Keep Your Smile Looking Its Best With Our Cosmetic Dentistry Services in Meyerland, TX
Almost 120 million Americans have at least one crooked tooth, and many more are unsatisfied with the color or function of their teeth. If you or a family member are among those many millions, Meyerland Family Dentistry can provide a cosmetic dentistry solution get you smiling confidently.
Modern cosmetic dentistry has many more answers for tooth damage and decay than it once did. For example, our team can offer the following cosmetic dentistry procedures:
Tooth bonding is a top option for repairing minor imperfections like cracks or chips. Dental bonding procedures can also be used to fill in extra large gaps between teeth.
During tooth bonding, the dentist deposits a small amount of resin around the damaged part of the tooth. This resin is colored to look like a natural tooth, so it blends in once applied. After the resin is deposited, the dentist uses UV light to cure the resin, which hardens it.
The entire process takes an hour or less, so tooth bonding is a popular choice for people who want a quick fix for a simple problem. Tooth bonding is also less expensive than most other cosmetic dentistry procedures and the resin will typically last for five to 10 years with proper care.
If damage or decay has affected the appearance of an entire tooth (or several teeth), veneers can immediately restore a healthy-looking appearance.
Dental veneers fit over the visible part of the tooth’s surface, so you can think of them as cosmetic covers. They can be made from porcelain or composite materials, and there are even some veneers that can be applied in a single day. All veneers are designed to blend in as much as possible, so they are color matched to the rest of your teeth.
Normally, it takes a week or two to place the veneers. That’s because it takes time for the dental lab to fabricate veneers that fit and look just right. Once placed, porcelain veneers will last for at least 10 years, and in some patients, they can remain in place for up to 20 years. Same-day veneers typically last for five to seven years.
Dental braces have been around for close to 200 years, but they’re still an effective option for cosmetic and functional dental issues. Braces are typically used to realign teeth that have become misaligned for some reason. Tooth damage and decay are two such reasons, but alignment problems can also be the result of excessive thumb sucking or even inherited.
Modern braces consist of a set of brackets adhered to the teeth, and a metal wire that connects the brackets together. This wire can be tightened and when it is, the attached brackets will apply pressure to the teeth and slowly push them into place.
Braces may be metal or tooth-colored, and they may remain in place for years before they are removed. After the braces have done their job, a temporary or permanent retainer may be needed to maintain bite alignment.
Inlays and onlays are a perfect middle ground between tooth fillings and replacement crowns. They are recommended when decay or damage has affected the biting surfaces of the patient’s teeth, but major replacement is not required.
Inlays and onlays may be fabricated from composite material or porcelain. Composite tends to be less expensive while porcelain is prized for its durability and natural appearance. No matter what they are made of, inlays are used to fill in any hollow spaces between the tooth’s cusps, including cavities. Onlays also fill in those in-between cusp spaces, but they can be expanded to include the cusps as well.
In both cases, inlays and onlays are more substantial than a traditional filling, but don’t require the extensive tooth preparation that replacement crowns need. More of your tooth is preserved as a result. Also, inlays and onlays are durable. They’re expected to last at least five years and up to 30 years, depending on several factors. An important factor is dental hygiene, so good dental health is essential to extending the life of an inlay or onlay.
Many people in the Meyerland area of Houston want whiter teeth. Cosmetic dentists spend a lot of their time whitening teeth, and the process is safe and effective.
During the procedure, a protective gel is first applied to the gums, minimizing exposure to any bleaching agents. The teeth are polished to remove any plaque buildup and retractors may be placed to prevent the lips or tongue from getting in the way.
Once the treatment area is prepared, whitening can begin. During the actual whitening stage, a whitening solution is applied to the teeth. The solution used by dentists is much stronger than those found over the counter, so the solution is much more effective. Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide is the active ingredient in the solution and is activated using a curing light.
It takes 30 to 60 minutes for the teeth whitener to finish its work. At this point, the dentist will rinse the teeth and assess their color. If additional teeth whitening treatments are needed to reach the desired shade, future appointments can be scheduled.
Meyerland Family Dentistry Is Your Cosmetic Dentistry Specialist
When meeting someone new, the first thing most of us look at is the other person’s smile. It factors into our romantic lives, our professional lives and our social lives, so your smile is worth investing in. If it’s time to give your smile a tune-up, Meyerland Family Dentistry can provide a full set of cosmetic dentistry services, delivered by our expert, certified team.
Take the first step towards a beautiful, healthy smile and schedule an appointment. Please contact our office by phone or complete the appointment request form below. Our scheduling coordinator will contact you to confirm your appointment.