The Cosmetic Dentistry Center in the Houston Medical Center Dental Group offers the full range of cosmetic dentistry procedures and general dentistry practices. Every patient is treated as a genuinely unique individual with his or her own set of unique and specific needs. We like to say that no two smiles are exactly alike, so when you come to our office, you can be confident we provide your smile with a restorative or cosmetic solution that is specifically created just for you.
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I would like to know how much does Dental Bondingcost (estimate) for an adult with no insurance?

Thank you,
Debbie
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Debbie,
Thanks for the question. As with many things we do, it varies widely. There are times that we do minor bonding and it does not take much time and we do not charge much for it. There are other complicated situations that take more time and therefore we charged more for these – and, since major changes are not done any more with bonding, we often also have a conversation about laminate veneers, which is a much more durable and esthetic service.

You really need to make an appointment to come in and have an exam done so that we can understand what you want done and you can get correct information. I cannot answer your question well blindly --- give us a call..


Chuck Campbell, DDS
Dale Brant, DDS
(713) 795-5905

Labels: cosmetic dental bonding, cosmetic dental procedures

What is the starting cost of dental implants. My main concern at the moment is a missing front tooth. I need an idea on how much it will cost since financing is not an option.
-Barbara


Hi, Barbara,

The cost will depend upon what is necessary. Depending on what conditions are present, the cost of restoring missing teeth can be more than you expect. In our opinion, you cannot get a true picture of what your needs are, and therefore what your costs will be, over the internet. There is much often more going on than you realize. I assume -- that you are assuming -- you have a simple situation. Some are straightforward and some are complex.. Having an implant plus a crown to restore it can vary approximately from $2500 - $5000 if a single implant is what you need..

Ø Have you already lost a tooth?
Ø Is the spacing right to just restore one tooth? Is the spacing crowded? Is there too much space?
Ø Do you have root canal needs? Have there been root canals done on teeth nearby?
Ø Have you had a fall or a blow?
Ø Have you lost bone in the area you are asking about?
Ø Do you have a tooth that you can tell will be lost?
Ø Do you have periodontal problems with this area and adjacent teeth?
Ø There are certainly times when the bone is OK and adequate, that an implant is a great idea, and there ore other situations in which an alternate treatment would be better for you. Dental implants are terrific, but there are times when they are contra-indicated (lack of bone, esthetic demands).
Ø Do your other front teeth have needs? Matching teeth color can be tricky, and there are times that other fillings need to be replaced or other crowns need to be done at the same time.

Truly the only way that we can understand your needs and give you an estimate of costs for your needs is for you to come into the office and let us take x-rays, photos, study models, etc. Please call and come by for an exam. You will learn what your whole situation is and what your options are. There are always several options.

Chuck Campbell, DDS
Dale Brant, DDS

(713) 795-5905

Labels: cosmetic dental implants, cosmetic dental procedures, financial options

A porcelain inlay is an indirect filling that is used to repair a decayed portion of a tooth or the hole left in a tooth after a silver-mercury amalgam filling has failed. In some respects, it works much like a tooth filling because it fits within the cusp of a tooth to replace either a lost filling or fill a cavity caused by decay. However, a porcelain inlay is very different from a standard filling. Not only is it made from an entirely different material, but the process used to make it similar to the process of making a dental crown. Porcelain inlays are made in a laboratory to match the shape and size of the tooth. They restore the cosmetic appearance of teeth, and they strengthen teeth by restoring the original surface area that was lost to damage or decay.

We at the Cosmetic Dentistry Center of Houston do not recommend the use of silver-mercury amalgam fillings. However, we do often fill teeth with composite resin through a process known as dental bonding. Dental bonding, however, requires a certain minimal tooth mass in order to be performed. When decay or tooth fracture has destroyed the majority of the tooth surface, placing a porcelain inlay can restore the appearance and function of the tooth so it does not have to be extracted. For people who cannot afford dental implants at this time, placing porcelain inlays provides a viable alternative to tooth replacement.

