Cosmetic Dentistry

Aesthetic dentistry, also known as cosmetic dentistry is the part of dentistry that is concerned with the creation of more beautiful smiles. Aesthetic dentistry also makes our patients feel better about themselves, improving their quality of life tremendously.

There are many types of restorations and procedures that may be described as aesthetic [or at least aesthetically pleasing] dentistry. These procedures include: porcelain veneers, tooth whitening, and tooth colored restorations [fillings, inlays, onlays, crowns and/or bridges].

Porcelain Veneers are a type of restoration that allows the replacement of large amounts of damaged or missing tooth structure without resorting to a crown. Veneers can also be used to create a more aesthetically pleasing smile through the modification of tooth shape, size and/or color. Veneers may be used to close undesirable gaps between the front teeth. Furthermore, Veneers may be used instead of braces for more difficult cases. Many people can achieve a straight, white, beautiful smile in only a couple of weeks instead of years. In order to place a veneer, a very small amount of tooth structure is removed from the front surface of the tooth. A dental laboratory then makes a thin porcelain facing that is bonded to the tooth, giving it strength. Veneers have been successfully used for many years to improve smiles. In fact, a lot of those “perfect” smiles that you see in Hollywood are created with porcelain veneers.

Tooth Whitening is a procedure, generally accomplished in the patient’s home, that allows the lightening of stained teeth. Tooth whitening is often erroneously referred to as tooth “bleaching.” Actually, various types of peroxides are used in these products. The key to successful tooth whitening is the fabrication of a custom tray for your teeth by your dentist. The custom tray ensures that the proper amount of whitening material is placed [and remains] on the appropriate part of the tooth. If a standard, non-custom fit tray is used to hold the material, the results are generally unsatisfactory. The store-bought and mail order types of tooth whitening material are sold with non-custom trays. This leads to increased tooth sensitivity, gum irritation, and inconsistent whitening of the teeth [with one or more teeth not becoming whiter, or teeth becoming partially whitened].

Dentist prescribed and dispensed home tooth whitening products have an excellent record of effectiveness.

Posterior Aesthetic Materials- numerous materials are used today to restore your posterior teeth back to their original appearance and function. Unlike old silver amalgam fillings, these materials actually support and strengthen your teeth when correctly placed. And, they closely match your teeth’s original color, shape and size.