Cosmetic

The term ‘cosmetic dentistry’ is probably the most overused and least understood term in dentistry. At Appleway, we are specifically described as ‘general dentists’. This means that anything that goes on in a patient’s mouth is our jurisdiction. The most appropriate comparison might be to the general contractor who builds your new house. He subcontracts the plumber, electrician, excavation contractor etc., but the sub-trades are responsible to him, and he is in turn responsible to the customer.

In dentistry, cosmetics (or the art of making it ‘look good’) are part and parcel of everything we undertake. Our patients call upon us for checkups, hygiene, fillings, extractions, root canals, orthodontics, implants, and other restorations. Occasionally we enlist the aid of a ‘sub-trade’ which may be an oral surgeon. We understand that we must know the intricacies of each procedure in order to produce the optimum result for our patient. We are, in effect, the ‘general contractor’ for your oral health. To stay on top of our game, our dentists devote hundreds of hours collectively each year to study the latest procedures and technology to ensure Central Alberta residents need travel no further than Red Deer for complete care.

We can upgrade smiles with bonding to repair damage. Bonding is a painless and quick way to repair chips in your teeth. Bonding uses a white plastic paste, called composite resin - a plastic that is semi-liquid at first, but that becomes hard and durable when cured with light.

This material may be tinted to match the colour of natural teeth and can also be contoured and shaped to resemble the missing part of a chipped tooth. It can be painted over a stained tooth, and it can make a fractured tooth look whole and perfect. Composite resin can build up the size of teeth so gaps between them are reduced or eliminated altogether. This is a multi-step procedure.

Firstly - Your dentist puts a mild chemical on your tooth to make it a little rough. This step helps the composite resin stick better to the enamel of your tooth.

Secondly - The composite resin is mixed and tinted to match the colour of your natural teeth.

Thirdly - Your dentist puts the composite resin on your tooth in layers.

Fourthly - A very bright curing light is used to harden each layer of resin as it is put on your tooth.

Finally - After the last layer of composite resin is hardened (or cured), your dentist shapes and polishes the resin so the finished tooth looks natural and smooth.

What we like about bonding:
• It's painless. There's usually only minor drilling involved, so there is no need for a local anesthetic.
• It doesn't take much time. Several teeth can usually be veneered in one visit.
• It costs a lot less than crowns. Before direct veneering, crowns were the only way to improve the look of chipped, widely-spaced or discoloured teeth.
• It can be used on children, because bonded material can be removed and replaced as children's teeth grow.

What we don’t like about bonding:
• Bonding treatment won’t last as long as crowns. It may last from five to 10 years, compared to 10 to 20 years for crowns.
• Some composite resins may be stained by tobacco, coffee, tea, blueberries, grape juice, cherries and red wine.
• If the seal between your tooth and the bonding material isn't entirely perfect, decay may occur under the composite resin.

Bonding ‘before’ pictures
Bonding ‘after’ pictures

We may utilize Veneers if the tooth structure is healthy.Veneers are very thin acrylic or porcelain shells that are attached to the front part of teeth. Veneers can cover badly-stained teeth, chipped teeth, uneven teeth and large fillings.

This is usually a two stage procedure. On your initial visit, your dentist may give you freezing (called a local anesthetic). He/she then removes a small part of the enamel from your teeth to make room for the veneers. Your dentist makes a mold (or an impression) of your teeth. The impression is sent to a dental lab, where your veneers are custom-made.

On the final visit, a mild chemical is put on your teeth to make them a little rough. This allows the veneers to stick to your teeth better. The veneers are then attached to your teeth one by one, using a composite resin cement.

Veneers picture 1 ‘before’ and ‘after

Veneers Picture 2 ‘before’ and ‘after’

Crowns and bridges are everyday treatments at Appleway Dental Clinics. Crowns are laboratory built restorations that are placed on broken or otherwise compromised original teeth. They look and feel the same as natural teeth, and most adults have one or more in their mouth.

Sometimes we utilize a variety of whitening techniques to remove decades of stains from teeth which is simply the price of advancing years. Our Free Whitening for Life Program is popular with all patients – junior and senior. Patients call upon us for partial or complete smile makeovers because they have decided they deserve to look their best. In every single case the statement has been made – ‘I wish I had done this years earlier’!

Cosmetic dentistry is not limited to Hollywood types. Our dentists can make improvements to any smile, and to suit any budget.

Make an appointment for your cosmetic consultation today!