Manufacturing porcelain inlays is very similar to manufacturing dental crowns. It will take two appointments to make the inlays and place them. During the first visit, the dentist begins by cleaning up the affected tooth or teeth to prepare them for the placement of inlays. The dentist first numbs the area around the teeth to make the procedure painless. If the problem is old fillings, he or she will first extract what remains of the filling from the interior of the tooth. A rubber dam may be used to prevent debris from falling into your mouth. Any decayed areas are also removed, and the remaining healthy portion of the tooth is reshaped.

The dentist will then make impressions of your teeth in order to create a working model of your natural bite. These impressions are very important and must be meticulously taken in order to create an accurate model. A dentist may place a small string between your teeth and gums in order to push the gums gently away from tooth surfaces. Once the impressions are made, the dentist will place temporary inlays in your mouth while the porcelain inlays are being made. It will take approximately one to two weeks for the laboratory to manufacture your new inlays. When they are ready, the dentist will call you back, remove the temporaries, and place the permanent inlays in your teeth. The dentist will check the bite with colored tape to see where your teeth are coming together, and he or she will also floss between the teeth to make certain there are no tight spots.

If your teeth pass inspection, the dentist will permanently place your porcelain inlays by cementing them in place. Inlays can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years and have proven themselves to be one of the most effective cosmetic tooth restoration procedures we can economically provide to our patients.

Labels: composite bonding resin, cosmetic dental bonding, cosmetic dental crowns, cosmetic dental procedures, cosmetic tooth procedures

There was a man we will refer to as Cooper who came to us. Years before, he had lost several teeth in the lower arch of his mouth. He lacked the funding at the time to pay for dental implants, and not knowing much about tooth replacement to begin with, had chosen to take the economical route of removable, partial dentures. He found that they worked to a degree, but caused him to experience difficulty chewing certain foods he liked to eat.

This situation is common for people who wear partial dentures. While they are cheaper than titanium dental implants, they come with a price of their own. Partials are by nature softer than titanium and porcelain (the materials used to make dental implants), and consequently limit what a person can and cannot comfortably chew.

Partial dentures are also a source of embarrassment for many people. Almost no one who dentures has not been caught at some point in time by a child or close relative with his or her teeth in a glass, so to speak. The clicking sound made by dentures while chewing is also embarrassing, because everyone at the table knows where that sound is coming from, and who has false teeth and who does not.

Dental implants, on the other hand, can fool even the most critical of self-styled smile experts. They look identical to natural teeth, and they work even better in some cases due to their rugged constitution. They can also be made very affordable to patients like Cooper through financial plans that allow for payments to be spread out over a period of time. This is a common courtesy we offer to all intake patients like here at the Houston Cosmetic Dentistry Center of the Medical Center Dental Group.

Once Cooper qualified for one of our many financial plans, we scheduled an appointment to make a thorough examination of his mouth. We took x-rays first to assess the condition of his jaw bone. This is standard protocol in implant dentistry, and almost universally the first step we take in replacing missing teeth. The reason for this is because bones begin to recede when teeth fall out or become decayed to the point they must be extracted. Without tooth roots to form around, bone mass deteriorates and flattens.

The degree of bone loss determines just how many cosmetic dental implants we can actually place in the jaw. The lesser the bone loss, the more implants the jaw will support. However, very few people have come to us with an ideal jawbone just waiting to be filled with implants. Most people like Cooper have already experienced severe bone deterioration. These patients, like Cooper, must be treated with a combination of dental implants and fixed bridgework.

In Coopers case, we were able to successfully place four implants at key locations around the bottom of his mouth. We then used these implants as anchors for fixed bridges. The cosmetic dental bridges that we use in full mouth reconstructions are different than the standard bridges used in general family dentistry. Unlike standard bridges, they rarely are affixed to natural teeth, but are made instead to attach directly to the porcelain crowns that cover the titanium implant base. This avoids damaging healthy teeth which can actually lose enamel when bridges are anchored to them.

