At each of our Beacon Dental Health offices, we strive for all patients to feel confident in their smiles, which is why we offer a comprehensive catalog of cosmetic dentistry services.
Whether you are looking for a simple solution for teeth whitening (at home or in one of our offices), are hoping to straighten your teeth with Invisalign®, or want to visibly brighten your smile with dental bonding and contouring or porcelain veneers, our cosmetic dentists have you covered to get you that beautiful smile of your dreams.
Contact your nearest Beacon Dental Health office for a consultation to see what option is best for you.
Porcelain veneers are an effective way to enhance the appearance of your smile through the use of thin porcelain covers placed on your teeth. Our customized veneers take a minimal amount of prep and can help improve the color, size, length and shape of your teeth. During your consultation, our dentists will review your overall dental health to ensure you are a good candidate for porcelain veneers. We will also review your objectives and expectations so we can personalize your procedure.
How it works
After deciding on your treatment plan, we will have you come in and prepare the teeth for the new veneers,we will then take impressions or digitally scan your teeth and have your veneers made. Your impressions will be sent to a dental laboratory where your custom veneers will be made out of high-quality porcelain. You will be sent home with temporary veneers so your teeth will be covered and look natural. As soon as your veneers are ready, we will have you come in to remove the temporaries and properly clean off the teeth. The new porcelain veneers will be bonded in place and ready immediately for your new smile.
What to expect during treatment
Cosmetic veneers do not always require anesthesia, so you will be able to resume daily tasks following your appointment. If you experience sensitivity to hot and cold meals for a few days, know that it is perfectly normal and should subside naturally.
How to care for porcelain veneers
The best way to care for your porcelain veneers is to treat them like your normal teeth. To prevent chipping of your veneers, avoid chewing on hard objects, like your fingernails or ice. Cosmetic veneers are resistant to stains compared to natural enamel; however, you still should still use some caution with food and drinks that may stain your teeth.
Veneers should be cleaned just like your own natural teeth with regular flossing and brushing and visits to the dentist.
Teeth whitening is a dental procedure used to remove stains on the teeth in order to achieve a brighter, more vibrant smile. Our whitening treatments will whiten your teeth by several shades to help you keep your beautiful results much longer than alternative choices. Our professional-strength whitening solutions reach below the surface of your teeth to remove deep stains to produce a brighter smile.
What causes tooth stains
Stains on the teeth occur when pigments from food get absorbed into a tooth’s enamel causing it to become discolored. Dark drinks such as coffee, tea, soda, and red wine can all contribute to tooth staining. Other contributors to teeth stains include:
Over the counter vs. professional teeth whitening
It may be tempting to go with over the counter teeth whitening options due to their lower cost and more widespread availability however over the counter products cannot offer the level of efficiency and results that professional teeth whitening can. In addition to using higher strength products in-office, our whitening treatment is custom towards each patient while over the counter products are one size fits all which leads to less effective results and may even cause gum irritation.
How long do teeth whitening results last?
Over time teeth whitening results will fade as teeth become stained again or they naturally dull with aging. Depending on how you care for your teeth, whitening results can last anywhere from a few months to several years. If you do notice that your teeth are starting to become stained you can schedule a touch-up appointment to achieve your desired look. There is no risk to having multiple teeth whitening procedures performed to maintain your ideal smile.
Invisalign® clear teeth aligners are an attractive, comfortable, and discreet way to effectively straighten your teeth over time. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign clear aligners can be removed when needed in order to accommodate for your lifestyle making them more convenient and more visually appealing then other teeth straightening options.
How long do I need to wear Invisalign?
Treatment using invisalign typically lasts around 1 year for most patients however this time can vary depending on the severity of treatment needed. In some cases, minor conditions can be treated in less than a year.
What can invisalign treat?
