Cosmetic Dentistry

At its simplest, cosmetic dentistry improves the color, shape, size, alignment and symmetry of your teeth and gum line. In our office that includes teeth whitening, both in-office and take-home, for patients whose enamel has darkened from coffee, tea, red wine or time. It includes composite bonding, where we sculpt tooth-colored material directly onto a chipped edge, a worn corner or a small gap, often in a single visit. It includes porcelain veneers for patients who want a more comprehensive change across the teeth that show when they smile, and crowns or bridges when a tooth needs real structural rebuilding, not just a surface improvement.

Gum work is part of the picture too. Some patients don't dislike their teeth at all — they dislike how much gum shows, or how uneven the gum line looks from one tooth to the next. Gum contouring and crown lengthening reshape that frame so the teeth look proportional. And because appearance and alignment overlap, we sometimes recommend Invisalign, clear aligners or braces first, with our board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Sayed, so that crowded or rotated teeth are in the right position before anything is whitened, bonded or veneered.

The honest first step is a conversation, and we offer that consultation at no cost. We want to hear what you'd change in your own words, look at the health of the teeth and gums supporting any cosmetic work, and tell you plainly which options fit. Cosmetic treatment sits on a healthy foundation — active decay, gum disease or an infected nerve gets addressed first, which is why fillings, scaling and root planing or root canal therapy sometimes come before the cosmetic phase.

A few things are worth knowing up front. Whitening brightens natural enamel but does not change the color of existing crowns, veneers or fillings, so those may need to be matched afterward. Bonding is conservative and reversible in a way veneers generally are not. Veneers involve preparing the tooth surface, a committed, long-term choice. And results depend on habits: smoking, dark drinks, nail biting and nighttime grinding all affect how a smile holds up, which is one reason we fabricate night guards in our on-site lab.

That lab matters for cosmetic care more than people expect. Because crowns, dentures, guards and other appliances are made and adjusted here in the building, shade matching, small shape tweaks and repairs don't require shipping your case across the country and waiting weeks between visits.

Aftercare, longevity and keeping results

Most cosmetic treatment asks very little of you afterward. Whitening can leave teeth temporarily sensitive, which typically settles; we'll suggest easing off very hot or cold foods for a day or two and limiting staining drinks while the enamel rehydrates. Bonding and veneers are cared for like natural teeth — brushing, flossing and regular cleanings — with the added advice to avoid chewing ice, pens or fingernails.

The real maintenance is routine care. Twice-yearly cleanings with our hygienist, exams, oral cancer screenings and periodontal maintenance when needed protect both your health and the appearance of the work. If a bonded edge chips or a shade needs refreshing years later, we handle that here.