What are dental veneers and who does it suit best?
Dental veneers are a thin shell made of, most of the time, porcelain, but nowadays from other ceramic materials as well, that are used to cover up the teeth mostly for cosmetic reasons. For example, patients have discoloration on the teeth, or there could be some small chipping or small fractured lines, or if a patient has large fillings but still has a decent tooth structure that we can restore by just putting a thin shell. Hence, it's called a veneer. It suits most patients if you have a good tooth structure, healthy bone, healthy gum tissue, and you're able to maintain your hygiene really well.
In your practice, doctor, what options for dental whitening do you have?
We offer different kinds of teeth whitening options. One of the most common options that a lot of our patients prefer is what is called in-office whitening. It's an in-office, one hour to an hour and 15 minutes process. The patient comes in, and it's done entirely in the office. The results vary from patient to patient, but most patients are very happy with the results, and it's the quickest way to get your teeth whiter. The other option is that we can make trays for you, and you can use the materials in the trays at home; that is called take-home whitening. Another option that we also have, which a lot of patients use mostly for touch-up reasons, is a whitening pen. So those are the three methods we have to help our patients whiten their teeth and smile.
What is a smile makeover and what treatment does it usually include?
A smile makeover, as the name states, is a makeover for your smile. It could be for various reasons a patient might be looking for. One could be entirely for cosmetic reasons, such as discolored teeth, worn-out teeth, or if they simply do not like the appearance of their teeth. Those patients are candidates for getting a smile makeover. Also, some patients have lost large restorations or fillings that are breaking down, or even existing old crowns that are getting discolored, which patients do not like the appearance of. It could also be that patients are getting cavities underneath those existing restorations. So basically, it could mean that the entire mouth is done with veneers or crowns, possibly all the upper teeth or all the lower teeth. That's why it's called a smile makeover. Your smile is completely changed and made over to enhance its beauty and cosmetics.
How can I choose the right cosmetic dentist?
The very first thing would be calling the dental office, or even before that, you would most likely be searching on the main search engine these days, which is Google. You might look at Google and see your options, the dentists who have their own websites, and those who mention that they do cosmetic dentistry. They might have before and after pictures and Google reviews where patients have mentioned their smile makeovers or cosmetic dentistry experiences. Another channel could be their social media channels like Facebook and Instagram, where they might have posted pictures from patients who have undergone treatment before. That will be your starting point. I recommend researching those, calling the office, scheduling a consultation, going into the office, and sitting with the dentist. Make sure that you are a good match with each other, the dentist explains what needs to be done, the procedure involved, and you feel comfortable discussing what you are looking for with your dentist. You might have options like veneers or crowns, and looking at some of the before and after pictures too. Another helpful tool is that if you like someone's smile, you can always bring a picture or show it on your phone, which can help them achieve that smile for you.
Tell me the difference between crowns and veneers.
A crown is almost like imagining it's a helmet on the tooth. It covers the tooth 360 degrees most of the time. There are certain crowns, which are called three-quarter crowns, that may not cover one part, but most commonly, the crown covers the entire tooth. Veneers, on the other hand, are typically a thin shell that covers the front part of the tooth and is mostly done for cosmetic reasons. So those are the biggest differences between a crown and a veneer.
Beautiful. That was the last question on that. I hope I was able to answer most of your questions about cosmetic dentistry. If you have any other questions or would like to come and meet me for a consultation, please reach out to us at (603) 634-9445. You can also visit our website at www.SmilesByTheCNH.com, and we will be happy to help you. Great job.
Creating Stunning Hampton Smiles
Your smile is on display more than ever thanks to social media and cameras being in every device you can imagine, so if you already feel self-conscious about your teeth, this can easily be a source of anxiety. If you’re worried about people noticing your stained, chipped, cracked, or gapped teeth, know that you are far from alone. Even perfectly healthy teeth can develop aesthetic flaws, and for Hampton residents looking to gain a beautiful and confident smile, Dr. Shevchenko has just what they need: cosmetic dentistry. Using an artistic touch and the treatments below, she can help you achieve the big, bright, and head-turning grin you’ve always wanted in just one or two easy appointments.
Why Choose Smiles by the Sea Family Dentistry for Cosmetic Dentistry?
- Every treatment tailored to each unique patient
- We only use extremely strong & lifelike materials
- Whiten your teeth in-office or at-home
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are the “secret” behind many of Hollywood’s most gorgeous smiles. This treatment involves placing thin ceramic coverings over the front of the teeth, enabling a patient to change their shape, size, and color to whatever they want. They can mask/fix a variety of flaws all at the same time, saving a patient from having to get multiple procedures. They are always custom-made, and it only takes two appointments for them to completely transform your smile.
Metal-Free Dental Restorations
We understand that health and aesthetics are both extremely important when it comes to someone’s smile, which is why we’re happy to offer a restorative solution that can deliver the best of both worlds. With all-porcelain crowns, we can repair damaged and decayed teeth in such a way that it looks like nothing bad ever happened to them. This is the kind of dental work your friends and family will never be able to notice!
Dental Bonding
For patients looking to enhance their smile on a budget, direct bonding has the perfect balance of affordability and effectiveness. A color-matched composite resin is applied to a tooth, and Dr. Shevchenko can sculpt it to cover a small stain, thin gap, or minor chip. From beginning to end, the procedure only takes about an hour, requires no anesthetic, and the results can be expected to last for about a decade.
In-Practice Teeth Whitening
Do you have a wedding, date, or important job interview coming up soon, and you want your smile to make the best impression possible? With in-office Zoom! Whitening, we can easily make your teeth 6-8 shades brighter in under an hour. A highly concentrated bleaching gel works together with a special low-UV light to break up even the most persistent dental stains in record time. In just one visit, we’ll make sure your smile lights up any room you’re in!
At-Home Teeth Whitening
If you want the flexibility to whiten your teeth whenever and wherever you want rather than wasting your money on some underpowered treatment from the store, Smiles by the Sea Family Dentistry in Hampton, New Hampshire can send you home with a custom-made kit that’s guaranteed to deliver dramatic results. We’ll create a set of oral trays specially-shaped for your smile and provide you with a bleaching gel much stronger than anything you can buy on your own. After just two weeks of using our kit for a few minutes a day, stubborn coffee, wine, and tobacco stains should noticeably disappear.
Digital Imaging/Virtual Smile Design
Virtual Smile Design literally allows our patients to look into the future. How? We simply take a picture of someone’s smile and digitally edit it to reflect how a cosmetic procedure will change its appearance. Want to know how teeth whitening or porcelain veneers will improve your overall look? Now you can find out without even sitting in the dental chair. That way, if you do choose to get a treatment, you’ll already know you’ll love the results.