Cosmetic Dentistry

Tooth Whitening

Your teeth can become stained or discolored for many reasons: the foods and beverages you consume, the medications you take, smoking, injuries, genetics and the simple effects of aging. Daily brushing and flossing (and even using tooth whitening toothpastes) are not enough to remove deep-set stains and yellowing. You need the tooth whitening services only a qualified dental practice can offer.

Here at Pike Creek Dental we offer a simple, painless and affordable tooth whitening procedure. We make molds of your teeth to have custom trays made, and then provide you with the ideal strength whitening solution to use at home on your own time. It takes just a matter of weeks before your smile is brighter, whiter and more dazzling than ever. Periodic use of the whitening solution keeps your teeth sparkling.

Veneers

Veneers are thin, custom-made coverings to improve the look of stained, decayed or crooked teeth. Veneers are strong, natural-looking and attractive. It takes only a few office visits to transform the look of problem teeth.

Veneers are custom-crafted to fit your teeth and blend in with the rest of your smile. We begin by photographing and measuring your teeth to achieve a perfect fit. Then we adhere the veneers to the tooth or teeth by removing a very thin layer of enamel and placing the veneers in position. To care for your teeth you just brush and floss as normal and visit your dentist regularly so we can maintain your appearance.

Bonding

A chipped tooth can ruin the appearance of an otherwise beautiful smile, but you don’t need to live with the problem. If the chip is small enough, the dentist can contour the tooth so that it once again blends in well with the surrounding teeth. Larger chips can be repaired using a procedure called bonding, in which a strong, durable, tooth-colored composite material is used to fill in the missing area of the tooth. Once the bonding is applied, the tooth is contoured and polished to match your other teeth. No one will ever know that you once had a chipped tooth, so you can smile confidently once again.

Crowns (Caps)

A crown, also known as a cap, is a tooth-shaped covering placed over the tooth to improve its strength or appearance. Crowns are used with bridges and over implants. They also are used to fix chips, gaps and unevenly sized teeth, or even to give you a whole new smile. Crowns are a more permanent solution than other cosmetic procedures and may be more cost effective over the long term.

There are several different kinds of crowns. The newest type is made of solid zirconia, which has the aesthetic appearance of porcelain but can handle the wear-and-tear that molars and other back teeth must withstand. We will consult with you and help you choose the best type of crown for your situation. However, for durability and aesthetic reasons, we often suggest zirconia.

Composite Resins, or Tooth-Colored Fillings

Because they are same color as your teeth, composite fillings are a much more attractive alternative to the older style, amalgam (silver-colored) fillings. They provide durability in small to medium-sized fillings and can be used in front or back teeth because they can stand up to chewing. They provide a more natural-looking alternative to amalgam fillings and are by far the most commonly chosen filling today.

To improve the look of your smile, we can replace your old, silver-colored fillings with tooth-colored composites. This is often done when old fillings have worn out and need to be replaced, but it can be done at any time you choose.