Patients often come to our practice seeking advice on ways to correct aesthetic dental problems. These patients may require cosmetic dental procedures or treatment to correct a variety of cosmetic defects - to repair a malformed bite or crooked teeth, to treat an injury, or just to improve their overall appearance. For these and many other reasons, cosmetic dentistry has become a vital and important part of the dental profession. But whatever their reason for seeking treatment, the ultimate goal is to restore a beautiful smile.

In the past decade there has been a dramatic increase in the demand for cosmetic dentistry.  We all understand that having a healthy, bright, beautiful smile enhances our appearance and allows us to increases self-confidence.  Thanks to the advances in modern cosmetic dentistry, cosmetic dentistry is no longer a luxury reserved for movie stars, and our Provo UT Cosmetic Dental office is able to improve your smile with quick, painless and surprisingly affordable treatments.

Common cosmetic dental procedures can be performed to correct misshapen, discolored, chipped or missing teeth. Procedures used in the practice of cosmetic dentistry can also change the overall shape of teeth, whether they are too long or short, have gaps, or simply need to be reshaped to create a more attractive smile.

Some of the more common procedures involve:

• Change the size, shape, and alignment of certain teeth
• Fill in unattractive spaces between teeth
• Improve or correct bites
• Lighten or brighten the color of teeth
• Repair decayed, broken, cracked, or chipped teeth
• Replace missing teeth
• Replace old, unattractive dental treatments

Which techniques should be used to improve your smile? Before making any decisions, your dentist will need to do a complete dental exam. It is very important to identify any underlying issues that may affect the results of any cosmetic dental procedure. Your Provo, UT Cosmetic Dentist will also discuss your about your lifestyle to determine the best treatment for you. Contact your cosmetic dental professional for more information and to take the first step towards obtaining the smile of your dreams.

Your smile is your calling card. A bright, beautiful smile not only creates a great first impression but improves your confidence. Learn how you can easily obtain the smile of your dreams!

Your smile is one of your greatest assets, and the first thing people notice. It’s no wonder that whiter teeth have become the number one aesthetic concern of most patients. Fortunately, tooth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to brighten natural tooth enamel and is an easy way to enhance the beauty of your smile.

Today there are several options you can choose to whiten your teeth. Remember, though, that tooth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel so it is important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc.  At Provo Cosmetic Dentist Office we replace these restorations only after bleaching so they will match the newly bleached teeth.

It is also important to remember that any bleaching or tooth whitening treatment is not permanent. Depending on your individual habits of consuming stain-producing products like tobacco, coffee, tea or wine, A touch-up maybe needed at least every several years.

Reasons for tooth whitening:

• Fluorosis (excessive fluoridation during tooth development)
• Normal wear of outer tooth laye
• Stained teeth due to medications (tetracycline, etc.)
• Yellow, brown stained teeth

What does custom tooth whitening involve?
By far the most effective and longest lasting results are obtained with custom tooth whitening done by your dentist. Custom tooth whitening normally requires two visits to Provo Cosmetic Dentistry. During the first appointment, impressions (molds) will be made of your teeth and used to create custom, clear plastic trays.

At your second appointment, the trays will be adjusted as needed to ensure a proper fit. Another advantage to custom tooth whitening is that your dental professional will ensure that the trays fit properly and are not exposing sensitive gum tissue to the bleaching agent.

You will take home the trays and wear with the special whitening solution provided by your dentist. Your dentist will recommend the length of time and frequency that the trays should be worn, depending on the degree of staining and desired level of whitening.  Increased tooth sensitivity is a normal side effect experienced during the whitening process, but will subside shortly after you have stopped bleaching.  

If you’re looking for ways to transform your smile with a minimum of time and expense, Lumineers may be the solution to your cosmetic dentistry needs. Our Provo Cosmetic Dentist Office can use versatile Lumineers to restore your beautiful smile in just two appointments. Many patients wonder how dental Lumineers can be effective when they are so thin. Actually, Lumineers are so effective precisely because they are thinner than traditional cosmetic options, such as veneers.
 
