Cosmetic Dentistry

Professional teeth whitening services can be performed in an office setting or prescribed for take-home use by a patient. In comparison to over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments, professional whitening uses stronger whitening agents that deliver faster and more effective results.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

Professional tooth whitening in a dental office is the preferred whitening method because even though stronger agents are applied, the rest of the mouth, including the gums, is protected from these materials. The best whitening systems feature a buffer in the gel that protects the tooth enamel from damage, are extremely effective, and can transform teeth in a single office visit. Your teeth can literally brighten up to 2 to 3 shades in about an hour. Tooth whitening can last for one or more years, depending on how well you take care of your teeth, and if you’re following up regularly with a home whitening product for regular maintenance.

In-Home Tooth Whitening System

There are a few over-the-counter tooth-whitening methods that can be purchased without your dentist’s supervision. They include whitening strips, paint-on tooth gel, mouth trays with gel, whitening toothpaste, and even whitening gum. These are typically safe products but take longer to get expected results. And often tooth whitening trays do not fit the patient’s mouth properly. Improperly fitting trays may cause the tooth whitening gel to leak, gum irritation and a less effective treatment. There is another solution to that problem. You can also have whitening trays made professionally that fit to your teeth with precision. You can purchase whitening gel from your dental office that is available in different strength based on your teeth structure and necessity.

Veneers are very thin, porcelain or resin shells that are customized for a desirable color and shape. Veneers are bonded to the front of the tooth (or teeth). Placing veneers requires the removal of a small amount of your enamel so that the veneers fit properly and look natural without altering your bite. Lumineers are exceptionally thin and application does not require your teeth to be shaved down. Porcelain veneers are primarily a good option for cosmetic restorations to correct issues like stain-resistant discolorations, minor chips and cracks, damage to the enamel, and minor misalignments and short, eroded, or widely spaced teeth.

The lifespan of your restorations will depend greatly on your dedication to dental hygiene and regular visits at your dental office. Both veneers and lumineers are made of stain-resistant porcelain, but without proper care, the porcelain can still become discolored, and restorations cannot be bleached like natural teeth can. You should also use caution when eating to avoid biting down on hard substances. Habits like chewing nails or pencils, grinding or clenching could also damage your restoration.

Dental crowns are also a type of porcelain shell, but they are designed to fit over most of your tooth, which allows them to fix a number of functionality issues as well as cosmetic ones. To place a crown, dentist will need to shape your tooth so that the crown can fit over it and sit naturally among your other teeth.

Dental crowns are an effective option when the functionality of your tooth has been compromised. For instance, a crown can repair a tooth that has broken or cracked due to trauma or decay. Crowns are also useful for building up teeth that are causing problems with your bite and for supporting and protecting a tooth that has had root canal therapy.

Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligner trays based on individual treatment plan created for you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. As you wear each set of aligners, your teeth gently and gradually begin to shift into an ideal position. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You just place in a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, until your treatment is complete. You will achieve a great smile with little interference in your daily life. The best part is that most people won’t even know you are wearing aligners on your teeth.