Cosmetic Dentistry can be defined as the art
and science of recreating teeth in ideal form, shade, and function.
Simply put, cosmetic dentistry is enhancing or creating a natural
looking, beautiful smile.
Sometimes a healthy set of teeth can have unwanted spaces and gaps
or can be crooked and turned in an undesirable way. Teeth can be
discolored and stained from lifestyles (smoking, coffee) or from
medications as a child"(tetracycline) during tooth formations.
In other cases a tooth or teeth may need restoring from traumatic
fracture, decay, tooth loss, inner tooth infection or gum recession.
What is the solution to any or all of these
scenarios? Cosmetic Dentistry!
- Teeth Whitening or Bleaching
Whitening your teeth is easier and safer than ever before. It
can be done at home or at our office. Home whitening consists
of three components:
- Whitening Gel
- Custom Made Trays
- Time.
Office whitening is similar except the time
is much less.
Home Whitening
The first step in home whitening or bleaching is the fabrication
of the custom fit trays. To do this, upper and lower jaw impressions
or molds are taken. The trays are specially fabricated to hold
the whitening gel against the teeth. They are made of a clear,
thin, soft plastic that is easily and comfortably worn everyday
for about 2 weeks. The trays are worn with gel for 4- 6 hours
at a time. Many patients go to bed with the trays in place. The
more you wear the trays. ..the quicker the whitening effect. The
gel system is a special formulation of peroxides, which has been
researched and proven to be safe and effective. It will not damage
your teeth and no tooth structure
is removed.
Office Whitening
Other terms for this technique are power whitening or laser
whitening. In office whitening is done in dramatically less
time. The gel is similar only instead of wearing trays; we apply
the gel to your teeth. The gel is activated and accelerated with
a light system similar to a laser. About an hour later, you leave
with a whiter smile..
There are a few considerations with both processes. Generally
the home whitening system is half the cost of the in office procedure.
Fillings, caps, crowns, veneers and bonding will not be affected
by the gel. In these instances,
old visible dental work would neet to be replaced to match the
shade of the newly whitened teeth. Tetracycline stained teeth
or deep tooth structure discoloration generally will not whiten
to satisfactory results. The whitening effect holds up for years
and can be"touched up" on a need-be basis. Whitening
is not designed to be used continually.
To find out if either whitening technique is for you, call us
for a free consultation
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- Porcelain Veneers
A Porcelain Veneer is a thin, fingernail thickness shield of porcelain
that resurfaces the front visible surface of a tooth and is wrapped
around the backside of the tooth to include the edge of the tooth.
The number of veneers placed varies from each patient's needs
and desires but generally the front eight teeth are done on the
upper and the lower teeth to give a uniform and picture perfect
look.
Veneers are permanently bonded to the teeth, will not stain and
are resistant to fracture. They can be used to whiten a smile
where other methods proved unsuccessful. They can be placed to
fill unwanted gaps, restore uneven edges and fractures, or correct
rotated, short and crooked teeth. Many times little or no preparation
on the existing teeth is necessary. This procedure requires two
visits.
During the first visit
we take an impression the teeth to be veneered and prepare them.
The impression is sent to a lab where the veneers are custom made
to fit each tooth in the desired shade and contour. Temporary
veneers are then placed.
The second visit is about
10 days later. It is then the permanent veneers are tried on for
fit and if they look awesome, they are bonded into place. Nothing
but nature and genetics at their best can create a smile that
compares with the
natural look made possible by porcelain veneers.
To determine if Porcelain Veneers are for you call to schedule
a free consultation.
- All-Porcelain Caps, Crowns and Bridges
The caps or crowns of dentistry in the past were either gold or
porcelain coated over metal. The metal would typically show through
along the gum line showing a dark almost black area at the gum.
Not very attractive or natural.
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Past Crowns and Caps
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Current Porcelain Crowns
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Now with a similar technique as porcelain
veneers, caps or crowns are made with no metal and are completely
made of a very strong porcelain material. Porcelain technology
has advanced dramatically the last 5 years allowing maximum strength
and beautiful aesthetics.
A porcelain cap or crown is used where more of a tooth is compromised
from decay or fracture to restore it to normal function and desirable
contour and shade. Years ago when a person lost a tooth or several
teeth unattractive dentures or metallic based bridges were the
only options. Now lost teeth can be replaced with natural looking,
all porcelain bridges that are bonded to the adjacent teeth with
no metal showing whatsoever.
All-porcelain caps, crowns and bridges can be used in conjunction
with veneers depending on the restorative and cosmetic needs of
the patient. At Calhoun Dental almost any mouth in any condition
can be rebuilt to look terrific.
- White Fillings
At Calhoun Dental, we do not use silver amalgam metal filling
material. When a
tooth needs a filling to restore a cavity or small fracture, white
filling material called composite is used. In some cases, porcelain
inlays or onlays may be the
solution. With either technique, the shade of your tooth is matched
to obtain a natural look, even in molars. With the advent of modern
light cured polymers fillings and dental adhesives, fillings are
sealed and retained by a physical interlocking to the microscopic
pores of the tooth structure. This means that only the decayed
part of the ooth is removed and replaced, allowing for a smaller,
stronger more conservative filling that is better for your tooth.
Virtually everyone can benefit from Cosmetic
Dentistry .There are various procedures and services to address
the aesthetic needs of each individual. A consultation is the best
way to find out what you need to get the smile you want.
At Calhoun Dental we always offer a Free Consultation. At
the consultation, Dr. Comelissen will:
- Sit down with you and discuss your
desired outcome.
- He will closely examine your teeth to
determine your options.
- A treatment plan will be put together
and an estimate of the costs will be given to you with no obligation.
Any and all questions are encouraged during
the consultation. If you are interested in going ahead with treatment,
appointments can be made
and financing can be put into place.
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