COSMETIC DENTISTRY
Common Problems and Solutions
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Gummy Smile |
Solutions Gingivectomy/Gingivoplasty, Flap Surgery,
Crown Lengthening, Laser Gum Surgery.
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Close Gaps in Teeth |
Solutions Braces, Invisalign, Accelerated Orthodontics,
Bonding, Porcelain Veneers.
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Chipped Teeth |
Solutions Bonding, Tooth Contouring & Reshaping,
Porcelain Veneers
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Crooked Teeth |
Solutions Braces, Invisalign, Accelerated orthodontics,
Porcelain Veneers, Tooth Contouring and Reshaping.
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Short Teeth |
Solutions Gum Surgery, Porcelain Veneers.
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Stained Teeth |
Solutions porcelain veneers and whitening.
What
are Ways to Whiten Teeth?
Thorough cleanings by a dentist or dental hygienist will remove
most external staining caused by food and tobacco. Using a whitening
toothpaste can also help remove these surface stains between dental
visits. If stains have been present for years, you may need to
have your teeth professionally whitened to remove these more stubborn
external stains.
Internal stains can be bleached, bonded or capped . While each
of these methods is safe and effective, your dentist will recommend
which treatment is appropriate for you depending on the state
of your teeth and the results that you wish to achieve. Your dentist
will consider the degree and type of staining, as well as how
much of the tooth structure is remaining.
Whitening (bleaching) can be done either in a
dentist's office or at home, using a system dispensed by your
dentist. Both methods use tooth-bleaching gels that oxidize out
the stain. It's not uncommon for teeth to become slightly sensitive
during the whitening process.
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At-home whitening |
At-home whitening is the more popular approach today.
Your dentist takes an impression of your teeth and makes
a custom-fitted tray, which you fill with a whitening
gel and wear up to two hours daily or at night for about
two weeks. Many whitening kits prescribed by dentists
today contain a solution of 10-15% carbamide peroxide.
When done under the supervision of your dentist, at-home
whitening is very effective.
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In-office whitening |
Less frequent and more expensive, this procedure takes from
30 minutes to one hour per visit, and you may have to return
for several visits to achieve the desired whiteness. To
protect your mouth, a gel-like substance may be applied
to your gums and a rubber "shield" may be placed
around the necks of the teeth. An oxidizing agent (the bleaching
solution) is then applied to your teeth. Sometimes, a special
light is used at five-minute intervals to help activate
the whitening agent.
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