Have you ever looked in the mirror, smiled, and thought, “Wow. My smile would look a lot better if it were…{fill in the blank}?”
Brighter tooth enamel, straighter teeth, more esthetically shaped teeth, and no metal dental work can dramatically improve the appearance of smile. We achieve these goals with cosmetic dentistry, which Dr. Matthew Bridges offers at Chisholm Trail Smile Center in Duncan, OK.
What is cosmetic dentistry?
Any dental procedure that enhances the appearance of a smile is considered cosmetic dentistry. Some, like white fillings and crowns, are cosmetic, as well as restorative. In general, cosmetic dentistry includes:
- Teeth Whitening
- White Fillings
- White Crowns
- Porcelain Veneers
- Cosmetic Bonding
- Cosmetic Contouring
You could look healthier, younger, and more attractive after cosmetic dentistry by Dr. Matthew Bridges. At his Duncan, OK, dental office, Dr. Bridges offers an array of treatments and procedures to brighten, straighten, and improve the overall symmetry of a person’s smile.
In today’s blog, we’ll explain how to achieve these cosmetic goals for your smile:
- Brighter Enamel
- Better Alignment
- Balance and Symmetry
Brighter Enamel
Teeth Whitening
We offer both in-office whitening with Zoom! and take-home whitening kits. These systems yield dramatic and similar results. While Zoom! takes about an hour, optimal results are seen a few days later. Home whitening requires one to two weeks of daily use, wearing gel-lined trays as instructed.
Porcelain Veneers
Some stains, like fluorosis (white, horizontal lines) and tetracycline stains (blue-gray hue) do not respond to chemical teeth whitening. If your teeth have intrinsic stains or you ultimately want a full-smile makeover, porcelain veneers are the premium choice. Veneers cover the entire front surface of teeth that show when you smile.
Cosmetic Bonding
A quick and effective cosmetic dentistry treatment, cosmetic bonding involves composite resin, the same material we use for white fillings. When applied to teeth as a veneer (sheet), bonding accomplishes long-term teeth whitening. However, keep in mind that bonding lasts about seven years, while veneers can endure up to 20 or more years.
Better Alignment
Porcelain Veneers
Because porcelain veneers are handmade for each patient, Dr. Bridges can design veneers to make your teeth look more uniform. They can close spaces, reface twisted or small teeth, and in some cases correct the appearance of slightly overlapped teeth.
Cosmetic Bonding
If price is an issue, cosmetic bonding can achieve results similar to that of porcelain veneers, but it will only last about seven years, on average. Another consideration is that if bonding is placed on only a portion of a tooth and the natural tooth enamel stains, the bonded portion will stand out. The patient in this situation should undergo professional teeth whitening.
White Crowns
Though they look bulkier and require more tooth preparation than veneers, white ceramic crowns reshape teeth so they appear more uniform and symmetrical.
Balance and Symmetry
Porcelain Veneers
The all-in-one smile makeover, as they’re sometimes called, porcelain veneers combine many aspects of cosmetic dentistry in a single procedure. Veneers transform the appearance of front teeth, accomplishing permanent whitening, improved alignment, and excellent symmetry and balance. From the upper midline (where the two center teeth meet), veneers look symmetrical on both sides.
Cosmetic Bonding
Like veneers, bonding can balance a smile that features asymmetrical teeth. For instance, a small, twisted, or chipped tooth can be fully reshaped with cosmetic bonding.
Cosmetic Contouring
While bonding adds structure to teeth, contouring removes structure. Cosmetic contouring involves reshaping tooth enamel for a smoother, more esthetic edge. For example, a patient with sharp, pointy canines, will enjoy a softer esthetic after contouring.
White Crowns
When veneers and bonding will not offer a durable, long-term solution to smile asymmetry and imbalance, porcelain crowns may be advised.
Which cosmetic dentistry treatments will deliver your dream smile?
Find out at your cosmetic dentistry consultation with Dr. Bridges. Schedule your appointment in our Duncan, OK, dental practice by calling (580) 255-4880. After evaluating your teeth, gums, and oral health, Dr. Bridges will talk with you about your goals. Once he understands what you’d like cosmetic dentistry to achieve, he’ll recommend appropriate treatments and answer all of your questions.
