This can be anything done to correct imperfections in the
appearance of the mouth. Anyone who is unhappy with their smile can
have it fixed. The upper teeth show, usually, only when smiling,
while the lower teeth remain hidden. This is reversed when talking,
with the upper teeth remaining hidden while the lower teeth show.
The color, alignment, spacing as well as regularity of the teeth
are the characteristics that give the overall appearance. Any of
these can be repaired to give a stunning look to the mouth.
We offer a wide variety of cosmetic options. Some of these
options are whitening, smile design, recontouring of the shape of
the teeth, veneers, bonding, and all ceramic/porcelain crowns.
WHITENING - INCLUDING
Zoom!
This is the procedure of making teeth whiter,
and therefore more attractive. Our office uses several methods:
Zoom!, passive tray whitening, and professional strength white
strips.
Zoom! is a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure. It's safe
effective and fast, very fast. In just over an hour, your teeth
will be dramatically whiter. The convenience of Zoom! in comparison
to days of using strips or wearing trays makes it the perfect
choice for the busy individual. The Zoom! Whitening procedure is
simple. It begins with a short preparation to isolate your lips and
gums. The clinician then applies the proprietary Zoom! whitening
gel that is activated by a specially designed light. Teeth
typically become at least six to ten shades whiter, sometimes more.
A fluoride treatment completes the procedure. You'll be amazed with
the results. In most cases, teeth get even whiter the first few
days after the procedure. Trays with gel are recommended afterward
for maximum whitening and maintenance.
The tray method involves having impressions taken from which
laboratory fabricated custom vinyl trays are made. A carbamide
peroxide gel is placed in these trays and the trays with gel are
worn for about 3 hours, or overnight. The entire process takes 3-4
weeks of daily use. Three different strengths of gel may be used,
however the higher the strength the greater the likelihood of
reactions or tooth sensitivity. The tray method is recommended for
badly stained teeth, such as tetracycline staining, and it may take
several months of use to see significant color improvement. For
maintenance of whitened teeth the trays should be used every
several months.
The end results whether using trays at home or doing Zoom! is the
same. The cost of the tray method is about half compared to Zoom!,
and there is usually less post-treatment sensitivity.
VENEERS
Veneers are a dental procedure in which a covering is placed over
the outside (visible area) of the tooth. Veneers are usually only
done to the part of the teeth that are visible when talking or
smiling. The procedure can be direct or indirect.
The direct technique usually involves placing composite resin on
the outside of the tooth using bonding. This method is usually
referred to as bonding.
The indirect technique usually involves two appointments because
the veneers will be fabricated at a dental laboratory. At the first
appointment the teeth are prepared, impressions taken, and the
teeth are given a temporary covering. In two to three weeks the
veneers are back from the laboratory, the temporaries are removed
and the veneers are bonded to the teeth. The laboratory fabricated
veneers are usually made using porcelain or pressed ceramic, and
are very esthetic.
The advantage of veneers versus crowns is that much less tooth
material is removed, and the procedure is generally less
uncomfortable. Veneers are recommended for teeth that have large
fillings or little tooth structure.
INVISALIGN
Invisalign straightens your teeth with a series of clear, virtually
invisible custom-molded aligners. By using a series of clear,
removable aligners, Invisalign straightens your teeth with results
you'll notice sooner than you think. The course of treatment
involves changing aligners approximately every two weeks, moving
your teeth into straighter position step by step, until you have a
more beautiful smile. And unlike braces, these clear aligners can
be removed while you eat and brush your teeth as usual.