The idea of “cosmetic” dentistry may seem expensive or self-indulgent. However, many of these treatments not only enhance the appearance of teeth, but they also help restore their health and functionality. In fact, we refer to many cosmetic treatments as “dental restorations.”
Daniel Park, DDS, at Beaumont Cherry Valley Dental in Beaumont, California, offers preventative care services, including teeth cleanings, as well as cosmetic treatments. He knows that protecting your oral health is only the beginning. You have to love your smile, too!
Like most dental treatments, cosmetic solutions can vary significantly, depending on the extent of your unique needs. Here are four common cosmetic treatments that can dramatically transform your smile, whether you need a minor touch-up or more extensive work.
One of the easiest and most popular ways to revitalize a lackluster smile involves professional teeth whitening. Dr. Park relies on Opalescence Boost™ to remove stains and discoloration, making teeth shades whiter and boosting your confidence in the process.
Opalescence Boost comes in two convenient options: in-office or at-home whitening kits. As you might expect, in-office treatments take a single, one-hour office visit, which offers immediate results.
If you choose to whiten your teeth at home, Dr. Park can create custom-made plastic trays to hold your professional-grade bleaching solution. Then, you wear the trays for 30 minutes twice a day for 7-14 days.
If you have a tooth with a crack, chip, or decay, you don’t want to ignore it. However, that doesn’t mean you want everyone seeing the repairs either. That’s where composite fillings come in.
Unlike traditional fillings, a composite filling comes in tooth-colored materials. This allows Dr. Park to make a filling that closely matches the color of your tooth, making the filling less visible. But this option doesn’t stop with fillings.
If you need other conservative repairs, Dr. Park also offers porcelain inlays and onlays. These cosmetic treatments can discreetly fill in areas of damage and decay that aren’t large enough to require a full crown.
When you have a tooth with damage that goes beyond a conservative repair, such as a filling, you can get a porcelain crown. Crowns fit over the tooth like a cap to strengthen and protect the remaining structure.
Crowns are highly durable and look like natural teeth in shape, size, and color. They're also very durable, and they can last for many years with good care.
Dr. Park also uses porcelain crowns on top of dental implants, which makes them a great solution for missing teeth as well.
Finally, there’s no workhorse in cosmetic dentistry like veneers. Veneers are thin, tooth-like shells that cover the fronts of the teeth you can see when you smile. Since a veneer conceals your tooth, you can use a veneer for a variety of concerns, such as:
You can even use veneers to create a smile that appears more uniform and even — no braces required!
These four solutions are only the beginning. If you have concerns about your smile, Dr. Park can offer personalized recommendations to make your smile shine again.
Would you like to see if one or more cosmetic treatments could help you? Learn more by calling 951-845-2661 to book an appointment with Beaumont Cherry Valley Dental today.