How thin are Lumineers?
Lumineers are approximately 0.2 mm thick, which is about the same width as a contact lens. This makes them easier to apply, and less bulky on the tooth.
 
Why are Lumineers so thin?
Normally, a thicker veneer would require the dentist to remove large amounts of healthy tooth structure to accommodate the bulk of the veneers. Both Veneers and Lumineers offer stunning results, however veneers can compromise the structural integrity of a patient’s teeth in the process.
 
The fact that Lumineers are ultra-thin is actually an asset for many patients. Because Lumineers are the width of a contact lens, patients can enjoy:

• Minimal removal of healthy tooth structure: The placement of Lumineers requires significantly less removal of healthy tooth material than veneers do. Obviously, the more healthy material that remains, the better it is for your overall oral health.
• A removable cosmetic option: Because Lumineers are so thin, they are removable and completely reversible.
• Natural-looking results: Lumineers are thin and translucent, so they reflect and refract light similarly to natural tooth enamel. Lumineers can change the color, size, or shape of your teeth while still appearing naturally radiant.

Once Lumineers are bonded to natural teeth they are incredibly strong. These thin shells of multi-dimensional porcelain can completely transform your smile in just a few appointments. Contact Provo Cosmetic Dental Office, and we will be happy to answer your questions about Lumineers.

When researching solutions in cosmetic dentistry it’s obviously important to choose a material that is not only functional for daily use and maintenance, but it must also be natural looking. Find out why the Provo, UT Cosmetic Dentist uses porcelain as we explain the nature of this material when used for dental veneers.

Porcelain mimics the appearance and strength of dental enamel and is the choice today for many patients when choosing veneers. Porcelain veneers offer solutions for a variety of cosmetic problems, and veneers virtually transform a smile in only a few appointments.

If you are affected by any of these issues -

• Dark or Stained enamel
• Cracked/chipped dental enamel
• Misaligned teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Pitted/grooved teeth

- Porcelain veneers can be successfully used to correct the problem and many others, and may be the solution for you.

Why Choose Veneers?
There are so many cosmetic options available today and many patients want more information and may wonder why choosing veneers rather than another procedure makes sense. The truth is that you should weigh all of your potential options to make the right decision for your specific situation. The primary benefit of porcelain veneers, however, is that they’ll blend with your natural teeth since they closely replicate natural dental enamel.

Appearance
Porcelain reflects and absorbs light similarly to natural enamel and is used for a number of cosmetic solutions. It can be shaped and shaded to fit your natural tooth coloring and is resistant to staining because of its smooth glasslike finish. That same quality keeps them from looking dull or flat and retains its white, bright appearance for years.

Strength
Porcelain is often thought to be a fragile material but at Provo Cosmetic Dentistry we know that it is actually quite strong when used in dental applications. Porcelain veneers don’t put unnecessary strain on neighboring teeth and patients can chew normally and follow their normal routine of oral hygiene. Porcelain is an ideal material for dental restorations and is popular with dentists and patients alike.

A beautiful, healthy smile can make a great first impression, but if you have crooked or uneven teeth, you may be less than confident about your smile. If you’ve been putting off having this corrected because you don't want to endure the process and time involved in wearing traditional braces, you are not alone. But there are options to correct alignment issues and give you back your beautiful smile. Today, let's take a look at some of the advantages of using the Invisalign™ system.

What makes Invisalign aligners preferable to traditional braces?

• Easy Treatment Plan: Your Invisalign™ treatment starts when we take the X-rays used to create a 3-d digital image of your mouth.  Next, you’ll be given a series of custom-made aligners that you will take home and change about every two weeks. You will see the difference in your smile every time you change aligners! You will be scheduled for checkups every six weeks or so at our Provo Cosmetic Dentist office so we can monitor your progress.
• Convenient: Simply wear your aligners throughout the day, removing them to eat. This allows you to eat foods you love without the worry of particles getting stuck in wires and brackets.
• Easily removable: You will continue to brush and floss your teeth as you normally would. Your Invisalign™ aligners can simply be brushed and rinsed in lukewarm water.
• Adaptable to your active lifestyle: Since Invisalign™ aligners are nearly invisible; most people won’t even notice you’re wearing them. You don’t have to worry about the discomfort of metal braces and wires that can poke and irritate your mouth, and if you’re involved in contact sports, Invisalign™ aligners are easily removed, enabling you to wear a protective mouth guard if necessary.