When we removed the acrylic roof to the partials and replaced the dentures he wore with dental implants and bridges, Cooper was now able to enjoy total freedom of diet for the first time in years. He immediately called us back to thank us not only for expanding his menu, but also for making it possible for him to smile securely knowing that only he knew the true origin of the bright healthy looking teeth that gave him a new face to the world.

For more information on dental implants and new forms of dentures, read the following articles on our main site:

Dental Implants
Cosmetic Tooth Implants
Dental Implant Procedure
Dental Implant Surgery
Denture Implants

Labels: cosmetic dental implants, cosmetic dental procedures, dental implant, dental implant procedures, retained dentures

A soft tissue graft is a procedure that involves taking tissue from either your palate or your gumline and connecting it to receding gums. In most instances, gums recede because of periodontal disease. In other cases, they can recede as a result of physical trauma, crooked teeth, or age. It is important that you take this condition seriously. It affects more than just your looks. If left untreated, it can expose tooth roots, which will in turn result in tooth sensitivity and possible tooth loss in the future.

The good news is that soft tissue grafts will stop gum recession in its tracks, protect exposed tooth roots, and make the appearance of the smile more aesthetic and natural looking. One noticeable benefit that you will immediately become aware of is a decreased sensitivity to hot and cold and a greater comfort eating a wide range of foods.

There are three types of soft tissue grafts, briefly described as follows:

1. Free gingival graft- The dentist cuts a small strip of tissue from the palate and stitches it to the receding gum line. This method is used mostly for people with naturally thin gums who can benefit aesthetically from the addition of new tissue.
2. Connective-tissue graft- The dentists takes subepithelial connective tissue from under the palate. This tissue is very similar to the type that surrounds tooth roots, and it is ideal for covering roots that have been exposed. .
3. Pedicle graft- This type of graft is used when an exposed root is located adjacent to a tooth with healthy, abundant gum tissue. A flap of healthy gum tissue is partially cut away, flipped over, and stitched to the damaged area. This procedure offers the benefits of connecting existing blood vessels as well as tissue to the area being treated.

There will be a certain amount of discomfort after any of the above procedures are performed. Most dentists will use a soft, clay-like periodontal dressing to protect the grafted tissue while it heals. Prescription pain medication will be used in most cases as well. You should follow all post-operative instructions, the foremost of which is to keep his or her mouth clean during the healing process.

For more information on this and related topics, read the following articles on our main website:
Cosmetic Dental Teeth Procedures
Periodontal Surgery
Root Canal Therapy
Tooth Decay
Tooth Pain and Sensitivity

If you are experiencing pain or tooth sensitivity any time you eat or drink something hot or cold, then you need to call our office for an appointment. Your condition may or may not be related to gum recession, but regardless, it is something we need to look at and address because no doubt it will lead to future complications if left untreated.

Labels: cosmetic dental procedures, Gum Disease, intermittent toothache, pain in tooth, pain while chewing, soft tissue grafts, tooth sensitivity

Two years ago we treated a woman named Susanna, who was in her early sixties. Over forty years ago, she had lost all but 6 of her lower front teeth. At that time, a removable upper denture seemed her most workable and convenient option. True, she did not like having to take it out and clean it in front of her husband and children, and she was embarrassed at times by the sounds it made when she chewed certain foods.

After she retired, however she decided to look into implant dentistry. She called our office and asked if we could help with some kind of payment plan. We told her it is routine for a good majority of our patients to pay for dental implants over a period of time. Susanna was more than happy to come in upon hearing this news, excited to hear that an alternative to dentures had finally presented itself within reach.

It is unfortunate that so many people like Susanna assume that implant dentistry is beyond their budget, and that they must settle for a lifetime of removable dentures. Nothing could be farther from the truth. While it is true that this treatment is certainly much more expensive than other forms of tooth replacement, implant dentistry does not have to be paid for all at once. A full list of financial options can be explored by visiting this link on our main website. Any number of these can be within the realm of possibility for a gainfully employed or comfortably retired person to qualify for. She had very good credit and a comfortable income from her savings and retirement plans, and her credit immediately qualified her for one of our plans.

