Cosmetic

Teeth Whitening

Tooth whitening is a popular procedure to make teeth whiter and brighter, and therefore more attractive. Bleaching can be used to whitening stained and discolored teeth, or simply to enhance a dull smile. Either way, tooth whitening is a safe and relatively painless procedure ideal for most patients. Our office offers two methods of whitening: take home tray whiteningand in office whitening.

Take home tray whitening is a less expensive and very effective whitening treatment you can use while in the comfort of your own home. It is the preferred method. We offer 2 options in our office based on patient needs:

• Custom trays made with a mold from your mouth-different concentrations of whitening gel can be used in the tray based on patient’s needs
• Pre-filled whitening trays. We use Opalescence GO

In-office whitening is an ideal for anyone wanting immediate results. The entire process takes place in our office in about an hour, making it the perfect choice for busy individuals. In this process, a protective gel is applied to your gums to protect the soft tissue. A special gel is then applied to your teeth-making your teeth whiter and brighter. As a final step, we take impressions of your teeth to create custom trays for at home touch-ups, and give you instructions for keeping your smile bright. The result is dramatically whiter teeth that will last for years.

Veneers

Veneers are a thin sheet of porcelain coveringor facing that is placed over the outside (visible area) of the tooththatis visible when talking or smiling. Veneers are great because they can:

• Change the color of your teeth
• Change the shape of your teeth
• Change the the size of your teeth
• Fill in spaces or gaps between your teeth
• Cover chips, cracks , or wear in your teeth
• They are more conservative than a full coverage crown
• With proper care, veneers can last 15-20 years

The veneer procedure can be direct or indirect.

The direct technique, involves placing composite resin on the outside of the tooth. This method is usually referred to as bonding.

The indirect technique usually involves multiple 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. The temporary covering allows some time for the doctor and the patient to evaluate the aesthetics, the occlusion and make any changes before that lab fabricates the final restorations. When the final veneers are ready, 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 aesthetic.