Made of thin layers of porcelain, veneers look natural and can endure the pressure of biting and chewing foods. Dr. Matthew Bridges may recommend veneers to improve the appearance of front teeth that show when you smile. 

Because they cover the front surface of teeth, veneers correct stains, cracks, misalignments, and other imperfections to create a gorgeous smile. A ceramist handmakes each veneer in a dental lab with durable, esthetic porcelain tinted to blend with the patient’s natural teeth. Usually, the process takes two appointments and about a month to complete, following the initial consultation.

Today’s blog will review who needs porcelain veneers. We’ll explain in more detail the conditions that warrant veneers and what you can expect following the procedure.

Choosing Veneers

Also known as the all-in-one smile makeover, porcelain veneers can tweak or completely transform a smile. Cosmetic veneers improve one or more of the following attributes of a tooth:

• Shape
• Size
• Alignment
• Color

Porcelain Veneers Candidacy

Age

Because veneers are permanent, we recommend them for older teens and patients in any stage of adulthood. If a child gets veneers, the restorations will need replacement as the child’s natural teeth grow. Oftentimes, bonding is a more desirable cosmetic enhancement for children and young teens.

Health

Dr. Bridges wants your investment to last, so he will help bring your mouth into good health before placing porcelain veneers. This may involve treating tooth decay, gum disease, and occlusion issues that can lead to clenching and grinding (bruxism) and TMJ disorder. If you clench and grind your teeth, you can wear down veneers, as well as the other teeth and dental work in your mouth.

Prerequisite Orthodontics

Porcelain veneers can close mild to moderate gaps between teeth and correct the appearance of twisted or malformed teeth. However, if your teeth are too widely spaced or crowded and overlapping, you may need orthodontic treatment prior to veneers. 

Bad Habits

If you chew on your fingernails, pen caps, ice, straws, and other objects, you’ll need to break the habit before having veneers–or your veneers may break!

Also, tobacco will permanently stain tooth enamel, as well as dental work. If you smoke, your porcelain veneers will discolor over time.

Care and Mainteanance

DO NOT USE WHITENING TOOTHPASTE ON VENEERS. The abrasive paste will scratch your veneers and promote staining, rather than remove stains. Note also that chemical teeth whitening does not work on dental work, including veneers. Teeth whitening is intended for use on natural tooth enamel only.

Plan to visit the dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning, and as needed for toothaches and oral abnormalities. Also, you’ll need to practice good dental hygiene every day, morning and evening. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss once, and use mouth wash to kill bacteria and bad breath. If veneers are damaged, contact Dr. Bridges immediately for an appointment.

Call Today for Porcelain Veneers Consultation

Are porcelain veneers right for you? Let’s chat about it! Call Chisholm Trail Smile Center today at 580.255.4880 and reserve your consultation with Dr. Matthew Bridges. He’ll take time to talk with you about your concerns, then conduct a comprehensive oral evaluation. He may want to take x-rays, as well. After reviewing his findings, the doctor will create a custom treatment plan, share it with you, and answer all of your questions. We love new patients!

The post Who Needs Porcelain Veneers? appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

At Chisholm Trail Smile Center, Dr. Matthew Bridges offers both porcelain and composite veneers. Each option has advantages and disadvantages. One may be more appropriate for your oral health and personal goals. At your consultation, Dr. Bridges will help you select the best solution for you.

Contact our Duncan, OK, office to schedule an appointment.

Porcelain vs. Composite Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin shells. They are fabricated off-site to meet Dr. Bridges specifications and then bonded directly onto teeth. If you choose porcelain, Dr. Bridges will need to prep your teeth, reshaping them and removing a small amount of enamel. 

Composite veneers are made of a soft dental resin, applied directly to teeth. If you select this option, Dr. Bridges will smooth and sculpt the resin. He will use it to cover blemishes and fill in small gaps, cracks, or chips. Then he will use a curing light to harden the resin before giving it a polish.

The Advantages of Porcelain 

Porcelain veneers are slightly more realistic than composite. Although both will match the color of your teeth, porcelain is somewhat translucent. This makes it sparkle and shine more like natural tooth enamel. 

Porcelain veneers also tend to last longer than composite. Research shows that 90 to 95% are still functional and aesthetically suitable 10 years after placement. On the other hand, composite veneers last, on average, 5 to 7 years. 

The Advantages of Composite

One of the biggest advantages of composite is that the procedure is reversible. Dr. Bridges will not need to remove any dental enamel. If the veneer comes off or is damaged, you don’t necessarily need to replace it (although the look of your smile will be affected).

Budget is another factor. Composite veneers cost less than porcelain. However, it’s important to weigh the immediate cost against the long-term investment. Since you will likely want new composite veneers later down the road, porcelain veneers may cost you less over the years.

