Cosmetic Dentistry

We here at Ingersoll Family Dentistry are proud to offer the highest level of cosmetic enhancements for your teeth. For those situations where a more dramatic change is needed, bonding and bleaching may not be enough. It is these cases where we look to a more substantial restoration that can change the appearance of one or multiple teeth by altering it’s shape, length, and/or color. Dental veneers can be the perfect solution. Using a thin, custom layer of porcelain, a veneer changes the appearance of a tooth correcting chipping, crowding, or other malalignments and making the teeth look very much ideal. The veneer is bonded strongly to the front of the tooth and unlike a full crown typically involves minimal to no tooth reduction, depending on the situation. Because the veneer is made of porcelain, it will resist staining, dulling, and discoloration and appear as ideal as the day it was placed even many years later. These advantages make it the restoration of choice over other materials if a complete smile makeover is desired.  Please feel free to ask us about a cosmetic consultation and we’ll be pleased to present you options and show you possibilities to give you your ideal smile.

Bonding

Today’s dentistry features strong, adhesive materials that can be used to not only fill cavities in our teeth, but also repair chips, correct fractures, and close gaps between the teeth. Composite is a resin based material that is applied directly to the teeth, cured with a hardening light, and finally polished to a very high, life-like shine resembling natural tooth structure. Composite is a very appealing material to use for space closure and cosmetic enhancements because very little to no natural tooth structure need be removed and the material will adhere to the enamel. In fact, the bonding could be removed and the tooth returned to it’s pre-bonded state should the patient ever desire. Depending on your unique situation, bonding can be an excellent solution to cosmetic concerns and is typically performed without the need for local anesthetics or healthy tooth removal. For small to moderate applications, bonding may be all your teeth require.

Teeth Whitening

The whitening of teeth, also referred to as “bleaching” is a very popular procedure that many people are utilizing to give their teeth a lighter, brighter, and stronger appearance. A bright white smile can project a sense of good overall health and projects confidence in oneʼs self.
Aside from trauma, our teeth can naturally darken over time, as a result of smoking or other tobacco products, or from the consumption of heavily tinted foods and drink like coffee, tea, and soda. Furthermore, teeth can be stained darker due to developmental disturbances like medications prescribed, the quality of water consumed, or even illnesses as a child resulting in a fever.

Teeth can be whitened professionally using two main approaches: take-home bleach kits using trays and/or in-office power bleaching. Should you decide to home bleaching is best suited for you, one of our staff here at Ingersoll Family Dentistry will take impressions of your teeth and custom fit you for your own personal trays that will hold a small amount of whitening gel. Your bleach tray will be designed to fit only your teeth and the contours of your gums. You are then in control of your whitening and can adjust when, how long, and where you wish to wear your trays. You will control how light your teeth will become and best of all, can keep your trays so that in the future should you wish to go lighter, or just touch up with a little bleaching, you will always have your trays and can simply reorder bleach gel as necessary. Keep in mind increased frequency and duration of gel contact with your teeth dictates how light your teeth get, so you are in charge.

If you decide you would benefit from in-office power bleaching, we will use a lightening gel so powerful it can only be used under professional supervision. We apply an impermeable barrier to your gums to keep the gel off everything but your teeth and then activate the bleach with a light-specific curing light. The process takes roughly one hour. We recommend using the in-office bleach in conjunction with home bleaching trays to not only achieve a rapid lightening effect, but then maintain it with your trays. Should your teeth be more intensely stained either
from developmental disturbances, oral habits, or you just want the lightest possible shade available, in-office bleaching is a very appropriate option.
Please ask us about bleaching options and whether your teeth would be appropriate candidates for this exciting procedure. We will be happy to design a bleaching program best suited for you!