Cosmetics Procedures

Whitening

Having a beautiful smile may be even easier than you think. Many people achieve the look they've been dreaming of with our simple whitening "bleaching" procedure. It's safe, quick, and inexpensive. Just let us know at any appointment if you would like to begin bleaching.

In only a day or two your custom whitening splints will be ready for you. We provide you with a special whitening agent that you put into the clear, nearly invisible splints. With only a few hours of wear per day, our special whitening agent bubbles stains right out of your enamel in a very short time without altering tooth structure or existing dental work in any way. When your teeth reach the brightness you want, only occasional treatment is needed to maintain your new smile.

Dental whitening (bleaching) can be used to correct many tooth discolorations. These discolorations may have been caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Using the latest in whitening technology, we can offer a safe method for creating a beautiful, "brilliant" smile. In cases of extreme tooth discoloration, crowns, or veneers may be the only choice. However, because of the low cost of whitening treatments, whitening is nearly always worth a try.

• Corrects brown, yellow, and mottled tooth staining
• Works on people of all ages.
• Is a near permanent solution for a "dull" smile, restoring brightness, and bringing a smile alive.

Veneers

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front and top surfaces of the teeth. They are wonderful dramatically improving size color position and shape of teeth while remaining naturally translucence. Veneers are the ultimate in cosmetic dentistry. They are an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility. With veneers as an alternative, there is no reason to put up with gaps between your teeth, teeth that are stained, badly shaped, or crooked. A veneer placed on top of your teeth can correct these maladies, simply and quickly and help you achieve a beautiful smile!

For strength and appearance, their resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel is unsurpassed by other restorative options. Because they are thin, light can shine through them and they take on the natural color of the underlying tooth. With proper care, porcelain veneers will brighten your smile for well over a decade.

Inlays/Onlays

When over half of the tooth’s biting surface is damaged, a dentist will often use an inlay or onlay.

Inlays and onlays can be made of porcelain, gold, or composite resin. These pieces are bonded to the damaged area of the tooth. An inlay (which is similar to a filling) is used inside the cusp tips of the tooth. An onlay is a more substantial reconstruction, similar to the inlay, but extending out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth.

Traditionally, gold has been the material of choice for inlays and onlays. In recent years, however, porcelain has become increasingly popular due to its strength and color that can potentially match the natural color of your teeth.

Considerations

Traditional fillings can reduce the strength of a natural tooth by up to 50 percent. As an alternative, since inlays and onlays are bonded directly onto the tooth using special high-strength resins, they can actually increase the strength of a tooth by up to 75 percent. As a result, they can last from 10 to 30 years. In some cases where the damage to the tooth is not extensive enough to merit an entire crown, onlays can provide a very good alternative.

Composite Bonding and Fillings

An alternative to veneers, bonding can be used as a restorative procedure for teeth that are chipped, cracked, discolored, or misarranged. Composite can replace silver fillings or fix small cavities before they become large.

Considerations

The bonding procedure can often be completed in a single office visit, and can significantly improve the appearance of a tooth. However, since the plastic resin used is not as strong as your natural tooth enamel, it is more likely to stain, chip, or break than natural teeth. Bonding typically lasts three to five years before repair is needed. It is a good way to see how your teeth will lock before a more permanent restoration is placed.