COSMETIC DENTISTRY
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 or BLEACHING
This is the procedure of making teeth whiter, and therefore more attractive. Our office uses two methods: passive take home tray whitening, and professional strength white strips.
The tray method involves having impressions taken from which we fabricate custom vinyl trays in as little as one day. A carbamide peroxide gel is placed in these trays and the trays with gel are worn for 1 to 3 hours, or overnight. The entire process takes 1-2 weeks of daily use. Two 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. Once the trays are made, the bleaching gel is relatively inexpensive and available from our office.
If you do not tolerate impressions well, we do sell a trayless option that can be applied directly to the teeth. Tres-White is a professional strength product available only through dentists.
VENEERS
Veneers are a dental procedure in which a porcelain 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 done in one visit or two depending upon the situation.
The two visit technique 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 single visit veneers are completed using a CEREC technique where Dr. Johnson shapes the teeth, takes a series of pictures, and fabricates porcelain veneers chairside. Typically only simple cosmetic cases should be undertaken this way.
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, are misaligned, or are discolored.
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. This last point is the greatest benefit as oral hygiene often suffers during traditional orthodontic treatment.
