Cosmetic Dentistry to Improve Your Oral Health

Having a healthy and beautiful smile can help you have more confidence in your everyday life. At Trail Creek Dental, our talented dental staff helps you achieve your perfect smile through promoting oral health and providing a variety of cosmetic dental treatments including:

Contact us today and let us help restore your smile and confidence!

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What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Over time your teeth can become discolored, chipped, or worn down. Cosmetic services are popular options to restore the look of your smile. The treatments for these problems range from simple teeth whitening to full mouth restoration to replace all teeth. Cosmetic treatments can improve your oral health, which in turn helps you maintain optimal overall health by reducing dangerous bacteria and letting you eat healthy foods. Whether you have a simple cleaning or implant treatment, improving your smile can make you look and feel better.

Maintaining Your Healthy Smile

Good oral health is a partnership between you and our expert team. Regular visits to our office for cleanings and exams are key to keeping your gums healthy and preventing damage from plaque buildup. It is also important to do your part at home with a strong hygiene routine. Here are five tips to keep in mind between visits to our office:

1. Brush at least twice a day
2. Floss after every meal or at least at night
3. Avoid stain causing drinks such as coffee, tea, or wine
4. Rinse your teeth regularly
5. Follow up with your dentist

Your oral health should be in top condition before beginning any cosmetic treatments. We can help you with the basics first, then advise you on what cosmetic options will provide maximum benefits.

Is Teeth Whitening Right for Me?

Over time teeth get stained from food and drinks like coffee or soda. Depending on the degree and cause of your discoloration, teeth whitening may be an option to help restore the natural color of your teeth. Teeth whitening uses a specially formulated bleaching gel to help remove stains from enamel. The gel used in our office is stronger than what you can buy over-the-counter and is more effective. 

Whitening Options

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic treatment options because it provides fast, noticeable results and a boost of confidence. We suggest a consultation with one of our dentists to determine which option will work best for you. You can choose from:

• In-office Opalescence
• Take-home Opalescence

Each one has different benefits and can be adapted to fit your needs. If you want the quickest results, having the treatment done in our office will be the better choice. If you prefer to take your time and whiten gradually, then take-home kits can provide convenience and efficiency. The team at Trail Creek Dental can educate you on all your options and give you tips on the best way to maintain your new white smile.

Beyond Whitening - How Can Veneers Improve My Smile?

Veneers are great for correcting imperfections that go deeper than just the surface of your teeth. Veneers are thin, durable, and made from natural looking porcelain. We can bond them to your front teeth to mask a variety of imperfections including:

Veneers usually take two visits to complete. During the first visit, we shape the tooth and take an impression to send to the lab for the fabrication of your veneer. The completed veneer is bonded to your tooth with a special dental cement to provide strength and durability. Veneers can last for many years with proper care and can correct many cosmetic issues.

 What is a Dental Crown or “Cap”?

Crowns can repair a large portion of a tooth that has been damaged by trauma or decay. A crown or “cap” is a cover that goes over a tooth to improve the look, feel, and functionality. Crowns are often made of porcelain that is closely matched to the shade of your natural teeth. Some reasons you may decide to get a crown include:

• Cosmetic Enhancement
• Repair Broken or Fractured Teeth
• Replace Decayed Tooth
• Final Step of a Root Canal Treatment

A crown usually takes two appointments to complete. The first appointment will consist of taking impressions that will be used to design your custom crown. The impression will also be used to create a temporary crown for use until the permanent one is ready.  After the treatment area is anesthetized, we remove any decay and reshape the tooth to allow the crown to fit precisely. At your second appointment, we will remove the temporary crown, and bond the permanent crown with professional dental cement.

 Permanent Tooth Replacement Options with Dental Implants

A dental implant functions as an artificial root and is surgically placed into the lower or upper jaw and replace a missing tooth. One or more restorations are attached to the implant to complete the look and function of your smile.

Reasons for Dental Implants

Missing teeth can happen for many reasons, and implants are designed to restore dental health and appearance. Implants can be used to:

• Replace Multiple Teeth
• Enhance Your Smile
• Improve Chewing Ability
• Support a Bridge or Denture  

Dental Implant Treatment Process

Your first appointment will be a consultation for a complete evaluation to determine the best way to place your implant. If you have any infections or need bone grafts to strengthen the implant that will be taken care of first. The implant can take up to six months to heal and fuse with your bone. On the second appointment, your implant will be surgically placed into the bone, and a temporary crown is placed on top of the post.

 Dental Bridges

If you cannot have an implant due to cost or health issues, a bridge is an effective option. Although there are a few types of bridges, the most common is a traditional bridge. Traditional bridges are commonly made of porcelain, so they can closely resemble your natural teeth. This type of bridge consists of crowns on the two teeth on either side of the space with a prosthetic tooth filling the gap. A bridge can:

What Is the Process for a Bridge?

Bridges usually take two or more visits to finish. The teeth on either side of the gap are re-contoured by removing excess enamel, allowing room for a crown. Impressions are taken and sent to the lab for the design and fabrication of your bridge. 

During your second visit, we check the permanent bridge and adjust it to ensure a proper fit. It may take some time to get used to the bridge and how it feels, but after that, you should have no trouble resuming your normal routine.

Dentures and Partial Dentures

Dentures are a removable prosthetic that is sometimes more cost-effective than a more permanent option. They provide another choice for replacing missing teeth and enhancing your smile.

Dentures are available in two options, complete and partial. Complete dentures replace all your teeth on the upper or lower jaw. Partial dentures can work if you still have some strong natural teeth that don’t need alteration. Dentures can complete your oral structure and allow you to eat and speak naturally.

Dentures may take several appointments, over a few weeks. During your first appointment, our dentist will make impressions of your jaw to ensure optimal fit and follow up with you to assess comfort, shape, and color.  

More Cosmetic Enhancement with Composite Fillings

Composite fillings are used to repair teeth with cracks, fractures, or decay. Various materials for fillings exist, each with their advantages. The most common type of material is a composite mixture of acrylic and glass. This composite mixture is popular because it closely matches natural enamel, providing a more aesthetically pleasing look.

Some of the reasons you might want to get a composite filling include:

• Chipped teeth
• Closing space between two teeth
• Cracked or broken teeth
• Decayed teeth
• Worn teeth 

Composite fillings can be done quickly, usually in just one appointment. After numbing the area, decay and damaged portions are removed. The tooth is thoroughly cleaned and prepped for the filling. The composite material is then placed, shaped, and polished, so it looks and feels natural.  

Get the Most from Your Cosmetic Treatments

Whether you just had your teeth whitened or had a tooth replaced there are a few things you can do to maintain your new smile. Follow a strict oral health routine at home and visit our team regularly for exams and professional cleanings. Maintain a healthy diet and don’t use your teeth as tools.  

The skilled team at Trail Creek Dental is passionate about helping you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. Give us a call today to find out how we can help you!

Contact Us Today!