Veneers
A veneer is a thin, porcelain shield that is bonded to the front of a tooth, or several teeth, to correct a wide variety of dental distortions or conditions, including:
With the latest technology, veneers can provide a means of dramatically improving your smile without pain, shots or the removal of sensitive tooth structure. Porcelain veneers are more durable and last considerably longer than traditional bonding.
A consultation will tell you exactly how veneers can improve your individual smile. Typically, you will need to schedule two visits: one to prepare the teeth and make an impression, and the other to place and finish the veneer.
Whitening
When a person has a dazzling smile, people notice. A whiter smile allows one to speak more confidently, laugh freely, and feel better about the impression they give to others. Today, it is easier than ever, to transform your smile from dull to dazzling. We offer both in-office whitening and at-home whitening kits, to help you get the smile that gets noticed.
Before a patient may begin any process of whitening, Dr. Brandon will examine the teeth and gums to be sure there are no problems. Before whitening, any cavities must be filled and gum problems must be treated. Upon determining that a patient’s mouth is healthy, Dr. Brandon will discuss how much whiter bleaching can make the patient’s teeth. If teeth have yellowed with age or are stained from tobacco, tea, coffee, or food, bleaching may restore their natural whiteness. Antibiotic (tetracycline) stains and discoloration caused by an injury may take longer to bleach and may not respond as well. Bleaching will not change the color of fillings and crowns and is not advised if a patient is pregnant or nursing.
In-Office Whitening
Dr. Brandon is pleased to offer a new one-hour whitening program, providing one of the fastest, most comfortable, in-office whitening procedures available today. With the use of a power light, all the teeth can be whitened at once, or one tooth at a time. This allows whitening of darker teeth individually, for a more uniform appearance overall. Teeth can get up to 10 shades whiter in a single visit. A take-home toothpaste, with active dental peroxide, will keep teeth white and improve overall good oral health with fluoride.
At-Home Whitening
An alternative to the in-office whitening procedure is a kit of bleaching products that may be used at home. At-home bleaching is less expensive than one-hour whitening, but will achieve similar results. The most significant difference between the two methods is the amount of time invested by the patient. In-office bleaching takes about an hour, while diligent, at-home bleaching may take days or up to a few weeks to achieve the same result. Two appointments are generally necessary for take-home whitening.
The first appointment allows us to take impressions (molds) of your teeth. These impressions are then used to make custom-fitted, flexible vinyl trays that will hold the bleaching gel firmly against your teeth.
Upon the second visit, Dr. Brandon, or a member of his staff, will give you your trays, show you how to put the bleaching gel into the trays and then how to fit the them into your mouth. You will also be told when and how long to wear the trays each day. You will probably begin to notice that your teeth are whiter in just a few days. Some teeth may be harder to bleach than others, or may require touch-up treatments from time to time.
Whitening Maintenance
No matter which method of whitening you choose, the key to keeping a whiter smile is to follow these tips:
Don’t smoke
Avoid food or liquids that stain such as red wine, tea, or coffee
Brush at least twice a day and remember to floss
Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleaning to remove tartar
If touch-up treatments are deemed necessary, be sure to follow instructions for how often and how long to do these treatments, since they may differ from the initial whitening schedule.
