Cosmetic Dentistry in Georgetown

Laser whitening is an in-office procedure that is done using a whitening solution and a high intensity light. After cleaning your teeth thoroughly, we protect your gums by placing a barrier on them directly above your teeth using a little brush. The solution is then activated by the high intensity light.

Some patients do experience sensitivity either during or after the procedure. The amount of sensitivity does vary and normally goes away within a day or two.

The results and how long it lasts also varies, therefore is not something that we can guarantee. Over time, natural things such as coffee, tea, pop, strawberries, curry, etc., discolor your teeth. In order to counteract this, we normally suggest that patients who do the laser whitening should also purchase a mini home whitening kit.

Custom impressions of your teeth are required to make a precise set of trays to fit your upper and lower teeth. It takes a few days to fabricate the trays and when you return you are provided with the bleaching trays, whitening gel and instructions on their use.

Each night you will spread small amounts of gel in appropriate areas for both the upper and the lower trays. We normally suggest that you do this for ten nights in a row. Some people do experience sensitivity with the home whitening kit in which case we suggest that you stop the procedure for one or two nights then start up again when the sensitivity has subsided.

If you keep your whitening trays in a safe place, you can use them again for a touch up. Extra whitening gel can be purchased from our office to provide a whitening boost.

Braces are orthodontic devices made out of plastic, metal or ceramic that are placed on the teeth and use pressure to move them into their correct position for a straight smile and perfect bite.

Treatment typically lasts 2 years on average and can improve teeth that show signs of:

• Overbite
• Underbite
• Cross bite
• and more!

Contact us for more information on orthodontic treatment.

Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin shells of ceramic material, which are bonded to the front of a tooth with very strong resin cement. This procedure requires little anesthesia, and can be the ideal choice for improving the appearance of the front teeth. Porcelain veneers are placed to mask discolored teeth or change the shape and appearance of crooked or chipped teeth.

There are many situations that arise that lend themselves to treatment with veneers. One indication is for restoring teeth with discoloration that have been unaffected by the more conventional tooth whitening approaches, such as bleaching. Some examples of this are teeth that have severe tetracycline (an antibiotic) staining or discoloration from a previous injury to the tooth. Another major indication is for teeth that require significant changes in their shape or contour. By placing veneers, small or misshapen teeth can be built up to regain a more natural appearance, spaces between teeth can be closed by making the teeth wider and teeth that are too short can be lengthened.

Veneers are a very popular treatment option for a variety of reasons. They are one of the most conservative restorations that can be done. This means that the amount of tooth structure that must be removed in order to do a veneer is very small. Generally, only 0.3 to 0.7 mm needs to be removed from the surface of your tooth. The veneer is then made and bonded to the tooth, incorporating the desired changes in shape and color. Since the veneer is so thin and there is no metal in it, the esthetic potential is very high.

A porcelain veneer requires a longer treatment time. At the first appointment, your teeth are prepared and an impression is made of them. Temporary veneers are made out of plastic and placed on your teeth. They are used to protect your teeth while the real veneers are being fabricated. You can also use them to evaluate the look and feel of your teeth so that any changes you desire can be incorporated into your real veneers. At the second appointment, the temporary veneers are removed and the porcelain veneers are bonded to your teeth. Although they are thin, porcelain veneers are much stronger than composite ‘bonding’ veneers, so the risk of fracture as compared with composite veneers is much less. However, if a fracture does occur, repairing it is more difficult and may result in the veneer having to be remade.

In general, porcelain veneers can be used in a greater variety of situations with a higher level of predictability. Since they are made outside the mouth, the shape and color can be easier to control, thus enhancing the final result.

Dental Bonding is a procedure that utilizes a composite resin that is applied and hardened with a special light, which essentially “bonds” the resin to the tooth to restore or improve a person’s smile.

Dental Bonding is an option that can be a solution to:

• Improve the appearance of discolored teeth
• Repair chipped or cracked teeth
• Repair decayed teeth
• Close spaces between teeth
• Make teeth look longer