Are you wanting a brighter, better-looking smile but don’t know which teeth whitening solution to go with? Perhaps you’re more interested in a treatment that will give you permanent results and won’t require so much upkeep. Thankfully, there are a few cosmetic dentistry procedures our Mesa dentist has that can help.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a great way to achieve permanently whiter teeth in one day. But it’s best for problem specific areas, such as pits or stains that stand out from the rest of your smile. More often than not, we’ll only recommend bonding one or two teeth at a time.
Bonding is a resin composite type material that’s available in different shades, so we can discuss which one is best to match your surrounding tooth structure. If you need the rest of the tooth to be whiter too, we’ll have you whiten your teeth first.
During a bonding procedure, our Mesa cosmetic dentist will roughen the surface of the tooth to be worked. Next, we’ll place special bonding solutions on the tooth. Then the actual composite of the predetermined shade goes on the tooth and we mold it to the desired shape.
One of the great things about bonding is that it improves minor imperfections in your smile. For example, if you have a tooth that’s slightly crooked, gapped teeth, or teeth that are too short, we can use the composite to shape a new, better-looking tooth.
Once the desired look is achieved, we’ll use a special light to harden and permanently stick the material to your tooth. A bit of final shaping and polishing will then be necessary before you see the results.
Bonding is considered permanent since it can last for several years. After a while, the bonding may stain and need to be replaced. To help it last as long as possible, you’ll want to avoid things that can stain your teeth like coffee, red wine, and smoking.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are a step above and beyond dental bonding. A veneer is a thin porcelain shell that is fabricated to slip over the front of your tooth. The veneer is cemented to the front of each one to make it look straighter, whiter, and properly shaped.
The number of veneers that you need will depend on the width of your smile. Usually anywhere from 6-8 veneers is normal, but some people may need 10 or more.
Since veneers are thicker than bonding, this procedure requires more prep to your natural teeth. Porcelain veneers are also designed at a dental laboratory, meaning that you won’t get them right away. Instead, we’ll take a series of impressions or digital scans of your teeth to send to the lab. From that data, a lab technician will design and fabricate your new smile. The average turnaround time for a set of porcelain veneers is about 2-4 weeks. Luckily during this time, you’ll have a set of temporary veneers that you can wear while you wait.
When the veneers are ready, you’ll return to our Mesa dentist’s office for a second visit. At that time we’ll remove the temporary veneers, prep your teeth, and cement the permanent veneers into place.
Dentures
If your teeth are so damaged that they can’t be repaired, it may be best to just remove the remaining ones and get a full set of dentures made. This decision isn’t something to take likely, so be sure to discuss this option with a Mesa dentist that you know and trust.
When getting a denture, you have many different options as far as what they can look like, including their size, shape, and shade. Our Mesa dentist can help you decide on which “look” best compliments your appearance.
The process of getting a denture made may take several weeks. Oftentimes, different appointments will be needed in which we’ll take impressions and measurements of your mouth.
With proper care, the “teeth” on your dentures will stay the same bright color for a long time. Nightly brushing and soaking of your appliance are recommended to help ensure they stay clean.
Cosmetic Dentist in Mesa, Arizona
If you’re considering tooth whitening treatment or cosmetic dentistry and want to learn more about what’s available, call Eastport Dental to schedule a consultation. We’re here to listen to your concern and goals, then construct a plan to get you there. Call today to request your one-on-one visit with one of Mesa’s best cosmetic dentists, Dr. Vinh Huynh, DMD.