Susanna was a unique case in that she had lived without her natural teeth for over 40 years. However, she had not experienced the severe bone loss that often ensues after teeth remain missing for a period of time. In most cases like hers, there is seldom enough bone mass to place more than a few implants. The remainder of a full-mouth reconstruction has to be done with fixed bridgework attached to implants that are used as anchor points. In fact, we were a bit shocked at this remarkable condition after looking at the x-rays of her mouth. Susanna simply told us that she took good care of herself by eating healthy and taking daily supplements.

We never complain when a patient is this proactive in self-care. Over the next 18 months, we placed a total of 15 dental implants in Susannas upper jaw. In the few gaps between these implants, we placed porcelain cosmetic dental bridges to completely rebuild her smile.

Susanna reports today that she loves the new freedom she has to eat anything she wants (although she still eats only healthy foods). She also remarked that it is a genuine pleasure to finally be able to brush her upper teeth—something she has not been able to do since her early twenties. Again, it makes us feel good as dentists to hear a patient so passionate about dental hygiene.

For more information, visit the following articles on our main website:
Dental Implant Procedures
Dentures Dental Implants
Dental Tooth Implants
Dental Implant Surgery

Labels: cosmetic dental implants, cosmetic dental procedures, dental imlplants, dental implant, dental implant procedures, Dental Implants, implant dentistry

Titanium implants have proven themselves to be the best replacement tooth option every developed. While dental implants in one form or fashion have been used since ancient times, it was not until Titanium dental implants were invented in the 1970s that implant dentistry gained a success rate of over 90 percent. Titanium implants look very much like screws that are twisted into the bone. Through a process called osseointegration, the bone adapts to the implant and grows around it

When this process is complete, the mouth essentially has a new tooth root to work with. If a temporary crown was placed over the Titanium alloy at the time of implantation, the dentist will remove it at the beginning of the restorative phase. He or she will then secure the titanium implant with a smaller screw known as an abutment. Then, the entire structure is capped with a porcelain crown that looks and works just like a natural tooth.

Phase I and Phase II of the process are frequently performed by separate dentists. There are some, however, that prefer to handle both phases of the treatment. Dr. Charles Campbell at the Houston Medical Center Dental Group is one of the few Houston dentists who perform both the surgical phase and the restorative phase of cosmetic implant dentistry. He has specialized in this discipline for the majority of his career, and he has studied under some of the best experts in the world since the mid 1980s.

Titanium dental implants do more than restore the aesthetics of a smile. They also fill out the natural curvature of facial muscles and structures that would otherwise begin to droop and wrinkle. They also halt bone degradation that inevitably sets in when a tooth is extracted or lost in an accident. Osseointegration is actually a healthy thing for bones because it provides a motivation and pathway for new growth to occur.

Titanium dental implants are also much better for the mouth than traditional bridges and crowns that have to be anchored to natural teeth in order to hold in place. The problem with this type of bridgework lies in the fact that it wears down tooth enamel and makes otherwise healthy teeth more vulnerable to damage and decay. Implants, on the other hand, are supported by the jaw and not by other teeth.

Dental Implants
Dental Implant Surgery
Dental Tooth Implants
Dentures Dental Implants
Dental Implant Procedures
Postoperative Instructions for Dental Implants

While the cost of titanium dental implants may appear daunting to some, the benefits are well worth it. Many insurance plans will cover a portion of the costs. However, if insurance not cover dental implants, however, the average person can still often afford them if they arrange for special financing through our billing office, or apply for financing options one of our partner finance services. Details on making such arrangements can be obtained by clicking here, or simply by calling our office.

Labels: cosmetic dental crowns, cosmetic dental implants, cosmetic dental procedures, titanium dental implants

A patient by the name of Kim came to us, quite distraught about her severe case of missing teeth. She was 47 when we met her, and she had suffered tremendous dental problems since she was 12 years old. She had crashed her bicycle one day, and had broken off her front teeth. Since that time, she reported, she not only experienced missing teeth, but suffered from constant infections in her mouth.

