Dentra
Cosmetics
Any dental procedure that improves the appearance of a patient's smile is considered cosmetic, including whitening, polishing, veneers, white fillings, crowns, bridges, and clear braces.
Cosmetics
Teeth Whitening
eeth whitening restores brightness and gives your teeth a cleaner, more youthful appearance. It is a cosmetic dental procedure that lightens the color of your teeth by removing stains and discoloration, and is one of the most popular and non-invasive ways to enhance your smile.
Staining can occur over time due to:
- Coffee, tea, or dark-colored foods
- Tobacco use
- Certain medications
- Natural aging
In-office teeth whitening is a fast and effective treatment performed by a dentist using high-strength whitening gel. Your gums are protected, and the gel is applied to your teeth—sometimes activated with a special light—for noticeable results in about an hour. Benefits of In-Office Whitening include: - Fast results (up to 8 shades lighter in one visit)
- Safe and supervised by a dental professional
- Reduced sensitivity compared to over-the-counter products
Dental Jewelry
Tooth jewelry is a small, decorative gem or design—often made of gold—that’s bonded to the surface of a tooth for a bit of sparkle and personality. It's a fun, painless way to accessorize your smile, and it can last up to a year with proper care.
Applying tooth jewelry does not require any drilling and does not cause any damage to the tooth. In fact, it is completely reversible – the gem can be removed without affecting the tooth, and can be changed anytime.
Steps of applying tooth jewelry:
- The selected tooth is thoroughly cleaned and polished.
- A dental adhesive (similar to what's used for braces) is applied to the tooth.
- The gem is carefully positioned on the tooth and then secured using a curing light to harden the adhesive.
Veneers
Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells—usually made of porcelain or composite resin—that are bonded to the front surface of your teeth. They’re designed to improve the appearance of your smile by covering imperfections such as:
- Discoloration or stains
- Chipped or worn-down teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Mild misalignment or irregular shapes
Veneers are a popular cosmetic option because they offer natural-looking, long-lasting results with minimal tooth alteration. A step-by-step process of applying veneers:
- Your dentist examines your teeth and plans your ideal smile.
- A thin layer of enamel is removed to make room for the veneers.
- Molds are taken and sent to a lab; temporary veneers may be placed.
- The final veneers are bonded to your teeth with special adhesive.
- Your bite is adjusted and the veneers are polished for a natural look.
1Why do my teeth seem darker?
This may be due to stains on enamel (Outer layer of teeth) or age changes in dentin (inner layer of teeth).
2What causes discoloration of teeth?
Discoloration can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Smoking and drinking coffee or tea accelerates teeth discoloration, which causes a need for more cleaning visits.
3What are “Veneers” typically used for?
Veneers are either composite or porcelain plates, which are placed on the tooth surface to repair or change the color or shape of a tooth.
4What can we do for missing teeth?
Plastic dentures are the cheapest (but not the ideal) way of replacing missing teeth. Bridges last longer, but implants are considered the best treatment.
5What are crowns used for?
Crowns strengthen a badly decayed tooth and provide a durable solution for the appearance of a tooth.
6What is in-office bleaching?
This procedure is called “chair-side bleaching” and usually requires one visit with multiple applications of the bleaching agent. The dentist will apply a protective gel to your gums. A bleaching agent is then applied to the teeth, left for 15 to 20 minutes then washed. Up to 3 applications could be made in one visit, depending on the severity of the discoloration.
7Why do I need to bleach my teeth?
Mainly for cosmetic reasons. Whiter teeth look cleaner, healthier, and younger.
8Can all teeth be bleached?
All teeth may be bleached except for crowns, bridges, and fillings. Brown or gray teeth are much harder to bleach than yellowish teeth.
9What sort of results can I expect after bleaching?
Results vary; however, it is very difficult to achieve and highly not recommended to aim for chalky white teeth. Going one to two degrees whiter is a reasonable expectation.
10Can everyone undergo bleaching?
Bleaching is not recommended for pregnant women.
11What are the side effects of bleaching?
Sore gums and sensitive teeth are common side effects.
12How long does bleaching last?
It depends on the level of care teeth receive after the procedure. Re-treatment, on average, is every three years.
For more info, don't hesitate to contact us.