How long does the entire process take?
It’s difficult to say exactly how long you will need to wear your Invisalign™ aligners since everyone is unique. Contact the Cosmetic Dentist Utah for a free consultation to evaluate your individual situation. Generally speaking though, Invisalign™ treatment usually takes about a year for adults. For teens, the length of treatment is comparable to that of traditional braces, with less discomfort and the added advantage of seeing the improvement every time you change aligners!

If you’ve shopped for over-the-counter tooth whitening products lately, you were probably overwhelmed by the number of products available that claim to whiten your teeth. But how effective are they in reality? Let’s take a look at some of the more popular products on the market today and see how they stack up.

Whitening Strips

Whitening strips purchased at your local pharmacy have drawbacks. They do contain a peroxide-based whitening agent, but it is not nearly as potent as those safely used in our Provo Cosmetic Dentist Office. Also, whitening strips only touch the front surface of your teeth, missing the spaces between your teeth. Though it is possible to remove stains over time with whitening strips it may take months to see any significant results.

Whitening Rinses

Whitening Rinses are similar to mouthwashes. They kill bacteria, refresh your breath and may help remove plaque. Unlike mouthwashes, whitening rinses contain hydrogen peroxide. Manufactures advise you to rinse your mouth twice a day for one minute each and state that it may take 12 weeks to see results. Most consumers report no difference after using, probably because the rinse barely touches your teeth for two minutes a day.

Whitening Gels

Whitening gels are clear, peroxide-based gels applied directly to the surface of your teeth. Instructions generally call for twice a day application for 14 days. Initial results are seen in a few days and final results are sustained for about four months. However, application can be difficult since teeth are required to be completely free of saliva before use.

Whether you choose a home whitening treatment option or an in-office whitening procedure such as the Sapphire Whitening System, you should consult with your dentist first. Our Provo, UT Cosmetic Dentist can examine your teeth and determine if there are any underlying issues with your teeth or gums that would cause problems as a result of using over-the-counter whitening agents.

There are many reasons for teeth to become dull and discolored. Age, stain-producing food, drink and tobacco are just a few of the causes that can lead to a less-than-dazzling smile. Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry provides many options for whitening your teeth and to bring back your radiant smile.

At Provo, UT Dentist Office we use the Sapphire Teeth Whitening System. This is a bleaching process that is very effective in lightening discolored tooth enamel. One of the benefits of this system is that this is one of the few companies that have incorporated a desensitizing agent into their whitener's formulation. This feature helps minimize the patient's potential for post-bleaching sensitivity.

The Sapphire Whitening Process
Treatment begins by protecting the lips and gums, leaving only the teeth exposed. A hydrogen peroxide-based gel is then applied. The Sapphire procedure uses a light bleaching unit that has been designed to filter out infrared emissions. This feature helps to insure that the teeth being treated don't become over-heated, which is important for your comfort.

The whitener is usually applied to the teeth in two 30-minute applications. Upper and lower teeth are treated at the same time, and the total time including pre- and post-treatment is somewhere around 90 minutes.

At-Home Follow Up
You will be given a Sapphire touch-up kit to take home along with instructions on how the kit should be used. We also advise you to use certain stain-producing foods and beverages in moderation to maintain the whitening effects of the Sapphire treatment.

Is Sapphire Whitening Right for You?
Before deciding whether Sapphire In-Office teeth whitening is right for you, your Provo Cosmetic Dentist will conduct a comprehensive examination of your teeth and gums to ensure your overall oral health and discuss your at-home oral hygiene and lifestyle. This will help you and your dentist agree on the whitening product or technique that's best for you.