She had been through many episodes in her mouth where a variety of dental ailments afflicted her. Severe swelling would arise in her mouth, accompanied by intense pain. She would develop toothaches that were so sudden, and so severe; she would have to be rushed to the emergency room at midnight. Dental emergency treatment almost always ended with teeth being pulled because of the degree of pain and infection in her teeth and gums. This only resulted in more tooth loss, and seemed to never resolve the root cause of the infections which appeared mysteriously linked to her childhood accident.

By the time more than half of her teeth were gone; Kim had all but given up on dentistry. The heartache of being young and attractive, but having so many missing teeth, made her shy about smiling, or even opening her mouth at all in front of people. Years went by, and she never went to a dentist, believing nothing at all could be done to restore so many missing teeth or cure the infections that kept developing in her mouth.

Then, by some strange twist of serendipity, Kim learned of the Medical Center Dental Group through a newspaper ad we ran in the Houston Chronicle. She read about our commitment to patient care and comfort, and how we have helped so many people with complex and challenging problems, including severe cases of missing teeth. This gave her enough hope and courage to schedule an appointment with us.

We used a combination of treatments to restore Kim’s lost teeth and remedy the constant bouts with infection. Our intraoral camera revealed advanced periodontal disease, which appeared to have been the cause of so many teeth becoming infected to the point they had to be pulled. Whether or not this periodontal disease resulted from her bicycle accident as a child remained a mystery. Nevertheless, were able to successfully treat her periodontal disease with LANAP. We also performed a series of root canals to ensure that all diseased and dying nerve and tooth root tissue were completely removed from Kim’s mouth.

Once her mouth had completely recovered, and there were no remaining symptoms of toothaches or periodontal disease, we then began the cosmetic phase of dental treatment. We used a total of 5 cosmetic dental implants to replace missing teeth in key areas of her jaws that needed strength and support. (Sometimes, advanced periodontal disease and deterioration of the bone limits the number of implants we can use.) The remainder of her full mouth reconstruction was done with fixed porcelain bridges and crowns, creating a new, healthy, natural looking smile she had not enjoyed since childhood.

Besides the obvious cosmetic improvements, Kim can now eat more comfortable, speak with more confidence, and be proud of her smile instead of holding her hand over her mouth all the time.

Labels: alternative to dental surgery, cosmetic dental crowns, cosmetic dental procedures, full mouth reconstruction, LANAP, missing teeth, root canal

Cosmetic dentists can do wonders to restore the health, vitality, and sheer beauty of the human smile. Advanced technology makes it possible for cosmetic dental procedures to repair almost any problem with teeth or gums. Many problems can be solved with very simple procedures. Others require much more complex methods and surgical techniques. Because every patient is different, cosmetic dental procedures tend to be highly individualized to the needs of the person as well.

Cosmetic dental bonding is a simple procedure that involves applying a special composite resin to teeth surfaces in order to cover chipped and discolored areas. It is a painless procedure, and it has proven itself a superior alternative to metal fillings because the resin mimics the natural color of teeth and is more benign to the mouth than metal fillings.

Tooth whitening is performed when teeth become discolored for any number of reasons. Smoking and drinking coffee can change teeth from white to yellow in a short matter of time. Some prescription medications can also discolor teeth severely. Even certain healthy teas that people have begun to substitute for caffeine and nicotine can cause teeth to lose their color. Mild to moderate discoloration is normally reverse with a bleaching solution that is applied both in the dental office and through two weeks of self-care at home. More severe cases may require the use of cosmetic dental veneers, which are made from porcelain that provides a hard, reliable overlay for tooth enamel. Veneers are stain resistant and will normally last for many years.

For fragmented or missing teeth, more aggressive cosmetic dental procedures are necessary. In the past, teeth that were badly cracked were often pulled and replaced with a bridge. Today, cosmetic dentists can often save a damage tooth by performing a root canal and capping the tooth with a porcelain crown. This procedure is also used to repair teeth that have lost metal fillings. It not only creates a new chewing surface, but it also helps prevent infection.

