Cosmetic Dentistry

Improve Your Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry

Today, cosmetic dentistry is more popular than ever, from whitening and shaping to closing spaces and replacing teeth. And dr Exarchos has a wide array of tools and techniques at his disposal for improving the look of your smile.

Teeth Whitening

Over time, teeth can become stained or discolored, especially after smoking, taking certain medications, or consuming foods and beverages such as coffee and tea. Using a chemical process, your dentist can bleach your teeth in one of two ways. He can do an in-office procedure, or provide you with a system to use at home.

Your dentist can create a custom mouthpiece tray that ensures the right amount of whitening solution reaches your teeth. You may find whitening at home more convenient. But it can take two to four weeks or longer depending on the strength of peroxide used. In-office whitening can take place in one or more 1- to 2-hour visits.

Keep in mind, your teeth can become stained again if you continue exposing them to the same substances that originally stained them. Because whitening products are not meant to clean teeth, it is still important to continue practicing daily oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day.

 
  • cosmetic-dentisty_1


Bonding

Bonding may improve how your teeth look if they have excess space between them, or if they are chipped, broken, stained, or cracked.
Dr Exarchos can usually does this procedure in a single office visit by applying an etching solution followed by tooth-colored materials (sometimes composite resins )  directly to the tooth's surface where needed.
Although bonding can last for several years, it is more likely than other types of restorations to chip or become stained or just wear down.

 

 

 

 

 
  • veneer_


Veneers

These custom shells, typically made of porcelain (sometimes plastic), cover the front sides of the teeth to change their color and/or shape. Veneers last longer than bonding and provide a superior appearance. They are less expensive than crowns.

Veneers can improve teeth that:

  • Have spaces between them
  • Have become chipped or worn
  • Are permanently stained
  • Are poorly shaped
  • Are slightly crooked

Before inserting veneers, the dentist first takes an impression of your tooth, then buffs the tooth before cementing the veneer in place. A beam of light helps harden the cement, which secures the veneer to your tooth.

Porcelain veneers are made in a laboratory, so you need a second visit to the dentist to have them inserted.

 

 
  • cosmetic-dentisty_1


Crowns

Sometimes called caps, crowns completely cover a tooth, restoring a normal shape and appearance. You may need a crown to:

  • Cover a misshapen or discolored tooth
  • Protect a weak tooth
  • Restore a broken or worn tooth
  • Cover a tooth with a large filling
  • Hold a dental bridge in place
  • Cover a dental implant
  • Cover a tooth that's had a root canal procedure

Crowns can be made from metal, porcelain fused to metal, resin, or ceramic materials.

The dentist prepares the tooth for the crown, makes molds of the tooth, provides you with a temporary crown and then places the permanent crown at a separate time.

Permanent crowns can have a long life if you take good care of them.

 

Bridges

Bridges are used to replace missing teeth with artificial teeth. Bridges can be made of gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination. Dentists anchor them onto surrounding teeth after preparing them for crowns. Then a false tooth joins to the crowns and the bridge is cemented onto the prepared teeth. Only your dentist can remove a fixed bridge.

The success of your bridge depends upon its foundation. So, remember that oral hygiene to keep remaining teeth healthy is particularly important if you wear a bridge.

 

 
  • cosmetic-dentisty_1


Periodontal Plastic Procedures

An array of other procedures can also improve your smile. They include procedures to help with:

  • An uneven gum line
  • Teeth that look too short or too long
  • Exposed roots.