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, veneers,
bonding, and all ceramic/porcelain crowns.
WHITENING - INCLUDING Zoom!
This is the procedure of
making teeth whiter, and therefore more attractive. Our office uses several
methods: Zoom!, passive tray whitening, and professional strength white
strips.
Zoom! is a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure. It's safe effective and fast, very fast. In just over an hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter. The convenience of Zoom! in comparison to days of using strips or wearing trays makes it the perfect choice for the busy individual.
The Zoom! Whitening procedure is simple. It begins with a short preparation to isolate your lips and gums. The clinician then applies the proprietary Zoom! whitening gel that is activated by a specially designed light. Teeth typically become at least six to ten shades whiter, sometimes more. A fluoride treatment completes the procedure. You'll be amazed with the results. In most cases, teeth get even whiter the first few days after the procedure.
Trays with gel
are recommended afterward for maximum whitening and maintenance. The tray
method involves having impressions taken from which laboratory fabricated
custom vinyl trays are made. A carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide gel is
placed in these trays and the trays with gel are worn from 30 minutes once or
twice daily to overnight. The entire process can take 3-4 weeks of daily
use, but noticeable differences will usually be made after just 2 weeks. Many
different strengths of gel may be used, however the higher the strength the
greater the likelihood of reactions or tooth sensitivity. The tray method is
recommended for badly stained teeth, such as tetracycline staining, and it may
take several months of use to see significant color improvement. For
maintenance of whitened teeth the trays should be used every several months.
The end results whether using trays at home or doing Zoom! is the same. The
cost of the tray method is about half compared to Zoom!, and there is usually
less post-treatment sensitivity.
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 procedure can be direct or
indirect.
The direct technique usually involves placing composite resin on the
outside of the tooth using bonding. This method is usually referred to as
bonding.
The indirect technique usually involves two 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.
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.
LUMINEERS BY CERINATE
has developed the contact
lens-thin porcelain technology that provides beauty and strength, while
preserving your natural tooth structure. That means you can correct a
wide variety of unsightly dental distortions or conditions, such as:
- tooth discoloration
- noticeable gaps
- permanent stains
- broken or misshapen teeth
- lengthen short teeth
- LUMINEERS can even bond to existing crowns and bridgework without having to replace them
Have you ever wondered how you can have a brighter smile with straighter,
permanently whiter teeth, painlessly? Dr. Palmer is a certified provider
of Lumineers by Cerinate. LUMINEERS porcelain veneers can transform your smile
without removal of sensitive tooth structure, in most cases. The porcelain
used to create LUMINEERS is extremely strong, allowing LUMINEERS to be much
thinner than traditional porcelain veneers. Since the porcelain veneer
is thinner, it closely resembles natural teeth and doesn’t require removal of
sensitive tooth structure. If tooth reduction is needed, often only
minimal amounts of enamel are removed and the sensitive part of the tooth is
not touched. This eliminates the need for a shot during the procedure
and the possibility of sensitivity afterward. We will gladly share this
exciting procedure with you and let you know what LUMINEERScan do to give you
the smile of your dreams.