Implant dentistry is the most advanced of all cosmetic dental procedures. It involves placing a titanium alloy implant in the jaw that the bone then accepts and grows around, much like it does a natural tooth root. After the implant area has healed, which can take anywhere from 3-6 months, the dentist then places a porcelain crown over the implant to create an entirely new tooth.

Cosmetic Dentistry
Technology in Cosmetic Dentistry
Gingivectomy and Gingivoplasty (Gum Removal)
Cosmetic Dental implants
Cosmetic Teeth Procedures
Cosmetic Dental Care
Cosmetic Dental Treatments
Cosmetic Dental WorkCosmetic Dentists

Cosmetic dental procedures are continually evolving as new technology emerges and dentists continue to develop new treatment options for patients with discolored, damaged, or missing teeth.

Labels: cosmetic dental bonding, cosmetic dental braces, cosmetic dental implants, cosmetic dental procedures, cosmetic dental veneers

As each year rolls around, cosmetic dental treatments become more advanced, and more available to the average person. What was once a highly specialized science available only in Elite circles is now becoming the new mainstream for dentistry itself. Cosmetic dentistry treats the whole person, not just the teeth, with the beauty of a reconstructed smile that boosts confidence and improves the quality of life. Cosmetic dental treatment options also offer a greater peace of mind than traditional, more primitive forms of dentistry. Many of the newer procedures today are virtually painless—even comfortable in their own way—for the typical person to experience.

Everyone knows about the aesthetic value of cosmetic dental treatments. What many people do not know, however, is that these treatments offer equivalent medical value to the patient as well. The forces that shape the way a tooth works also shape the way it works, and how long it lasts. A good example of this is tooth enamel. This outer, protective layer of the tooth is the part you see in the mirror every morning. In its ideal condition, it should be a pearly white with a slightly translucent surface. However, after many years of eating processed food, drinking coffee, and smoking cigarettes, the teeth turn yellow or even brown from the stains they pick up. Left untreated, the stained enamel loses its strength and resiliency. The tooth is then more vulnerable to decay or cracking as a result.

A simple, painless cosmetic dental treatment like teeth whitening can reverse this. By bleaching the teeth and removing these stains, it can restore the enamel of your teeth to optimum condition. This restores strength and longevity to the life of your teeth and proactively helps prevent more serious problems like gum disease from developing.

Other cosmetic dental treatments can be used to repair teeth that have already been damaged. A tooth with a cavity, for example, can be repaired with cosmetic dental bonding. This procedure uses a composite resin that look like tooth enamel. It is much friendlier than are metal fillings to the surfaces of teeth and the human mouth in general. Teeth that have pits and hair line cracks can be restored with porcelain veneers, and broken teeth can be capped with porcelain crowns that create an entirely new chewing surface that is both hard and virtually indistinguishable from natural tooth enamel.

There is even a cosmetic dental treatment for people who have lost some, or even all, of their teeth—dental implants. Unlike crude and embarrassing dentures, dental implants are actually attached to the bone of the jaw. These implants look and work just like natural teeth, even to the point that many patients at times forget they have implants.

The Cosmetic Dentistry Center in the Houston Medical District has an entire repertoire of treatment options and payment plans available for the patient who needs top-quality dental care. Serving all Houston neighborhoods including River Oaks, Memorial, West University, Upper Kirby, and Rice Village, The Medical Center Dental Group is here to answer your questions and exceed your expectations.

For more information read our articles on the following topics:


Cosmetic Dental Implants
Cosmetic Dental Braces. Cosmetic
Cosmetic Dental Veneers.
Cosmetic Teeth Whitening
LANAP

If you are overdue for a checkup or need dental care of any kind, call us now toll free at 1-888-790-0309 to schedule an appointment.

