Cosmetic dentistry

With today’s rapid advances in dental techniques and technology, a variety of cosmetic services are now becoming more affordable and readily available to you.
Overview
Whitening
Veneers
Bridges
Crowns
Fillings
Bonding
Invisalign®
Implants
All-on-4
Smile makeovers

Cosmetic services

We are as dedicated to improving your confidence in your smile as we are to ensuring your oral health. You deserve to look and feel your best! Have you noticed how every actor, actress, and model have the most beautiful and perfect smiles? You would be surprised how few of them were actually born with perfect teeth. When general dentistry and orthodontics are not enough to correct the aesthetics of your smile, we can help.


With today’s rapid advances in cosmetic dentistry techniques and technology, a variety of cosmetic services are now becoming more affordable and readily available to you. It may be easier than you think to achieve that perfect smile you’ve always wanted. Even if you are only curious, please feel free to ask us for a consultation. Our team has training to provide you a variety of cosmetic options that are specifically customized for you.


A smile is worth a thousand words. For decades, it has been scientifically researched and proven that a healthy and attractive smile increases confidence and attractiveness. A variety of cosmetic dentistry services are becoming more affordable and readily available to you. No matter the current condition of your teeth, we take great pleasure in providing high-quality cosmetic services to help you achieve the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.

Whitening

Teeth whitening is an increasingly popular procedure to help your teeth be whiter and brighter, and therefore more attractive. Bleaching can be used to whiten stained and discolored teeth, or simply to enhance a dull smile.

Regardless of your needs, teeth whitening is a safe and relatively painless procedure for most patients. With a simple consultation, we can make the best recommendation for your needs.

Veneers

Veneers are a cosmetic dental procedure in which a thin layer of porcelain or composite material is placed over the outside of your tooth. Veneers are used to improve aesthetics and/or help conceal tooth damage. Veneers are primarily performed on the front part of the teeth that are more visible when talking or smiling. Depending on your needs, we offer both direct (bonding) and indirect services (traditional veneers). The direct technique usually involves placing a composite resin on the outside of the tooth and shaping it to the desired outcome and bonding the material to the tooth.

The indirect technique usually consists of two appointments. During your first appointment, the teeth are prepared, measured, impressions are taken, and your teeth are given a temporary covering. The data is then sent to a dental laboratory where each veneer is precisely fabricated and prepared. Cosmetic dentistry is often an art as much as it is a science. To ensure a beautiful and natural looking product, the fabrication process averages between 2-3 weeks.

Once the veneers are delivered back to Summit, the temporary cover is removed, and the final veneers are bonded to the teeth. The advantage of veneers versus crowns is that less of the tooth material has to be removed and the procedure is generally more comfortable. Veneers are also typically recommended for the restoration of front teeth.

Bridges

A bridge is one or more artificial teeth that are cemented into place using existing real teeth on either side for support. Bridges are often a good choice for filling the space created by a missing tooth.

A bridge replaces the missing tooth both functionally and cosmetically. Bridges can be made out of gold alloys, porcelain bonded to a metal alloy, or an all-ceramic material that is made to match your natural tooth color. The choice of material depends on bridge’s requirements for strength, wear, and/or esthetics.

Crowns

Crowns are used to restore and enhance teeth that are damaged. They can also be used to replace missing teeth in some cases.

A crown, also sometimes referred to as a cap, is used to entirely cover a damaged tooth. A crown not only strengthens the tooth, but it can also dramatically improve the tooth’s appearance, shape and overall alignment.

CROWNS MAY BE USED TO…

  • Replace a large filling when there is little tooth structure remaining
  • Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
  • Restore a fractured tooth
  • Attach a bridge
  • Cover a dental implant
  • Cover a discolored or poorly-shaped tooth
  • Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment

Fillings

A filling is one of the most common ways to restore a decayed and/or broken tooth back to its original shape and function. If you have a tooth that requires a filling, we will first remove the decayed tooth material, clean the affected area, and then fill the cleaned-out cavity with a harden-able material.

Fillings can help prevent further decay by closing any cracks or spaces where bacteria might enter. We will work with you to determine which material best suits your needs and depending on the extent of repair, the location of the filling, and the overall cost. Each of the filling materials are briefly explained below:

Composite resin fillings are tooth-colored fillings that create a more natural appearance. They can be used on either front or back teeth and provide good durability and resistance to fracture. These white fillings are less noticeable than amalgam (silver) fillings. Composite resin fillings usually last between 3 and 10 years. They may not be ideal for larger fillings as they may chip or wear over time. They can also become stained from coffee, tea or tobacco.

Amalgam (silver) fillings are a conservative choice and are also well-tolerated. However, due to their dark color, they are more noticeable than composite restorations and are not recommended for fillings in very visible areas. Amalgam fillings generally last longer than composite restorations.

Bonding

Bonding is a conservative and quick way to repair slightly-chipped, discolored or crooked teeth, often for cosmetic purposes.

The bonding process involves placing a white filling on your tooth to improve its appearance. The tooth-colored filling “bonds” with your teeth and matches the appearance of your natural teeth. Bonding fillings can be used on front and back teeth, depending on the location and extent of tooth decay.

Bonding is usually less expensive than other cosmetic treatments and often can be completed in one visit to our office. However, bonding can sometimes stain and breaks more easily than other cosmetic options.

Invisalign®

Invisalign® is an attractive alternative to traditional metal braces. It consists of a series of clear, custom-fit removable mouth trays that apply a controlled amount of force to your teeth to straighten them over time.


This system provides the same beautiful results as traditional braces, but they are virtually invisible. Because Invisalign® trays are removable, they can also be taken out while eating, drinking, brushing and flossing. The Invisalign® system begins by taking molds of your teeth to design your custom trays. Patients switch trays every two weeks to gradually shift the teeth. The system requires a visit to the office every six weeks so that treatment can be monitored.


Once treatment is complete, a patient will likely be given a retainer to maintain the smile. The cost of Invisalign® varies according to the complexity of the case. Insurance policies generally cover Invisalign® to the same extent that they cover traditional braces.

Implants

A dental implant is an ideal option for tooth restoration when a patient is completely missing one or more teeth for reasons such as injury or periodontal disease.

All-on-4 implant supported dentures

Implant-supported dentures are dentures that attach to implants in your jaw. All-on-4 implant-supported dentures are used when you no longer have teeth remaining in your mouth but have enough bone in your jaw to support implants. Implant supported dentures snap into place on top of implants but can be removed for cleaning.

All-on-4 implant-supported dentures provide a number of benefits and are a great improvement from traditional removable dentures. They do not require any adhesives or powders to help the dentures stick and are very secure and comfortable, significantly improving the ability to chew. Because they preserve bone in the jaw and restore lip-support, implant-supported dentures can also help maintain facial structures and minimize wrinkles.

Smile makeovers

Sometimes the best way to achieve the most beautiful results is through a complete smile makeover plan customized for your needs. Our cosmetic dentistry services are customized to your needs.

Your aesthetic needs will vary from tooth to tooth, and there are a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures available to create your best smile. Your personal makeover can include more simple procedures like whitening or more complex procedures like veneers and implants—or maybe a combination of everything. The results are a brilliant smile tailored just to you.

Ask us about a smile makeover consultation. Together, we’ll determine which services will be best for your smile.