Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dental work has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason: enhancing the aesthetics of a smile can be life changing. Visible smile imperfections can take a toll on folks. From reducing self-esteem to causing social isolation, a flawed smile affects many facets of one’s life. At Tate Family Dentistry, our goal is to improve the aesthetic appeal of a smile without negatively affecting oral function or causing one’s teeth to look unnatural.
Receiving cosmetic dental work is more accessible than one might think. In fact, someone you know has likely benefitted from a cosmetic treatment or two. Our dentists at Tate Family Dentistry offer professional teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and white restorations to help achieve beautiful, white smiles.
Professional Teeth Whitening
With exposure to dark beverages and foods comes permanent tooth stains. Darkly pigmented foods and drinks like wine and coffee will penetrate the enamel layer of teeth and form permanent stains over time. Once stains develop beneath the enamel surface of teeth, they are difficult to get out. Despite claims made by popular over the counter products, store-bought products lack the potency to lift tough tooth stains. This is why we strongly encourage that our patients receive professional whitening treatments.
Utilizing prescription level whitening solutions, our whitening treatments can dramatically brighten a smile without damaging tooth structure. After treatment, most patients enjoy a smile that is between eight and ten shades lighter.
We offer three whitening options that will help to get you a whiter smile. GLO Whitening is one option that is extremely effective, yet gentle, on your extra sensitive teeth. We look forward to meeting you for a complimentary consult to discuss your whitening needs.
Porcelain Veneers
For those in need of a complete smile overhaul, porcelain veneers are often a great option. These cosmetic enhancements can conceal all types of imperfections and flaws including stains, chips, gaps, and misaligned or misshapen teeth. Bonded over the outer surface of teeth, a veneer is an ultra-thin, tooth-shaped piece of porcelain. When a series of veneers are placed over teeth, they produce a uniformly bright and straight smile.
This treatment is sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics” because after veneers are bonded, patients leave our practice with a straight and proportionate smile that appears very lifelike and natural.
White Restorations
When patients have flawed teeth that have been affected by injury or disease, white restorations are a great way to address the restorative needs of a tooth while also improving its appearance. Whether a patient receives a tooth-colored filling or porcelain inlay or crown, their dental work will not only restore a tooth to its proper shape and size, it will improve the appearance of the tooth. If multiple teeth are visibly affected by disease or injury, a series of restorations can produce a smile makeover.
To schedule a smile makeover consultation with one of our caring dentists, call Tate Family Dentistry today.
Common Questions
Cosmetic dentistry is a specialty that focuses on enhancing the smile’s appearance. A cosmetic dentist may address a range of issues, including discolored teeth, chipped or cracked teeth, a slightly misaligned smile or undersized teeth. Almost any aspect of your smile that you find dissatisfying can be addressed within this discipline. The treatment timeline involved in cosmetic dental procedures is often quite brief. Most of the treatments can be completed in a few weeks, and some patients may see their results in a matter of days. Cosmetic dentistry can be an option for anyone who is dissatisfied with the way their smile looks.
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is bonded on top of a biological tooth that has been damaged by decay or injury. Dental crowns are also placed after root canal therapy to strengthen and protect a tooth. Dental crowns can be made of a number of different materials, including composites, porcelain fused to metal, or metal. Custom-crafted crowns made of tooth-colored materials can be tailored to blend in with the patient’s biological teeth so that they do not stand out as noticeably artificial.
Porcelain veneers are tooth-shaped shells that are bonded on top of biological teeth to conceal aesthetic flaws in the smile. These devices are tremendously versatile and useful for overhauling a patient’s smile in a relatively short period of time. Veneers can be used to hide dark stains that don’t respond to conventional teeth whitening treatments, as well as covering up chips, cracks or other damage to the teeth. Veneers can also address the issue of undersized or slightly misaligned teeth. In fact, veneers are sometimes called “instant orthodontics” because they can create the illusion of proper positioning of the smile in a matter of weeks rather than the months associated with conventional orthodontic treatment.
Some patients who undergo teeth whitening treatments complain of tooth sensitivity as a temporary side effect, although the treatment does not actually damage the teeth when administered properly. If you know in advance that you tend to have sensitive teeth, your dentist can make recommendations of preventive steps you can take to reduce your risk of sensitivity.