Cosmetic Dentistry

See the science behind a beautiful smile

Here are a few ways we change smiles and lives:

Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening comes in two forms -- take-home and in-office. Both are safe and effective. The only side effect can be temperature sensitivity that usually goes away in less than a week. Most research shows the take-home method is slightly more effective and generally less expensive to the patient. Buyer beware of over the counter whiteners. There are good, bad and ugly when it comes to these.

Gingival Contouring

Think of your gums as the framework for your teeth. Unhealthy or asymmetric gum tissue will take away from otherwise perfect looking teeth. Make sure you are getting your gums cleaned and checked as recommended by your dentist and hygienist. Adding or subtracting gum tissue as needed to correct gummy smiles or long-looking teeth is an important step if you really want things to look their best.

Veneers

Veneers are a fantastic way to improve the appearance of front teeth. They are minimally invasive and can correct size problems, gaps, discolored, misshapen, or even minor arrangement (crooked) problems. Veneers should never be used to correct an orthodontic problem (this is where braces come in). Veneers are thin custom-made porcelain bonded to the front of teeth. They are intended to last many years and should not change color over time. When done well, it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between a veneer and a natural tooth. Things to keep in mind are that it is usually not a reversible procedure as some tooth structure is usually removed.
Also, nothing is indestructible, and patients must take some responsibility protecting themselves with mouth guards if they are active in sports or grind their teeth while sleeping.

Porcelain Crowns

In the last ten years, many advances in porcelain have occurred that make those crowns with the dark shadow at the gum line obsolete.
For 50 years we had to use metal under the porcelain for strength. No longer do we need to do that, so those black lines are a thing of the past.

Implants

Probably the greatest advancement in dentistry in the last 20 years is the dental implant. If someone is missing a tooth we no longer have to grind down healthy teeth on either side of the space to replace it. One of the other amazing things implants do is hold loose dentures in place. I have seen absolutely amazing increases in quality of life due to implants.

Botox and Dermal Fillers

We have introduced the products BOTOX Cosmetic and Juvederm XC into our practice. Botox serves our patients that have problems associated with TMJ as well as the more well-known cosmetic use. Both Botox and Juvederm are used to smooth out fine lines or wrinkles and also provide fullness in the area being remedied. For more information, please call to set up a consult or visit BotoxCosmetic.com

What should you do if you want to improve your smile?

That's easy, grab a mirror, ask your dentist what he or she thinks. I'll bet they will have some pretty good suggestions. What are the risks? I have described several procedures, and while some have very little risk, others have more. Dentists are typically conservative creatures by nature and don't like to take many risks. However, any procedure removing any tooth structure is nonreversible.
Ask to see pictures of cases similar to the procedures in which you are interested. Any dentist doing aesthetics should have photographs of previous cases. Be thoughtful, ask questions, and never be afraid to ask for a second opinion. It's your body. Take care of it!