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 COSMETIC DENTISTRY

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, replacement of silver(amalgam) fillings with tooth colored(composite resin) fillings, veneers(bonding), and all ceramic/porcelain crowns.

WHITENING
This is the procedure of making teeth whiter, and therefore more attractive. Our office uses a tray whitening system made by Colgate.

The tray method involves having impressions taken from which laboratory fabricated custom vinyl trays are made. A hydrogen peroxide gel is placed in these trays and the trays with gel are worn for only 30 minutes per day. The entire process takes approximately 2 weeks of daily use. More whitening time may be needed for whiter teeth depending on the current shades of your teeth.

Teeth whitening is safe for the enamel of your teeth. A potential side effect of whitening is some temporary cold sensitivity. The benefit to this whitening kit is that it contains an ingredient, potassium nitrate, that helps manage cold sensitivity. Most other whitening kits do not provide for this. 


REPLACEMENT OF SILVER (AMALGAM) FILLINGS WITH TOOTH COLORED (COMPOSITE RESIN) FILLINGS

Only composite resin(tooth colored) fillings are used in this office. Amalgam(silver) fillings have several disadvantages to their use-they can cause your teeth to be more prone to breaking in half. As with any metal, amalgam responds to hot and cold temperatures by contracting and expanding inside your tooth. As it does this, your surrounding tooth structure is weakened and flexes, causing cracks to form in the tooth. Chewing on something hard after this, will make your tooth more prone to breaking in half.

Amalgam and your saliva also respond the way other metal objects do when kept in water. Your filling will rust and corrode in your mouth. As this happens, your filling turns black, and the edges of the filling weaken and begin to crumble. Thus, creating gaps for bacteria to creep in and cause cavities.

 

 

 


VENEERS
Veneers are a dental procedure in which a 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 technique usually involves two to three 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 and natural.

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 or little tooth structure.

 


 

10317 W. Broad Street
Glen Allen, VA 23060
(804)747-4001