Invisalign clear retainers can treat conditions such as:
How to clean invisalign
Invisalign retainers can be cleaned using official cleaning solutions such as retainer cleaning tablets or with at home solutions such as distilled white vinegar. Do not use toothpaste to clean invisalign trays since toothpaste typically contains abrasive materials that can damage and scratch your invisalign clear aligners.
Invisalign should be cleaned as part of your morning and evening brushing routine. Cleaning is important because it removes any bacteria that may have developed over the course of the day. If you don’t clean your Invisalign trays the bacteria that grows can negatively impact your teeth and possibly lead to infection in the gums in addition to causing bad breath, which normal brushing cannot correct.
A smile makeover is a series of procedures that help to improve the overall appearance of your teeth and smile. Also referred to as full mouth reconstruction, a smile makeover can address a wide range of concerns including missing teeth, stained tooth color, an unaligned smile, gaps in teeth, and more.
How long does a smile makeover take?
A smile makeover is the name for a series of multiple procedures performed in order to correct a smile. As a result, the length of treatment can vary widely based on the number and intensity of the procedures that are being performed. In most cases a smile makeover can be fully completed within 1-2 months of treatment although this time can be longer or shorter based on the treatments provided.
How long do smile makeover results last?
A smile makeover will last for as long as you care for your teeth properly. Making sure that you brush twice per day, floss, and use mouthwash can all extend the amount of time that results last. Certain treatments, such as teeth whitening may require touch-up appointments in order to maintain similar results to what is achieved immediately after treatment. Other procedures, such as dental implants, can last a lifetime as long as they are cared for properly. Be sure to speak with your dentist about the procedures performed and whether or not follow up appointments may be needed.
How do I know what treatments are needed?
You and your dentist will work together to determine the types of treatments that are needed in order to achieve the results you are looking for. It is important to be transparent about your goals for your smile so that your dental team can best provide the treatment options you require. During this time your dentist will cover the cost, length, and methods of treatment that will be used.
When are smile makeovers needed?
A smile makeover procedure is typically performed if there is extensive damage that can compromise the health of a patient. This might come after a sports injury or after years of improper care for your teeth. Patients may also voluntarily opt to receive smile makeover treatments for aesthetic reasons. Some patients are looking to achieve a Hollywood smile and a smile makeover can help achieve those results.
Schedule a consultation to see if a smile makeover can benefit your smile.
Dental bonding and contouring is a cosmetic procedure that uses composite resin to correct small flaws in the teeth for a more appealing smile. It is a fast and effective treatment where composite resin is applied to improve discoloration, reduce spaces between gapped teeth, lengthen teeth or even change the shape of a tooth.
Who is tooth bonding for?
Tooth bonding procedures are best done for patients with mild damage or decay. For more extreme cases such as missing teeth, implants or bridges may be a better alternative. Dental bonding can also not help whiten teeth. When the dentist chooses a dental bond they will try to closely match it to your current tooth color so that it can look as natural as possible.
Is dental bonding safe?
Dental bonding is a safe procedure that most times does not even require anesthesia to perform. Dental bonding does not require any kind of tooth reshaping and as a result makes the procedure incredibly safe with minimal risks.
You may experience some sensitivity to hot and cold after a dental bonding procedure, however this should subside shortly after treatment. If you continue experiencing heightened sensitivity several weeks after receiving a dental bond, call your dentist or schedule an appointment to discuss your concerns.
How long does dental bonding take?
Dental bonding procedure typically takes around 30-60 minutes depending on the extent of the procedure. Because dental bonding is an outpatient procedure there is no recovery time involved and patients can resume normal activity immediately
How to care for dental bonds
Taking proper care of your teeth after a dental bonding procedure is as simple as caring for your regular teeth. Be sure to brush at least twice per day, floss once per day, and rinse with mouthwash. Your dental bonding results can last for upwards of 3-5 years, sometimes longer, with proper care. The material used during dental bonding is strong and resilient and does not scratch easily making it ideal for small touch ups on your teeth.