The Role of a Cosmetic Dentist in Redwood City

The role of a cosmetic dentist in Redwood City is to help you have the most beautiful smile possible. What many people do not realize is that we also have additional duties when it comes to taking care of your teeth, especially when you have a broken, cracked, or chipped tooth. There are three elements in a broken tooth that we strive to quickly correct. The first is the vulnerability of the tooth. When a tooth has been exposed to trauma in an accident or has experienced a fracture due to decay, it is vulnerable to an additional element of bacterial infection. The mouth is awash with oral bacteria, which under normal circumstances has no access to the root or pulp of the tooth.

However, when the tooth is damaged, there is a strong potential for an infection to set in. We want to avoid this at all costs and will use a number of treatment options to prevent it, including dental crowns, dental veneers, and fillings. There are times when a dental filling can do the job perfectly, in which case, we would choose this option. At other times, a filling would not be sufficient, so we would use a dental crown.

The second element that a cosmetic dentist is concerned about when it comes to your teeth, and a damaged tooth, in particular, is the element of function. It is easy to forget that the primary role of the teeth has to do with basic survival and sustaining the body. The teeth are the first step in digestion, meaning we have to ensure they are able to do their work of chewing and tearing food effectively. Often, when a tooth is damaged, it is the cusp of the tooth that takes the most damage.

The cusp is the sharp and pointy surface of the tooth, used for chewing and tearing. When damaged, we have to replace the cusp with a dental crown. If the damage is extensive, we may even consider removing the tooth and the root to replace it with a strong and stable dental implant. Cusps are also one of the easiest things to damage. Unfortunately, when this happens, your cosmetic dentist will have to replace the enamel with either the two above options or a partial denture to restore the functionality of the tooth.

The third element is something people should associate with a cosmetic dentist, and that is the aesthetic elements of a broken tooth. A broken tooth is ugly, and having a tooth that is cracked, chipped, or damaged will lead you to smile less, which falls directly into the realm of the cosmetic dentist. There are multiple solutions for broken teeth, and some are more aesthetically pleasing than others. For example, when performing a filling, there is the choice of using amalgam, which is a silver-colored filling that clearly shows up or we can use a porcelain filling that matches your teeth perfectly. As a cosmetic dentist in Redwood City, you know we will always lean toward the better-looking option.

Veneers Dentist  >  Redwood City Dentist

Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures That Will Make You Smile

If you have teeth you are unhappy with, modern cosmetic dentistry procedures make it easier than ever before to attain the smile you have always wanted. If you need a self-confidence boost, want a more attractive smile, or are concerned about health risks due to crowded teeth, we can help. We provide a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures with the ability to improve your teeth. Learn more about the services we offer and how we can give you your best smile.

Teeth Whitening: We offer in-office and at-home whitening solutions that range in effectiveness and simplicity. We have options that can suit any budget while still providing you with whiter teeth by eliminating stains and discoloration. A simple teeth whitening cosmetic dentistry procedure can provide you with surprising results.

Dental Bonding: If you have chipped or cracked teeth or a single discolored tooth, we can provide you with dental bonding, which covers injured teeth and imperfections with a malleable solution that is permanently hardened after being placed in the correct area. This option will quickly and easily fix small dental imperfections.

Dental Contouring: Dental contouring can be employed to align and reshape crooked or misshapen teeth. We will gently buff areas of each tooth to create a more attractively shaped structure.

White Fillings: If you have metallic fillings and would like a tooth-colored update, we can remove your dated fillings and replace them with a more attractive option. Our white fillings will blend in with your tooth color perfectly and look natural when you smile.

Dental Veneers: Our veneers are thin, porcelain shells bonded to the fronts of your teeth. They effectively cover discolored, misshapen, and oddly spaced teeth and also improve the look of jagged or chipped teeth edges. Veneers are customized for your individual needs and attractively cover dental flaws, improving your appearance drastically.

Dental Implants: If you have missing teeth, you should consider receiving our dental implants instead of getting traditional dentures. Dental implants last forever, look and feel more natural, and are created to match surrounding teeth. Our implants are planted into your jawbone for a permanent foundation.

Dental Bridges: If you don't want a removable dental replacement, but prefer to avoid the cost and procedure of dental implants, dental bridges are an excellent option. A fabricated tooth is held in a gap by two crowns placed over abutment teeth. This is a more permanent option than dentures and provides a natural looking replacement.

These are only a few of our most common cosmetic dentistry procedures that can improve the appearance and health of your teeth. Most of our treatments are minimally invasive and do not cause discomfort during or after the process. We use appropriate anesthetics as needed to offer you the most comfortable visit possible. You will be pleased with your improved smile and quick results. Our quality materials, products, and procedures provide long-lasting and beautiful teeth resilient to staining and wear.

Teeth Whitening  >  Oral Surgery

Things to Consider Before Visiting Our Cosmetic Dentistry Office

When visiting our cosmetic dentistry office, it is a good idea first to think about what you like and don’t like about your smile along with considering what goals you have for transforming it.  The better you can communicate, the more likely you will be to get the results that you are looking for.  It is important to have set ideas so that the recommendations you receive can be customized to your specific tastes and objectives.

You can always book your appointment in combination with a cleaning and dental examination.  That way your teeth can stay clean and healthy while you are simultaneously looking to improve them. Before speaking with the dentist, ask yourself these questions:

What is your availability?  It is important to understand how much time you have available to commit to dental work. This includes both in-office treatment time and recovery time.  For example, if you plan on getting married in three months you will want to have all of your dental work completed well in advance.  On the other hand if you recently retired you may have more time available to work on your dream smile.  In our cosmetic dentistry office, we want to know what your availability is so that those facts can be incorporated into your treatment plan.

How white do you want to go?  Decide ahead of time how white and bright you want your smile to be.  If you are having a teeth whitening procedure or getting dental veneers, the technician will need to know this so that your teeth don’t end up too white for comfort.

What are your major concerns?  Make a list of your major concerns or the things that absolutely must be corrected as part of the process.  Next, categorize the things you would like to have done but are not “must haves”.

How straight do you want your teeth?  Consider whether or not you are alright with a few teeth out of place or if you want them to be perfectly straight. While straight teeth are stunning, some people don’t mind slight imperfections, and this will influence your treatment options.

Do you like your gums?  When you smile, do your gums show enough or do they show too much?  If they are too large, some of the tissue may need to be removed through surgery, where if they have receded due to gum disease, they can be grafted so that the tissue can grow back.

Do you like the size and shape of your teeth?  If your teeth are too small or too large, this can be corrected using cosmetic dentistry procedures.

As a cosmetic dentist, we have many options for improving the appearance of your smile.  We can craft a stunning Hollywood-style smile or make minor adjustments so that you can still look and feel like your natural self.

Regardless of how much or how little work you want to be done, we can make your smile truly beautiful.  Come into our office with an idea of what you want so that we can make it into a reality.