Cosmetic dentistry is all about giving you the perfect smile. While cosmetic procedures may not be medically necessary, they can be of great benefit to patients. Having a brilliant, winning smile can be a great benefit to you in both professional and personal settings, because it provides a big boost to your confidence. Here is a closer look at some of the cosmetic treatments provided by First Dental Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in the Sugar Land area.

DENTAL BONDING

Dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure used to rehabilitate the appearance of a tooth that is chipped, cracked or discolored. The dentist will first do a simple etching procedure on the tooth to “roughen” its surface, before applying a bonding liquid to it. A special liquid resin that hardens into plastic is then applied to the bonding liquid and sculpted into shape. Once the resin fully hardens, the dentist will do some additional trimming and polishing.

The finished result is a healthy-looking, restored tooth that matches the color of the rest of your teeth. Dental bonding can usually be accomplished in a single office visit. The resin is not as resilient as your natural teeth, so it will need to be repaired or replaced within three to five years.

PORCELAIN VENEERS

While bonding deals with correcting individual teeth, porcelain veneers are a similar treatment option that can correct all of your teeth. The veneers are attached to the front of the teeth, giving your entire smile a vibrant, white appearance. Porcelain veneers are virtually invisible and highly stain-resistant. Veneers are custom designed, so they match your natural teeth perfectly in terms of fit. Porcelain veneers are also extremely durable, and the dental lab that provides our custom veneers offers a lifetime warranty for them.

INLAYS & ONLAYS

When the biting surface of a tooth is damaged, inlays and onlays are a restorative cosmetic procedure that can correct the problem. Onlays are also a great alternative when the damage to an individual tooth does not warrant the placement of a crown. They are also a good choice instead of a filling, which can weaken the strength of a tooth. Inlays and onlays are frequently made of porcelain these days, rather than gold or other materials, because of the ability to color match porcelain to your natural teeth.

Inlays and onlays require two separate office visits. During the first visit, the surface of the tooth is prepared. The dentist will make an impression of the tooth, which is then sent to the dental fabrication laboratory. The tooth is then protected by a temporary sealant. During the second visit, the sealant will be removed from the tooth. The dentist will then ensure that the replacement inlay or onlay is a good fit. If it is, the product is bonded to the tooth and then smoothed and polished. No one will be able to tell that you’ve had an inlay or onlay installed.

Inlays and onlays are extremely durable. They can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years with proper care.

TEETH WHITENING

Teeth whitening is a simple cosmetic bleaching procedure that can transform stained or discolored teeth into the “pearly whites” you have been dreaming about. Unlike some other cosmetic treatments, bleaching does not alter the texture or shape of your teeth in any way — it simply whitens them. Teeth whitening is a very safe and simple treatment option.

During any regular dental visit, you can let our staff know that you are interested in teeth whitening. A set of custom bleaching splints will be designed for you and ready to pick up within one or two days. We provide you with an at-home bleaching solution which you can use with the splints. By using the bleaching treatments every day as directed, your teeth will be significantly whiter within a week. If you prefer to do so, you also have the choice to have your teeth whitened during a single in-office visit.

It should be noted that bleaching will not work for every patient. In some cases, staining or discoloration may be too intense. In these situations, crowns or veneers may be the only option. It should also be noted that teeth that are discolored due to trauma cannot be whitened through bleaching.

CEREC

CEREC is an acronym which stands for Chairside, Economical, Restorations, Esthetic and Ceramic. The CEREC system is used to restore teeth without relying on traditional metal fillings. While metal fillings can weaken a tooth and frequently need to be removed or repaired, CEREC provides a more permanent and beautiful solution.

Using the CEREC system, the dentist is able to take a digital image of a damaged tooth (not an X-ray). CEREC then uses that image to create a 3D design. That design is sent to a milling machine in our office, which uses a small ceramic block to create your replacement tooth. The ceramic replacement is then bonded to your tooth, eliminating the need for a filling. The CEREC software can also be used in the design of many different cosmetic tooth restoration options.

COSMETIC DENTISTRY IN SUGAR LAND, TX

If you are ready to restore your smile and confidence at the same time, cosmetic procedures from First Dental Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is ready to help. Call our office today to schedule an appointment!