Cosmetic, or esthetic, dentistry aims at creating a positive change to your teeth and smile.  Smile enhancement can have dramatic results on your overall appearance and can boost confidence, self-esteem and make you want to smile more.

Cosmetic dentistry refers to any dental work that improves the appearance of the teeth, primarily focusing on esthetics in color, position, shape, size and alignment of the teeth.  Trauma, age and some medications can result in discoloration and darkening or shifting of the teeth.  These changes can be corrected with dental veneers and crowns resulting in a younger looking, more functional smile that you’ll want to show off.

As prosthodontists, Dr. Bray has received 3 years of additional training beyond dental school in the rejuvenation of the teeth to ensure that the dental treatment completed at Advanced Dentistry not only looks amazing but will last.

WHITENING
This is the procedure of making teeth whiter, and therefore more attractive. Our office uses several methods: passive tray whitening, and professional strength white strips.

The tray method involves having impressions taken from which laboratory fabricated custom vinyl trays are made. A carbamide peroxide gel is placed in these trays and the trays with gel are worn for about 3 hours, or overnight. The entire process takes 3-4 weeks of daily use. Three different strengths of gel may be used, however the higher the strength the greater the likelihood of reactions or tooth sensitivity. The tray method is recommended for badly stained teeth, such as tetracycline staining, and it may take several months of use to see significant color improvement. For maintenance of whitened teeth the trays should be used every several months.

The end results whether using trays at home or doing Zoom! is the same. The cost of the tray method is about half compared to Zoom!, and there is usually less post-treatment sensitivity.

VENEERS
Veneers are a dental procedure in which a covering is placed over the outside (visible area) of the tooth. Veneers are usually only done to the part of the teeth that are visible when talking or smiling. The procedure can be direct or indirect.

The direct technique usually involves placing composite resin on the outside of the tooth using bonding. This method is usually referred to as bonding.

The indirect technique usually involves two appointments because the veneers will be fabricated at a dental laboratory. At the first appointment the teeth are prepared, impressions taken, and the teeth are given a temporary covering. In two to three weeks the veneers are back from the laboratory, the temporaries are removed and the veneers are bonded to the teeth. The laboratory fabricated veneers are usually made using porcelain or pressed ceramic, and are very esthetic.

The advantage of veneers versus crowns is that much less tooth material is removed, and the procedure is generally less uncomfortable. Veneers are recommended for teeth that have large fillings or little tooth structure.

INVISALIGN
Invisalign straightens your teeth with a series of clear, virtually invisible custom-molded aligners. By using a series of clear, removable aligners, Invisalign straightens your teeth with results you'll notice sooner than you think. The course of treatment involves changing aligners approximately every two weeks, moving your teeth into straighter position step by step, until you have a more beautiful smile. And unlike braces, these clear aligners can be removed while you eat and brush your teeth as usual.