In the past decade, there has been a dramatic increase in the interest for cosmetic dentistry. We all realize that having a healthy, bright, beautiful smile enhances our appearance and allows us to smile with confidence. Thanks to the advances in modern cosmetic dentistry, we are able to improve our teeth and smiles with quick, painless and surprisingly affordable treatments.
Cosmetic dental treatments aim to:
- Change the size, shape, and alignment of certain teeth.
- Fill in unattractive spaces between teeth.
- Improve or correct bites.
- Lighten or brighten the color of teeth.
- Repair decayed, broken, cracked, or chipped teeth.
- Replace missing teeth.
- Replace old, unattractive dental treatments.
Common Cosmetic Dental Procedures
Veneers
Veneers are very thin pieces of durable, tooth shaped porcelain that are custom made (for shape and color) by a professional dental laboratory. They are bonded onto the front of teeth to create a beautiful and attractive smile. Veneers can completely reshape your teeth and smile. They can often be alternatives to crowns and the ideal solution in treating many cosmetic dental conditions. As with most dental restorations, veneers are not permanent and may someday need replacement. They are very durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful long lasting smile.
Crowns
Dental crowns are traditionally used to restore function to teeth that are highly susceptible to crumbling or complete loss. Instead of leaving a hole in place of a broken or decayed tooth, which causes teeth to shift over time, the root is left intact and the visible portion of the tooth is restored with a strong, durable, natural-looking porcelain crown. Besides restoring functionality, crowns are also an option for correct cosmetic dental issues like crooked or discolored teeth, gaps, or crowding.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are one of the most durable ways to replace missing teeth. For teeth that have decayed beyond repair or that have been lost due to an accident, an implant post can be anchored to the jaw bone, through the gum line. Then a crown (false tooth) is secured to the post. The dental implant maintains the space where your natural tooth once was to prevent shifting of the teeth. It is strong and long-lasting, non-removable, and perfectly suitable for chewing (unlike other prosthetic tooth options).
Dentures
If you’re considering replacing many (or all) teeth at once, dentures tend to be the most affordable option. From a full mouth set to a partial, a bridge or a flipper, there are many options for replacing groups of teeth. These prosthetic devices can be removable or permanently secured to implanted posts.
Teeth Whitening
We offer custom whitening trays with strong but gentle teeth whitening gel syringes for home teeth whitening. The trays can be quickly made and anytime you’re in need of whitening gel, just stop by the office for more.
Gum Lift Procedure
A gum lift procedure also goes by the following names: Gingivectomy, crown lengthening, gum contouring, and tissue sculpting. Those who are concerned with the amount of gum tissue visible in their smile can opt to have the gum line altered. There are a few ways our dentists can approach this situation and the details will vary based on each individual case. But by numbing the mouth, the dentist can careful reshape your gum line to eliminate excessive gum exposer or uneven gum lines. In most cases, no stitches are required. Instead, your dentist uses a soft-tissue laser to seal off the blood vessels, staunching any bleeding. This allows for fast healing and minimal discomfort.
If you have cosmetic dental concerns not addressed about, give our office a call. With any concern you may have, there is always a solution we can offer.