What are veneers, and who can use veneers?
Well, let me tell you, veneers are an excellent option for cosmetic dentistry. Let's say you want to change your smile, the appearance of your teeth, you have teeth that are stained, and you just want to put some porcelain on top, then porcelain veneers might be good for you. Basically, we do porcelain veneers when we are treating teeth that are discolored, the shape of the teeth is not ideal, or they have minor fillings, and we want them to look more natural and nicer. It's essentially a very thin layer of porcelain that gets put on top of your teeth, mainly the smile. Some people show ten teeth, others twelve, and those are the teeth involved in the smile design process. To know if veneers are right for you, first see your dentist to ensure there are no diseases in your mouth. After that, we can design and ensure you're a good candidate for veneers. If you have grinding or broken areas, veneers might not be right for you, and we might consider other options, but we do have more options to consider.
What options do I have for teeth whitening?
A lot of people come wanting a whiter smile. First of all, ensuring that your teeth are healthy is the first thing we need to confirm. After that, we can discuss alternatives for teeth whitening. We have professional teeth whitening that you can do at home or in-office. For instance, we have Zoom, which is done in the office and takes about two hours. It's very effective, though some patients experience a bit of sensitivity afterward. Others prefer take-home whitening, where they can manage how white they want their teeth to be. We provide trays and syringes, and we teach you how to apply it and use it, allowing you to whiten your teeth at your own pace while doing other tasks. These are the two main alternatives, and within them, we have different options. For more details, you can call us at Olean Dental Studio, (941) 269-1332, and we can discuss the options we offer.
What is a smile makeover?
The answer is it depends. First, we need to ensure that you're healthy, so we'll take x-rays and do an exam. If you're looking for a beautiful smile, we can definitely find a solution and give you the smile you want. We just need to ensure there's no disease, and everything is taken care of. After that, we get to the smile design, discussing alternatives like veneers, crowns, implants, etc. Based on your situation, we decide on your smile design for a complete transformation. You'll see a before and after mock-up of your smile post-treatment, so you can decide if it's the way you want it or if changes are needed. The process takes several months, depending on the situation. A consult is necessary to go over it in more detail, but for those who've done smile transformations, they're very excited to start and happy with the results. It's not an easy process, but it's very rewarding. If interested, give us a call, and I'll be happy to discuss options with you.
How do you choose the right cosmetic dentist?
Finding a good cosmetic dentist involves a lot of considerations. Many dentists, like me, love doing cosmetic work, but to perform at a high standard, extra courses are necessary. Ensure the dentist has experience with extra courses taken and cases done, where you can see before and afters or discuss the treatment. Check their credentials; they should be a certified dentist. Some belong to the American Academy of General Dentistry or Cosmetic Dentistry. If seeking a high-end cosmetic dentist, one with fellowship or mastership in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry is a good start. However, if you like the work they do, you can go ahead without specific credentials. It's important to see their work and meet them to ensure comfort and satisfaction. Check if they've taken extra courses in formal rehabilitation, veneers, smile design, etc., which allows them to perform efficiently. Even if they're a general dentist, they can do cosmetic work. Just ensure their before and afters meet your expectations and that you have a good rapport with them.
What is the difference between veneers and crowns?
Veneers and crowns are similar yet different. A veneer is mainly just the outside of your teeth, like the outer layer. It's a very thin layer of porcelain bonded on top of your teeth, providing a beautiful smile. Crowns, on the other hand, are a cosmetic procedure that goes all around your tooth. If a tooth broke, it might need a crown rather than a veneer. If it's just discolored, a veneer might suffice. The choice depends on the patient's and tooth's condition. Veneers are less aggressive to the tooth structure, ideal for healthy teeth needing color change. Crowns are better for cracked or broken teeth needing a nice smile. Regarding price, veneers are often pricier because they're harder for dentists to work with compared to crowns, which are more straightforward. Some offices charge the same, others per case or package. A consultation is necessary to design your smile and see if veneers or crowns are best. We have a website with a smile gallery at oleanddental.com, and you can call us for a free consultation at (941) 269-1332.
Cosmetic dentistry provides patients with an improved smile. Modern techniques in dentistry help patients with stained, discolored, chipped, worn, broken, misshapen, and misaligned teeth, in addition to gaps between them. As dentists are well-equipped with a great selection of tools and techniques, they can refine your smile significantly and give your appearance a wonderful makeover. These procedures are now quicker and more effective. Although most cosmetic procedures are non-essential, they do offer a multitude of benefits, such as making regular cleanings simpler, boosting your confidence, and reducing teeth grinding. Overall, you can vastly improve your quality of life, since a healthy smile is vital to all aspects of daily encounters, such as workplace conversations and social gatherings with friends or family. Smiling becomes easier when you do not have to worry about crooked, stained, or chipped teeth. Also, in nearly every case, a patient's tooth gap or receding gumline can be fixed through cosmetic dentistry. To develop a treatment plan, our dentist will discuss the options with you, determining what is suitable for your circumstances. Before deciding to undergo any cosmetic procedure, we carefully and thoroughly set proper expectations associated with your treatment plan, including the benefits, risks, and costs.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is one of the most sought-after dental procedures because of the fascination of having a brighter and whiter smile. The process involves taking an impression of your teeth to make a custom whitening tray that fits your mouth perfectly. While the trays are being fabricated, we jump-start the whitening process with an LED whitening treatment. Once your take-home trays are ready to use, you take them home, along with the whitening gel we provide. Simply apply the whitening gel in your trays for an average of 30-minutes each day for 5-7-days.
