Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

Information for consumers researching cosmetic dentistry procedures and cosmetic dentists.
Cosmetic Dentistry Home Page


Cosmetic Dentistry – Teeth Whitening

The wish to have a vibrant smile full of beautiful, healthy teeth is not a new desire. People throughout history and from every corner of the world understood the value of healthy teeth, but unfortunately available dental care was frequently insufficient to provide them with the care they needed.

Fortunately, people in the 21st century have a large number of options to correct virtually any cosmetic concerns they might have. Teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and enamel shaping allows anyone to have the smile of a movie star without having a millionaire’s bank account. Few people realize how convenient and inexpensive aesthetic and cosmetic dentistry procedures have become, and fewer realize that many dentists now offer these options in addition to their general practice areas.

Few things improve your self-esteem and self-confidence like a healthy smile. If you have ever wondered whether cosmetic dentistry could correct your smile, explore the numerous options see what procedure is right for you. A skilled cosmetic dentist can help you realize your dreams and get you started towards a new life and a new you.

Porcelain Veneers (Laminates)

Veneers are a common and simple way to improve a smile without the pain and discomfort of major surgery. Years of eating, smoking, and drinking often leave teeth dingy and yellow, and certain diet choices can erode the amount of natural enamel that protects teeth against harmful bacteria. There were few procedures dentists could use to prevent premature decay and damage in the past, but the advent of porcelain veneers solved many of these problems.

By applying a protective porcelain shield to the front of a tooth, dentists found that not only were their patients’ teeth stronger and less likely to decay, they were generally whiter and more attractive. Unfortunately, natural porcelain was rather brittle, and could not withstand the rigors of everyday exposure to hard foods and extremes of temperature. Veneers made of composite materials quickly replaced porcelain, and many patients and dentists agree that these materials offer much better all around performance.

Veneers are easy to apply, easy to repair, and provide a good-looking, bright and healthy “movie-star” smile at very minimal costs. If you think you might benefit from a new look, contact a cosmetic dentist today. You deserve a beautiful, confident smile.

^ back to top

Teeth Whitening (Teeth Bleaching) White Teeth

Everyone wants to have a beautiful, attractive smile filled with bright white teeth. Unfortunately, many of us make certain diet and lifestyle choices that we ultimately pay for with faded, yellow, or stained teeth. Even with proper dental hygiene, a lifetime of eating, drinking and smoking will eventually take its toll leaving stained teeth.

Fortunately, dentists have many teeth whitening options for restoring a healthy and refreshed look to teeth through the process of cosmetic teeth whitening. More and more people are discovering how simple it is to improve their appearance with brighter whiter teeth, as teeth whitening has become the single most requested and performed cosmetic dentistry procedure. By using a combination of chemicals, lasers and abrasion, dentists can enhance and restore the natural gleaming white smile once only available to a select few. Teeth whitening is the way to go if you are looking for a brighter, white smile.

There are also many kinds of over-the-counter teeth whiteners, but they are expensive, have unreliable results, and may actually cause harm to teeth. They are also messy, and some people have even experienced allergic reactions from the bleaching chemicals inside the over the counter teeth whitening kits. It is best to leave teeth whitening to those who are trained to deal with any kind of side effects that may arise.

Discover how a healthy white smile via teeth bleaching can improve your life. Most people never realize how simple and affordable it is to have the smile of their dreams. If you want white teeth and would like to have a teeth whitening procedure, the smile you want is closer than you think. Contact an experienced cosmetic dentist in your area today for an estimate of your teeth whitening procedure.

^ back to top

Inlays & Onlays

Although teeth are some of the strongest parts of the human body they are nevertheless susceptible to injury or disease. Since we use our teeth every day, remedying damaged or diseased teeth is often of the highest priority. Dentists and oral surgeons use simple enhancements called inlays and onlays to restore, protect, and reinforce teeth.

Inlays and onlays perform the same functions as traditional fillings and crowns, but with one key difference – instead of weakening the structure of a tooth as older forms of correction do, inlays and onlays actually strengthen and support a damaged or decayed tooth. In fact, teeth repaired with onlays or inlays can often bear up to 50-70% more force while biting. Also unlike fillings, inlays and onlays are molded directly from a patient’s tooth, created in a laboratory, and bonded upon a second trip to the office. Inlays and onlays are made from a variety of materials, from gold to porcelain to ceramic resin.

