Cosmetic Dentistry

Our practice offers a wide range of cosmetic dentistry options to provide each patient with individual dental care to achieve our goal of improving or maintaining the appearance of your smile.

Bonding:

Composite bonding can work wonders for your smile. Using materials that match the shade, translucency, and texture of your teeth, gaps between teeth can be closed; spots and discolorations can be eliminated; and your self-confidence can be enhanced through the improved appearance of your smile.
The dentist will match the shade of your existing teeth, and then tooth-colored composite resin is applied to the tooth much like the filling procedure.
The procedure is sometimes referred to as bonding because an adhesive agent is used to actually bond the resin to the tooth structure.
The resin is hardened (cured) with a curing light and then shaped, contoured, and polished to give a cosmetic and natural appearance. Bonding is the least expensive cosmetic procedure and can be completed during a single dental visit.
Composite bonding is excellent for small defects in the teeth -- spots, chips, or gaps between teeth. For smile alterations involving an entire tooth or multiple teeth, porcelain is the material of choice.

Veneers

Veneers are routinely used to cover teeth which are discolored, worn, chipped, or misaligned. Veneers are used for many of the same reasons as bonding, but they involve a different procedure.
Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or resin that measure less than 1.5mm thick. First, the dentist will prepare your tooth and take an impression. Then a temporary filling may be placed in the space while the impression is sent to a dental laboratory to have the veneers manufactured.
The veneer is then cemented into place. Although veneers are more expensive and time-consuming than bonding, they are less expensive and conserve tooth structure when compared to crowns.
Typically veneers are difficult to stain, making veneers a very popular solution for many people seeking that perfect smile. Strong and very durable, veneers last from ten to fifteen years and come in colors that will brighten dark teeth without the worry of them changing color.

Teeth Whitening 

In-office treatment can brighten your teeth by six to ten shades. Using a special, light-activated whitening gel, this procedure is a quick and convenient way to achieve the smile you've always wanted.
Tooth whitening is a procedure that can lighten the shade of your teeth and remove stain or discoloration caused by aging, certain medications, tobacco, coffee, and tea. Tooth whitening will not last forever, so the procedure will have to be repeated on a regular basis.
Tooth whitening can be done at home or in the dental office. The dentist will often take a photo of your existing tooth color to monitor your progress and compare the new lighter shade of your teeth throughout treatment.
For in-home whitening, the dentist will take an impression of your teeth and then make custom mouthpieces (trays) to fit your teeth. The dentist will give you a supply of bleaching gel (usually containing hydrogen peroxide) that is applied to the tray. Then you will be instructed to wear the tray for a certain amount of time. Care should be taken to use only the prescribed amount of whitening gel as excess material can contact your gums and cause irritation.
In-office whitening often takes between 30 to 90 minutes to complete and usually requires a few visits to the dentist's office to achieve the amount of whitening required. The whitening agent (again, a gel containing hydrogen peroxide) is applied to your teeth. Some of the in-office whitening agents require special lights or heat for activation.
Both in-home and in-office bleaching can cause increased tooth sensitivity in some people. This is a normal side effect and usually subsides a few days after the whitening treatments have been completed. Whitening procedures should be avoided if you are pregnant.

Crowns & Bridges

Dental crowns and bridges fit over injured, discolored, or cracked teeth or fill the space resulting after dental extractions.  They protect the teeth from further injuries or damages, helping also to prevent toothaches or discomfort you may experience.

Crowns

Crowns are used to restore both anterior and posterior teeth that have been broken or are at high risk of doing so due to large old fillings or fractures. There are a variety of materials used to design these reconstructions in laboratories. The crowns will look and feel close to your real teeth.
Crowns, also called caps, are indicated if a significant portion of the tooth is missing. Usually, extensive decay, injury, or root canal therapy are the reasons a crown is recommended. Crowns are usually either made of noble alloys or porcelain. There are many different types of porcelain crowns, and we will determine which type is best suited for your particular need.
During your first visit, we will prepare your tooth structure, take an impression of the prepared tooth, make a temporary crown to place on the tooth, and send the impression to a dental laboratory to fabricate the crown. At your next visit, we will try-in the crown to ensure a good fit and then cement the crown in place. When a tooth is compromised by decay or damage, we may suggest a crown, inlay, or onlay. These restorations, made in a lab from fine dental porcelain, will blend seamlessly with your teeth, return the strength that you need for comfortable oral function, and maintain your all-white smile.

Bridges

Bridges are fixed (non-removable) prostheses constructed to replace one or more missing teeth. The teeth on both sides of the existing space are used to attach the bridge to restore functionality and esthetics. Materials used for this process are noble alloys, porcelain, or porcelain fused to metal. Bridges are indicated whenever at least one tooth is missing. A bridge is composed of abutments and pontics. Abutments are the supports for the bridge and consist of crowns placed on the teeth surrounding the empty space. The pontics are special crowns that span across the empty space and connect to the abutments. When teeth are prepared for a bridge, the abutments are prepared for crowns just as described in crowns. We will then take an impression of the prepared teeth, make a temporary bridge to place on the teeth to protect them and maintain their positions, and send the impression to a dental laboratory to fabricate the bridge. At your next visit, we will try-in the bridge to ensure a good fit and then cement the bridge in place.