After you
are done on this page, also take a look at the finer points of
the esthetic smile
Porcelain Veneers (i.e. Lumineers
brand veneers)
Dental Veneers are a fantastic treatment option
for anyone seeking to change their smile, both in color and in
shape. They require minimal amount of drilling on the teeth thereby
preserving sound tooth structure and minimizing patient discomfort.
In certain cases, veneers can also be placed
with no drilling and no shots. Lumineers are a brand of veneers
that are processed in such a way as to allow them to be quite
thin (as thin as 0.3mm); sometimes this is ideal, in other cases
it is not. Lumineers has spent a lot of money selling "no-prep"
veneers to the public, and while they are a viable treatment option,
no-prep Lumineers are not for everyone.
Please be aware that only a modest percentage
of patients have teeth that allow veneers to be placed without
drilling. Most patients require some drilling on the front of
teeth in order to create the ideal cosmetic and functional outcome.
Be skeptical of those who might try to convince
you that everyone can have veneers without drilling. Veneers can
be placed on anyone in such a way, but the esthetic, functional,
and biological outcome may be compromised.
One such example is the "chicklet teeth."
Chicklet teeth are usually the result of veneers placed without
drilling on a patient who really should have had some reduction
of the tooth surface. The result is teeth that appear too bulky,
and too white with little translucency, like white chicklets.
We prefer to create smiles
for our patients that are bright and beautiful, while still appearing
to be natural. The ideal esthetic outcome should leave your
friends and family commenting on how great you look, not on how
nice your new veneers are. We work diligently with our patients
to determine the ideal smile for them, one that is cosmetically
pleasing, functionally sound and biologically
healthy.
It is our belief that treatment is a success
only when all three criteria have been met.
Composite Bonding
Composite bonding is a white filling material
that can be used to create esthetic fillings in the back of the
mouth and to create subtle changes in color, length, and edge
shape in the front of the mouth. The most common cosmetic procedure
done with composite is the repair of chipped teeth. As we age,
the edges of out incisors wear down and chip. Not only can this
be esthetically displeasing, but it can also effect comfort and
proper function of the teeth.
Cosmetic repairs of the anterior (front) teeth
using composite can usually be accomplished without shots and
with a minimal amount of drilling. Most minor edge repairs take
less than an hour and you walk out of the office with a smile
you can love.
As with veneers, we take great care to ensure
that your new restorations are in harmony with all components
of the mouth (the teeth, the gingiva, the musculature, and the
temporo-mandibular joint).
Tooth Bleaching and Whitening
Tooth bleaching and whitening is a fast and effective
way to improve your smile. Custom trays are fabricated for your
mouth and high strength peroxide gel is provided to you. The trays
are worn while sleeping and within a week your smile will be whiter
and brighter.
The only common side effect of bleaching is tooth
sensitivity. We provide our patients with one of the finest bleaching
gels available (Ultradent's Opalescence) which also incorporates
desensitizing components. If sensitivity persists we will also
provide you with a fluoride gel to alleviate any discomfort. |
