What if there is nothing wrong with your teeth – they are absolutely healthy and your bite seems OK, but you still don’t think your smile is all that it could be? There are several way to enhance the appearance of your smile to make it truly light up a room. An experienced dentist with an eye for aesthetics, like Dr. Irene Lipetsker, could do a lot for your smile. Here are some of the procedures that could take your smile to the next level and your confidence to a new all time high
Whitening Recontouring Veneers Bonding Crowns Bridges White Fillings
Often, the difference between a good smile and a great smile is the whiteness of the teeth. Over time most teeth lose their luster and brightness because they accumulate stains caused by foods and beverages. New whitening agents can remove these stains without harming your teeth. We have achieved the best results with deep bleaching technique which is a combination of office and home teeth whitening.
In Brookline Dental Studio we offer Philips Zoom teeth whitening. Zoom is the #1 patient-requested professional whitening treatment. It is proven to safely whiten your teeth by up to 8 shades in one 45 minute in office treatment. In fact, over 10 million patients have already used Zoom to achieve brighter, healthier smiles. It is the perfect treatment to get your pearly whites their whitest for your next big event – a reunion, a company outing, a prom or a wedding.
Various teeth whitening methods have been used for several decades. If you have any concerns about any procedures available today please take a look at this Statement on the Safety and Effectiveness of Tooth Whitening Products from the American Dental Association (ADA).
Recontouring or reshaping the teeth (also called odontoplasty, enameloplasty, stripping, or slenderizing) is a procedure in which small amounts of tooth enamel are removed to change a tooth’s length, shape, or surface. The procedure is usually done to improve appearance by creating more harmony or balance in the look of the smile.
Recontouring is the most conservative cosmetic treatment. It is a quick and painless procedure whose results can be seen immediately.
2. Smoothing out bulges or pits in a tooth’s enamel
3. Adjusting slight irregular tooth shapes caused by too many or uneven teeth
4. Adjusting the length of the canines (the pointed teeth on the side of your mouth)
Recontouring can also improve overall dental health by removing crevices or overlaps between teeth in which plaque or tartar can accumulate.
Recontouring is not recommended if your teeth have substantial imperfections, such as a substantial chip or deep fracture. Recontouring is not a substitute for veneers or bonding, however, it is often used in combination with these procedures.
Here is a great example of how recountouring can help to smooth out uneven teeth:
before after
A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain or resin that is bonded to a tooth to improve its color and shape. A veneer generally covers only the front and top of a tooth. Veneers can be used to achieve the following:
1. Close spaces between teeth
2. Lengthen small or misshapen teeth
3. Whiten stained or dark teeth.
In addition, when teeth are chipped or beginning to wear, veneers can protect them from damage and restore their appearance.
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Dental bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-colored resin material (a durable plastic material) is applied and hardened with a special light, which ultimately “bonds” the material to the tooth to restore or improve person’s smile.
With bonding, the doctor can
1. Close spaces between teeth
2. Lengthen small or misshapen teeth
3. Whiten stained or dark teeth
4. Protect a portion of the tooth’s root that has been exposed when gums recede.
The doctor can shape and color a single tooth, or improve your entire smile. When teeth are chipped or beginning to wear, bonding can protect them from damage and restore their original looks.
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A crown is a cap that covers the tooth to protect or restore it. Recent breakthroughs in adhesives, combined with the development of stronger porcelain materials, allow the doctor to make crowns entirely of porcelain. All-porcelain crowns maintain a translucency that makes them hard to tell from natural teeth.
Without metal, the problem of a dark line at the edge of the gumline is eliminated. This allows the doctor to place the edge of the crown above the gumline, and that’s healthier for your tooth and gums. When you want to improve your smile, all-porcelain crowns are a beautiful and natural looking choice.
Here is an example of how a crown is used to repair a broken tooth:
clearly visible damage before a beautiful restoration after
And this transformation achieved with the crowns is nothing short of miraculous!
a smile with multiple problems before a flawless smile after
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Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth.
A bridge is made up of two crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap — these two anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth — and a false tooth/teeth in between. These false teeth are called pontics and can be made from a variety of materials. Thanks to the recent breakthroughs in adhesives, combined with the development of stronger porcelain materials, the doctor now can make tooth colored bridges entirely of porcelain.
All-porcelain bridges maintain a translucency that makes them hard to tell from natural teeth. Without metal, the problem of a dark line at the edge of the gumline is eliminated. This also allows the doctor to place the edge of the bridge above the gumline, which is a healthier option for your tooth and gums. When you want to improve your smile, all-porcelain bridges are a beautiful and natural looking choice.
Bridges can:
1. Restore your smile
2. Restore the ability to properly chew and speak
3. Maintain the shape of your face
4. Distribute the forces in your bite properly by replacing missing teeth
5. Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position.
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Until recently, silver amalgam was the material most often used to restore decayed portions of your teeth, especially back teeth. Unfortunately, silver fillings can really darken a smile. Dental research has resulted in the development of a new tooth-colored materials that are not only durable and long lasting, but attractive as well. These materials, porcelain and composite resin, provide an attractive, natural look while at the same time restoring strength and durability to your tooth.
Both porcelain and composite resin are bonded directly to the tooth, restoring it to near its original strength and function. Both can be custom-colored to precisely match your teeth, so when porcelain or resin fillings are placed, they’re extremely natural looking. This can really make a difference in your appearance, especially if the restoration is visible when you smile.
Dr. Irene Lipetsker, a cosmetic dentist in Brookline, MA, offers a full range of cosmetic dentistry procedures including Smile Makeover. Dr. Lipetsker practices in Brookline Dental Studio, 1247A Beacon St, Brookline, MA, 02446. Dr. Lipetsker offers free a free consultation appointment for cosmetic dental needs.
