Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is right for anyone who desires an improved quality of life, a brighter smile, better oral health, or improved self-esteem. Incredible Smiles-a Boulder cosmetic dentist team-is well trained and utilizes current materials, equipment, and techniques. They believe in 3D cone beam technology scanning prior to placing implants, using of lasers, and digital technology.
SERVICE: Cosmetic Dentistry
Addressing crooked, discolored, and misshaped teeth with porcelain Incredible Smiles crowns and veneers.
BENEFITS: A straighter, brighter, younger-looking smile that is easier to maintain and can last a lifetime.
TIME FRAME: Two to four visits over a several-week period.
Veneers
Traditional porcelain veneers, alternatively termed “dental veneers” or “dental porcelain laminates” are wafer-thin shells of porcelain permanently bonded to teeth that are discolored, worn, chipped, or misaligned. Porcelain veneers are non-porous (they will not stain), incredibly resilient, and “kind” (non-abrasive) to opposing teeth. When a veneer is firmly bonded to a sturdy substructure (like a tooth) it becomes very strong and durable.
A traditional veneer is essentially a conservative crown. Rather than encompassing the entire tooth a cosmetic veneer covers the visible part of a tooth preserving a large amount of the natural tooth structure. Veneers can straighten, lengthen, and whiten teeth to provide a beautiful smile and even create a more comfortable bite position. For optimal results, each veneered tooth must be shaped. This means a thin layer (approximately .5 mm) of the natural tooth structure is removed to allow space for veneer placement.
Lumineers
LUMINEERS® is different than a traditional veneers in the way they are manufactured and placed. LUMINEERS® is a brand of porcelain veneers, (DuraThins™ is another brand with similar properties and applications). A LUMINEERS® restoration is as thin as a contact lens and placed over existing teeth without having to remove tooth structure. Like traditional porcelain veneers, LUMINEERS® restorations are an excellent cosmetic solution for stained, chipped, discolored, or misaligned teeth.
An ideal candidate for LUMINEERS® must have enough remaining tooth surface on which to bond the LUMINEERS® to ensure long-term results. Since LUMINEERS® do not require the removal of tooth structure, they can be removed if circumstances require it. Dr. Priya Uppal & Dr. Lori Kemmet, and their team provide visual consultations with anyone considering dental veneers, porcelain laminates, or LUMINEERS®. They offer these consultations at no charge.
Invisalign Invisible Braces
Invisalign® and Clear Correct straighten your teeth with a series of clear, virtually invisible, customized aligners. INVISALIGN and CLEAR CORRECT The clear alternative to metal braces.
Invisalign invisible braces and Clear Correct orthodontics have helped us to transform the way we straighten teeth and improve smiles. Dr. Uppal & Dr. Kemmet and their team utilize Invisalign’s medical imaging technology to manufacture clear aligners that rapidly straighten teeth. For many of our guests, Invisalign and Clear Correct have become the first healthy step to an Incredible Smile. For some, it is the primary solution. Dr. Kemmet is a Boulder Invisalign preferred provider and has personally benefited from the use of clear aligners to straighten her own teeth.
Teeth Whitening / In-Office Whitening
There are lots of different options when it comes to teeth whitening. You can get at-home teeth whitening kits, you can go into your cosmetic dentistry and have your teeth whitened, or you can attempt to do it naturally. However, people with a time constraint for that special occasion will often ask for a teeth whitening solution that is quick. As a Boulder general dentistry service, we love offering in-office whitening with Britesmile®. It is great to have a teeth cleaning just prior to our in-office whitening. Plan on sitting back and listening to your favorite music on our Bose headphones for two hours while we do all the work for you. Customer service and your comfort is our goal while attaining whiter teeth. This service combined with our take-home bleaching system, see below, is the ultimate in white teeth maintenance.
Take Home Bleaching Trays
Custom bleach trays are a great way for you to maintain white teeth and Britesmile® results in the comfort of your own home. The process is simple! We take impressions of your teeth to make custom fitting bleach trays. We will show you how to place the whitening solution into the trays for optimal bleaching results.
Implants
While dental implants may not be thought of as a cosmetic procedure, they help us get to a final cosmetic result. So many people we see for cosmetic enhancement have a compromised or weak tooth or teeth. We like to give people the option to restore the compromised tooth, occasionally it is necessary to give the option to remove it and place an implant. However, there are so many places where you could have this sorted. One recommendation would be dental implants just as an example, however, there are others that you could use. Often one of the most compromised teeth is an upper front tooth. Front teeth are often injured as a child from accidents stemming from sports or falling. The upper front teeth often have root canals and posts. Both root-canaled teeth and teeth with posts may be weaker than implanted teeth. It is very common for us to place implants and restore them in the front of the mouth. We would love to talk to you about your options for replacing compromised teeth. Bridges are still an option for replacing a missing tooth.
Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
It is dental treatment that improves the beauty and health of one’s smile. Nearly every dental procedure has 2 elements: aesthetics and function. The quality cosmetic dentist takes both of these elements into consideration, so that one may rest assured they will not only look great, but enjoy hassle free long-term results.
Our Boulder cosmetic dentist office covers a multitude of procedures from teeth whitening to repairing, straightening, replacing, or enhancing the appearance of one’s teeth and smile. Most common is the use of Cosmetic Veneers or Lamineers. These thin, but durable restorations are much more conservative to the natural tooth than traditional crowns and have become a very popular way to enhance a smile. In certain procedures, dental bonding can be a way to shape teeth as well.
The cosmetic dentist provides more than just a beautiful smile and a healthy mouth. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), it has also been shown to improve a person’s overall health and emotional well-being. An improved smile can boost a person’s self-image, making them more confident in their daily lives. It is for anyone who desires to improve the quality of their smile, oral health, or quality of life. The very essence almost always improves one’s bite, health, and function.
Cosmetic dental techniques have advanced dramatically over the last decade. The qualities of materials such as porcelain and composite resins have improved, giving a more lifelike appearance. Where gum-tissue surgery and contouring was once performed with scalpels; lasers now provide fast, non-surgical results.
If you are happy with the shape and color of your teeth, then orthodontic teeth straightening may be a good option for you. If you want to whiten and enhance the shape of your teeth as well as straighten them, then cosmetic dentistry will give you the results you are looking for while saving you time and money. Clear teeth aligners provide a great alternative to traditional braces. Invisalign is the latest generation of “invisible” teeth aligners. Though not always necessary, some people will choose to undergo some teeth straightening prior to being fitted with cosmetic veneers.
Modern metal-free dentistry has evolved to a point where we can be much more conservative with tooth preparation. A veneer is essentially a conservative crown. Rather than encompassing the entire tooth, a cosmetic veneer, essentially covers the visible part of a tooth preserving a large amount of the natural tooth structure. Veneers can straighten, lengthen and whiten teeth to provide the desired smile and bite. Each veneered tooth must be shaped. This means that an outer layer of the natural tooth structure is removed to allow space for veneer placement.
When “seated” correctly veneers are strong and can last for many years, even a lifetime with good oral care.
Porcelain veneers are non-porous and will not stain or discolor.
Yes. Aesthetic dentistry is the ultimate blend of art and science. If quality and service are important to you, look for experience and proven results. Always ask to see before and after photos of people’s smiles when choosing your dentist. There are many different materials used in veneers and crowns. Incredible Smiles creates all restorations from the finest materials available and works with a ceramist dedicated to Dr. Priya Uppal and Dr. Lori Kemmet and their team.
Bonding is done by placing tooth-like material onto the tooth to build it up or alter its shape. Over time the bonded portion of a tooth will change color as compared to the natural, un-bonded portion of the tooth. The advantage of bonding is that it is an ultra-conservative way to restore a tooth and is completed in one visit. The disadvantage is that it will discolor over time and is more prone to breakage than a veneer.
Many restorations are designed with a metal lining covered with porcelain (porcelain fused to metal or PFM). They appear “flat” because the metal does not let light pass through like a natural tooth does. There is often a dark line next to the gum line that is undesirable (often the metal irritates the adjacent gum tissue in the form of an allergic reaction). Always inquire! Dentists will say that it is porcelain, and it is…on the outside. Dr. Uppal and Dr. Kemmet provide 100% all-porcelain restorations. When properly seated, they are strong or stronger than their metal predecessors. The appearance is strikingly similar to a natural tooth, allowing light to pass through (referred to as translucency).
Sometimes people have too much gum tissue or there is asymmetry of the tissue across their smile. The solution is simple, a specialized soft-tissue laser can remove excessive gum tissue. There is always a margin of tissue that can safely be removed to further enhance a smile. This non-surgical and pain-free procedure is completed in a matter of minutes.
Cosmetic dental work is probably not as expensive as you think. The cost of cosmetic dentistry depends on how much you want or need. Like any cosmetic process, costs will vary with the amount of products or services you desire. A skilled cosmetic dentist can explain various fees and the best procedure for you. Also, some cosmetic dental options are covered by insurance if “need” can be established. People often take advantage of a monthly payment plan provided through www.carecredit.com or www.springstoneplan.com or dental insurance plans.