Cosmetic dentistry refers to procedures that focus on the aesthetics of your smile. These procedures are designed to improve the appearance of your teeth, gums, and bite. Your dentist in San Mateo, CA, can help you achieve the healthy, beautiful smile you’ve always wanted!
Types of Cosmetic Dentistry Services
Generally, when you make a visit to the dentist’s office for a consultation, the dentist in San Mateo, CA, will examine your teeth and discuss your cosmetic goals. If the dentist determines that you are a candidate, we will offer you a variety of options. Common cosmetic dentistry procedures include:
Dental Veneers
A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that covers the front surface of a tooth to disguise any imperfections, such as staining or chipping. They are thin shells of durable, stain-resistant material that cover the fronts of the teeth and can be customized to match the surrounding teeth in size, shape, and color. The enamel on your teeth is extremely strong, but certain factors can contribute to its erosion over time. For instance, drinking coffee and soda can cause underlying stains to develop on the surface of your teeth. In addition, if you grind your teeth at night, these habits can erode the enamel even more. Your dentist may recommend veneers to cover up existing chips and cracks in your smile as well.
Dental Bonding
This procedure involves applying tooth-colored resin to the teeth to correct minor flaws like cracks, chips, and slight misalignment. A skilled cosmetic dentist carefully sculpts the resin to match the appearance of the surrounding natural teeth and then hardens and polishes it for a completely natural appearance. Bonding can be a viable alternative to porcelain veneers for patients with minor cosmetic issues.
Teeth Whitening
When patients want to improve their smiles, cosmetic dentistry offers many solutions. However, teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments patients choose because it is non-invasive and relatively inexpensive. Professional in-office whitening can brighten teeth by up to eight shades in just one visit.
For patients with stained or discolored teeth who want a more gradual change, take-home kits are a better option. After about two weeks of daily wear, most patients see their smile seven to ten shades lighter. Our dentists provide customized take-home whitening trays, so treatment is comfortable and effective. Patients also receive an at-home maintenance kit, so they don’t have to worry about missing a day’s use due to forgetfulness. A bright, white, healthy-looking smile can be achieved with even a single bleaching session.
Dental Crowns
Sometimes, a tooth needs to be strengthened on more than one side. In these cases, we can use dental crowns. A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that can be fitted to a damaged tooth to restore its structure and improve its appearance and function. Thanks to advances in dentistry, crowns can be made from strong porcelain materials that can be matched to the color of your natural teeth for seamless results.
Crowns can be used to place over a single tooth when it has been cracked or severely worn down. However, they can also be used to anchor a bridge in place that covers several teeth in a row. Although it takes two appointments to complete a crown, the results can last for decades with proper care.
To learn more about our dental services, book an appointment with our dentist in San Mateo, CA, by calling us at (650) 342-9055. You can also visit us at 255 N San Mateo Dr Suite 3, San Mateo, CA 94401. We will be happy to answer any questions you have.