It is important to note that some patients may experience tooth sensitivity during the whitening process. This is sometimes due to the whitening agent that has penetrated the enamel to help remove stains on your teeth. This process can cause some patients to experience mild discomfort. However, this discomfort is temporary and will subside within 24-48-hours. It is also important to note that while every patient wants to have the brightest and whitest smile possible, not every patient is able to achieve these results. This is due to genetics, current stains, oral health, medications, tobacco, and a number of other factors that influence the brightness of our smiles. Some patients may also have permanently stained teeth, such as yellow or brown, and the teeth whitening procedure can only do so much. So, while we all want the brightest and whitest smiles, we want to ensure our patients expectations are properly met. We can cover all these details, and more, when you come in for your next dental appointment.
Dental Veneers
These thin porcelain shells are used to cover imperfections and enhance your smile. In some cases of minor misalignment, porcelain veneers are used to create the appearance of a straighter smile. In addition to traditional veneers, there are also Lumineers, which may be an option for patients who require minimal alteration to their tooth's surface. Depending on your cosmetic concerns, you may need anywhere from 6-10 veneers or more. Veneers are often combined with other restorative procedures such as porcelain crowns and dental bonding on adjacent teeth.
Why Porcelain Veneers | If you have crooked teeth or spacing issues that affect your smile, you may think braces are your only option. However, there are procedures worth considering than just traditional orthodontics, such as porcelain veneers. Numerous patients have used porcelain veneers to improve the alignment and symmetry of their smiles.
How Porcelain Veneers Work | Porcelain veneers are thin shells that are affixed to the front portions of your teeth. When a porcelain veneer is in place, it masks cosmetic imperfections. Since porcelain veneers are semi-translucent, they blend in seamlessly with the structure and color of your natural teeth. When your friends and family are up close, they will not be able to tell that a porcelain veneer has even been placed. Once porcelain veneers are on, the results are immediate. The aesthetic benefits are clear once you look in the mirror and smile.
Dental Bonding
Often, bonding is used to improve the appearance of your teeth and enhance your smile. Composite material, either a plastic or resin, is bonded to an existing tooth, and comes in a variety of colors to match the natural look of your teeth. Unlike veneers or crowns, bonding removes little, if any, of your original tooth. Dental bonding is a common solution for fixing or repairing chipped or cracked teeth, reducing unsightly gaps or spaces between your teeth, as well as for hiding discoloration or faded areas on a tooth's surface.
Aesthetic contouring is also a common use for dental bonding and refers to a procedure in which our dentist can reshape your teeth by sculpting their sides. This procedure can correct cracked, chipped, crooked, or misaligned teeth. Instead of braces, crowns, or veneers, you can choose to have aesthetic contouring to change the shape and look of your teeth to enhance your smile.
Laser Dentistry
Needle-free laser dentistry has grown more popular in recent years, making treatments more precise and comfortable. This newer procedure utilizes intense beams of light projected by a dental laser and has been safe to use in dentistry since 1990. Since then, many dentists have incorporated dental lasers into everyday procedures reducing bleeding, anxiety, and post-treatment recovery times. The beauty of dental lasers is that they cause less bleeding and swelling on surrounding tissue than traditional techniques, meaning less discomfort. Overall, laser dentistry benefits include: faster healing and tissue regeneration, preservation of your natural teeth, reduced bleeding during and after treatment, reduced need for anesthesia, minimized need for stitches and sutures, and reduced risk of bacterial infections after procedures.
Laser dentistry is incredibly versatile and plays an important role in a growing number of common dental procedures. Though it is most notably associated with cosmetic treatments, it is equally effective for preventative procedures.
Next Step to Brightening Your Smile
During your consultation, our dentist of Port Charlotte thoroughly discusses all treatment options with you to determine how to get you to your ideal smile. We start by performing a complete oral exam using advanced tools to evaluate your bite, tooth shape, color, and overall oral health. At each stage of treatment, we leverage our advanced dental technology and extensive knowledge to create outstanding results. As a dental practice that believes in the advantages of biological dentistry, we always recommend the most conservative treatment options and use bio-compatible materials to preserve the integrity and health of your teeth and smile.
We are able to coordinate nearly all cosmetic dental procedures we offer out of our dental office, without the need to refer you to a dental specialist. This is more convenient for you and allows us to ensure every aspect of your care is held to our high standards. When administering your treatment, we provide detail-oriented care and realistic results.