Cosmetic Dentistry
in Raleigh, NC

Composite Fillings

We use composite, or tooth colored, fillings to repair teeth with decay, fractures, cracks or other issues. Our team will discuss with you the many filling materials available to find the best options for you and your teeth. Composite fillings, versus the also popular silver amalgam fillings, are better for more visible areas of teeth since they can be easily matched to your teeth color.

It usually only takes one visit to put in composite fillings. After properly cleaning and preparing the tooth while it is numb, we will place a special medication for extra protection if the problem area is near the nerve of the tooth. Then we place, shape, and polish the composite filling to bring the tooth back to its original shape and good health. The sensitivity to hot and cold usually felt after composite fillings are placed goes away shortly after the tooth adjusts to the new filling. Once the filling treatment is finished, we will give further care instructions to properly care for it.

Composite fillings are extremely durable and create a beautiful smile and will last a very long time. However, there is a possibility that they will need to be replaced at some point. As with any dental treatment, proper oral hygiene, good eating habits, and regular dental visits will all aid the life of your filling as well as overall good oral health.

Porcelain Veneers

Are You a Candidate for Veneers?

Veneers are extremely thin, tooth shaped porcelain pieces that are bonded to the front of teeth. They are custom made in a dental laboratory to match the shape and color of your teeth and can be used to totally change the shape of your teeth and overall smile. They are a good alternative to crowns and treat a variety of dental issues. Veneers are not a permanent solution and may possibly need to be replaced after many years.

You will need to visit our office twice to prepare your teeth and properly install the veneers, all involving little or no anesthesia. During the first visit, we will lightly buffer and shape your teeth surface, take an impression of your teeth, consult with you about which shade (color) veneers you would like. During your second visit, we will install your veneers using a special cleaning solution, bonding cement, and a special light beam to harden the cement.

Once the porcelain veneer treatment is finished, we will give further care instructions to properly care for your veneers. As with any dental treatment, proper oral hygiene, good eating habits, and regular dental visits will all aid the life of your veneers as well as overall good oral health.

Procera Crowns

If one of your teeth is particularly damaged or of poor quality, a ceramic crown may be more advantageous than traditional porcelain crowns. The ceramic crown replaces an existing traditional crown if the existing crown is no longer in good shape or appealing to the patient. Some of the many benefits include being more ascetically appealing than traditional crowns, long-lasting, fast installation, and amazing end results.

The new crown will most likely be placed in two visits to our office over a week’s time with minimal after-effects and inconvenience. The first visit involves taking an impression of your existing crown to use as a template for the new crown and placing a temporary crown on the old tooth. During your second visit, the new crown will be installed and inspected for proper fit.

Once the Procera crown treatment is finished, there is no extra care required to maintain the quality of your new crown. However, as with any dental treatment, proper oral hygiene, good eating habits, and regular dental visits will all aid the life of your crown as well as overall good oral health.

Why are crowns made of porcelain fused to metal still used?

Although all-ceramic crowns are esthetically superior and equal in function, installation, and in price of crowns made of porcelain fused to metal, these types of crowns remain commonly used because of they are a well-known and established solution.

Teeth Whitening (Zoom)

Ready for a Brighter, Whiter Smile?

Tooth whitening (or bleaching) changes the color of your natural tooth enamel through a simple, non-invasive dental treatment. As teeth whitening has become more popular and one of the top aesthetic concerns for patients, a number of methods to whiten teeth have developed. However, any old fillings, crowns, or other humanly created tooth treatments may have to be replaced to match the color of the newly whitened tooth enamel. To maintain your desired whiteness, you may have to receive touch-ups every few years, especially if your regular diet includes smoking, drinking coffee, tea, or wine.

You will need to visit our office two times in order to properly whiten your teeth. The first visit involves making impressions (molds) so that we can make clear plastic trays to fit your teeth which you will try on during the second visit so we can make necessary adjustments. You will then take the trays and a special whitening solution home. Depending on the staining or your desired teeth whiteness, you will need to wear the system for either 30 minute twice a day or overnight for a week or two. Teeth sensitivity commonly increases during this time, but the sensitivity will go away once you stop the bleaching process.

Once the teeth whitening treatment is finished, you will receive instruction on how to maintain the quality of your teeth whiteness. As with any dental treatment, proper oral hygiene, good eating habits, and regular dental visits will all aid the life of your crown as well as overall good oral health.

Porcelain Crowns

Dental Crown or Tooth Cap

A dental crown, also commonly known as a tooth cap, covers the whole tooth surface to recreate its original shape and size. This treatment goes beyond what fillings or other types of procedures can do to protect and strengthen the tooth structure. Porcelain crowns (tooth colored) are the most popular type because they are made to match the shape, size, and color of your natural teeth. Like many other procedures, these may need to be replaced after many years of durable use.

You will need to have two visits to our dentist office in order to properly get a crown placed. During the first appointment, we will take several impressions (molds) used to make your custom crown, shape and clean the tooth so the temporary and permanent crown will fit properly, and install a temporary crown that will stay on your teeth for about two weeks until a new crown is finished. We will permanently install the permanent dental crown during your second visit.

Once the porcelain crown treatment is finished, we will give further care instructions to properly care for it. As with any dental treatment, proper oral hygiene, good eating habits, and regular dental office visits will all aid the life of your porcelain dental crown as well as overall good oral health.

Porcelain Bridges

A dental bridge, a fixed appliance comprised of two crowns that go over two anchoring teeth and are attached to artificial teeth, are used to replace missing teeth. Our team will discuss with you what type of bridge fits your dental needs. A “traditional bridge”, made of porcelain fused to metal, is the most popular type because the porcelain can be manipulated to match your natural teeth. Normal wear and tear may require your fixed bridge to be replaced or re-cemented after many years of highly durable use.

Fixed Dental Bridge

Fixed bridges usually need at least two visits to be properly created and installed. The first visit involves by removing some enamel from the two anchoring teeth, taking an impression of your teeth so the bridge can be made, and installing a temporary bridge. During the second visit, the permanent bridge will be installed, sometimes only temporarily so your teeth and tissue can get used to the bridge.

Once the porcelain fixed bridge treatment is finished, we will give further care instructions to properly care for it. As with any dental treatment, proper oral hygiene, good eating habits, and regular dental visits will all aid the life of your fixed bridge as well as overall good oral health.