What is Cosmetic Dentistry Tacoma?
Resin or Tooth Colored Fillings
Resin fillings, also referred to as composite, white fillings or bonding, can make a substantial improvement in the appearance of the teeth in a short period of time. Resin is what dentists use to repair small cavities or chips in front teeth, as well as fill cavities cosmetically in back teeth. Resin can do virtually the same thing as porcelain veneers with respect to improving the appearance of the teeth. Using resin instead of porcelain veneers for cosmetic dentistry saves time and money, however there are disadvantages with resin. They are not as strong as porcelain veneers, and require repairs every few years. Resin can discolor over time, and does not have as much natural beauty as porcelain veneers. Resin cosmetic procedures can usually be completed in about an hour.
Bonding
Chipped, discolored or gapped teeth can be embarrassing and can affect your self-esteem and confidence. Bonding is the perfect solution. Inexpensive and conservative, bonding uses a tooth-colored composite material to restore teeth and enhance smiles. The composite is placed on the tooth, then shaped and molded to achieve the desired results, including: whitening, closing spaces between teeth, making teeth appear straighter and repairing chips and cracks. The material is then hardened and polished, creating a natural appearance. The best use for bonding is to repair slightly chipped, discolored or misaligned teeth. The advantages of bonding is that it is inexpensive and an ultra-conservative way to restore a tooth.
Gum-lifts
Gum-lifts (gingivectomy) involve the removal of gum to make the teeth appear longer, and the gum-line even. People who have excess gum covering the front teeth and an upper lip that comes up high when they smile are often self-conscious about their gummy
smile. An uneven gum-line can make the teeth appear to have different lengths, which takes away from the appearance of an attractive smile.
To correct these problems, the dentist numbs the area and removes the excess gum. The patient is instructed to use an antiseptic mouth rinse such as Peridex on a Q-tip and apply upward pressure on the gums as they heal. The procedure is not painful, but some mild discomfort can be expected a day or two after the procedure. The gum is not damaged due to the procedure as long as the dentist has experience, and removes the proper amount. The procedure can usually be completed in about 30 minutes.
Invisalign
If you are an adult who has always wanted straighter teeth but felt the look of a full-metal mouth was for kids and couldn't contemplate undergoing a major lifestyle change, don't give up hope: Invisalign invisible aligners are the solution for you. These days, adults make up almost half of the orthodontic patients who want to get the smile they always dreamed of. Recent studies show that a great smile can not only improve your personal life, it can affect your career as well. A bright healthy smile makes you seem friendlier and more approachable. And a beautiful smile is a healthy smile. Crooked, misaligned teeth can not only affect your looks but also your health and comfort. Misaligned teeth can cause headaches and jaw pain, and when teeth are crooked, plaque build-up may increase, leading to periodontal disease and gum disease. Improper bite also means you can't chew food properly, which can sometimes lead to gastrointestinal problems. Invisalign can give you the healthy smile you have always wished you could have without the discomfort of metal or the lifestyle change they demand. Instead, Invisalign works through a series of comfortable aligners that no one will notice you're wearing. These clear, medical-grade plastic aligners function just like traditional braces in that they use controlled force to guide your teeth into proper alignment. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move-little by little, week by week-until they have reached their ideal position.
Our experienced and highly trained staff work with three dimensional computer imaging to create these virtually invisible aligners designed just for you and each step of your progress.
And with Invisalign you can live just as you want to: eat what you want, brush and floss your teeth as usual, even take the aligners out for special occasion or a date!
Forget traditional metal braces. Embrace life with Invisalign. So subtle, so comfortable, they are like contact lenses for your smile!
Joseph M Simpson DDS and Karla M Bloomquist DDS - Providing services in cosmetic and restorative dentistry; including smile makeovers and sedation dentistry to areas of Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, Bremerton and Tacoma, Washington.
Gig Harbor Smile Makeover
© copyright 2005-2008, Drs. Simpson & Bloomquist, DDS - Soundbridge Dental Arts, all rights reserved
