A lot of us want to correct minor imperfections in our smile. From teeth whitening to veneers, Smiles of the Bluegrass is here to help. Give us a call to learn how we can help you get the smile you’ve always wanted.
Veneers
Veneers, considered a cosmetic procedure, are covers that adhere to your teeth to improve the appearance of your smile. They are usually made with porcelain or a composite resin, and are permanently bonded to the teeth. Veneers are usually put in place to correct a number of cosmetic-related tooth issues, such as chipped teeth, discoloration, misshapen teeth and more.
How are veneers placed?
To prepare for veneers, there is a minimal amount of tooth reduction where the veneers will be placed so that they fit with the alignment of the rest of the teeth. The dentist will then take an impression of your teeth to determine the best size, shape and color of the veneers for your smile.
Our dental lab then uses the impression to create custom veneers for your teeth. While this is being prepared, you may receive temporary veneers to wear. However, once the permanent veneers are ready, they’ll be placed and adjusted to fit your teeth perfectly and will be bonded once both you and the dentist are happy with the way they look.
Veneers are a more costly dental treatment in comparison to others. Because they are considered a cosmetic procedure, it’s unlikely that insurance will cover the cost. However, they are long lasting and, if taken care of properly, need to be replaced in 10-15 years.
It’s important to note that veneers are a permanent change to your teeth and smile. They cannot be reversed once complete. If you’re unsure if veneers would be a good fit for you, we would love to meet with you and help you discuss your options for dental care, and your options to achieve the smile you’re looking for.
Enamel Shaping
If you have a small chip on your tooth or rough patches or corners on your teeth that are uncomfortable, enamel shaping is a minor and simple, in-office method to take care of these issues.
What is enamel shaping?
Enamel shaping is the process of smoothing the outside covering of the tooth. Unlike a composite resin, which is used to fill in gaps or add shape to the tooth, enamel shaping works by removing or smoothing out small areas of the teeth to improve the look and feel of your smile.
This is a very minor procedure that can be done quickly in the dentist’s office, and doesn’t require any anesthesia, numbing or prep work. Reasons that people will opt for enamel shaping include:
• Uneven teeth that need to be evened out
• A small chip on the tooth or area on the surface that needs to be smoothed out
• Teeth that are too sharp
• Stains on the teeth that you’d like minimized
Enamel shaping is completely painless and is not costly in comparison to other, more timely dental procedures. It is best when wanting to make subtle changes to your teeth to make an overall improvement to your smile.
Bonding
Dental bonding is the practice of using tooth-colored composite resin to make any minor corrections to the shape and color of your teeth. The resin used for this is very soft and pliable, allowing dentists to form and mold it as needed, and hardens easily with a special light to “bond” the material to your tooth.
Dental bonding can be used for many reasons, such as:
• Repairing chipped or cracked teeth
• Closing spaces in between teeth
• Altering the shape of teeth
• To protect teeth
Dental bonding is a very easy process that requires little to no prep work, and gives patients ease of mind to know that the color of the resin can easily be matched to the color of your teeth.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is one of the easiest and most cost effective cosmetic dental procedures. It can usually be done in one office visit and does not involve removing a lot of tooth enamel.
However, because dental bonding is not as strong as other methods, such as crowns, veneers or fillings, it is often best suited for any small or short-term cosmetic changes. Bonding can chip easier than crowns and veneers, so avoiding biting fingernails, chewing on hard objects or using your teeth to open things are all habits that will have to be avoided to take care of your bonding. Bonding typically lasts between 4 to 8 years before needing to be touched up.
Whitening
If you’re looking to have a brighter, whiter smile, our office offers professional teeth bleaching so that you can achieve the results you want in a safe, reliable manner.
What is teeth bleaching?
Teeth bleaching or whitening refers to the process of making your teeth appear lighter in color. Whitening simply removes any stains on the outside of your teeth to make them appear brighter and back to natural color, while bleaching specifically uses bleaching agents, such as hydrogen peroxide, to whiten teeth beyond natural color.
Over-the-counter vs. Dental office whitening
A common question people have when considering whitening their teeth is whether they should pursue over-the-counter or in-office treatment.
Over-the-counter whitening products, such as whitening strips, brush-on whiteners or trays can be purchased at the drugstore. Although they seem more convenient and less costly, their effectiveness can be iffy and not always give you the results you’re looking for.
Professional whitening or bleaching ensures the highest quality and safest whitening results. A dentist can help you manage tooth sensitivity as well as give you better results much faster than over-the-counter whitening tools can and protect your mouth and gums during the process. The cost may be higher than over-the-counter whitening tools, but you can be confident of the results and have peace of mind knowing that a trained professional is taking care of your teeth. We offer both in office and take home whitening kits with custom trays that offer superior results and are more effective than over-the-counter kits. If you’re considering lightening the color of your teeth, we’d love to work with you and give you a safe and smooth process as you achieve the smile you want.
What Our Patients Say
Waugh III Russell H DDS
3145 Custer Drive, Lexington