Unlike many other dental procedures, there is no prolonged recovery period associated with inlays and onlays. Some people experience minor discomfort and sensitivity around the chewing surfaces, but this usually dissipates after a few days and any residual pain is easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin. The new inlays can last anywhere between 10-30 years, although patients should be cautious with regular consumption of hard materials such as ice, pits or popcorn kernels.

If you are unhappy about the appearance of your teeth, you will find that inlays and onlays are a simple, quick, and relatively inexpensive way to boost your self-esteem and protect your teeth at the same time. Find a cosmetic dentist in your area today, and smile brighter tomorrow.

^ back to top

Crowns (Porcelain)

Few experiences are as disconcerting or as painful as losing a part of a tooth. Unfortunately, decay or even a large filling can reduce the structural integrity of a tooth, causing it to crack and fracture even under gentle pressure. This situation is can be excruciating, and requires immediate dental attention.

A replacement crown is a common dental procedure that attempts to restore the look and functionality of a damaged tooth by covering the damaged root with a cap made of a variety of materials. The location of the tooth is the primary consideration of the cap, for teeth in the front of the smile will require more natural looking materials, such as porcelain or ceramic, while teeth further back in the mouth can use less discrete materials, such as gold or silver.

In some cases, the crown necessary to replace the damaged tooth takes up too much space in the jaw, and part of the original tooth must be removed to accommodate the implant. The procedure usually requires two trips to the dentist – the first prepares the mouth for the appliance, and the second installs the crown. Any damaged areas of the tooth are removed, and remaining teeth are filed down anywhere between one to two millimeters.

Crowns are usually implanted under local anesthesia, which minimizes a great deal of pain and keeps the patient alert enough to respond to the dentist’s commands. Many patients experience enhanced sensitivity to temperatures for a few days after the procedure, but any pain or discomfort lasting longer than a few days might be a sign that the crown needs adjustment to fit properly. Crowns are notorious traps for particulate food matter, so brushing and flossing regularly is incredibly important. With proper care, a crown can last anywhere between 5 and 15 years, and sometimes longer. If you are in need of a crown or other dental solution, make sure to contact a qualified dentist in your area today.

^ back to top

Enamel Shaping

Enamel shaping is the process by which a dentist contours the structure of natural teeth to achieve a better aesthetic appearance. It can also be employed to adjust any slight irregular shapes of the smile, which can be created by overcrowded or uneven teeth. Thanks to modern technologies employed in cosmetic dentistry, enamel shaping is painless and creates immediate results.

Because enamel shaping involves modifying teeth by only removing or contouring enamel, it is often performed in conjunction with other procedures. For example, a patient who undergoes an enamel shaping procedure may also receive orthodontic work to sculpt a beautiful smile.

If you are interested in enamel shaping and the benefits it can have for you, do not hesitate to discuss this procedure with your doctor. A simple and painless visit to your cosmetic dentist may provide you with a lifetime of self-confidence and all the other benefits enjoyed by satisfied patients with perfect smiles.

^ back to top

Subtle Makeover

Subtle makeover dentistry is comprised largely of minimally invasive procedures designed to modify the patient’s existing tooth composition. Examples of subtle makeover dentistry procedures include teeth whitening, bonding, implants, and veneers.

Subtle makeover procedures are designed to create a more aesthetically pleasing smile for the patient without reconstructing the oral cavity and the surrounding structures. Depending on the patient’s needs, subtle makeovers may be minimally invasive and provide permanent benefits after only a few brief visits to the cosmetic dentist.

If you feel that your teeth would benefit from a little extra cosmetic attention, ask your dentist about subtle makeovers. Patients who require a minimal amount of work to achieve a perfect smile are excellent candidates for this favorable alternative to continuing a life of dissatisfaction with their oral appearance.

^ back to top

Extreme Smile Makeover

Extreme Makeover dentistry usually has a reconstructive focus and involves any number of cosmetic and restorative procedures. An extreme dental makeover may require the restoration of the teeth, bite, and muscles to create a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing profile.

Extreme makeovers often involve teeth whitening procedures, porcelain veneers, surgeries, orthodontia, and other options to achieve impressive results. The specific procedures utilized are completely dependent upon the patient and his or her needs.

You deserve a beautiful smile. An extreme makeover can help you obtain the appearance and self confidence you’ve always hoped for. Contact an experienced and well regarded cosmetic dentist today and take steps towards a brighter tomorrow.

^ back to top