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Dentist on Ridgeway in Coquitlam BC>cosmetic dentist
burnaby cosmetic dentistry invisalign
FAQ
April 30, 20180

Cosmetic Dentistry: Enhancing your Smile

Cosmetic dentistry continues to lead in popularity, and the technologies and techniques dentists use continue to evolve to provide even better results in a shorter amount of time. While most patients think that it involves little more than teeth whitening and replacing lost or damaged teeth, there’s quite a bit more to it than that.

A beautiful smile has a huge impact on your confidence and how the people around you perceive you. Before we take a look at some of the more popular cosmetic procedures, let’s define what cosmetic dentistry is – how it’s changed, how it impacts your smile, and how it’s perceived by people at large.

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is a method of professional oral care that focuses on improving the appearance and health of your mouth, teeth, and smile. And although cosmetic dentistry procedures are usually elective, rather than essential, some cases of treatment will also provide restorative benefits.

The most common procedures used in cosmetic dentistry are fairly simple, whereas others are more complex and require specialized care.

How has Cosmetic Dentistry changed?

A number of historians believe that ancient civilizations have been practicing aesthetic dentistry since as far back as 700 B.C. People who had dental problems wore dentures created out of animal teeth, bones and even seashells. Later on, during the reign of the Roman Empire, the people learned the value of ammonia and other similar abrasive substances in removing tooth stains. By the 1700s, dentists began creating teeth covers out of porcelain.

How can Cosmetic Dentistry impact your smile?

It’s endless what cosmetic can do for your smile. Cosmetic dentistry can help whiten your smile (zoom whitening), improved biting and chewing (porcelain veneers), a straighter smile (Invisalign), healthier teeth & gums (bonding & gum contouring), a stronger smile (dental implants), and prevent future damages (dental crowns) which all lead to a more confident smile.

Five Types Of Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

Composite Bonding

Composite bonding refers to the repair of decayed, damaged or discolored teeth using material that resembles the color of tooth enamel. Your dentist drills out the tooth decay and applies the composite to the tooth’s surface, then “sculpts” it into the right shape before curing it with a high-intensity light. Also referred to as simply “bonding,” per the Consumer Guide to Dentistry, this effectively covers the damage to the tooth and gives the appearance of a healthy tooth in its place. Bonding is one of the least expensive cosmetic dentistry procedures available to patients with tooth decay, chipped or cracked teeth and worn-down edges.

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Dental Veneers

Dental Veneers are typically manufactured from medical-grade ceramic and are made individually in a lab for each patient to resemble one’s natural teeth, according to Coquitlam Dentist Dr. Komal Dhir. They look exceptionally realistic and can resolve numerous cosmetic problems, ranging from crooked teeth, to cracked or damaged enamel to noticeable gaps between two teeth. The dentist applies the veneer to the front of each tooth using a dental adhesive.

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Teeth Whitening

One of the most basic cosmetic dentistry procedures, teeth whitening or teeth bleaching can be performed at your Coquitlam Dental Office or at home with our Free Take-Home Whitening Kit for new patients. Whitening should occur after plaque, tartar and other debris are cleaned from the surface of each tooth, restoring their natural appearance. Teeth can also be bleached to achieve an even lighter shade than this original color, according to the Canadian Dental Association (CDA).

Over the years, teeth become stained and worn from food, drinks, medication and personal habits such as smoking. Whitening coats the teeth and this procedure can be done in the dental office or at home. Additionally, patients can use whitening toothpaste to achieve the same effect.

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Implants

Dental implants simply are used to replace teeth after tooth loss. Our dentist will insert a small titanium screw into the jaw at the site of the missing tooth, which serves as the support for a dental crown. These implants are almost indistinguishable from the surrounding natural teeth, and once the bone and supporting tissue fuse to the implant, they are permanently secured into place. Dental Patients need to practice diligent oral hygiene during the implant placement period to clean plaque and food debris from the area.

If you’re considering cosmetic dentistry procedures, it’s vital to find a cosmetic dentist who specifically offers the option you’re interested in. Talk with family and friends to find out if they can refer to you a dental professional.

At Ridgeway Dental Office in Coquitlam, our dentists have placed over 1000’s of implants.

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Invisalign

Invisalign® is a custom-made clear aligner that is interchanged roughly every two weeks for a period of six to eighteen months, or longer depending on the severity of misalignment of the patient. Similar to a mouth or dental retainer (which is designed to keep teeth from shifting out of place), an Invisalign® aligner is used for orthodontic treatment as a technique to move and properly align teeth for a beautiful smile. This clear aligner is usually computer generated from a mold (or impression) of the patient’s teeth—taken by our dentist in Coquitlam—and the fitting is unique to each patient only.

