Cosmetic Dentistry in San Carlos, CA
COSMETIC DENTISTRY
According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, over 99% of Americans place a very high value on a beautiful smile and, as a whole, spend roughly $2.75 billion per year on cosmetic dentistry. This is one of the reasons why cosmetic procedures are so common.
Many patients don’t go to their dentist until they have an aesthetic problem that they want to fix, like discolored teeth or unattractive gaps. Whether you have a few crooked teeth, unattractive spaces, or a discolored smile, there’s a solution thanks to major advances in the field of cosmetic dentistry.
The team at Laurel Street Smiles specializes in cosmetic dentistry. Call us today to find out which procedures might benefit your unique needs.
Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry
Having a cosmetic procedure is an investment in yourself. You should feel comfortable with the way your teeth look. Here are a few of the short-term and long-term benefits of cosmetic dentistry:
Our Cosmetic Procedures
Click on any of our procedures to learn more about them.
Cosmetic Tooth Bonding
Bonding involves using tooth-colored composite resins to replace missing tooth structures or hide minor defects in a tooth, like chips, discoloration, and even minor spacing irregularities.
These resins become one with the rest of the tooth, which makes it almost impossible to distinguish the bonded tooth from its neighbors.
Though bonding doesn’t last as long as a dental veneer, it also does not require the involvement of a dental laboratory and, most often, can be done without drilling the tooth.
Crowns & Bridges
A Dental Crown (also known as a cap) is a covering that fits over a damaged, decayed, or unattractive tooth. It can even replace a tooth entirely as part of a Dental Bridge.
Crowns can help strengthen damaged teeth and allow them to function normally again. Porcelain Crowns are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth and can even improve a tooth's original appearance.
Crowns and Bridges require the same care as your natural teeth, so it is even more important to maintain your regular schedule of cleanings at the dental office.
Fillings
Dental Fillings can seal small holes in your teeth caused by cavities and decay. Doing so can prevent the decay from spreading to the rest of your tooth and stop it from reaching its sensitive inner pulp.
Fillings can be metal or tooth-colored. Regardless of the type, the filling process is very similar. After determining the decay's extent, the tooth's affected area is removed. Once that step is completed, the remaining tooth structure is roughened, and translucent cement is applied to bond the tooth and the filling material together.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a safe and effective way to brighten your smile. In addition to that, some methods offer excellent and immediate results. For example, in-office whitening can lighten teeth 3 to 8 shades in a single hour.
Having an oral exam before any whitening process is an important first step to make sure your tooth discoloration is not the result of a dental condition in need of treatment.
Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatment is crucial when looking for a smile makeover. In addition to having a great-looking smile, properly aligned teeth help you to bite, chew and even speak more effectively. They are also easier to clean, which helps keep your mouth free of tooth decay and gum disease.
Orthodontic appliances include traditional metal braces, clear or tooth-colored braces, and clear aligners. Determining which option is best for you requires a dentist to conduct a complete dental examination.
Dental Veneers
A veneer is a wafer-thin layer of sturdy porcelain that substitutes for natural tooth enamel. When bonded to your teeth, veneers can create a natural-looking, beautiful new surface.
Veneers are incredibly versatile as they can be used to enhance your smile's appearance and improve the color, size, shape, alignment, and spacing of your teeth.
Get in touch with us today and let the team at Laurel Street Smile find out if dental veneers are right for you!