Enhancing the smile's aesthetic appearance can lead to increased self-confidence, improved social skills, and even a more positive outlook on life. Modern cosmetic dentistry merges advanced technology with fine art, and can often produce amazing results in less time than you would expect.

• Teeth Whitening
• Dental Bonding
• Dental Veneers
• Tooth Fillings
• Inlays & Onlays
• Dental Crowns
• Fixed Bridges

Teeth Whitening

When should I consider teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is an option if you have stained or dull teeth.

How do we whiten your teeth?

Customized trays are filled with a whitening gel and worn in the mouth for as little as 1 hour per day. In as little as one week, this process can erase most stains from coffee drinking and tobacco, as well as tooth yellowing associated with aging, producing a brilliant, bright white smile.

Are there other teeth whitening options?

There is also an in-office gel treatment that provides a faster result. Teeth whitening may not be an appropriate treatment for all stains. For hard-to-treat stains, porcelain veneers or crowns are a better option.

Dental Bonding

When should I consider dental bonding?

You should consider bonding if you have teeth that are chipped, discolored, uneven, stained or gapped.

What is dental bonding?

A tooth-colored material, composite resin, is applied directly to the enamel of teeth and shaped to correct the patient's aesthetic concern. When exposed to a special ultraviolet light, the resin hardens into place.

What are the alternavites to dental bonding?

Porcelain veneers and crowns, while more expensive, last considerably longer than bonding.

Dental Veneers

What are common reasons to consider dental veneers?

Teeth that are chipped, discolored, uneven, stained, gapped, out-of-proportion in relation to the mouth, crooked or worn are reasons to consider veneers.

What are dental veneers?

Dental veneers are a customized, wafer-thin material (also called porcelain laminates) that are cemented directly onto the front of the tooth, resulting in a natural appearance that covers any irregularities or aesthetic concerns.

What are the alternatives to dental veneers?

Veneers are not an ideal choice for patients with tooth decay, advanced periodontal disease, or severe misalignment. In cases where veneers are not advisable, orthodontic treatments and porcelain crowns may be better choices.

Tooth Fillings

Why should I get a tooth filling?

You should get a tooth filling when tooth decay has led to the development of a cavity, or small hole, in the tooth.

What is a tooth filling?

Your dentist will remove all areas of decay, and replace with a filling made of composite resin. Composite resin fillings have surged in popularity because their appearance perfectly matches the natural appearance of teeth.

What are the alternatives to tooth fillings?

In cases of more extensive decay, porcelain inlays and onlays are an advisable alternative.

Inlays & Onlays

Problem

Tooth decay, weakened tooth structure, need for tooth restoration and reinforcement.

What are inlays and onlays

After the decay is removed, your dentist will take an impression of the area to be restored. A dental laboratory works from this impression to create a restorative inlay or onlay that fits perfectly on the tooth. They are usually made out of a porcelain or composite resin to match the tooth's natural color. Inlays cover one or more tooth surfaces, where onlays are used on the chewing surface of the tooth. The inlay or onlay is cemented securely into place, for an incredibly durable, stable tooth restoration. Porcelain is the preferred restorative material; it is extremely strong and can perfectly match the patient's natural tooth color.

What is an alternative to dental inlays and onlays?

Crowns may be the only alternative when tooth decay is in advanced stages.

Dental Crowns

When should I consider getting a dental crown?

You should consider a dental crown if you have a tooth that is chipped, cracked, badly decayed, or otherwise weakened.

What are dental crowns?

Dental crowns maintain the aesthetic appearance of teeth by covering the entire visible surface of the tooth, while adding significant reinforcement and protection to the tooth. After removing all areas of decay, your dentist will take an impression of the tooth to be crowned and send it to a dental laboratory to create the crown. Crowns can be made of composite resin, porcelain or gold. Composite Resin and porcelain crowns are extremely natural looking; virtually indistinguishable from other teeth, making them an ideal choice for visible teeth. Gold crowns pose no risk of chipping, and therefore are useful when crowning back teeth.

What are the alternatives to dental crowns?

Teeth that are badly decayed may require extraction, leaving bridges or implants as viable alternative treatments.

Fixed Bridges

When should I consider a fixed bridge?

You should consider a fixed bridge if you experience difficulty chewing and speaking, dental shifts, or have an undesirable sunken facial appearance due to missing a tooth or several teeth. In addition, missing teeth can eventually lead to jaw and joint problems that are costly to treat.

What are fixed bridges?

Fixed bridges can improve chewing and aesthetic appearance, restoring the smile with a more permanent solution than dentures. Bridges replace missing teeth with artificial teeth. Your dentist will take a mold of the gap where a tooth is missing, and then send it to a laboratory to prepare a customized bridge. Before inserting the bridge, the surrounding teeth are prepared. The bridge is set into place and the artificial tooth is securely cemented to the adjacent teeth, restoring the attractive natural appearance and functionality of the tooth that was lost. If a resin-bonded bridge is chosen, the artificial tooth is secured by means of a metal appliance that attaches to the backs of adjacent teeth.

Is there an alternative to fixed bridges?

Dental implants are permanent, stable alternatives to bridges that do not rely upon surrounding teeth for support.