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burnaby dentist veneers
Cosmetic Dentistry
August 31, 20172

Veneers

veneers by burnaby dentist

Dental veneers are what dental professionals call a complete “smile makeover” because of the superb results are seen after just a few short appointments. They are specifically designed to alter dental imperfections such as irregular shape and yellowish color. Each veneer is placed over the surface of the tooth in order to fix these imperfections, thus allowing patients to feel better about their appearance and feel more confident when they smile. At Bainbridge Dental in Burnaby, we’ve successfully placed over 1000’s of veneers.

Reasons for Porcelain Veneers

  1. Misshapen or misadjusted teeth
  2. Chipped teeth
  3. Crooked or gapped teeth (slight or largely noticeable)
  4. Stained tooth enamel

Is a complete smile makeover something that you’ve been debating?

Questions before considering treatment:

  1. Do I feel self-conscious with others when I smile and worry about what they think?
  2. Do I want to improve my confidence?
  3. Do I want to look my best in professional and social situations?

Frequently Asked Questions About Veneers

veneers by burnaby dentist

What happens to my teeth after veneers, and will I ever get cavities? The integrity of veneered teeth is only marginally compromised, and the veneer is bonded to the existing teeth. There is no higher incidence of decay provided the veneers are properly cared for as previously mentioned with regular flossing and brushing with toothpaste. In general, it is good dental advice to keep your sugar consumption low and confined to meal times to prevent decay.

How long will porcelain veneers last? They can last from seven to twenty years. While the veneer itself is inert and non-living, the tooth or teeth to which they are attached and the surrounding gum tissues are living and may change. For example, gum line shrinkage may expose or reveal root surfaces. If a veneer comes off it can generally be rebonded. If it chips it can sometimes be rebonded or otherwise replaced.

How Do I Choose a Dentist for Porcelain Veneers? As with any elective procedure, the most important factor in choosing a dentist is experience. While any dentist can offer porcelain veneers, not all have additional training in cosmetics dentistry. This is where things can get tricky and research (before and after pictures) becomes even more important.

Our dentists at Bainbridge Dental are all skilled in cosmetic dentistry.

Do Porcelain Veneers Look Fake? Individual results vary, but the goal is for the porcelain veneers to look and feel like a person’s own teeth, only better. To avoid the too-straight, too-white appearance that many associates with obvious veneers, intentional imperfections like slight rotation, subtle discoloration, and grooves can be made to imitate natural flaws.

A successful case is the result of great teamwork between a dentist and lab technician. The dentist must design the case for long-term success and the ceramist must create custom works of art to give a beautiful and natural look. Cosmetics is not taught in dental school, so it’s important to find a dentist that has extra training and certification showing this education. Experience counts.

Can Veneers Be Removed? Because some tooth structure and enamel are removed prior to placing veneers, this is considered an irreversible treatment. Veneers may be replaced, but removing them for good will leave your teeth permanently scarred, at high risk for damage, and unhealthy looking.

What are the advantages of porcelain veneers over other types of cosmetic dental bonding procedures? Porcelain veneers are superior to other types of cosmetic dental bonding procedures in several ways:

  • Veneers look very life-like
  • Veneers are highly stained resistant
  • Since porcelain is a ceramic, stain-producing products such as coffee, tea, and red wine will roll right off the surface of your teeth. This means after your porcelain veneers are placed, you don’t have to worry about making changes to your lifestyle to accommodate your beautiful teeth.

If my teeth are reshaped for veneers or crowns, what will they look like? Will they be sensitive? Generally, cemented restorations, such as crowns or veneers (see the procedure section), will require two visits: one to shape the teeth and one to cement the restorations to the teeth. Between visits, your Burnaby Dentist can place attractive provisional restorations to help prevent sensitivity, allow limited function, and provide a nice smile. These temporaries are designed to be in your mouth for a limited time but should be comfortable and natural looking until your new smile is completed.

Do porcelain veneers stain with normal things like tea, coffee, and wine? Porcelain veneers should never stain; however; if your teeth have a propensity to stain you should try to avoid or minimize the behaviors that lead to staining and look after them as recommended above with normal hygiene and maintenance procedures.

How do I get veneers to match my other teeth? This concern will be addressed by your dental professional. Most people get their veneers in a whiter shade than their natural teeth and then under tooth whitening to create a matching aesthetic.

How do I take care of my veneers? Once applied to your teeth, porcelain veneers should be treated just like your natural teeth. Don’t miss your twice-annual visits to the dentist for a professional cleaning and dental exam. And be sure to brush and floss daily to clean your teeth properly. There is no special treatment needed to care for your veneers.

Are you ready for porcelain veneers? Talk to one of our cosmetic dentists at Bainbridge Dental in Burnaby, BC. Simply call us at: (604) 420-2545.