Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry can greatly influence both your look and self-esteem. Veneers offer an effective way to address flaws like chipped or discolored enamel, misaligned teeth, or gaps in your upper front teeth. These are thin, custom-designed shells made from a ceramic or composite resin that integrate flawlessly with your natural teeth.
Smile Design
A smile serves as a universal bond, linking us to those around us. Feeling dissatisfied with your smile may lead you to smile less, impacting your confidence and overall well-being. Many people pursue smile enhancements not only for beauty but also to maintain optimal dental function.
Your dentist will evaluate all aspects of your teeth like the proportionality, shape, alignment, position, size, and color of your teeth. A perfect smile typically shows 1-4 mm of the upper front teeth when you smile. For a natural beautiful look, teeth should be proportionate, with the dental midline matching the facial midline and mirroring the other side. Additionally, gums should look healthy and show no gaps between the teeth.
Smile design involves a process your dentist uses to map out and envision your perfect smile. This process utilizes photography and 3D models of your teeth to craft a visual representation of your ideal smile before starting any treatment. After you and your dentist finalize the virtual design, a detailed treatment plan is created to bring your shared vision to life. This personalized approach ensures that every step of the process is tailored to achieve the smile you've always dreamed of, combining both function and aesthetics for a truly transformative experience.
Teeth Whitening. A beautiful smile makes a great first impression. Do you have an important event coming up like a job interview or a date with someone you want to impress? Teeth whitening can enhance your appearance by brightening your smile. In our practice, we use the Opalescence in-office and at-home whitening systems. Ask our doctors or our experienced hygienists to tell you more about the whitening process.
Invisalign. An advanced orthodontic solution for adults and older teens who want to realign their teeth discreetly. The system creates a series of clear plastic aligners that gradually shift the teeth into new positions. With less time required to straighten teeth than traditional metal braces, Invisalign provides impressive results. Invisalign can straighten misaligned teeth and correct minor to moderate bite issues, bringing you the smile you have always wanted.
Dental Veneers. Dental veneers are a valuable alternative to teeth whitening and minor orthodontic work. To place a veneer, the dentist gently removes the top layer of enamel and securely adheres a thin porcelain veneer to the tooth surface. Veneers are stain-resistant and long-lasting. Veneers can correct chipped teeth, stains and discoloration, as well as change the appearance of mildly misaligned or oddly shaped teeth. They can also correct slight gaps and add length to your teeth.
All-on-X. All-on-X allows people who are missing all their teeth on one or both arches to replace them with fully functional implant-supported dentures. All-on-X requires fewer posts than single-tooth implants for a complete arch replacement. Implant-supported dentures have excellent fit and comfort compared to traditional dentures. The dentures do not slip and allow patients the ability to speak easily and eat their favorite foods again. The dentist surgically places the implant posts in the jawbone, where they act as a replacement for natural roots. The implants maintain a healthy jawbone, preventing bone loss, maintaining facial shape and making you look younger. Implant-supported dentures are made to last and can be an excellent long-term investment in oral health.
Procedures Offered
Teeth Whitening Options
Whitening is a cosmetic dentistry technique that brightens and whitens your teeth. The whitening gel can eliminate stains and discolorations from natural teeth providing you with a new brighter smile. The active ingredients in whitening agents are hydrogen peroxide or potassium nitrate and fluoride. Teeth whitening is a safe and effective way to whiten your teeth in-office or in the comfort of your own home.
Opalescence In-Office Whitening
Opalescence whitening is a sophisticated and highly effective system. The Opalescence system works by applying a hydrogen peroxide gel to the tooth surface, where it breaks down into oxygen molecules and seeps into the pores of the tooth enamel. The treatment is chemically activated, meaning that it does not need a special light to bring you amazing results.
At-Home Whitening Trays
When you use Opalescence at home, you can expect equally brilliant results within 7 to 10 days. We will make you a custom made whitening tray that you will wear to whiten your teeth at home.
Teeth Whitening FAQ’s
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In-office whitening with Opalescence typically takes from one to two hours. If you prefer to whiten your teeth at home, you should use our custom-made trays and professional strength Opalescence whitening gel for several consecutive days. Our doctors or our hygienists will determine the schedule you need to get the results you want.
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Teeth whitening is a comfortable procedure, but it may cause some temporary sensitivity to heat and cold afterward. Your teeth may be the most sensitive for a day or two after whitening. Ensure that the whitening gel does not come into contact with your gums and that you are not using too much gel in the trays. You can use special sensitivity toothpaste, gels, or oral rinses if the problem persists. Sometimes, minor gum burning occurs, which is self-resolving in a couple of hours. Dr. Jumonville recommends taking two tablets of Ibuprofen or Tylenol before the procedure to make sensitive teeth more comfortable. Our experienced hygienists will guide you through the procedure and give you post-whitening instructions.
