Cosmetic Dentistry - Shelby Township

Your DREAM SMILE is waiting…

Your smile is the first facial feature most people will notice when they meet you. The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to transform an average smile into a terrific smile! To accomplish this goal, we analyze every aspect of a smile and then correct the problems. All of these problems can be solved with cosmetic dentistry procedures, so even if you weren’t born with a beautiful smile, you can still have one.

Oral Health - Dentist, Shelby Twp., MISome of the ways we achieve this are through:

  • Teeth Whitening
  • Dental Veneers
  • Porcelain Crowns
  • Tooth-Colored Fillings
  • Cosmetic Dentures
  • Teeth Straightening Clear Aligners

 

Teeth Whitening

Teeth WhiteningOver time, your teeth darken as minerals penetrate the outer enamel layer. This darkening can be caused by foods and beverages that stains, such as coffee, colas, tea, red wine, or berries. Tobacco products, like cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco, can cause teeth to take on a yellowish-brown hue. And the natural aging process can also cause your teeth to darken. We provide a couple of teeth-whitening systems that will safely and professionally lighten these stains, giving you a whiter, brighter smile! A specially formulated tooth whitening gel, designed to be highly effective, yet safe, gently forces oxygen through the enamel of your teeth. The whitening process virtually erases stains and brightens your teeth, without damaging your tooth enamel or your gums.

  • Custom Whitening trays: First, we thoroughly examine your teeth and your mouth to make sure at-home teeth whitening is an appropriate option for you. We then take impressions of your teeth to create models of them. Using these models, we make a personalized tooth whitening tray that fits tightly over your teeth, allowing us to achieve optimum results. At home, you’ll fill the tray with the whitening gel and place the tray over your teeth, keeping it in place for several hours each day. You can wear the tooth whitening trays while you sleep, or if you prefer, you can wear them as you go about your day. Typically, you’ll begin to see results in two to three days. We’ll monitor your progress on a regular basis, ensuring that your gums aren’t becoming irritated and your teeth are whitening as desired. When the process is complete, your smile will be noticeably whiter and brighter!
  • KöR Whitening: An advanced Whitening treatment that uses no lights or lasers. One of the best things about KöR Whitening is it whitens without causing sore and sensitive teeth. This gentle yet powerful whitening experience is accomplished because the material itself has a neutral PH reducing the chances any sensitivity. For people that really want a dramatic Hollywood white smile this is the solution for you. With various levels of whitening treatment, we make a plan to meet your smile goals. Even tetracycline staining can’t withstand the power of this whitening treatment.

Dental Veneers

dental veneersA dental veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that is bonded to a tooth to improve its color and shape. A veneer generally covers only the front and top of a tooth. Dental veneers can be used to close spaces between teeth, lengthen small or misshapen teeth, or whiten stained or dark teeth. When teeth are chipped or beginning to wear, dental veneers can protect them from damage and restore their original appearance. For those who want longer teeth porcelain veneers work great.  It takes two or more appointments to restore teeth with dental veneers. During the first appointment, we shape and roughen the teeth. We then take impressions of your teeth, which we use to make precise working models of your mouth. It’s on these models that we artistically craft porcelain veneers to fit the prepared teeth. During the second appointment, we clean and polish the prepared teeth. Then we use an adhesive to bond the veneers to the teeth. A harmless, high-intensity light hardens the adhesive. Once in place, porcelain veneers virtually become part of the teeth. You can use them like your own teeth because the bond is extremely strong. The final result is beautiful and natural looking teeth. Learn about Porcelain Veneers.

Porcelain Crowns
porcelain crowns

A tooth-colored dental crown may be made of both porcelain and metal, or, thanks to newly available technology, it may be made entirely of porcelain. Recent breakthroughs in adhesives, combined with the development of stronger porcelain materials, allow us to make dental crowns entirely out of porcelain. In the past, porcelain crowns were always built upon a metal core. That was the only way they could have enough strength to withstand the tremendous biting forces that are exerted on all of your teeth. That metal core is what creates the dark blue line at the edge of many crowns. All-porcelain crowns maintain a translucency that makes them hard to differentiate from natural teeth. Without metal, the problem of a dark line at the edge of the gums is eliminated. This allows us to place the edge of the porcelain crown above the gumline, and that’s healthier for your tooth and gums. When you want to improve your smile, porcelain crowns are a beautiful and natural looking choice.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

Tooth Colored FIllingsUntil recently, silver amalgam was the material most often used to restore decayed portions of your teeth, especially back teeth. Unfortunately, silver fillings can really darken a smile, and amalgam, by its very nature, can cause damage to your tooth in the long run. Amalgam fillings absorb moisture and expand and contract with heat and cold. So, as the filling ages, it can fracture your tooth; we’ll then need to place a porcelain crown on your tooth to save it. Also, silver fillings often undergo metal fatigue, corroding and leaking over time. This destroys the protective seal of the filling and allows new decay to develop underneath it. This leakage can give a gray appearance to the entire tooth. The dental research has resulted in the development of new tooth-colored materials that are not only durable and long-lasting, but attractive as well. These materials, porcelain, and composite resin provide an attractive, natural look while at the same time restoring strength and durability to your tooth. Both porcelain and composite resin are bonded directly to the tooth, restoring it to near its original strength and function. Both can be custom-colored to precisely match your teeth, so when porcelain or resin fillings are placed, they’re extremely natural-looking. This can really make a difference in your appearance, especially if the restoration is visible when you smile. When we place an amalgam filling, we have to remove extra healthy tooth structure, just so the filling will stay in place. When we restore your tooth with composite resin, we only need to remove the decayed portion, because the bond anchors the material tightly in place. This means you retain more healthy tooth structure. Also, because white fillings are bonded to your tooth, they add strength to the tooth. So if you’re looking for an attractive and effective option for restoring one or more decayed teeth, be sure to ask us about the latest choices in white restorative materials.

Cosmetic Dentures Before/AfterCosmetic Dentures and Partial Dentures

If you have lost your teeth and are noticing that your dentures/partials are loose, ill-fitting, dingy yellow, or don’t support your face, then you may be a candidate for a cosmetic denture or partial. Our prostate teeth are fabricated with high-quality porcelain for the most aesthetically pleasing result possible. If you currently have dentures and partials bring them in with you and we will evaluate their condition and ensure they are functioning well for you. As a general rule dentures and partials should be examined every year for fit and chewing efficiency.

Permanent Implant Retained Dentures

Fixed Hybrid Dentures - Shelby Twp., MIPermanent implant retained dentures are dentures that can now be supported by implants and are more stable than your traditional denture as they are “screwed” into the implants. This option is great for patients looking for a fresh start and don’t want removable dentures. Permanent implant retained dentures are artistically crafted to look and feel realistic so no one will ever know they are not your natural teeth. Unlike traditional dentures, they don’t require covering the palate allowing you to eat and taste food normally. Enjoy life with the confidence to laugh, smile and eat whatever you want.

 

The Gentle Dentist
15055 22 mile Rd. Ste #2
Shelby Township, MI 48315