Dental Veneers and Teeth Whitening are Bringing New Smiles to Many

In the last decade, cosmetic dentistry has exploded in popularity and is now affordable and available to individuals in every part of the country. Best of all, it’s bringing new smiles to people who would not have previously considered a cosmetic procedure. At Bertagnolli Dental, we’ve helped many patients with dental veneers, teeth whitening, and other cosmetic dentistry options.

What makes cosmetic dentistry so attractive, besides the end results? Well, it’s low risk, very fast and provides effective and long-lasting results. It can be seen as an investment that pays itself back many times over. In fact, most people that elect to get their teeth whitened or cosmetically transformed often wonder why they did not get it done sooner!

The appearance of your teeth should not have to impact your professional or personal life. Large gaps and crooked teeth can be improved with braces, although this takes some investment and time.
Broken or uneven teeth can quickly and easily be fixed with veneers, which are a thin layer of porcelain that is fitted over the outer surface of your existing tooth to create a better appearance. This is useful if you have a chipped or uneven tooth and want it to match your other teeth. However, a badly broken or damaged tooth may not be suitable for a veneer and need additional treatment. We will consult with you regarding your other options to restore your smile.

As for stained or discolored teeth, which are very common among smokers and coffee drinkers, there are options to whiten your teeth with results that last up to five years.

Teeth whitening or bleaching can be achieved using a bleaching gel and mouthguard, or by laser treatment. For the bleaching gel to work effectively, a dentist will make a mold of your teeth and use this to create a fitted mouthguard. The gel is applied with the mouthguard and left for a certain amount of time. This is repeated at home over a number of weeks. While you may see teeth whitening offered in beauty salons or home kits, it should only be carried out under the guidance of a dental professional.

While people may be tempted by 'do it yourself' home teeth whitening kits, the truth is that these products are not necessarily effective or safe. Many will not contain enough bleaching chemical to lighten the color of your teeth significantly. Also, the mouthguard provided is not personalized to the shape of your teeth. An ill-fitting mouthguard can lead to the gel spilling out and coming into contact with your gums, tongue, and soft palate, causing irritation and even blistering.

The fastest method of teeth whitening is power whitening or laser whitening. For this, your dentist will “paint” a bleaching product directly onto your teeth and then use a laser to activate the bleaching reaction. Laser whitening will only take about an hour to complete. It is the fastest option, but usually more expensive than gel bleaching.

If a chipped tooth or discolored teeth are holding you back from showing the world your smile, we’re here to help. Contact Bertagnolli Dental today to learn more about dental veneers, teeth whitening and other cosmetic dentistry options.