Cosmetic Dentistry
Sammamish, WA
 In the past decade there has been a dramatic interest in cosmetic dentistry. We all realize that having a healthy, bright, beautiful smile enhances our appearance and allows us to smile with confidence. Thanks to the advances in modern cosmetic dentistry, we are able to improve our teeth and smiles with quick, painless and surprisingly affordable treatments.
Cosmetic dental treatments can:
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Change the size, shape, and alignment of certain teeth.
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Fill in unattractive spaces between teeth.
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Improve or correct bites.
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Lighten or brighten the color of teeth.
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Repair decayed, broken, cracked, or chipped teeth.
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Replace missing teeth.
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Replace old, unattractive dental treatments. |
Remember, your smile speaks before you even say a word!
Tooth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile.
Because having whiter teeth has now become the number one aesthetic concern of most patients, there are a number of ways to whiten teeth. The most popular method is using a home tooth whitening system that will whiten teeth dramatically. Since tooth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. Replacement of any restorations will be done after bleaching so they will match the newly bleached teeth.
There are situations in which you need to restore your teeth instantly or a broken tooth could cause you major embarrassment. If this applies to you, then you will want to learn more about CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) crown. In circumstances when you have no time to wait for a traditional crown, a CEREC dental crown can help repair your tooth and restore your smile without the wait.
A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.
Although there are several types of crowns, porcelain (tooth colored crown) are the most popular, because they resemble your natural teeth. They are highly durable and will last many years, but like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced. Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape, size, and color or your teeth giving you a natural, long-lasting beautiful smile.
Veneers are very thin pieces of durable, tooth shaped porcelain that are custom made (for shape and color) by a professional dental laboratory. They are bonded onto the front of teeth to create a beautiful and attractive smile.
Veneers can completely reshape your teeth and smile. They can often be alternatives to crowns and the ideal solution in treating many dental conditions.
Patients looking for a less-invasive and more cost-effective solution may benefit from dental bonding. Dental bonding involves the application of composite resin, a putty-like material, to the surface of an aesthetically displeasing tooth. For example, dental bonding is an excellent solution for minor chips or cracks. During the procedure, the composite resin will be color-matched to the existing shade of your enamel, making it virtually indistinguishable from the rest of your tooth.
A dental bridge is a fixed (non-removable) appliance and is an excellent way to replace missing teeth.
There are several types of bridges. You and your dentist will discuss the best options for your particular case. The “traditional bridge” is the most popular type and is usually made of porcelain fused to metal. Porcelain fixed bridges are most popular because they resemble your natural teeth. This type of bridge consists to two crowns that go over two anchoring teeth (abutment teeth) and are attached to pontics (artificial teeth), filling the gap created by one or more missing teeth.
An inlay restoration is a custom made filling made of composite material, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain. Porcelain inlays are popular because they resemble your natural tooth. A porcelain inlay is made by a professional dental laboratory and is permanently cemented into the tooth by your dentist.
An onlay restoration is a custom made filling made of composite material, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain. Porcelain onlays are popular because they resemble your natural tooth. An onlay is sometimes also referred to as a partial crown. Porcelain onlays are made in a single visit with our CEREC computer onsite, with no impressions and no temporaries.
Inlays and onlays are ideal for areas of decay too large for a filling, but not large enough to require the placement of a dental crown. The restoration is considered an inlay if it is placed within the occlusal (bite) surface of a tooth. The restoration is considered an onlay if it extends beyond one or more of the occlusal cusps.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you are unsatisfied with the current state of your smile, you may qualify for cosmetic dentistry! Call 425-868-0123 to schedule your consultation now! |
