Cosmetic Dentistry

Whitening, or “tooth bleaching”, is the most common procedure in dental cosmetic services. While many whitening options are now available, including our over the counter products, dentist-supervised treatments remain the recommended procedures for lightening discolored teeth.

Teeth 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 or position of teeth. The removed enamel is irreplaceable, and may sometimes expose dentin. It is also known as enameloplasty, odontoplasty, contouring, recontouring, slenderizing, stripping or sculpting. This procedure offers fast results and can even be a substitute for braces under certain circumstances.

Bonding is a process in which an enamel-like dental composite material is applied to a tooth’s surface, sculpted into shape, hardened and then polished.

Dental bridges are false teeth, known as a pontic, which are fused between two porcelain crowns to fill in areas left by missing teeth. Two crowns hold it in place, these are attached to adjacent sides of the false tooth. This is known as a fixed bridge. This procedure is used to replace one or more missing teeth. Fixed bridges cannot be taken out in the same way that partial dentures can. In areas of the mouth that are under less stress, such as the front teeth, a cantilever bridge may be used. Cantilever bridges are used when there are teeth on only one side of the open space. Bridges can reduce the risk of gum disease, help correct some bite issues, and even improve your speech. Bridges require a commitment to serious oral hygiene, but may last up to ten years or more.

In dentistry, a veneer is a thin layer of material placed over a tooth, either to improve the aesthetics of a tooth or to protect damage to a tooth’s surface. They are an option for closing gaps or disguising discolored teeth that do not respond well to whitening procedures. There are two main types of material used to fabricate a veneer, composite and dental porcelain. With proper care, veneers can typically last 10-30 years.

A gum lift is a cosmetic dental procedure that raises and sculpts the gum line. The procedure involves reshaping the tissue and/or underlying bones to create the appearance of longer or more symmetrical teeth.