Because aesthetic problems such as missing or discolored teeth can also point to underlying health issues, a comprehensive oral exam is a must. Once your dentist has a thorough understanding of where you are starting from and where you want to end up, he or she can explain your treatment options (including how much they will cost and how long they will take to implement) and plan a course of action. What Dental Treatments Are Considered Cosmetic? All cosmetic dentistry treatments improve the appearance of an individual's teeth. Some can also restore function and/or improve oral health as well. Cosmetic dentistry treatments include: Teeth Whitening — A relatively inexpensive way to brighten your smile, whitening teeth can be accomplished at home or in the dentist's chair. There are many products and methods from which to choose. Read more about Teeth Whitening. Composite Bonding — A tooth-colored composite resin attached to the teeth can improve the appearance and strength of chipped teeth.
Your dentist may also recommend take-home whitening materials to maintain the results of office whitening. This method is more gradual, and less noticeable to others. However, some patients experience gum sensitivity or discomfort in response to the gel. Abrasive Tooth Whitening Abrasive tooth whitening is another means of whitening teeth, but acts only on the surface of the teeth rather than on the underlying enamel. Whitening toothpastes employ this form of whitening. They have slightly abrasive (rough) materials that can scrub off minor stains over time. Mircoabrasion Microabrasion is also a means of "scrubbing" off stains. However, before the teeth are cleaned with abrasive paste, they are treated with a mild acid that makes the abrasion more effective. This technique is not as effective as bleaching, but effectively lightens many surface stains. The Cost of Teeth Whitening A teeth whitening procedure will typically cost about 500 dollars, but varies due to the number of office visits required and the type of procedure.
Genetics: Some people are more prone to experiencing tooth sensitivity than others. If you experience tooth sensitivity for other reasons, teeth whitening may trigger tooth sensitivity. Enamel Strength: Daily exposure to acidic foods and drinks such as soda can weaken the enamel, causing tooth sensitivity after a whitening treatment. How to Prevent Tooth Sensitivity After Whitening You may be thinking about getting teeth whitening, but worried that it will cause too much pain and tooth sensitivity after the whitening procedure. Fortunately, there are several ways in which you can keep tooth sensitivity at bay. Refrain from consuming acidic foods and drinks Use a toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride Look for dental products labeled for sensitive teeth Do not over brush your teeth by brushing too hard 5 Things to Know When Searching for Teeth Whitening Services: What do you want your teeth to look like? We're all born with our own individual tooth color, which can range from yellow-brown to greenish-gray.
An in-office whitening treatment is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to transform your teeth – achieving a bright and healthy smile you're proud to flash to the world. Is professional teeth whitening right for you? As we age and our teeth experience long-term exposure to stain-producing agents like berries, coffee and red wine, discoloration inevitably emerges. Fortunately, a professional teeth whitening treatment is a safe, low-risk and incredibly effective way for most of our Beverly Hills patients to transform their appearance, treat yellow or brown stains and achieve a bright and sparkling smile. With that said, professional teeth whitening is not recommended for individuals who have: Porcelain veneers, crowns or dental bonding, as these artificial materials don't respond well to bleaching agents. Intrinsic stains, which are characterized by white or gray areas which reflect damage to the deep underlying layers of the teeth. Worn enamel or extremely sensitive teeth, as the bleaching agent may worsen these issues.
You've always heard that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. If your smile has gotten dull over the years from drinking coffee, smoking, or just getting older, our professional whitening techniques give you results that you'll notice immediately. A dazzling, white smile not only exudes confidence, making you feel excellent on the inside and out, but it also helps you make a lasting first impression. Professional Teeth Whitening It's quite likely that you've tried the so-called "whitening" kits from the toothpaste aisle. But they don't deliver, so sometimes we find that patients are a bit skeptical of our professional whitening services. There are some big differences between over-the-counter whitening products and the services we provide. First off, the whitening agents that Dr. Coleman uses are much stronger. They also stay on the teeth for much longer. This combination allows the peroxide in the bleaching agent to deeply penetrate the tooth, which enables years of surface stains to be oxidized away.
Brushing and flossing are everyday ways to keep your teeth bright, white and healthy. Still, if you might feel like your smile is lacking some sparkle or is more yellow than it used to be, you're not alone. When the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry asked people what they'd most like to improve about their smile, the most common response was whiter teeth. The American Association of Orthodontists also found that nearly 90% of patients requested tooth whitening. Thinking about teeth whitening? Get the facts first. Here are five of the most commonly asked questions about the process. Why Did My Teeth Change Color? Over time, your teeth can go from white to not-so-bright for a number of reasons: Food and Drink Coffee, tea and red wine are some major staining culprits. What do they have in common? Intense color pigments called chromogens that attach to the white, outer part of your tooth ( enamel). Tobacco Use Two chemicals found in tobacco create stubborn stains: Tar and nicotine. Tar is naturally dark.
These procedures require very little preparation (drilling) of the tooth. Read more about Teeth Bonding. Porcelain & Composite Veneers — Designed to substitute for tooth enamel, veneers are hard, thin shells of tooth-colored material that can mask a variety of dental imperfections. Read more about Porcelain Veneers. Porcelain Crowns — Heavily damaged teeth can be covered with natural-looking porcelain crowns, which replace more natural tooth structure than veneers. Read more about Porcelain Crowns. Porcelain Bridgework — A missing tooth can be replaced with porcelain bridgework that is attached to the natural teeth on either side of the space. Dental Implants — Usually made of titanium, an implant is used to replace the root portion of a missing tooth. The implant is fitted with a crown to create a natural-looking replacement for the entire tooth. Read more about Dental Implants. Inlays & Onlays — In certain cases, fillings can be fabricated from porcelain or composite materials in a dental laboratory to more closely match the color of a tooth.