Tooth Contouring or Reshaping

Tooth contouring or reshaping is a conservative and inexpensive procedure to help improve the appearance of the smile. Dr. Anna Lee suggests, "this procedure is best for patients who just need minimal adjustments or repairs to improve the look and feel of their teeth."

·      Advantages

-cost, an inexpensive way to improve the look of the teeth

-painless, no anesthesia, no discomfort during the procedure

-improves health of teeth, minimal reshaping/contouring of overlapped teeth may decrease the risk of tooth decay & gum disease

·      Disadvantages

-risk of tooth damage (too much enamel reduction)

-teeth become sensitive (too much enamel reduction)

All Ceramic Crowns

All Ceramic Crowns are fabricated entirely out of a glass-like compound such as porcelain.  There are 2 ceramic materials that are the clinicians’ favorites today:

Lithium Disilicate and Zirconia.

·      Lithium Disilicate restorations are most esthetic restorations in dentistry today.  These restorations match the esthetic characteristics of natural teeth very closely.  Multiple-unit restorations (fixed bridges) are not recommended at this time, suggests Dr. Anna Lee.

Lithium Disilicate restorations are good choices for single unit restorations, both anterior (front) and posterior (back) teeth.

·      Zirconia restorations are strong restorations but are not as esthetic as the lithium disilicate restorations. Early zirconia materials were opaque and white and were not recommended for front teeth restorations.

Zirconia restorations are good choices for single unit restorations for the posterior (back) teeth.

Contact Dr. Lee and her team today for  more information. 

Porcelain Veneer

"Porcelain veneer is a thin layer of porcelain bonded over the front surface of the tooth.  It usually requires a minimal amount of tooth (enamel) reduction," Dr. Anna Lee. This reduction creates room for the porcelain veneer to be bonded onto the front surface of the tooth.

·      Advantages

-provide a natural tooth appearance

-gum tissue tolerates porcelain well

-stain resistant

-change tooth’s color and shape

-minimal tooth (enamel) reduction

-may not require local anesthesia

·      Disadvantages

-irreversible process (tooth reduction of enamel)

-patients wait 1-2 weeks (laboratory time) before getting veneers bonded onto the   tooth

-cost

-not repairable if veneers are chipped or cracked

-teeth may become more sensitive to hot and cold foods and beverages

Cosmetic Options To Fix Your Smile

 

Dr. Anna Lee suggests, "composite Bonding because it is the tooth-colored material used to close the gaps between teeth; repairs little chips and restores teeth with tooth decay."

·      Advantages

-esthetic-shades of composite bonding material match very closely to the shades of enamel and dentin.

-single visit procedure

-minimal tooth structure reduction

-inexpensive procedure

-good interim material until patients can receive a permanent restoration

·      Disadvantages

-not strong

-stain and dull

5 Ways Your Cosmetic Dentist Can Improve Your Smile

  

Are you covering your smile because you are embarrassed by your yellow and stained teeth?  How about a chipped front tooth that you are self-conscious of when you smile?   Dr. Anna Lee says, "from minor changes to major repairs, the cosmetic dentist can perform a variety of dental procedures to improve your smile." Some of the common procedures are discussed:

Over-The-Counter Teeth Whitening

Whitening products can be purchased at the drug stores and on-line. The American Dental Association cautions patients to use accepted whitening products under professional supervision for safety.

·      Whitening Strips-They are clear strips that adhere onto the teeth (6 upper and 6 lower front teeth) for about 30 minutes at a time, twice a day for one to two weeks.

·      Brush-On Whitening-Whitening products are painted directly onto the teeth with a small brush and sometimes can be left on overnight.

·      Whitening Gum-May requires chewing up to eight pieces of gum a day to see results.

Professional Teeth Whitening

                                         

·      In-Office Teeth (Chair Side) Whitening 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 & benefits, pre-existing condition/shade of teeth, and patient’s expectations prior to treatment.

There are many tooth whitening products available to dentists.  These products contain hydrogen peroxide in concentrations ranging from 10 percent to 40 percent.  They are sometimes used with a light which is supposed to accelerate the whitening process.

·       

Take-Home Whitening involves the loading of whitening gel into the custom fitted bleaching trays for the upper & lower teeth. Depending on the varying concentrations of the bleaching ingredients, the treatment can be completed in one to two weeks.

5 Ways Your Cosmetic Dentist Can Improve Your Smile

Are you covering your smile because you are embarrassed by your yellow and stained teeth?  How about a chipped front tooth that you are self-conscious of when you smile?  From minor changes to major repairs, the cosmetic dentist can perform a variety of dental procedures to improve your smile. Some of the common procedures are discussed:

                                                                Bleaching

Professional Teeth Whitening In-Office Teeth (Chair Side) Whitening 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 & benefits, pre-existing condition/shade of teeth, and patient’s expectations prior to treatment.

There are many tooth whitening products available to dentists.  These products contain hydrogen peroxide in concentrations ranging from 10 percent to 40 percent.  They are sometimes used with a light which is supposed to accelerate the whitening process.

Take-Home Whitening involves the loading of whitening gel into the custom fitted bleaching trays for the upper & lower teeth. Depending on the varying concentrations of the bleaching ingredients, the treatment can be completed in one to two weeks.