Modern cosmetic dentistry offers a number of smile-perfecting options. Learn about the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures.
Teeth Whitening
Now patients can enjoy smiles that are up to twelve shades lighter in one pain-free visit to the cosmetic dentist's office.
In-office teeth whitening involves painting a special gel on the teeth, then using a bright light to activate the bleaching agents in that gel. The total procedure takes one to three hours, and yields dazzling results. There are a number of popular in-office teeth whitening systems, so be sure to ask your
cosmetic dentist which system(s) he or she uses. Regardless of the teeth whitening system used, patients will enjoy a more youthful, bright, and healthy-looking smile in no time at all.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are custom-colored and shaped to match a patient's natural teeth. These shells can be permanently fitted to the front of teeth, and help create the appearance of a more even, straight, and well-formed smile. Veneers can mask any number of smile imperfections, including discoloration, crooked teeth, and teeth that are cracked, chipped, or broken.
Invisalign®
Adult cosmetic dentistry patients who suffer from crooked teeth are often hesitant to undergo orthodontic treatment because of the appearance, hassle, and time involved in orthodontics with traditional metal braces. With the Invisalign® system, however, patients can straighten their smiles with almost undetectable plastic aligners. The Invisalign® system consists of a series of clear plastic aligners which are removable for eating and cleaning, but should be worn as much as possible. The aligners are custom-created for each patient, and are virtually invisible to observers. Every few weeks, the patient moves to a new aligner and teeth are gradually moved into their correct positions. Patients whose smiles are crooked due to poorly aligned teeth receive a straight smile in about the same time as those who use traditional braces, without the trouble and stigma.