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Teeth whitening does not damage teeth. Opalescence goes one step further by including a potassium nitrate and fluoride formula to reduce sensitivity and prevent cavities. The improper application of in-office whitening gel can burn your gums. This is why you should always have teeth whitening performed under a dentist's professional supervision. Don’t be misled by advertisements that you can safely do this at home. Come to us and have it done right!
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In-office whitening will show results right away. You will be impressed by how attractive your teeth can be. At-home solutions take longer but produce just as beautiful results. Your new smile will impress your friends, family, and coworkers. Every patient is different, so it may take several appointments to achieve the desired results.
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White spots on the teeth are not stains and do not respond to whitening treatments. Whitening can make these spots stand out more due to contrast. If white spots are noticeable, you should consider getting veneers instead of whitening your teeth. Let us help guide you in this important decision.
Veneers are a natural-looking cosmetic treatment that can provide a dramatic smile makeover.
Although veneers can improve many smiles, they may not be appropriate for everyone. People who grind or clench their teeth, or those with severe crowding or severely misaligned teeth or a deep overbite, might not be ideal candidates. Those patients may need a few months of orthodontic treatment, like Invisalign, before starting veneer placement. Veneers can only be applied if your teeth are healthy and free from decay and gum disease. If the tooth has decay, your doctor may recommend a fill crown instead of veneers for some or all of your teeth.
Ceramic Veneers
Should ceramic veneers be advised, your dentist will begin by removing a thin layer of enamel from the front and sides of your teeth. Next, an intraoral camera is used to take an impression of your teeth, forming a 3D model. You and your dentist will collaboratively select the veneer shade that best matches your smile. The veneers are custom-made over 2 weeks by the dental designers and then fitted onto your teeth. We will provide you with detailed instructions on how to take care of the temporary veneers, also known as a mock-up, while the permanent veneers are being custom-made in a dental laboratory. Necessary adjustments can be made before the veneers are permanently bonded. Known for their strength, durability, and natural look, ceramic veneers provide a lasting enhancement. Veneers will feel and look like your natural teeth and should be taken care of the same way as your natural teeth, meaning brushing, flossing, and coming to regular hygiene appointments for cleaning, check-ups, and X-rays. We give to all of our patients, a protective night guard to wear so that your beautiful veneers will last for years. Just like any other dental restoration, ceramic veneers may loosen, chop over time, and need to be replaced after 10-20 years. We want to do everything we can to make sure your veneers last as long as they possibly can.
Composite Veneers
The process for resin composite veneers begins with preparing the tooth, followed by directly applying and shaping the composite material onto the damaged tooth. The resin is then hardened with a special light, and the veneer is shaped and polished to seamlessly match your natural teeth. These veneers involve less enamel removal, require fewer trips to the dentist, and are simpler to replace if they become damaged or discolored. Composite veneers are a quick and affordable solution for dramatic transformation. They may need to be replaced more often due to discoloration of the margins where the composite meets the tooth. During your hygiene appointment, we can buff the composite veneers to make them shine and bright again.
Bioclear Composite Veneers
Some patients have black triangles between their teeth, also known as open gingival embrasures. Unattractive black triangles can result from bone loss, recession of the gums , and sometimes movement of the teeth after orthodontic treatment. Dark spaces between teeth can age a smile making teeth look longer with a misshapen lower portion of the tooth. Teeth with black triangles are also prone to food accumulation and plaque build-up between the teeth. In cases where the enamel is healthy and the front teeth do not need to be masked with full veneers, your dentist can restore and reshape the teeth by adding composite at the gum level to close the unattractive black triangle. We use a special Bioclear Method, that can conservatively close these gaps and make your smile look youthful again.
Considering veneers to perfect your smile?
Schedule a consultation with us to explore your options. We seriously love when our patients make the decision to improve their smile and see their happiness when the transformation is complete.
Cosmetic Bonding
Cosmetic Bonding involves applying a composite material that matches the color of the teeth to correct the shape of the tooth if it was chipped off or otherwise damaged. This technique not only beautifies your smile but also retains the tooth's natural appearance. Bonding is commonly used to repair chipped or decayed teeth, as well as correcting misshapen or mismatched colored teeth to look them more appealing.
Pros of Bonding:
Bonding can be more cost-effective than other cosmetic dental procedures like veneers.
A bonding session typically takes one appointment.
Bonding often preserves more of the original structure of the tooth
Unlike ceramic veneer, and overtime, composite bonding gets stained and will appear to have a dull appearance. They may need to be replaced or repolished to have a shiny and glossy surface.
While bonding might be preferred over veneers or crowns and is less invasive, it may not be as long-lasting or sturdy. The bonding material is not as strong as ceramic and prone to staining from substances like coffee, tea, tobacco, or certain foods, making good home dental care essential.