Cosmetic Dentistry
Veneers
Veneers are a thin covering of the facial surface of a tooth usually constructed of tooth colored material used to restore discolored, damaged, misshapen or misaligned teeth.
Crowns
A crown fits over the entire top of the tooth above the gum line. Crowns cover, protect, seal and strengthen a tooth. A crown is needed when a filling just will not work. A crown may be made of gold, white porcelain, or porcelain fused to gold. There are many situations that may call for a crown:
Large amounts of decay
Large old fillings
Cracked tooth
Broken or fractured tooth
Sensitive teeth
White Fillings
Our office uses only white mercury-free fillings. White fillings are made of a strong composite resin that is matched to the surrounding tooth color.
Advantages of white fillings:
White restorations are more natural looking
Many patients prefer mercury-free fillings
Patients with sensitivity to heat or cold find that the composite resin doesn't conduct temperature changes as fast as silver or gold.
Bonding is the process of adding a small amount of tooth-colored composite material to fill in large noticeable spaces between teeth. One of the most frequent uses of the bonding technique is to fill in a gap between front teeth.
Bonding
Enamel Shaping (also known as contouring) is the process of shaping your natural teeth to improve their appearance. This can help to correct minor cases of crowded or overlapping teeth, smooth rough edges, or make small adjustments to the shape of a tooth. No anesthesia is necessary! This process is simple, painless and can make a difference in the appearance of your smile.
Enamel Shaping
Teeth Whitening is a mild bleaching process that restores stained or discolored teeth to a healthy, natural color. Don't be misled by unproven and ineffective over-the-counter whitening solutions. At Clinton Dental Care we use an advanced procedure that is only available from your dentist.
What causes tooth discoloration?
Teeth become discolored for different reasons:
Frequently drinking coffee, tea, or sodas
Use of some prescription antibiotics may darken developing teeth in children
Aging - the dentin underneath the enamel of a tooth gradually darkens with age
Use of tobacco products
Accidents – trauma to a tooth may cause the nerve to gradually "die," and the tooth becomes dark
After Root Canal Therapy, a tooth will generally darken.
Is whitening safe?
Whitening is very safe. We use a product that has been proven safe when used under the direction of a dentist.
Is whitening for me?
If you are interested in whitening your teeth please let us know. Dr. Derrick can evaluate your teeth and smile to determine whether whitening is right for you. In some cases a different cosmetic procedure may better meet your expectations. Whitening is a safe, fast and easy process that is effective for almost everyone!
What is dentist supervised home whitening?
For the home whitening process, we make custom trays that fit your teeth and provide you with a whitening agent to use with the trays for ongoing or periodic treatments at home.
The treatment can be applied any time of day since the clear, custom-fitted trays are barely visible and do not interfere with your ability to speak.
Most people see results immediately. It usually takes anywhere from 2-6 weeks to restore teeth to their original beautiful white smile. The time it will take depends on the original color of your teeth, how discolored they were, and how frequently the treatment is applied.
Many patients choose to "touch-up" their teeth every 6 to 12 months by applying the treatment once or twice. "Touch-ups" are especially useful for patients that drink beverages that stain teeth, like coffee, tea, and sodas.
Are there side-effects?
Some patients may experience heightened tooth sensitivity to cold, or mild tooth or gum sensitivity during treatment, but these symptoms are only temporary and disappear within a few days.