Labels: cosmetic dental crowns, cosmetic dental implants, cosmetic dental procedures, cosmetic teeth whitening

Labels: cosmetic dental bonding, cosmetic dental braces, cosmetic dental crowns, cosmetic dental procedures, cosmetic dental veneers

Thanks to new treatments and technology, there are now more cosmetic dental procedures available to patients than ever before. The good news is that regardless of how long a particular procedure may take, or how complex the process may actually be, cosmetic dentistry has evolved to such a level of precision that there is little, if any, discomfort involved in any of these treatments. That means you should call and schedule an appointment if you have been putting off going to the dentist out of fear of pain. Skillful hands can ensure a winning—and pain free smile—here at the Medical Center Dental Group in Houston, TX.

Some of these procedures are elementary and simple, while others require more precision, time, and complexity.

Cosmetic dental bonding, for example, is a very simple process used repair chipped or discolored teeth with a special composite resin that has been custom-mixed to produce the desired color correction in the smile of the patient. Small cracks and pocks often develop in teeth over many years of chewing. The dentist applies an extremely mild acidic solution to the teeth enamel, which etches tiny, microscopic lines in tooth surfaces. The bonding agent is then applied, which instantly adheres to the etched tooth enamel, fusing to its surface. A special light is then used to harden and set the bonding, creating a smooth, restored surface. Patients often remark that this is the most painless experience they could ever hope to have in a dental chair.

Teeth not only become pocked and cracked, but they also become severely discolored for any number of reasons. Drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes never helps tooth color. Certain prescription medications as well can turn teeth a yellowish color. There are two cosmetic dental procedures used to reverse discoloration and restore a white, healthy smile. One is cosmetic tooth whitening, and the other is cosmetic dental veneers.

Tooth whitening is performed using cosmetic dental bleach that is applied in two office visits normally spaced two weeks apart. In the interim time between visits, the patient uses a special tray to apply similar bleach at home. Sensodyne toothpaste is also recommended as an adjunct to this procedure. The longevity of results varies from patient to patient, depending on what lifestyle choices the patient makes to alter detrimental eating and drinking behaviors.

Another popular cosmetic dental procedure for tooth whitening is the use of porcelain veneers. Veneers overlay the tooth enamel and are very strong and stain resistant. Even if a person continues to drink coffee or smoke, veneers tend to maintain their color. Usually veneers are not applied, however, merely for correcting coloration problems. Like dental bonding, one of their main benefits is to correct pitting and chipping of teeth, and in some cases, minor alignment problems that are noticeable, but not severe enough to justify orthodontic treatments.

But what if a tooth suffers more damage than simple chipping? What if a piece of the tooth breaks off, or if the tooth cracks severely? The most common cosmetic dental procedure is the use of a dental crown. A crown, like a veneer, is made from porcelain, and custom-molded to mimic the original tooth. It fits over the damaged tooth like a cap, which is why crowns in general dentistry are often referred to as caps.

For teeth that have been knocked out, or that have decayed to the point that they have to be extracted for the health of the patient, dental implants offer a much more attractive alternative to dentures. Dental implantation is the most complex of all cosmetic dental procedures and is generally used only as a last resort. However, when done by a trained specialist who knows what he or she is doing, the new implant will look, feel, and function as an indistinguishable replacement for the original. Dental implants consist of a titanium alloy base that acts like a tooth root embedded in the bone, an abutment that supports a crown, and a porcelain crown that provides an attractive appearance and reliable chewing surface. Some of our patients often comment that they sometimes forget they have implants because these artificial teeth work often feel just like the ones they were born with.

Cosmetic dental procedures like the ones we have looked at today require years of special training. Be sure to read the biographies of our resident dentists, Dr. Dale Brandt, Dr. Charles Campbell, and Dr. Elizabeth O’Sullivan-Winslow. There, you will find all the assurance you need to see how the staff at the Medical Center Dental Group has everything you need to give you a beautiful, confident, healthy, and truly winning smile.

Labels: cosmetic dental bonding, cosmetic dental crowns, cosmetic dental implants, cosmetic dental procedures, cosmetic dental veneers, cosmetic dentistry, cosmetic tooth whitening

Labels: cosmetic dental bridges, cosmetic dental crowns, cosmetic dental implants, cosmetic dental procedures