Considering Your Oral Health

Of course, your oral health will also play a big role in your decision. If you want to enhance a tooth that already has a filling or existing decay, you will likely need a composite veneer. Damaged teeth typically cannot support dental porcelain. Similarly, if you have sustained enamel erosion, you may not have enough remaining tissue for the preparation process. In these cases, composite veneers are also a more suitable choice.

Schedule a Cosmetic Consultation 

No matter which type of veneers you select, you will enjoy stunning and lifelike results. Contact Chisholm Trail Smile Center to book your appointment.

Get in touch via our website or give us a call at 580-255-4880. 

The post Which type of veneers should I get? appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

At Chisholm Trail Smile Center, Dr. Matthew Bridges plays close attention to the details. He understands that something seemingly minor, like your tooth shape, can have a major impact on your appearance. With his skill and specialized training in Predictable Esthetics, he can give you the smile you dream of. 

Contact Chisholm Trail Smile Center today to schedule your consultation.

Are square teeth undesirable?

Not necessarily! Every person’s tooth shape is unique. But certain shapes do tend to convey specific personality traits. Some people feel that square teeth indicate self-assurance, ambition, and extroversion. Others think that square teeth seem more masculine. So for you, square teeth may be ideal! 

On the other hand, if you want your smile to exude gentleness, youthfulness, and femininity, round teeth may be more suited to your personality. In these instances, Dr. Bridges can help you select a cosmetic treatment to meet your needs.

Tooth Contouring

Tooth contouring is the most conservative option for square teeth. Dr. Bridges will remove some of your enamel, smoothing the sharper corners and edges of your teeth. Enamel is the body’s hardest substance. Its job is to protect the soft inner tissue of teeth and help prevent decay. Therefore, removing a tiny amount of this tissue will not compromise the structural integrity or health of your teeth. 

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers offer even more transformative results than contouring. They may be appropriate if you desire more significant tooth reshaping. They can also be beneficial if you wish to address multiple cosmetic concerns. For instance, veneers can cover up dark internal stains, minor chips, and gaps between teeth, among other things. 

Veneers are incredibly popular, thanks to their dramatic results and durability. They have a 93.5% survival rate after 10 years, and can easily last up to 20. Because of these advantages, the global market for veneers is expected to nearly double by 2028.

Composite Veneers

If you opt for composite veneers, also known as dental bonding, Dr. Bridges will reshape your teeth by coating them in composite resin. He will sculpt the material, rounding the edges to conceal your square teeth. Then he will cure, or harden, the resin with a special light. 

You might choose composite veneers over porcelain if you are on a budget. They may also be appropriate if you have worn enamel and thus cannot undergo the preparation process for porcelain veneers. The drawback is that dental bonding is not as durable. At the same time, however, composite veneers are reversible so re-treatment is not necessary later down the road. 

Schedule a Cosmetic Consultation 

If square teeth are keeping you from the smile you desire, contact Chisholm Trail Smile Center for a cosmetic consultation. 

You can make an appointment online or call (580) 255-4880. 

The post 3 Cosmetic Treatments to Fine Tune Your Square Teeth appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

Are you interested in improving the aesthetics of your smile? Dr. Matthew Bridges can help you love the way your smile looks and boost your confidence in your professional and personal life. Call us at (580) 255-4880 for a cosmetic Bray dentist.

What are Veneers?

Veneers are super-thin shells of dental ceramic that fit over the front of each tooth. They are permanently bonded to each tooth, and adhere as well as dental restorations, such as fillings and crowns. What makes veneers such an attractive cosmetic option is the fact that they can change virtually any aspect of your teeth. They give you a brand-new surface for each tooth, therefore they can correct: stains, chips, gaps, small teeth, pointy teeth, irregular arch lines, jagged edges, and nearly any other problem you might have with the way your teeth look.

Another great benefit of veneers is the fact that they can be designed to your aesthetic preferences. If you like the uniqueness of your smile, you can retain its original features, while improving the color, size and hue of each tooth. Alternately, if you want a movie-star perfect row of symmetrical teeth, you can have that, too. Patients often bring in a picture of a celebrity smile they wish to emulate, as veneers can make that dream a reality.

Can Veneers Really “Straighten” Teeth?

Since veneers are attached to the front of each tooth, they cannot actually change the alignment of your teeth. However, they can be designed and placed in such a way that they correct a crooked or crowded smile. Many patients with gaps between their teeth have been able to close those gaps with the use of veneers, as well.

