WHAT IS COSMETIC DENTISTRY?

Three common procedures in cosmetic dentistry are bleaching, bonding, and the application of porcelain veneers. All are performed most often on the front teeth and all are generally painless.

BONDING
Restores damaged teeth that have been chipped, cracked, misaligned or discolored. A composite resin somewhat like putty is used to rebuild the teeth or make them look natural. Usually requires one visit although more complex cases may require several visits.

BLEACHING
Works on teeth much as it does on clothes, by lightening stains caused by coffee, tea, food, tobacco and age.

PORCELAIN VENEERS
The hard tooth-shaped shells adhered onto the surfaces of prepared teeth in much the same way that false fingernails are applied. Veneers correct or camouflage the same problems that bonding does - discoloration, damage or misalignment - but the veneers last longer. Porcelain veneers require 2-3 visits. The first visit is needed to prepare the tooth and take an impression. The second visit is used to try out and adjust the veneer. If only minor adjustements are needed it will be cemented (bonded), otherwise it will be sent back to the lab for modification and cemented in at the third visit.