Cosmetic Dentistry

Advances in modern dentistry make's it easy to restore life-like beauty to teeth that are stained, chipped, crooked, missing or separated by a gap. Thanks to improved technology and materials, your dentist can now change those crowded, crooked and missing teeth into a beautiful smile. Cosmetic dentistry is no longer just for the front teeth. Those old silver fillings that have make your back teeth dark and unattractive can now be replaced with state-of-the-art materials that will make your teeth stronger, healthier and much more attractive. At our practice we have focus on cosmetic dental procedures such as porcelain laminates and veneers, crowns, onlays, whitening procedures and treatment of gummy smile. In our clinic we are having Dr. Ajith Shetty to do justice to your smile and make your smile more beautiful.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION

Q: Is there a standard beautiful smile for all people?
Q: How long will it take to complete my cosmetic treatment?
Q: How can I get an idea of how I would look with an improved smile?
Q: What can I do about my uneven teeth?
Q: How long does cosmetic dentistry last?
Q: What can I do to change my teeth that are too small to make them bigger?
Q: How can I correct severely discolored teeth from tetracycline?
Q: I have a gap between my two front teeth. How can it be closed?
Q: I have buck teeth that stick out. Is there anything that can be done?
Q: How do I know if I cosmetic dentistry will help me?
Q: What are porcelain veneers/laminates?
Q: I’m worried are you going to cut my teeth to prepare for veneers?
Q: I don’t want braces; can I still have a beautiful smile?
Q: How many teeth need to be veneered for smile design?
Q: How will my teeth feel after I have porcelain veneers placed?
Q: How do I take care of my veneers?
Q: What is the difference between bonding and a veneer?
Q: What can be done to fix rotated, misshapen or chipped teeth?
Q: Is it possible to change the shape of my teeth without veneers or crowns?
Q: Can anything be done to correct a gummy smile or uneven gumline?
Q: How can I make my teeth whiter?
Q: How white should I make my teeth?
Q: How can I prevent discoloration?
Q: Will bleaching harm my teeth? Is it safe?

Still have questions?

Ask us for more information.

Q: Is there a standard beautiful smile for all people?

A: As many people that exist, there are that many beautiful smiles- we are all unique and the beauty of our smile should and does reflect this. This is what makes cosmetic dentistry truly an art and enjoyable creative challenge!

Each person is different and their case must be planned carefully. The design of a beautiful and natural smile must consider the sex of the individual as well as be in proportion with the gum line, the lips and the construction of the face of the individual

Q: How long will it take to complete my cosmetic treatment?

A: Each situation is unique and every patient has their own particular issues that have to be addressed. But we try to finish as early as possible.

Q: How can I get an idea of how I would look with an improved smile?

A: By listening to what you want and taking notes we are able to mentally form a picture of what your smile can look like. To show you what we are seeing in our mind, we take a digital photograph of your face. we can give you an idea of what you would look like with an improved smile is to fabricate a “wax-up” of your new smile. This is when we do the laminates on a duplicate model of your smile in order to see three dimensionally the changes in your smile. You can actually hold your before and after smiles in your hands to compare.

Q: What can I do about my uneven teeth?

A: Are the teeth overlapping each other? Are there spaces between the teeth? Is the gum line too low or too high? Have the teeth worn away because of grinding? Depending on the answers to these questions and numerous others a different approach may be necessary to correct the uneven look. After a smile consultation with our office we can get a general feel of what’s the best approach. Ultimately to accurately plan for the end result we will perform a smile makeover analysis.

Q: How long does cosmetic dentistry last?

A: This is a very important question and one that is asked of us many times. There are three things that can have an impact on longevity;

Quality of the treatment. Delivering the best outcome requires a high level of meticulous attention to detail. For instance, one of the procedures we do frequently in our office is altering the smile with porcelain veneers. There are literally 100’s of steps along the way and if one of them is overlooked it can have an impact on longevity.
Condition of the teeth that are considered for improvements and the level of forces that are placed on them. (i.e. grinding). We recommend custom fitted guards fabricated to help protect teeth from excessive wear. Home care and eating habits are critical in maintaining a beautiful smile. It’s important to avoid rough crunchy foods and biting on objects. Natural teeth can get just as abused in the came way if you are not careful. Generally meticulous attention to oral hygiene is very important. To estimate time frames for different procedures we recommend you come in for a consult.
Home care and eating habits are critical in maintaining a beautiful smile. It’s important to avoid rough crunchy foods and biting on objects. Natural teeth can get just as abused in the came way if you are not careful. Generally meticulous attention to oral hygiene is very important. To estimate time frames for different procedures we recommend you come in for a consult.

Q: What can I do to change my teeth that are too small to make them bigger?

A: There are a number of ways to correct this problem, including porcelain veneers, crowns and bonding.

Q: How can I correct severely discolored teeth from tetracycline?

