Cosmetic Dentistry Information

When the decay has been taken out of the tooth, it is replaced with “filling” material. In the past, amalgam (silver) fillings were placed into the cleaned out portion of the tooth. With advancements in dentistry, you can now have tooth-colored fillings instead of silver fillings. You may even elect to remove your old silver fillings in favor of new, undetectable tooth-colored fillings.

Bonding is a tooth-colored material applied and adhered to the surface of the tooth, often without reducing the structure of the tooth. The bonding material is sculpted by your cosmetic dentist so that it resembles a natural tooth, correcting chips, broken, stained or discolored teeth and in some cases correcting gaps. It is less of an investment than veneers but doesn’t last as long and can stain over time.

When teeth are missing, your smile undergoes significant changes. Missing teeth cause you to chew differently, may cause mouth and joint pain, and as your remaining teeth work to compensate for the loss, gaps and spaces form that only make the situation worse. A porcelain bridge, custom designed by your cosmetic dentist, keeps your smile aligned and your bite functional. Bridges are anchored to existing teeth or crowns on either side of the missing tooth. They are cemented in place and are a long-term restorative solution to your damaged smile.

You can erase years of wear and tear with porcelain crowns. Sometimes called “caps,” porcelain crowns are customized for you, covering broken, cracked or discolored teeth. Crowns are a durable, strong, long lasting method of enhancing both the look and functionality of your smile. After some preparation of the tooth or teeth that will receive the crown, your cosmetic dentist will position a custom milled, lifelike porcelain crown over your damaged tooth, restoring and rejuvenating your oral health.