Cosmetic Dentistry
Tooth Whitening
Teeth can vary in colour. Like hair, generally our teeth get darker as we get older. Teeth whitening are completely safe so long as it does not interfere with the gum margins. Cook Parade Dentists panel have been trained to do this. Tooth whitening lightens teeth and helps to remove stains and discolouration. Whitening is among the most popular cosmetic dental procedures because it can greatly improve how your teeth look.
Composite Bonding
Chipped, broken, discoloured or decayed teeth may be repaired or have their appearance corrected using a procedure called composite bonding. A dental composite material with the look of enamel and dentin is applied into the cavity or onto the surface of a tooth, where it is then sculpted into shape, contoured and hardened with a high-intensity light. The result is a restoration that blends invisibly with the remainder of the surrounding tooth structure and the rest of your natural teeth to create a healthy, bright smile.
Smile Makeover
Smile makeovers involve a comprehensive assessment of your smile esthetics in order to improve its overall appearance. Typically one or more cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as dental veneers, dental implants, gingival sculpting and teeth whitening, will be required for several teeth in both the upper and lower arches in order to achieve the look you want.
Full Mouth Reconstruction
While consulting with you about a smile makeover to primarily improve the esthetic appearance of your smile, your dentist may discover that there is a need to provide necessary treatment to correct functional problems with your bite, muscles, teeth and bone structure. If you need full mouth reconstruction, the materials available today make it possible for us to provide you with durable, functional and clinically sound treatments that also look natural.
Porcelain Veneers
They provide a natural tooth appearance. Gum tissue tolerates porcelain well. Porcelain veneers are stain resistant. The colour of a porcelain veneer can be selected such that it makes dark teeth appear white. Veneers offer a conservative approach to changing a tooth’s colour and shape, veneers generally don’t require the extensive shaping prior to the procedure that crowns do, yet offer a stronger, more aesthetic alternative.
Crown and Tooth Bridges
Both crowns and most bridges are fixed prosthetic devices. Unlike removable devices such as dentures, which you can take out and clean daily, crowns and bridges are cemented onto existing teeth or implants, and can only be removed by our dentists.
Gum Contouring
Even if a person has straight, healthy, and symmetrical teeth, the beauty of their smile may be diminished if the gum line is uneven or falls too far below the lip line. Often referred to as a “gummy” smile, it can make the teeth look small and cause people to feel self-conscious about the appearance of their smiles. Ideally, the gums should appear even and smooth, and should act as a frame to complement a person’s smile, rather than as a distraction from it. Fortunately, a gummy smile can now be corrected with procedures such as gum contouring.
Patients who have uneven gums or gums that extend to mask a significant portion of their teeth are excellent candidates for laser gum contouring. Our dentists will reshape the gum line to lengthen the teeth, reduce the amount of gum that shows when you smile, and produce a more symmetrical gum line.
Bridge
Bridge may be recommended if you’re missing one or more teeth. Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite. The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
Bridges are commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth. They span the space where the teeth are missing. Bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. These teeth, called abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge. A replacement tooth, called a pontic, is attached to the crowns that cover the abutments. As with crowns, you have a choice of materials for bridges. Our dentists can help you decide which to use, based on the location of the missing tooth (or teeth), its function, aesthetic considerations and cost. Porcelain or ceramic bridges can be matched to the colour of your natural teeth.
While crowns and bridges can last a lifetime, they do sometimes come loose or fall out. The most important step you can take to ensure the longevity of your crown or bridge is to practice good oral hygiene. A bridge can lose its support if the teeth or bone holding it in place are damaged by dental disease. Keep your gums and teeth healthy by brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and flossing daily.
Crowns
A crown is used to entirely cover or cap a damaged tooth. Besides strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can be used to improve its appearance, shape or alignment. A crown can also be placed on top of an implant to provide a tooth-like shape and structure for function. Porcelain or ceramic crowns can be matched to the colour of your natural teeth. Other materials include gold and metal alloys, acrylic and ceramic. These alloys are generally stronger than porcelain and may be recommended for back teeth. Porcelain bonded to a metal shell is often used because it is both strong and attractive.
We may recommend a crown to:
- Replace a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth remaining
- Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
- Restore a fractured tooth
- Attach a bridge
- Cover a dental implant
- Cover a discoloured or poorly shaped tooth
- Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment