At Discovery Dental in Issaquah, one of the common questions patients ask us is “What is cosmetic dentistry?” With the increase in demand and number of services available over the past several years, the confusion is understandable. Cosmetic dentistry gives people the option of improving their smile and appearance through one of several procedures. In most cases, the patient has misaligned, stained, cracked, chipped, or missing teeth and they feel self-conscious about it. Cosmetic dentistry returns their confidence while improving oral health at the same time.
Specific Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
Before you decide to undergo a cosmetic dentistry procedure to enhance your image, it’s important to understand what to expect. The following are among the most popular procedures offered by Dr. Vanama and her staff:
- Teeth whitening: Smoking, certain medications, drinking coffee, and consuming certain foods can all leave your teeth an unattractive brown or yellow color. Professional teeth whitening brightens the shade of your teeth by as much as 10 times. To brighten your teeth, Dr. Vanama prepares a customized tray to fit your mouth, fills it with whitening solution, and leaves it on for approximately one hour. You may need to come in for several sessions to get the results you desire. You also have the option of purchasing an at-home teeth whitening kit from us.
- Porcelain veneers: A porcelain veneer is an extremely thin shell that can cover stains, gaps in your teeth, chips, and other dental problems. Before placing a porcelain veneer, Dr. Vanama takes an impression of your tooth and removes a tiny amount of tooth enamel in order to place it. You receive a temporary veneer at your first appointment and then come back for your permanent fitting.
- Crowns and bridges: Crowns, which restore the normal shape and function of a tooth, cover the affected tooth completely. They are useful to protect a tooth from further decay, to cover a tooth after a root canal procedure, or to hold a dental bridge in place. Bridges are partial dentures that replace one or more missing teeth. They are anchored to surrounding teeth to keep them in place.
- Invisalign braces: Approximately once every two weeks, you replace your Invisalign tray with a new one designed exclusively for the shape of your mouth and teeth and based on your treatment goals. For best results, you should wear your Invisalign tray at all times except when you eat or brush your teeth. Treatment times tend to be shorter than with traditional braces.
Have Additional Questions? Just Let Us Know
We understand that deciding to have a cosmetic dentistry procedure completed is a big decision. You are welcome to schedule an appointment for a consultation or contact us with your questions. Whether you want to know how much veneers cost or need more details about a specific procedure, we’re here for you.