A: Tetracycline is an antibiotic used to treat a number of illnesses in adults and children. It causes severe staining in teeth if used in growing children and sometimes with prolonged use in the young adult. The teeth have a gray or dark brown appearance to them and often times dark bands run across the front of the teeth. Typically these teeth do not respond well to whitening procedures. Porcelain veneers are a truly beautiful answer to this problem. A once dark and unattractive smile can be a brilliant and beautiful white one.

Q: I have a gap between my two front teeth. How can it be closed?

A: There are a number of ways to correct this problem, which may include one or more of the following: orthodontics, porcelain veneers, crowns and bonding.

Q: I have buck teeth that stick out. Is there anything that can be done?

A: Absolutely. And sometimes the solution may be as simple as recontouring and reshaping the teeth which will take one painless visit to complete. Some situations may require braces with Invisalign to correct. Many instances of buck teeth have been corrected with porcelain laminates. In rare instances we may to do a combination of Invisalign repositioning of teeth and porcelain veneers if the shapes of the teeth are not harmonious with each other and the facial proportions. Since each situation is unique, we’ll have a better idea what is necessary after a cosmetic consult.

Q: How do I know if cosmetic dentistry will help me?

A: Are you happy with your smile? Could your teeth be whiter or straighter? Do you have chipped or broken teeth? Do any of your teeth appear too small or too short? Do you see black margins around your existing crowns? Do you refrain from smiling in photos? Does the thought of having to meet new people and smile make you anxious? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then cosmetic dentistry may be for you.

Q: What are porcelain veneers/laminates?

A: Porcelain veneers or laminates are thin shells of porcelain bonded over the front surface of the teeth. They are long lasting, stain-resistant and the most natural looking type restoration. Porcelain is very versatile; it can lengthen, widen and whiten existing teeth. Porcelain looks very similar to a tooth's natural enamel. They are the least invasive type of restoration. We customize the color, saturation and gradation, shape, anatomy and degree of whiteness to whiten and brighten teeth naturally, painlessly and in as little as two-four days.

Porcelain veneers can be placed on misaligned crooked teeth to give the appearance of perfectly straight teeth- instant orthodontics. Porcelain veneers can cover stained, discolored teeth or be applied to whiten and brighten the entire smile. We can bond longer porcelain veneers to worn or chipped teeth to make them look younger and stronger. Or they can be made to match the surrounding existing teeth, too.

Q: I’m worried are you going to cut my teeth to prepare for veneers?

A: Porcelain veneering is unlike preparing teeth for crowns. Only a thin layer of enamel, anywhere from .5-.8 mm is removed to make room for veneers. This small reduction of teeth allows us to create a smile that is natural and not too bulky and sticking out. You probably have seen people who have had bulky veneers placed and it looks like Chicklets. The genius of a beautiful smile design is that no one can tell what was done but they know your faces looks better.

Q: I don’t want braces; can I still have a beautiful smile?

A: We get this question asked a lot. More than likely, yes. There are times where we had no choice but to resort to both options. If teeth are so misaligned we must first move them gently into position before veneering them. Only with careful analysis of tooth proportions and jaw dimensions are we able to determine that for certain. We try best to help people who had absolutely refused braces without compromising the end result. Braces is not for everyone either. For various reasons sometimes braces would not even be the right choice to make a smile beautiful.

Q: How many teeth need to be veneered for smile design?

A: A lot depends on how broad the arch is when smiling or how broad we would like the arch to appear to make a dramatic result. In this makeover design, at least 8-10 veneers need to be placed. Often times veneers are placed to correct a problem on one or two teeth and the rest of the teeth in the arch are absolutely perfect and all we need to do is match the new veneers to the existing smile. This is actually one of the most difficult tasks which require a high level of understanding of science and art to blend the two dissimilar situations seamlessly.

Q: How will my teeth feel after I have porcelain veneers placed?

A: Normally, there is some sensitivity to be expects, hot and cold and biting pressure. This will be a short period of time when the teeth are adjusting to the new environment and it’s absolutely normal to feel that. After veneers are placed we have you come back in one week to make a few minor adjustments and finalize the polishing.

Q: How do I take care of my veneers?

A: Porcelain veneers, when properly contoured feel so natural and smooth that most patients say that their teeth feel so much smoother. There is a good reason for that. Porcelain does not scratch very easily and the good part is that plaque does not adhere well to porcelain like it does to natural teeth, so the gums look and feel really great. As far as diet restriction, there are none. A normal diet poses no problem on veneers. It is important to avoid crushing ice between teeth or chewing hard candy as it would be with natural teeth. The gentler the chewing forces, the longer the veneers can last. As far as home care, we recommend Oxyfresh products to rinse and brush with. Oxyfresh is non-abrasive and effectively polishes the laminates, maintaining their luster and brilliance. We also recommend night guards after veneers are placed, especially if the bite forces are high or there is grinding of teeth at night.

Q: What is the difference between bonding and a veneer?

