Cosmetic Dentistry

It’s surprising how much our confidence is affected by the quality of our smile. Many of our patients have a new sense of self after cosmetic dentistry and later wonder why they waited so long to invest in their smile.

We offer a variety of cosmetic dental options in our office located in the North Spokane/Deer Park area. Cosmetic dentistry ranges from simple teeth bleaching and whitening to porcelain dental veneers and cosmetic dental surgery including implants. Teeth whitening and bleaching can be done in our office or at home. Many options are available and we can help you find the best solution for your mouth and lifestyle.

Having a dental makeover not only takes years off your looks, but also contributes to great oral health by helping to fill gaps and remove plaque-attracting pockets around misaligned teeth.

Veneers:

Veneers are most often fabricated in order to change the appearance, shape and color of the patient’s natural teeth. This is a technique used to create a smile make-over. A veneer is typically a thin layer of material bonded onto the tooth, either to improve the aesthetics of a tooth or to protect the tooth's surface from damage. There are two main types of material used to fabricate a veneer: composite and dental porcelain. A composite veneer may be directly placed (built-up in the mouth) on a tooth. A porcelain veneer is indirectly fabricated, giving the operator better control of the shape, color and appearance of the tooth and is the longest lasting of the materials.

Teeth Whitening:

There are various ways to whiten your teeth, but the three most common are in-office treatment, prescription take-home whitening and over the counter products.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

Professional tooth whitening in a dental office allows for stronger agents to be applied because the rest of the mouth, including the gums, is protected from the whitening agent. The best whitening systems feature a buffer in the gel that protects the tooth enamel from damage, are extremely effective, and can transform teeth in a single office visit.

Prescription Take-Home Whitening

Custom whitening trays are fabricated to cover the teeth and are carefully designed to keep whitening agents away from the gum tissue. Custom trays are beneficial in whitening teeth that are not in perfect alignment. Prescription strength agents are used once a day for a period of about 2 weeks and can be repeated as necessary.

Over-The-Counter (OTC) Whitening Products

Over-the-counter tooth whitening products have become popular, mainly because they’re relatively inexpensive and easy to use. There are a few over-the-counter tooth whitening methods that can be purchased without your dentist’s supervision. They include whitening strips, paint-on tooth gel, mouth trays with gel, whitening toothpaste, and even whitening gum. These are typically safe products, but if you have oral concerns, it’s a good idea to ask your dentist if these products are safe to use. As with all whitening products the side effects can include irritation to gum tissue and teeth sensitivity.