and are very esthetic. Indirect veneers are much longer lasting than direct veneers.
The direct technique involves placing composite resin on the outside of the tooth . This method is usually referred to as bonding (see bonding section). The results are excellent and durable.
The advantage of veneers versus crowns is that much less tooth material is removed, and the bite is left in the natural tooth vs. porcelain. Veneers are recommended for teeth that with intact tooth structure which happen to have large fillings, severe stains, loss of structural integrity, unsightly gaps, or are mis-shapened and compromised by location.