We are excited by the healthier and more attractive smiles we
create for our patients. Today, many relatively simple options
exist to improve your smile, too!
Your smile communicates a lot about how you
feel about yourself. Even a minor flaw in your smile can keep
you from feeling your best about the way you look. In the past,
we had few options to improve teeth that were chipped, stained
or crooked. However, now a wide range of cosmetic dental techniques
can benefit almost any smile. Cosmetic dentistry is a blending
of art and science. With a focus on esthetic results and using
a variety of the latest restorative techniques and materials,
we can enhance your smile to give it a more pleasing appearance.
Some of the conditions that may be helped
by cosmetic dentistry are:
- Diastemas (spaces between the teeth)
- Broken or chipped teeth
- Unsightly, stained or washed-out fillings
- Cracked or leaking fillings
- Permanently stained or discolored teeth
- Crooked or poorly shaped teeth
To address these conditions, any or all of
the following cosmetic techniques may be used.
Tooth whitening can brighten your smile.
A porcelain veneer is indicated when a portion
of the front surface of the tooth needs a 'face lift." Similar
to composite bonding, veneers are attached directly to the existing
tooth structure. We treat the surface of the tooth with a special
conditioner to prepare it to receive the veneer. A tooth-colored
liquid bonding material is then applied to the tooth surface,
to help the veneer adhere.
Veneers are also used to cover stains and
close spaces between teeth.
Above: Before
Below: After
Cosmetic veneers can give your smile a
'face lift."
Above: Before
Below: After
Crown and bridge treatment can help protect
and improve your smile.
A composite resin filling may be used when
only a small amount of tooth structure needs replacement. Composite
bonding is one of the most conservative, versatile and affordable
ways to aesthetically restore a multitude of cosmetic problems.
To begin a bonding procedure, we treat the tooth with a special
enamel conditioner to roughen the enamel surface and allow the
bonding material to adhere. A composite resin is then applied
and shaped to match the contour of your natural tooth. The surface
of the composite is then restored to the tooth's natural shape
and polished to achieve a natural luster and appearance.
Due to a variety of causes, teeth tend to
stain and 'yellow' over time. We can help you whiten and brighten
graying or yellowed teeth. We examine your mouth and recommend
the best treatment for your specific needs, either an in-office
treatment or a take-home treatment, which we monitor to make
sure you obtain the best results.
Many dentists and patients today favor restorations
done using tooth-colored composites or porcelain. The use of
a tooth-colored filling material is not limited to new restorations,
however. There are numerous reasons why older restorations may
need replacing, and we can use these newer, more esthetic materials
at that time.
A full crown is usually indicated when a tooth
has had root canal treatment, when a substantial amount of tooth
structure has been lost or when a tooth is cracked or broken.
We place a crown on a tooth where there is no longer sufficient
tooth structure left to place a filling.
A bridge spans a space where one or more teeth
have been lost in the dental arch. We replace the missing teeth
with custom-designed replacement teeth, which are anchored by
crowns to existing healthy tooth structure.
Addressing a variety of cosmetic and functional
problems, this specialized branch of dentistry deals with straightening
teeth and altering bone growth. Through the use of specially
designed and fitted appliances, constant gentle pressure is put
on the teeth, causing them to move into a desired position. Now
adults and children can benefit from new advances in orthodontic
treatment. Your total cosmetic care may include a combination
of orthodontics and cosmetic restoration treatment. Our goal
is to recommend the best possible treatment for your unique cosmetic
and functional needs.
We're happy to answer any questions you might
have about cosmetic dentistry. Just ask!
