Cosmetic Dentistry

 

I don’t want anybody to know I’ve had my smile done. Will this look natural?

While every case is unique, cosmetic dentists create the most natural smile possible. A style for your smile will be determined, taking into account your lifestyle, facial proportions, gender, age, complexion, hair and even eye color.

Most often, our patients hear questions like: “Have you changed your hair style?”, or “Have you lost weight?”. Their friends know something is different – they just don’t know what.

How quickly will I be able to complete my cosmetic dentistry treatment?

Most aesthetic procedures, from simple bonding to a complete smile makeover, can be completed in as little as one to three visits (but may vary depending on the complexity of each case).

For example, a smile makeover often involves placing veneers or crowns on the top 8-10 teeth. At the first appointment, you and the doctor would discuss what you want your smile to look like.

At the second appointment, the doctor would carefully prepare your teeth and place the temporaries. This appointment typically lasts 2-4 hours total.

At the final appointment, your new smile will be placed, polished and adjusted. Again, the appointment will take around 2-4 hours.

The total time from start to finish? Less than two weeks, and sooner if necessary. Soon you’ll be smiling with confidence!

How long will my new smile last?

Today’s materials are actually stronger than natural teeth, and are far more resistant to wearing and breakage than your natural teeth. With regular checkups and care, your smile should last for many, many years.

How will a new smile change my life?

It is not uncommon for the patients to cry with joy! Patients tell us they are filled with self confidence, they feel more outgoing, and they simply can’t stop smiling!

Shy patients are often transformed into social butterflies. Professionals tell us of greater career success. Older patients look and feel decades younger. Sounds impossible, but it’s true. Think about how a new or improved smile would change your life…

Can I get rid of these ugly, black fillings?

Yes!  Silver fillings ("Amalgam") are becoming a thing of the past.  There are many ways to restore teeth with materials that virtually disappear and blend with the natural color of your teeth.

My teeth are crooked, or have spaces. Do I have to get braces to straighten them?

The answer to this question is, "it depends."  In some cases, orthodontic treatment (braces) is the best approach.  However, in other cases of misaligned (crooked) teeth, other methods may be used.  Porcelain Veneers are a breakthrough procedure that can help correct this problem.  Spaces (gaps) and crowding can also be corrected with Veneers.  In some cases, Bonding can be used effectively. 

I have teeth that are chipped. What can be done?

Small chips or fractures can often be repaired with a "bonding" procedure.  A tooth colored material is used to recreate the lost tooth structure.  The color and shape are blended to match the natural tooth.  The result is undetectable and restores your smile.  In some cases, veneers may be needed. 

My teeth are really broken down and worn. Can the youthful smile I had years ago, be recreated?

In many cases, the answer is YES.  If you have teeth that are worn, shifted, missing, broken, or a combination of these, full-mouth reconstruction may be the answer.  Full-mouth reconstruction can restore your smile and, at the same time, make eating easier and more comfortable.

How long will my cosmetic treatment last?

There are too many factors to accurately predict how long any dental treatment will last.  The condition of the teeth prior to treatment influences the longevity of the restorations.  Home care (hygiene) and eating habits are part of the equation.  Of course, the quality of the treatment itself influences the long term outcome as well.  Regular visits to the dentist can help insure that your dental treatment is being maintained.  While there is nothing we can do to render a tooth completely immune to future problems, preventive maintenance will prolong the life of your dental treatment for many years.

Veneers

 

Can I whiten my porcelain veneers?

Since veneers are made of porcelain, they do not change their color.

My teeth are too small. Will porcelain veneers fix this?

Yes they can fix shape and/or color problems.

Veneers are the perfect solution to problem teeth that are rotted, stained, crooked, chipped, uneven, too big or too small.

Specially designed to change the overall aesthetic look of a tooth, veneers can improve:

• Color
• Shape
• Texture

Although veneers achieve the same outcome as crowns, they are sometimes a better choice due to their natural look and feel.

How do the dentist fix the veneers to my teeth?

A light beam is now used to bond the dental veneers to your teeth for a long lasting, durable fit. Discolored or awkward teeth will now look more pleasing to the eye.

How long do the veneers last?

Many people choose veneers because of their economical and long lasting qualities. With an enduring life span, veneers can last up to 15 years.

Do my teeth need some kind of preparation for the veneers?

Another common concern about veneers is a risk of trauma to the tooth. Pieces of your tooth may be removed during the buffing procedure.

Bleaching

 

Why do my teeth have stains and discolorations?

Most stains are caused by age, tobacco, coffee, or tea. Other types of stains can be caused by antibiotics, such as tetracycline; or too much fluoride.

How effective are bleaching systems?

Bleaching is effective in lightning most stains caused by age, tobacco, coffee, and tea. Based on clinical studies, 96 percent of patients with these kinds of stains experience some lightening effect. Other types of stains, such as those produced by tetracycline use or fluorosis (too much fluoride), respond to bleaching less reliably. And one cosmetic dentist points out that bleaching systems are not fully predictable. If you have a tooth-color filling when your teeth are bleached, the filling will stay yellow—dental restorations do not change color when tooth whitener is applied.

Are there any side effects to tooth bleaching?

In some studies, patients have experienced uncomfortable short-term side effects when having teeth bleached. Hydrogen peroxide can increase temperature sensitivity in the teeth, particularly at higher concentrations, and nightguards often cause gum irritation.

And overzealous use of over-the-counter home bleaching products can wear away tooth enamel, especially with solutions that contain acid. Therefore, bleaching is a procedure best done under the care of an oral health care professional.

Still, the general health risks of bleaching systems are minimal as far as your body is concerned. Applications are controlled so that you don't swallow hydrogen peroxide.

My teeth are stained and yellow. Is there any way to whiten them?

Dental Bleaching (whitening) is one of the most popular cosmetic services.  A simple and affordable treatment can give you a bright, white smile.

I have a single dark tooth in the front. Can it be lightened?

This is a common problem.  It is usually caused by a "dead" pulp in the tooth.  Sometimes as the result of trauma to a tooth, the pulp dies.  Often this can happen without any symptoms (pain).  The pulp is made of nerve and blood vessels.  When the pulp dies, the blood cells break down and stain the tooth from the inside.  Treatment usually begins with root canal therapy (a painless treatment).  After that, in many cases, a bleaching procedure may be used to lighten the tooth.  In other cases, a crown or veneer may be the best approach.

Full Ceramic Crowns

 

I had some crowns placed some time ago, and I noticed that now I have a dark line at the gum line. What can I do?

Many patients have this complaint.  Until recently, crowns were done one of two ways:  gold, or "porcelain fused to metal."  The porcelain fused to metal crowns (PFMs) have been the standard way to make a white, or tooth colored crown, for many years.  The porcelain is baked onto a metal substructure.  The metal was necessary for strength.  Unfortunately, it is difficult to mask out the dark color of the metal.  This results in porcelain that looks opaque or chalky.  The margin of the crown (where the crown meets the tooth) has to be in metal.  This is what causes "dark line syndrome."  Dentists would often try to hide this metal margin underneath the gumline.  This results in the gum appearing dark in this area.  Or even worse, if the gum recedes, the metal is exposed creating a very unattractive appearance.

Today, we have a solution!  Today's all-ceramic (all-porcelain) crowns eliminate metal completely.  That means no darkness at the gumline... ever!