Cosmetic Dentistry
Fortunately, it is possible to address these imperfections and give you a smile that you can be proud of. If there’s room for improvement in your smile’s aesthetics, schedule a consultation at our office to learn about the treatments that can help and the results that may be achievable in your case.
Enhance Your Smile’s Appearance
The ideal smile includes bright white teeth that are properly aligned and in good condition. However, many patients fall short of that ideal due to a number of reasons, ranging from congenital issues to damage to the teeth resulting from injuries.
The good news is that Dr. Burton can easily improve on your smile to make it closer to the ideal appearance. Treatments are available to address many cosmetic flaws, ranging from discoloration or staining of the teeth to chipped or cracked teeth.
Cosmetic Dentistry Interventions
Different cosmetic dentistry interventions will be beneficial in different scenarios. Dr. Burton will recommend the most appropriate treatments after examining your smile at a consultation. Your cosmetic dentistry treatment plan may include the following:
- Teeth whitening: Zoom! Teeth Whitening applies a bleaching gel to the teeth and then activates that bleaching gel using a special blue light. This system allows the bleaching agent to have its full effect in about an hour. You can leave the appointment with teeth that are 8-10 shades whiter.
- Veneers: These are thin, tooth-shaped shells that are bonded on top of your biological teeth to conceal defects like chips, cracks and deep stains that don’t respond to teeth whitening treatments.
What kind of results can I expect?
Cosmetic dentistry treatments can drastically alter the appearance of your smile for the better. It can be hard to envision the eventual outcomes of your treatments, but Dr. Burton can use the SNAP digital imaging system to give you an idea of what to expect.
You may also find it helpful to review photos of patients with similar cases who received the same treatment. We feature some general examples on our website, and Dr. Burton can share more relevant ones with you, as well.
Common Cosmetic Dentistry Questions
What is cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is the specialty that focuses on improving the aesthetics of your smile. We recognize that many patients are just as concerned about the appearance of their smiles as they are about their structural integrity. We can work with you to improve the shade of your teeth and repair any damage that has occurred, as well as correcting other issues such as misalignments or undersized teeth.
What is a veneer?
Veneers are among the most versatile treatments available in cosmetic dentistry. They are tooth-shaped shells, typically made of either porcelain or composite materials, that are bonded on top of your natural teeth to hide cosmetic flaws.
Dr. Burton may use veneers to address chipped, cracked or broken teeth. They can also hide deep stains that aren’t removed by bleaching agents. Veneers can also be placed to fill in gaps between teeth or to make undersized teeth look more proportionate with the rest of the smile. Minor misalignments in the teeth can also be hidden using veneers.
After the veneers are bonded to your teeth, they become a functional part of the tooth’s structure. You can eat, drink and speak normally while wearing your veneers. Use common sense, as anything that could harm your natural tooth could also harm your veneers. Make sure that you also maintain your veneers as directed by Dr. Burton to get the maximum benefit.
I have sensitive teeth, can I still whiten my teeth?
Some patients complain of increased tooth sensitivity after teeth whitening treatments. Therefore, if you already experience tooth sensitivity, this will be a consideration in your treatment plan. Tooth sensitivity doesn’t rule out tooth whitening, but we will want to develop a plan to reduce the chances of this symptom.
We may recommend that you start using a toothpaste specially formulated for sensitive teeth before you undergo tooth whitening treatment. If you are susceptible to tooth sensitivity, we may also space out any follow-up treatments over a longer period of time.
Are teeth whitening results permanent?
The results of teeth whitening treatments are not permanent, and they begin to fade within about 4-6 months. Dr. Burton can give you touch-up treatments, either in the office or using a convenient at-home kit. You can also extend the longevity of your teeth whitening treatments by avoiding habits that can stain your teeth, such as smoking or frequently drinking coffee, tea or red wine.