Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

There are many different areas that constitute cosmetic dentistry. Making the teeth whiter, or brighter has been the goal of people for generations.

There are three main ways of brightening the teeth discussed here.

1 - Bleaching - There are many products now available for whitening of the teeth. Some are over the counter, and some are done through your dentists office. Of the products that your dentist uses with you, most are of the do-it-at-home variety. Your dentist will take impressions of your mouth, the upper teeth being one arch, and the lower teeth being the other arch. A small thin plastic tray is made which will hold the "bleaching" material that you will wear either at night while sleeping, or during the day at given intervals. This, combined with an in-office whitening will usually brighten teeth within a 2-3 week period of time. Depending on diet and habits (smoking, coffee, tea, soda) the whitening procedure can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years before needing to be touched up. Most times though, the touch up only takes 2-3 days of re-bleaching.

2 - Porcelain Laminates (Veneers) - This is a procedure where an egg-shell thin sheet of porcelain is made to fit over your teeth changing the color and/or shape of the teeth. This porcelain laminate is bonded to the tooth surface, and will usually remain intact for 8+ years.  Since this is a lab procedure, the teeth can be made virtually any shade or color desired. Most times, a slight preparation of the tooth surface is necessary but is so minimal that it doesn't require anesthesia. An impression is taken and sent to the lab for the porcelain sheet to be fabricated and then inserted at a later date.

3 - Bonding - This is a chairside procedure - meaning it is completed that same day - and composite resins are used. This material is like a plastic, and although strong, it is not as strong as the porcelain laminates. With this procedure, the composite material is placed on the tooth surface and cured (hardened). Composites are subject to staining whereas porcelain laminates usually are not. However, most times the staining can be polished out of the bonded tooth - if caught early.