Cosmetic Dentistry in Front Royal, VA
Looking for the best cosmetic dentist in Front Royal, VA, to enhance your healthy, bright, beautiful smile?
In the past few decades, there has been a dramatic interest in cosmetic dentistry. We all realize that having healthy, bright, beautiful teeth enhances our appearance and allows us to smile with confidence. Thanks to advances in modern cosmetic dentistry, we can improve our teeth and smile with quick, painless, and surprisingly affordable treatments.
Remember, your smile speaks before you even say a word!
With cosmetic dental treatments at Apple Valley Dental Group in Front Royal, VA, you can:
- Change the size, shape, and alignment of certain teeth
- Fill in unattractive spaces between teeth
- Improve or correct bites
- Lighten or brighten the color of teeth
- Repair decayed, broken, cracked, or chipped teeth
- Replace missing teeth
- Replace old, unattractive dental treatments
Composite Fillings
A composite (tooth-colored) filling is used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, fractures, etc. The decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled with a composite filling.
There are many types of filling materials available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Talk with your dentist to discuss the best options for restoring your teeth. Composite fillings, along with silver amalgam fillings, are the most widely used today. Because composite restorations are not as durable as silver amalgam, in non-aesthetic applications, silver amalgam restorations may be the most cost-effective and durable solution.
Composite fillings are tooth-colored, so they can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth. This makes them more aesthetically suited for use in front teeth or more visible areas of the teeth. As with most dental restorations, composite fillings are not permanent and may someday have to be replaced. However, they are very durable and will last many years, giving you a long-lasting, beautiful smile.
- Chipped teeth
- Closing space between two teeth
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Decayed teeth
- Worn teeth
Composite fillings are usually placed in one appointment. While the tooth is numb, your dentist will remove decay, as necessary. This space will then be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared before the new filling is placed. If the decay was near the nerve of the tooth, a special medication will be applied for added protection. The composite filling will then be precisely placed, shaped and polished, restoring your tooth to its original shape and function.
It is normal to experience sensitivity to hot and cold when composite fillings are first placed. This will subside shortly after your tooth acclimates to the new filling. You will be given care instructions at the end of your treatment. Good oral hygiene practices, eating habits, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new fillings.
Dental Veneers
Veneers are very thin pieces of durable, tooth-shaped porcelain that are custom made (for shape and color) by a professional dental laboratory. They are bonded onto the front teeth to create a beautiful and attractive smile.
Veneers can completely reshape your teeth and smile. They can often be an alternative to crowns and are the ideal solution for treating many dental conditions.
As with most cosmetic dental restorations, veneers are not permanent and may someday need replacement. They are durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful, long-lasting smile.
- Cosmetically, to create a uniform, white, beautiful smile
- Crooked teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Severely discolored or stained teeth
- Teeth that are too small or large
- Unwanted or uneven spaces
- Worn or chipped teeth
Getting veneers usually requires two visits to complete the process, with little or no anesthesia required during the procedure. The teeth are prepared by lightly buffing and shaping the surface to allow for the thickness of the veneer. After a mold or impression of the teeth is taken, you and your dentist will choose a shade (color).
On the second visit, the teeth will be cleansed with special liquids to achieve a durable bond. Bonding cement is then placed between the tooth and veneer and a special light beam is used to harden and set the bond.
You will receive care instructions for veneers. Proper brushing, flossing and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new veneers.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding (tooth bonding) is a cosmetic dental procedure where a tooth-colored durable plastic material (resin) is applied and “bonded” to the tooth with a special light.
Dental bonding is used to repair cracked, chipped, or broken teeth. It can even be used to correct discolored teeth, close gaps in the teeth, protect an exposed root when gums recede or lengthen a shorter tooth.
While tooth enamel is one of the strongest parts of your body, it’s not difficult to chip a tooth. Repairing the tooth with dental bonding is important in helping to prevent further damage.
Dental bonding is typically a quick procedure that does not require anesthesia. However, if the chip is close to a nerve, you need a filling, or the tooth shape needs to be dramatically changed, you may want Nitrous Oxide or Oral Sedation.
You and your dentist will choose a resin shade to closely match the color of your tooth. After creating a rough surface on the tooth, a bonding agent is applied before the resin is added and molded into shape to repair the damaged tooth. The material is hardened with a UV light. If further trimming or shaping is needed, the dentist will do that before polishing to match your other teeth.
Take added care with a bonded tooth by avoiding chewing on pens, ice, or other hard objects that can damage the bond. A bonded tooth will not be as strong as enamel, so may need to be repaired in the future. Additionally, if you drink lots of coffee and wine, or smoke, you may experience long-term stains and whitening bonded teeth may not work as well as it does on your natural tooth, causing a more pronounced color difference. If you do want to whiten your teeth, it is best to do it before dental bonding.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment. Also known as bleaching, teeth whitening changes the color of natural tooth enamel and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile.
Because having whiter teeth has now become the number one aesthetic concern for most patients, there are a number of ways to whiten teeth. The most popular method is using a home tooth whitening system that will whiten teeth dramatically. Since teeth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is important to evaluate the replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. Replacement of any restorations will be done after bleaching, so they will match the newly bleached teeth.
Teeth whitening is not permanent. A touch-up may be needed every several years, and more often if you smoke, drink coffee, tea or wine.
Ask us about the Opalescence® teeth whitening system
Opalescence® can boost your confidence by giving you the stunning, brilliant smile you have always wanted. No appointment is necessary. Stop by and ask us about this powerful and safe tooth whitening product that you can apply at home.
- Fluorosis (excessive fluoridation during tooth development)
- Normal wear of the outer tooth layer
- Stained teeth due to medications (tetracycline, etc.)
- Yellow, brown stained teeth
This type of teeth whitening usually requires two visits. At the first appointment, impressions (molds) will be made of your teeth to fabricate custom, clear, plastic trays.
At your second appointment, you will try on the trays for proper fit, and adjustments will be made if necessary. The trays are worn with a special whitening solution either twice a day for 30 minutes or overnight for a couple of weeks, depending on the degree of staining and desired level of whitening. It is normal to experience tooth sensitivity during the time you are whitening your teeth, but it will subside shortly after you have stopped bleaching.
You will receive care instructions for your teeth and trays and be encouraged to visit your dentist regularly to help maintain a beautiful, healthy, white smile.