Cosmetic dentistry is as much an art as it is a science, and in the hands of a skilled practitioner, many amazing transformations are possible. If you’ve ever assumed you would need orthodontics to correct your crooked teeth, visit Bray dentist Dr. Bridges for a cosmetic consultation. He will examine your teeth and determine whether your teeth can be “straightened” with veneers—or whether orthodontics are recommended.

What You Should Know About Porcelain Veneers

Officially, the life-span of porcelain veneers is estimated to be about ten years. After this time, some individual veneers may start to crack and may require replacement. If you do a little research about veneers, however, you’ll see some amazing stories. With careful use, some patients’ veneers have lasted 17 years or more. It really all depends on how you use them and how well you take care of them.

Another important detail to be aware of is the fact that veneers are permanent, and the treatment is not reversible. What this means is that once you get veneers, you cannot go back to not wearing veneers. Why is this? In order to permanently bond each veneer to the tooth, a small amount of enamel must be removed. This means the tooth would be vulnerable to decay, cracking, and sensitivity if not protected by a veneer. If and when your original set of veneers begins to wear out, you must get replacement veneers for your teeth.

Why Do Patients Choose Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are capable of creating a brand-new smile, and can correct virtually any complaint you have about your smile. Patients who dream of having an even, beautiful smile get the most impressive results from veneers and are happy when they can finally show off their smile with confidence!

If you are thinking about improving your smile with porcelain veneers, call us for a cosmetic consultation at Chisholm Trail Smile Center. Your Duncan and Bray dentist, Dr. Matthew Bridges, will explain all the details and assess your candidacy for the treatment. Call us at (580) 255-4880 for an appointment.

The post Can Porcelain Veneers Replace Orthodontics? appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

Smile imperfections occur to just about everyone. They range in levels of severity. While some struggle from yellow, lackluster teeth, others may be dissatisfied with teeth that are asymmetrical or unevenly shaped. While cosmetic dentistry used to be only something Hollywood elites could enjoy, more and more dentists today are offering cosmetic dentistry treatments at affordable pricing so anyone can achieve the smile of their dreams. Your smile is one of the first features noticed by those around you, and we want you to be proud of showing yours off.

At Chisholm Trail Smile Center, Dr. Matthew L. Bridges offers a wide range of cosmetic dentistry treatments for those living in the Duncan, OK area. Read on to learn five ways you can improve the aesthetics of your smile with one of these treatments, or simply contact our office today online or by calling (580) 255-4880 to schedule your consult.

Teeth Whitening

Dull, lackluster teeth can occur from the natural age progression. Teeth can also lose their sparkle as a result of the foods you eat and the habits you keep. Although durable, enamel is porous and can be affected by the consumption of certain foods and beverages, or even discolor from smoking and chewing tobacco. If you drink large amounts of coffee, tea, or dark sodas and notice teeth that are yellow or stained, it may be time to consider professional teeth whitening. We offer both in-office Zoom!® teeth whitening and take-home trays that can be paired with Opalescence® whitening gel. Professional teeth whitening delivers more effective results than the kits found at your local grocery store or pharmacy.

Tooth Contouring

Misshaped teeth can make your smile seem unbalanced or even give the appearance that you have large fangs in the front of your smile. Over time, the edges of teeth can chip, especially if you have bad habits, such as biting nails or chewing on pen caps. Dr. Bridges can shape your teeth with a procedure known as tooth contouring or enameloplasty. During this procedure, your natural enamel will be gently trimmed and reshaped to create a more symmetrical smile. No anesthesia is required and results can be delivered in less than 30 minutes.

Dental Bonding

When teeth are severely misshaped, chipped, gapped, and permanently stained, composite resin can be used to cover the flaws. Composite resin is the same material used in tooth-colored fillings. Before applying the composite over your teeth, Dr. Bridges will tint the mixture so that it matches your natural enamel. To deliver an even more dazzling result, teeth whitening can be performed beforehand. Dental bonding provides a quick and cost-effective approach to treating a variety of cosmetic imperfections.

Porcelain Veneers

Much like dental bonding, porcelain veneers are recommended to address a wide range of cosmetic concerns, such as cracks, severe discoloration, and uneven spaces. While similar in their approach, porcelain veneers offer a longer-lasting alternative. Each veneer is fashioned from durable, realistic-looking porcelain to match the natural aesthetics of your smile. The veneers will be permanently bonded over the front surface of your teeth to conceal any concerns.

Enhance Your Smile Today

Just making a few simple smile adjustments can improve your overall appearance and enhance your self-confidence. Talk to Dr. Bridges today about the cosmetic dentistry treatments we provide at our Duncan, OK practice and how they can benefit you. You can reach us by contacting us online or calling (580) 255-4880.

The post 4 Ways to Transform Your Smile With Cosmetic Dentistry appeared first on Chisholm Trail.