Your smile plays an important role on self-esteem, confidence, and how you think others perceive you. Your smile may affect your career success and social relationships with others. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), 74% of people find that an unattractive smile can get in the way of their career success. Most people think that attractive smile is an important social asset. These are some of the options to improve your smile:
Teeth Whitening
There are two types of stains that cause teeth discoloration; intrinsic and extrinsic stains. Intrinsic stains can be from a mother’s use of antibiotics during pregnancy or childhood exposure to fluoride. Extrinsic stains are the result of smoking, some medications, beverages (coffee, tea and soda), foods and fruits (blueberries), aging and other factors.
· In-office Teeth Whitening (chairside) is performed in the dental office for about 60-90 minutes. Prior to the procedure, an informed consent discussion form is reviewed and signed. The discussion includes patient’s diagnosis, proposed treatment, risks and treatment. Most patients are happy and satisfied with the result. Their teeth are whiter and they smile with greater self-confidence!
· Take-Home Whitening-the dentist takes impressions and fabricates custom fitted bleaching trays for the upper and lower teeth. The patients are instructed to load the whitening gel into the custom fitted bleaching trays and fit over the upper and lower teeth. Whitening at home may be more convenient but it can take two to four weeks or longer to whiten teeth or get the result you want.
· Over-the-Counter Tooth Whitening products can be purchased at the drug stores and on-line. The American Dental Association (ADA) cautions patients to use accepted whitening products under professional supervision for safety. Some examples are the whitening strips, brush-on whitening and whitening gum.
*Consult with your Glendora Cosmetic Dentists to determine the type of stain you have and decide which whitening option treatment would work best for you.
Composite Filling/Tooth Colored Filling
Composite filling is a tooth colored material used to close the gaps between teeth; repairs little chips and restores teeth with tooth decay.
· Esthetics, shades of composite filling material match very closely to the shades of the enamel and dentin
· Close spaces/gaps between teeth, restore chipped, broken, stained or cracked teeth
· Minimal tooth structure reduction
· Inexpensive
· Single visit procedure
Veneers
Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or composite resin that are custom made to fit over the front surface of teeth. Veneers provide a natural tooth appearance and they can restore chipped, stained, misaligned and worn down teeth. There are 2 types of veneers; composite resin veneer and porcelain veneer.
Composite resin veneer
· Resin material that is bonded over the front surface of the tooth
· Treatment can be completed on the same day
· No lab work is required
· Correct small chips, cracks and discoloration of the tooth
· Not stain resistant
Porcelain veneer
· Thin layer of porcelain bonded over the front surface of the tooth
· Requires minimal tooth reduction
· Treat teeth with intrinsic staining
· Provide a natural tooth appearance
· Gum tissues tolerate porcelain well
· Change tooth’s color and shape
· Stain resistant
*Consult with your Glendora Cosmetic Dentists to learn about your treatment options.
Ceramic Crowns
Ceramic crowns are fabricated entirely out of a glass-like compound such as porcelain.
· Esthetic; color and translucency mimic natural tooth; life-like appearance
· Restore anterior (front) and posterior teeth (back molars)
· Biocompatible; no allergy problem; teeth tolerate well
There are 2 ceramic materials that are the clinician’s favorites today: Lithium Disilicate and Zirconia. Lithium Disilicate restorations are good choices for single unit restorations, both anterior (front) and posterior (back) teeth. Zirconia restorations are good choices for single unit restorations for the posterior (back) teeth.
Enamel shaping and Contouring
Enamel shaping or contouring involves with contouring the dental enamel to improve the appearance of the teeth. This procedure is best for patients who just need minimal adjustments of the teeth.
· Cost, an inexpensive way to improve the look of the teeth
· Painless, no anesthesia, no discomfort during the procedure
· Improves health of teeth, minimal shaping/contouring of overlapped teeth may decrease the risk of tooth decay and gum disease
· Chipped and irregular teeth
· Minor bite problems
Braces
People of all ages are benefiting from braces. Braces can straighten crooked/crowded teeth, close spaces/gaps, improve an irregular bite, and correct jaw positioning.
· Clear aligners are worn every two weeks to progressively move and straighten crooked or crowded teeth
· Aligners can be removed while eating, brushing and flossing
Implants
One of the options to replace missing teeth is Dental Implants and restored with Implant Supported Crown. A dental implant feels and looks very close to a natural tooth. It is a metal post surgically placed beneath the gum which fuses to the bone in the jaw and acts like the root of a tooth. The dentist makes a custom artificial tooth (Implant Supported Crown) and fits it onto the post portion of the implant.
· Implant Supported Crown is firmed attached to the implant
· Esthetic, similar to a natural tooth, comfortable
· Adjacent teeth do not have to be involved
· With proper care, implant and implant crown can last for a long time
Dr. Anna Lee is a general & cosmetic dentist in Glendora, CA. If you are not quite happy with your smile, call for a FREE consultation to discuss the different options to improve your smile. Please visit us at www.annaleedds.com or call 626-335-5114.
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