COSMETIC

Cosmetic

Cosmetic dental work will improve your appearance. There are several types of cosmetic procedures.

Whitening
Whitening, or “tooth bleaching”, is one common cosmetic dental procedure.
Keeping our teeth their whitest is a lot harder than it sounds. With all the coffee, wine, smoking, and other foods that can stain our teeth daily, even proper maintenance sometimes leaves them a little lackluster. Teeth whitening is an excellent way to restore the natural color of your teeth or even make them whiter than your natural color if you would like.

To accomplish the whitening of your teeth, we utilize a tray whitening system. This tray whitening system is completed in 2 steps. The first step is to make an impression on your teeth. With this impression, we’ll craft you custom whitening trays that you can use over and over. Finally, you will take the whitening gel and put it in the gel for a short period over a few days. This often results in a whiter smile of 4 – 8 shades!

Dr. Carson will first evaluate your teeth and smile to determine whether whitening is right for you. In some cases, a different cosmetic procedure may better meet your expectations.

Bonding

Bonding is also a popular method to enhance the aesthetics of your smile. Bonding can be used to correct cracks or gaps in teeth, as a filling after a cavity has been removed, or to cover up stains or discolored teeth.

A composite resin is used on the affected tooth or teeth. It is molded and sculpted over an adhesive gel that is placed on the tooth. After the resin has been applied, LED light is used to harden the resin, which is then polished to give you a fresh, new smile.

Bonding is an obvious improvement over unsightly silver amalgam fillings. With the advancements in dental technology, bonding usually lasts for over 10 years. It is a safe, affordable, and attractive solution for many dental problems.

Reshaping

Reshaping is another type of cosmetic dentistry. Tooth reshaping removes part of the enamel to improve the appearance of the tooth. It may be used to correct a small chip or to alter the length, shape, and position of the teeth. This is especially useful when there is a tooth size discrepancy. Reshaping can be used to correct crooked or excessively long teeth. Reshaping offers fast results and can even be a substitute for braces under certain circumstances.

Veneers

Veneers are a cosmetic option for closing gaps, enhancing the shape, or changing the color of teeth that did not respond well to whitening procedures. Veneers are an excellent way to redesign and reshape your entire mouth.
In terms of the process to place veneers, it is a process that takes approximately two to three visits. In the first visit, we will discuss the new shape and look of what we are going to accomplish by placing the veneers. Once we have put a plan in place, we will carefully prepare the teeth for the placement of the new veneers. As we complete this piece of the process, the next step is to take an impression of the newly prepared teeth. This impression will be sent to our laboratory for the final product to be fabricated. We only utilize the highest standard laboratory for the fabrication of all of our work. This process at the laboratory takes between 10-14 days. While the new veneers are being fabricated at the lab, we will provide you with a beautiful temporary solution to wear for this time.

As the veneers are finalized, we will make every effort to make sure that your new veneers will feel just like your natural teeth. We will bond them into place ensuring that you can enjoy your new smile for a very long time!

Inlays and Onlays

As an alternative to direct restoration, you can consider Inlays and Onlays.
Inlays and Onlays are often referred to as partial crowns. They use the existing tooth as a base and fit the inlay or onlay onto the tooth. This is done to strengthen the tooth, restore its shape, and prevent further damage. An inlay is done when there is no damage to the cusps of the tooth and the inlay can be placed right on the tooth. An onlay is used when the damage is a little more extensive.

Inlays and Onlays are made outside of the mouth as a single, solid piece that fits the specific size and shape of the cavity and then cemented in place in the tooth.
The decayed area of the tooth is first removed during the procedure. A mold of the tooth is then taken and sent to a dental lab. They create a restoration made from porcelain, gold, or composite resin. The restoration takes about 2-3 weeks to make, so a temporary inlay or onlay will be placed on the tooth for that time. During your next visit, the inlay or onlay will be placed into your mouth and set with cement. Your tooth will look natural and you or anyone else won’t be able to tell the difference. Please call us to find out more 410-250-0100