Whitening –
Many people consider white teeth to be an attractive feature of a smile. Teeth whitening or bleaching is the most common cosmetic procedure. There are two phases to the Saphire chair-side whitening procedure that we perform. In the first phase an in-office whitening treatment is performed. A strong whitening gel is applied by us and a special light is used to activate the gel. The second phase is an at-home technique which involves using a soft, thin, comfortable mouth guard-like tray. A typical course of bleaching can produce dramatic improvements in the cosmetic appearance of most stained teeth; however, some stains do not respond to bleaching.
Enamel Recontouring/Shaping –
Most people want straight, beautifully aligned teeth. Unfortunately, most people are not that lucky. When teeth are in poor alignment, rotated, tilted, and/or crowded, the obvious way to correct the problem is by orthodontics. However, there are situations (age, cost, desire) in which it may not be possible or desirable to use braces. Minor deformities in tooth size and shape can be altered to produce straight, beautifully aligned teeth. Enamel Recontouring is usually a painless procedure and no anesthetic is needed. The enamel that is overlapping or poorly shaped is removed, re-contoured and polished. The re-contoured teeth usually do not become more prone to decay, are not made more sensitive to temperature changes, and they are not made significantly weaker or damaged by the procedure. Enamel shaping involves removing parts of the enamel, recontouring and polishing the enamel to improve the appearance of the tooth. This procedure may be used, for eample, to correct a small chip in a tooth. These procedures may be done in conjunction with Bonding and/or Veneers. These procedures are not difficult for the patient and can often be done in only one appointment. The changes are immediate and permanent. It does take an artistic flair on the part of Dr. Patel to see what possibilities for change exist. The fees are reasonable and depend on the extent of the treatment.
Bonding –
Another option for chipped or cracked teeth is using this procedure. Bonding is a process in which an enamel-like dental composite material is applied to a tooth's surface, which is then sculpted into shape, hardened, and then polished. This procedure can be used to restore a chipped or cracked tooth or to close spacing between teeth.
Veneers –
One of the more popular procedures requires the use of a veneer. A Veneer is an ultra-thin, custom-made laminate that is bonded directly to the teeth. It is an option for closing gaps or disguising discolored teeth that did not respond well to whitening procedures or to mask minor crowding of the teeth.
Aesthetic Tissue Recontouring –
It is not uncommon for us to suggest to a patient who has absolutely no sign of periodontal (gum) disease to seriously consider having an elective periodontal procedure performed. In these cases, the procedures are almost always needed to improve the appearance and smile. Sometimes they are suggested to promote future periodontal health or to prevent potential problems that might develop. The position of the gums where they meet the teeth is essentially important for aesthetics and health of the teeth. If they look too short, there may be more gum tissue covering them than is considered attractive. You may show too much gum tissue when you smile (Gummy Smile). Aesthetic Crown Exposure Surgery is usually performed to correct this problem. During this procedure, my gum will be reduced to expose the proper amount of tooth. Bone around the teeth may be reduced and reshaped to a proper level and my gum be then sutured back around the teeth where required. |
