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Teriffic smiles have several things in common:

  •  The teeth are straight, not crooked.
  •  The teeth are evenly spaced with no gaps.
  •  The teeth are white, not stained.
  •  The top teeth show when you smile, but not the gums.
  •  The gumline is smooth, not uneven.
  •  The edges of the top teeth smoothly follow the curve of the lower lip.
 
All of these problems can be solved with cosmetic procedures, so even if you weren't born with a beautiful smile, you can still have one.

Over time, your teeth darken as minerals penetrate their outer enamel layer. This darkening can be caused by foods and beverages that stain, 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. The natural aging process can also cause your teeth to darken.

We can prescribe a home whitening system that will safely lighten these stains, giving you a whiter, brighter smile! For more information, go to our At-Home Whitening information page.

A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain or plastic that is bonded to a tooth to improve its color and shape. A veneer generally covers only the front and top of a tooth. 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, veneers can protect them from damage and restore their original appearance.

For more information on how we restore teeth with veneers, go to our Veneers information page.

A crown is a prosthetic placed over an existing tooth to create a smoother, cleaner look and enhance strength and durability. When a tooth is fractured, has an outdated filling, or is severely damaged by decay, the placement of a crown may be recommended. Crowns strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure and can improve the appearance of your smile. Types of crowns include the full porcelain crown, the porcelain-fused-to-metal crown and the all-metal crown.

The crown restores the appearance of your teeth and can affect the muscles in your face. A crown will be the same size and shape as the natural tooth. As a result, it will keep your jaw and bite aligned; it will also make sure that other teeth don't shift locations or take on a greater share of the work of biting and chewing.

Be sure to check out our All-Porcelain Crowns information page.

When tooth loss occurs, your dentist may recommend the placement of a bridge. Designed to replace missing teeth and support surrounding teeth, a bridge is a grouping of interconnected crowns. Held in place by two crowns, a bridge can reduce the risk of gum disease, help correct bite issues and even improve speech. If performed by a well-trained cosmetic dentist, bridges are effective and durable and can last in excess of 10 years.

A tooth-colored bridge may be made of both porcelain and metal, or, thanks to newly available technology, it may be made entirely of porcelain. For more information, visit our All-Porcelain Bridges information page.