Cosmetic Dentistry

Do you want to take your smile from average to dazzling?

Many people desire a brighter, cleaner, more attractive smile, but have chipped, stained, discolored, unevenly spaced, or even crooked front teeth. If this sounds like you, we will be glad to help evaluate your specific situation, listen to the exact changes you have in mind, and show you examples of the end result, before any treatment is performed.

Often, porcelain veneers can provide a completely improved and dazzling smile in just a few appointments.

The actual treatment usually involves only two visits. The number of pre-operative visits, to work out details to insure predictable results, depends on the complexity of your situation and the changes you desire. There usually is a follow up visit or two for final adjustments and polishing, and to review instructions for care of your new smile to insure it lasts years and years.

What do you think of your smile?

Many people are dissatisfied with their smile but have difficulty pinpointing the problem areas. Here are some simple questions to help you identify the details cosmetic dentistry can help you imrove.

If you would like to see what your best smile could look like please contact us for a consultation. We can use digital photography and computer-generated images to help you visualize your smile makeover. We also have additional before and after photos in our office and will show you real-life results that may be similar to the changes you seek.

Self-conscious about cracked, broken, decayed or worn teeth?

If you're self-conscious about your smile due to cracked, broken, decayed or worn teeth, we can bring back your healthy, natural-looking smile with crowns. A filling can restore a small defect in a tooth, but a crown is the most durable, strongest way to restore a tooth with extensive damage, front or back for the long term. With all the materials and techniques modern dentistry has to offer, crowns can be totally natural looking.

Additional benefits of crowns are correcting bite problems, closing spaces between teeth, changing the angulations of teeth, and they can be used to replace missing teeth permanently, as part of a bridge, or over an implant.

Do you have an old-looking smile that has old discolored fillings?

If you're embarrassed about your smile because of decayed, disfigured or discolored teeth, you may be a good candidate for composite resins. A composite resin is mixture of microscopic ceramic and glass particles dispersed in a plastic resin that can be bonded to teeth. The material comes in a wide range of shades and can be molded and sculpted to create almost any shape or contour. The fact that the resin is bonded means a seal is formed to reduce the change of leakage, which is common with silver fillings.

Composite resins offer a non-invasive way to improve your smile, if you have any concerns about the appearance of your teeth, give us a call for an evaluation to see if bonding with composite resin will give you the smile you’ve always wanted, and the enhanced self-confidence that goes along with it.

What is the difference between onlays and inlays?

Onlays: Onlays are used for large restorations. They restore the area inside the cusp and extend over one or more sides of the tooth. Because of their size they are usually made of porcelain.

Inlays: These are used to restore the area of tooth inside the cusps. Inlays are a conservative tooth restoration which means they require far less drilling and preparation of the tooth than a metal filling. Inlays are usually made of porcelain or composite resin, making them “invisible” in your smile.

Onlays and inlays are created in a dental laboratory from an impression of your teeth. Any shrinkage of the device occurs in the lab and is accounted for when cemented. Large fillings can shrink and be at greater risk for breakdown and tooth sensitivity. The final result will fit perfectly with surrounding teeth and can be as strong as a natural tooth.

Why do teeth look discolored?

Your teeth may become discolored for a variety of reasons. Chemicals in tobacco, coffee, tea, and red wine can change the color of your teeth when you enjoy these products regularly. Certain medications (such as tetracycline), excessive fluoride, and previous dental work may also cause unsightly stains on your tooth enamel. Even aging can make your teeth more discolored as you grow older.

Genetics can also determine the color of your teeth. While we think of tooth enamel as white, the natural, unstained shade of your teeth can range from pearly white to bluish gray to pale yellow. Even if you brush and floss daily, you may have genetically inherited healthy teeth that do not naturally look white.

What are my teeth whitening options?

Of course, you don’t have to live with discolored teeth. When you explain your desire to have whiter teeth to your dentist, they will examine your mouth and recommend ways to whiten and brighten your teeth.

In Office teeth Whitening

In office teeth whitening is one of the safest and quickest ways to safely whiten your teeth. During this process, your dentist will place a protective rubber dam around your gums and apply a solution of 15 to 35 percent carbamide peroxide, a chemical found in most bleaching products, to your teeth. Depending on the whitening method, your dentist may also use a laser or special lamp to speed up the bleaching process. In office teeth whitening can give you dazzlingly white teeth in under an hour

If you have any questions about cosmetic dentistry feel free to contact our Tulsa dental office.