Our dentists in Mebane, NC perform cosmetic dentistry to help make a positive impact on your smile. Below are some of the ones Steinbicker Family Dentistry provides:
Cosmetic dentistry treatment
- Teeth whitening (i.e., bleaching trays)
- Porcelain veneers
- White Fillings
- Invisalign
- Dental implant restoration (i.e., implant dentistry, replaces missing teeth following tooth extraction). Our office performs implant restoration, but you will be referred to an oral surgeon or periodontist for implant placement.
- Tooth contouring (i.e., tooth re-shaping)
- Bridges (i.e., fixed prosthodontics)
- Composite bonding
- Inlays and Onlays
- Implants to replace a missing tooth
- Porcelain Crowns
- Tooth replacement (i.e., replacing missing teeth)
Cosmetic dental consult
At your aesthetic dental examination, we first make sure that patients do not have any tooth decay. We also want to make the gums are healthy, without disease. Major dental issues can pose a problem later on if they are not taken care of early.
Afterward, our dentists listen to find out what patients want to change or improved. Maybe patients want their teeth straighter. If so, they’ll be referred to an orthodontist. Alternatively, perhaps patients want their teeth whiter. Whatever the reason, we can help patients improve their smile at our Mebane dental office.
Cosmetic dentistry begins with digital radiographs
We often start an examination with digital dental x-rays. During a clinical exam, we take radiographs. At this time we can determine if tooth decay is present or not. We want to restore all tooth decay before starting cosmetic dental treatment.
We encourage patients to get their teeth cleaned a minimum of twice a year (i.e., every six months). The American Dental Association recommends this interval. Regular cleanings and exams help us diagnose issues at an early stage. Cleanings help reduce plaque and staining, which can lead to gingivitis.
Porcelain veneers and white crowns
Veneers are a good option for patients with severe intrinsic (on the inside) tooth stain. We cannot alter the color of teeth if a tooth has an intrinsic tooth stain. Patients that need a dental crown due to a tooth fracture, large filling or root canal treated tooth can choose a porcelain or zirconia crown.
These white crowns are a similar shade to the color of a natural tooth. We sculpt cosmetic dental veneers for each tooth and each patient. We will often send patients to our local dental lab so that they can take photos of your teeth to get the best esthetic result.
Veneers reflect natural light similar to real teeth, giving them an authentic appearance. Veneers are long-lasting, beautiful and an excellent option for patients that have intrinsic staining.
Other cosmetic procedures: tooth bonding
- Requires the removal of less enamel (i.e., removing less tooth structure)
- Can be used to close in gaps between teeth with spaces (i.e., diastemas)
- Made with natural looking material (i.e., white composite filling material)
- Long lasting
- Can be altered in the future (i.e., added to or removed)
- Dental bonding is more cost-effective than veneers
- Tooth bonding is a good option for patients with developing smiles (i.e., young patients) that might need veneers in the future
Tooth contouring
Our office can contour or reshape teeth that are too pointy, chipped or fractured. If the chip is too big, then the tooth will probably need a filling or crown. However, we try to perform the most conservative treatment whenever possible.
Patients with severe occlusion issues need to see an orthodontist. Orthodontics is the practice of moving teeth to make them straight. Our office performs some orthodontics procedures including Invisalign, but patients requiring braces or extensive tooth movement are referred to a local orthodontist.
Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening can improve the shade of teeth. After our we take impressions with alginate material, we make custom bleaching trays. Flexible plastic trays make up the material. These trays cover individual teeth in a way that allows teeth whitening solutions to disperse on each tooth.
We provide patients with bleaching material which comes in various concentrations of hydrogen and carbamide peroxide. After instructions, we give patients trays home to wear before bed. The efficacy of the bleach is typically about 30 minutes. After this time, take out the trays and clean them with water.
Most patients can whiten their teeth up to two shades whiter. It typically takes about two weeks of treatment to whiten teeth. Patients often whiten their teeth every six months to help removed extrinsic staining. Also, a high-quality electric toothbrush works well in removing extrinsic stains.
Furthermore, getting your teeth cleaned by one of our dental hygienists every six months helps reduce tooth stains. Make an appointment today with one of our hygienists to make your teeth whiter.
White crowns
We place white crowns on teeth with large fillings. They are more esthetic than gold crowns, but there are benefits to each type of crown. Gold crowns are a good option since they are similar in strength to the natural tooth structure.
They also are antibacterial, helping to prevent decay around the margins of the crown – where the crown and tooth meet. White crowns come in two materials: porcelain and zirconia. Zirconia crowns look just like porcelain crowns but are better for back or posterior teeth.
Posterior dental crowns
Posterior teeth are prone to more forces when chewing. As a result, porcelain crowns in the rear of the mouth are more likely to break than a gold or zirconia crown. For a porcelain crown, dentists remove more tooth structure compared to a gold or zirconia crown.
For these reasons, we recommend zirconia crowns or gold crowns in the back of the mouth so less tooth structure is removed. We recommend porcelain crowns for more esthetic areas like the front or anterior of the mouth. If you think you might need a dental crown or have a broken tooth/dental emergency, call us today so we can evaluate your situation.
Fun facts about cosmetic dentistry
- Over 90% of patients believe a smile can improve someone else’s day
- 88% of patients believe smiling makes them happier
- People think that a smile makes a person feel good and look their best
We look forward to meeting our future patients.
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