| Teeth Whitening | | | | Veneers are like custom made shells that are |
| | | | used to cover the front side of the tooth. |
| Generally speaking, teeth whitening/bleaching | | | | They are made from tooth colored materials in |
| can be achieved in a variety of ways. It is | | | | most cases porcelain and are used on chipped, |
| used to correct discoloration of he teeth and | | | | worn, permanently stained, poorly shaped or |
| a number of techniques can be used for this | | | | crooked teeth. The dentist uses a wafer like |
| procedure including: chemical whitening, mild | | | | piece of porcelain that is placed over the |
| acid whitening, abrasive teeth brightening | | | | tooth for repair as well as cosmetic |
| and the newest technique, laser teeth | | | | appearance. If you are after the look of that |
| whitening. A basic teeth whitening procedure | | | | "Hollywood smile" then veneers are what you |
| can be done in the surgery or at home, with | | | | need. They are expensive though and a full |
| the patient being given materials and | | | | procedure will cost many thousands of |
| instructions to complete the procedure | | | | dollars. |
| themselves. Either way, you will find good | | | | |
| results from both in surgery and at home | | | | Tooth Shaping |
| techniques. | | | | |
| | | | In this procedure, a small amount of the |
| | | | enamel on the tooth is removed. Tooth shaping |
| | | | can shorten and round off teeth, creating a |
| If your teeth are cracked, chipped, broken | | | | nice even contour. The procedure is very |
| and showing signs of staining, then bonding | | | | quick and painless, being done within half an |
| (resin fillings) is a very good procedure to | | | | hour. The cost can be upwards of $100 per |
| consider. With bonding, tooth colored | | | | tooth. |
| materials are bonded to the tooth surface. It | | | | |
| does a similar thing to porcelain veneers but | | | | Braces |
| is cheaper and does not take as long. | | | | |
| However, resin is not as strong as porcelain | | | | Braces are used not only on children, but |
| and requires repairs within a few years. | | | | adults as well. They are used to straighten |
| Also, over time, resin can discolor. | | | | crooked and crowded teeth and also if your |
| | | | teeth do not meet properly. You will be |
| Enamel Shaping | | | | referred to an orthodontist for this type of |
| | | | procedure. |
| This process normally combined with bonding | | | | |
| involves modifying teeth by removing or | | | | Gum Lifts |
| contouring enamel. This is a very quick | | | | |
| procedure and has immediate effects. | | | | This procedure involves the removal of gum to |
| | | | make teeth appear longer and to make the gum |
| Veneers | | | | line appear more even. The dentist will numb |
| | | | the region and remove the excess gum. |