Cosmetic dentistry is any dental work that improves the appearance of teeth, gums, and/or bite. If your teeth are stained, worn, chipped, broken, misshapen, or have gaps between them, modern cosmetic dentistry can help! Dr. Sean Simper will work with you to develop a treatment plan and restore your confidence in your smile.

Types of Cosmetic Dentistry:

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to take your smile to the next level. Dr. Simper can make custom trays for you to bleach your teeth at home, or your teeth can be bleached with in-office products. Our chairside whitening system gets you to your desired shade in less than 2 hours! It’s a good idea to whiten teeth before having any restorative work done, as any material added (such as fillings or crowns) will be matched to your natural tooth color, and can’t be bleached later.

Bonding

In dental bonding, a tooth-colored resin (which is made of a durable, plastic-like material) is applied to the tooth and hardened with an ultraviolet or laser light, which helps to bond the material to the tooth. Dr. Simper then trims, shapes, and polishes it so that it looks natural. Bonding can repair decayed, chipped, cracked, or misshapen teeth; it is also a good cosmetic replacement for older amalgam or silver fillings.

Veneers

Veneers are ultra-thin, custom-made “masks” of tooth-colored porcelain that cover the front surface of the teeth. Usually, a small amount of enamel is removed from the tooth surface, and then these shells are cemented to the front of the teeth, changing their color, shape, size, or length.

Crowns

A dental crown, also known as a cap, fits over the entire decayed or damaged tooth above the gum line, restoring its original shape, size, and appearance. Crowns keep a weak tooth from breaking or can hold a cracked tooth together. They can be used to cosmetically cover misshapen or significantly discolored teeth. Crowns can be made from metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, resin, or ceramic materials.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are essentially a titanium replacement tooth root, which is inserted into the bone socket of the missing tooth. As the jawbone heals, it grows around the implanted metal root (a.k.a. ‘post’), anchoring it securely in the jaw and providing a foundation for a replacement tooth. Dental implants can also be used to anchor dentures, making them much more secure and maintaining bone level, which otherwise deteriorates over time.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a more attractive alternative to traditional metal braces. Invisalign helps in treating spacing, crowding, and overlapping teeth. This system has treated hundreds of thousands of patients and has been around for over 20 years. The clear aligner trays are comfortable, invisible, and easy to clean.

Other Options

There are even more options to explore in the world of cosmetic dentistry, including bridges, dentures, and even gum tissue “plastic surgery.” At Southridge Dental, we want you to have a beautiful smile that you feel proud of. Call us today at (509) 581-0081 and make an appointment to meet with our smile experts!