Improve Your Smile With Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is a type of dentistry that focuses primarily on improving the appearance of a person's teeth, gums or bite. If you don't like the way your smile looks, cosmetic dentistry may be the solution. Patients often feel more confident after they leave the dentist. They can smile, speak, and laugh without fear of embarrassment. This can have a profound effect on their lives.

Cosmetic dentistry procedures include:

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dentistry procedure. It's fast, painless, and non-invasive. Even teeth that were badly stained for years can be whitened. There are two types of teeth whitening procedures: in-office and at-home.

With in-office teeth whitening, a whitening gel is applied to the teeth, and then a special light is used to activate the gel. The teeth can usually become up to eight shades whiter in just one visit.

With at-home teeth whitening, patients wear an appliance similar to a mouth guard. The whitening gel is worn inside the mouth for a certain amount of time. Results are about the same as with in-office treatment.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure that uses a composite resin material to repair a chipped or cracked tooth. The resin is the same color as your tooth. Dental bonding is a quick, inexpensive option to fix minor cosmetic issues.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin, tooth-shaped shells of tooth-colored material. They are custom-made and permanently cemented to the front of a tooth to cover imperfections. Veneers work great to correct gaps between teeth, stains, chips, and even slightly crooked teeth.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns completely cover a tooth above the gum line. Crowns can protect a damaged tooth, restore a broken tooth, hide a dental implant, or protect the treated tooth after a root canal. These restorations can be made of metal, ceramic, resin, or porcelain.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are a set of prosthetic teeth used to replace a section of missing teeth. A bridge includes two crowns, one on either side of the gap and one or more false teeth in between. These false teeth are called pontics. The crowns and pontics can be made from porcelain, gold, or a combination.

Dental Implants

Dental implants have a look and feel of natural teeth. They are secured within the jawbone, so they are held firmly in place. When properly cared for with daily brushing and flossing, dental implants can last for a lifetime.

Gum Contouring

Gum contouring or gum reshaping is a cosmetic procedure used to change the shape of the gums. It can be performed using a laser or scalpel to treat a "gummy" smile or an uneven gum line. The procedure is also used to treat or help prevent gingivitis.

Visit Mission Creek Family Dentistry at 9460 Cuyamaca St #101, Santee, CA 92071. Contact us at (619) 596-1128 or schedule an appointment online.