Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is something we practice in all of our cases; our goal is to try to make our work enhance your mouth’s function and esthetics. But most people still consider Cosmetic Dentistry the area of dentistry that focuses on enhancing the beauty of a smile.
Dentistry today allow us to enhance smiles in many ways, and very often in less appointments, and at less cost than you might think. Your smile is one of your most important features. Whether you just want it a bit brighter, or you want a complete enhancement (including changing the shape and alignment of your teeth), cosmetic dentistry provides you with many options.
Are you ready for a smile makeover?
If you’re considering cosmetic dentistry, ask yourself a few simple questions:
- Do you smile without showing your teeth?
- Would you like to increase your confidence?
- Do you want to look your best, at work, and after work?
If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, we have several options that can make your smile what you’d like.
Cosmetic dentistry is an art and a science
Nowadays, with the advances in materials and techniques, even “regular” dentistry can be very cosmetic, so you may be surprised to know that to make your smile what you want may be as simple as white fillings or whitening!
The following are dental treatments that can help improve your smile:
- Teeth whitening
- Bonding (white fillings that enhance the shape/colour of your front teeth, close up gaps)
- Veneers (thin porcelain laminates that can change the shape/colour of your teeth, close up gaps)
- Crowns (ceramic or porcelain crowns that can change the shape/colour of your teeth, close up gaps)
- Implants (titanium tooth replacements with porcelain crowns that can replace missing teeth)
- Invisalign aligners (“invisible” braces that can align your teeth or close up gaps)
Below are cases that our dentists have treated. The photographs are of actual patients of Dr. Schaeffer and Dr. Isaacs, and showcase dental treatment provided by them.
Dana* was born without some of her adult teeth. The upper baby canines had gotten cavities. The adult left canine is in the wrong spot beside her front teeth, and on the other side she has a “peg lateral” (a tooth that is too skinny, and shaped like a “peg”). To get the smile she wanted, Dana got fillings on the baby canines (near the gumline), bonding on the adult canine and some reshaping to make it look less “vampire” like, bonding on the front right tooth to fix the chips, and one porcelain crown on the “peg lateral” to make it the right shape.
Treatment time: 2 appointments, total of 3 hours, in less than 3 weeks
John* was injured at work, and lost a previous crown and broke a front tooth. John also has gum disease and has lost gum tissue between his two upper front teeth, creating a challenge since part of the beauty of a smile comes from gums being at the right location, and in the right shape. For John, we made two ceramic crowns, and we made them extend below the gum line so that we could push on the gum tissue and make it look the right shape between the teeth.
Treatment time: 2 appointments, total of 3 hours, in less than 2 weeks
Sandra* hated smiling because of the discolourations of her teeth and old front fillings, and the overlap between her top front teeth. She chose veneers instead of braces to correct the overlapping teeth since both teeth would need veneers anyway to cover up the stains that could not come out with whitening. Sandra had veneers and crowns placed on ten teeth to make sure that when she smiled all the top teeth that showed would match in colour.
Treatment time: 3 appointments, total of 7 hours, in less than 3 weeks
Brad* had his lower front teeth pulled because of severe gum disease, and 2 molars on the left due to deep cavities. These teeth were replaced with implants, and ultimately with an implant-retained bridge in the front, and porcelain crowns on all the other teeth and molar implants. Brad wanted to be able to eat without the pain, and also have a beautiful smile for his daughter’s wedding.
Treatment time: We waited 3 months after implants were placed, and then 3 appointments, total of 11 hours, in less than 3 weeks
Sarah*, like many health conscious people, has brushed her teeth with a medium or hard bristled toothbrush for many years. She brushes often and with a good amount of force. Over time, this has caused gum recession and what is known as “toothpaste abrasion.” The exposed roots have been worn away to expose dentin, tissue which can be sensitive and is at higher risk of tooth decay. It also looks very yellow and picks up stain easily, which has made Sarah not want to smile. We placed white fillings (bonding) on these exposed areas, protecting them from further abrasion, and decreasing the risk of decay and sensitivity. Sarah is also able to smile with confidence now, and has switched to a soft toothbrush, brushes gently, and with very little toothpaste.
Treatment time: 1 appointment, total of 40 minutes
Alex* wanted to fix the crowding and misalignment of her front teeth. When teeth are crowded, they gather more plaque and can have more tartar buildup and bleedy gums. Even getting these teeth cleaned can cause discomfort because the gums are inflammed. Straight teeth not only look nicer, but are easier to clean, leading to healthier gums, which affects your overall health.
Treatment time: 1 appointment per month, 10 minutes each, in less than 9 months
Feel more confident about your appearance with a new smile that is as beautiful as it is healthy. You no longer have to suffer from missing, chipped, discolored, or crooked teeth. Contact our practice today and schedule a smile design consultation.
Jeanette* had root canal treatment done on one of her upper front teeth as a kid, and over time it had darkened. Upon examination, we could see that this tooth was considerably darker and more yellow than the adjacent teeth. Using a non-vital tooth whitening technique (bleaching agent gets placed inside the tooth), we managed to lighten up the tooth and make it harmonize better with her smile. There was no need to place a veneer or a crown as Jeanette had feared. Jeanette may now do home whitening to try to get all of her teeth a bit brighter.
Treatment time: 2 appointments, 30 minutes each, 7 days apart
Caring for Carlisle and surrounding communities since 1986
Contact our Carlisle dental office to schedule an appointment, or to schedule your complimentary Invisalign consultation!