Brighten Your Smile at a Cosmetic Dentist

Age, lifestyle habits, and certain dental conditions can cause your smile to lose its natural luster. Fortunately, a cosmetic dentist can help you gain the smile of your dreams with various services. While your main focus is to improve your aesthetic, some of our services can remedy aesthetic and functional issues.

Professional teeth whitening

The cosmetic dentist can offer a convenient and effective solution with at-home teeth whitening kits for those whose smile has dampened or turned yellow and dull. These kits go far beyond the power of store-bought kits but keep the same convenience of performing treatment on the patient's schedule. However, to receive this kit, the patient must schedule a visit with the cosmetic dentist.

During this visit, the cosmetic dentist will take impressions of the patient's teeth, serving as a model to craft custom trays. Once the trays are ready, the dentist will provide the tools (trays and gel) and in-depth instructions on performing this treatment safely and effectively at home. Diligently following care instructions will quickly and significantly brighten one's smile and provide longer results than store-bought products.

Porcelain veneers

Porcelain veneers may be a viable option for those looking to address more than the color of their smile and are unhappy with multiple aspects. Veneers are thin, custom shells comprised of porcelain material cemented to the teeth's front surface, concealing any imperfections. They can cover discoloration, chipped or cracked teeth, haps, and mild misalignments.

Additionally, since veneers are custom-made, the cosmetic dentist allows patients to choose the brightness level they are most happy with before applying them to the teeth. Their design aims to mimic natural teeth without actually altering the natural teeth. With proper care and regular dental checkups, veneers can last up to 15 years.

Dental bonding

Dental bonding is another convenient option the cosmetic dentist offers, requiring only one visit. This treatment is ideal for those who wish to improve the appearance of a few teeth that are stained, chipped, or misshapped. The process involves applying a tooth-colored durable material called composite resin to the affected teeth. It is then sculpted and shaped to improve its aesthetic.

The material can be color-matched to the surrounding natural teeth, ensuring a seamless blend. However, note that the composite resin cannot be brightened once chosen. Therefore, if patients wish to brighten their entire smile, they may want to undergo professional teeth whitening first, then schedule a dental bond visit. To finish, the cosmetic dentist will bond the material to the teeth, offering immediate results.

Gum contouring

While brightening one's teeth is great, sometimes a patient's smile can be dull due to their gums excessively covering their teeth. This is what is known as a "gummy smile." Gum contouring, or gum reshaping, is a procedure that involves removing or reshaping the excess gum tissue to create a more proportionate appearance. The cosmetic dentist typically performs this procedure using a laser or other specialized instruments. Removing this extra tissue enables the patient to easily access their teeth, allowing for more thorough oral hygiene practices.