A: Bonding is tooth colored plastic material that is placed over missing parts of teeth or when trying to close gaps on front teeth. A porcelain veneer is a strong porcelain lab fabricated restoration. Bonding is also an ideal filling material for back teeth for small cavities or replacing small metal fillings. One of the problems with bonding is that it can change color and requires more frequent replacement. Because bonding is a plastic material it is easier to break and chip. The advantage of bonding is that it can be done in one visit and is less costly than placing porcelain veneers. Veneers on the other hand never change color so it can permanently stay the same. They are extremely strong and durable. They become seamlessly integrated with the tooth. Porcelain veneers repel plaque better than natural teeth so the gums look extremely healthy. The whole make-up of the smile can be completely changed to enhance and complement the unique facial characteristics.

Q: What can be done to fix rotated, misshapen or chipped teeth?

A: The long term restoration of choice is porcelain veneers. A less expensive but less dramatic option in certain cases may be bonding. Done properly, both veneers and bonding can be applied; color matched and shaped to make your teeth appear natural again. The shape of the face affects the shape of the teeth. For example, if a patient has a round face, we create long square-shaped teeth that give the illusion of a longer face, thus a slimming effect. Porcelain veneers are ideal for changing the shape of teeth, and you can lighten the color at the same time. If you have existing dental work or very misaligned teeth you can still change the shape of your teeth but you may need orthodontics, a reshaping of your gum line or crowns to achieve the desired results.

Q: Is it possible to change the shape of my teeth without veneers or crowns?

A: Reshaping or cosmetic contouring is an ideal treatment for very small fractures or chips or to simply reshape what nature has given you to a more esthetically pleasing smile. Anesthesia is not necessary since we use sandpaper discs and polishing wheels to reshape teeth with a minimal loss of tooth structure. Contouring can change the smile line. If one front tooth is a little longer than the other, contouring can make them the same size. We can round off sharp corners of teeth or pointed canines, to soften their appearance. Smile symmetry can also be achieved with cosmetic contouring.

Q: Can anything be done to correct a gummy smile or uneven gumline?

A: Gum quantity, shape, symmetry and color greatly influence the cosmetics of your smile. Since our lips frame the smile they too play an important role in your smile's appearance. The lips and gums should be in harmony. If your lip comes up too much it may give you a gummy smile. The solution is to reshape the gums to reveal more of your teeth. Artistic sculpting of gum tissue can make a dramatic improvement in one's smile. The healing time is very rapid and predictable.

Q: How can I make my teeth whiter?

A: We find that many of our patients are displeased with the color of their teeth. While enamel is the strongest substance in our body, it is porous and can stain. Culprits include (but are not limited to) coffee, tea, cranberry juice, red wine, soda, berries, soy sauce and smoking. Trauma to the teeth, tetracycline, nerve degeneration or simple aging can change the color of teeth.

Whitening toothpastes are effective surface stain removers but they won't brighten your teeth. Some contain titanium dioxide, a white pigment in paint, giving a temporary appearance of lightening. They also consist of abrasives and may wear down enamel and expose yellow dentin, the vital tooth structure that lies beneath the enamel. With long-term usage, this may actually then give the appearance of yellowing teeth. Bleaching whitens teeth by placing a bleaching solution on the enamel to remove deep stains. If you have natural teeth and are pleased with their shape and position, bleaching may be your best option. The results are not permanent and depending on your diet and lifestyle habits touchups may be needed anywhere from 2-5 years. If you want to make a permanent change to the shape, position or color of your teeth, porcelain veneers are ideal. If you have existing crowns that need to be whiter, you can upgrade to whiter, all-porcelain crowns. If you have bonding or tooth color fillings you may need to change them once you have completed bleaching.

Q: How white should I make my teeth?

A: As we get older, our teeth pick up stains and become discolored. Many people are choosing shades that are whiter than in the past. A true sign that someone has undergone some form of cosmetic dentistry is when you see very opaque white teeth. In our office, we strive to give you the look you want without looking "done". You will attain a beautiful white esthetic outcome, but it will look real and complementary to your face. We feel it is important to gain a sense of realism with every improvement and not artificiality.

Q: How can I prevent discoloration?

Have professional cleanings at the recommended time interval (every 3 to 6 months) •Drink beverages with high stain potential through a straw
Avoid abrasive toothpastes, which can wear down enamel and expose yellow dentin below it
Brush immediately after eating or drinking foods with a high stain potential
If you aren't able to brush right away, rinse with lots of water or eat something crunchy like fruits or vegetables that will clean teeth naturally.

Q: Will bleaching harm my teeth? Is it safe?

A: Studies have shown that bleaching causes no harm to teeth when used under direct dental supervision. Some people experience temporary sensitivity during the bleaching process, which will subside typically from anywhere between a few hours, up to 48 hours later. Normally, people do not experience any long-term side effects. As with any cosmetic procedure, patients need to exercise judgment in how they go about whitening their teeth. Patients should avoid over the counter alternatives since they use trays that are not individually fitted and as a result are ill-fitting, increasing the risk of burning gum tissue. These trays may also cause bite problems.