Is Cosmetic Dentistry Right For You?

San Antonio Dentist examing a patients smile after a cosmetic dentistry procedure at Excellent Dental Specialists.Cosmetic dentistry includes procedures that can enhance the look of teeth and gums that have damage, or natural defects. When patients hear the word cosmetic, they tend to think expensive, but the truth is that we offer a wide range of services, also widely ranging in price. Following an examination with a member of our team at Excellent Dental Specialists, we can provide our opinion along with any possible alternatives to help you decide the right treatment option that will address your needs.

Cosmetic Treatments

There are smaller and larger cosmetic treatments that can make a dramatic change in your look. Some may be a single treatment done in one office visit, many take two office visits, and some may require multiple steps including a surgical procedure. Cosmetic dentistry includes:

Teeth Whitening: We offer prescription strength teeth whitening that can be done in our office or with a take-home kit. Having whitening done with us, versus store-bought materials, means that you are getting a more powerful dose in a controlled manner. We can provide you instant results that will not be overwhelming.
Dental Bonding: We can make small repairs to your enamel through a process known as dental bonding. From chips, to filling fractures, we can use composite quartz filling material to perfect the look of your teeth. This process is done in one office visit and will cost less than veneers or crowns.
Gingival Recontouring: We can reduce excess gum tissue in patients who suffer from a gummy smile by making simple surgical cuts. Some patients can have low hanging gum tissue, this can be problematic for their look as well as health. Excessive tissue provides hiding spaces for bacteria. We can remove excess tissue and contour the gums for a natural look.
Dental Veneers: Veneers are a thin shell of porcelain that we can shape and then adhere to the face of your most visible teeth. Veneers can do wonders for patients, providing them a perfect look in just two office visits. We can help teeth appear longer, shorter, wider or more narrow. With veneers we can cover chips, or fractured teeth. We can cover intrinsic stains from fluorosis or color changes due to a medication. We can also cover stained teeth from smoking or excessive coffee drinking. Veneers have even been used to help teeth appear straighter without the use of braces.
Inlays and Onlays: Inlays and onlays are generally referred to as partial crowns. That is because they are the same crown material, but only a portion of the entire piece. Instead of encasing the entire tooth like a crown, inlays and onlays are designed to only cover the necessary portion.
Dental Implants: Dental implants can be with a variety of restorative prosthetics to restore missing teeth. A dental implant is the surgical placement of a metal post in the bone to replace a missing tooth root, restoring the connecting piece between the jaw and teeth. Once stabilized, we can use the implant to attach a crown, bridge, partial or full denture.

Cosmetic dental treatments can brighten your face, help you appear younger, or even more professional. Ask us how we can help. For more information, contact us!