Cosmetic Dentistry
Invisalign® Clear Aligners
Now you can straighten your teeth without braces! Instead of brackets and wires, Invisalign uses a series of clear, virtually invisible custom-molded aligners to gradually straighten teeth. Invisalign treatment involves changing removable aligners approximately every two weeks, moving your teeth into straighter position step by step. Unlike braces, Invisalign aligners can be removed when you eat, drink or brush your teeth.
Veneers
Veneers can be used to close gaps or correct small misalignments, and as a cosmetic solution to enhance the brightness of teeth and to straighten smiles, correcting issues like discoloration, fractures or chips. Veneers involve placing a covering over the outside (visible area) of the tooth and are usually only done to the part of the teeth that are visible when talking or smiling. Compared to crowns, veneers offer the advantage of removing much less tooth material. We typically recommend veneers for teeth that have large fillings or little tooth structure. Veneers are usually made using porcelain or pressed ceramic.
The procedure to apply veneers can be direct or indirect. The direct technique usually involves placing composite resin on the outside of the tooth using bonding. The indirect technique involves the veneers being created at a dental laboratory. At the first appointment, teeth are prepared, impressions taken and teeth are given a temporary covering. At the second appointment, the dentist removes the temporaries and the custom veneers are bonded to the teeth. The laboratory veneers are typically made using porcelain or pressed ceramic.
Crowns
Crowns are full coverage restorations that are used to cover a tooth that is likely to break or a tooth that can’t be restored with a filling. Crowns can also improve the color of a tooth, change the shape of a tooth or cover a dental implant. Crowns are most commonly done after root canal treatment or when a large filling wears out. The larger the hole made by a cavity, the likelihood a crown will be needed increases. Crowns ride over the weakened tooth, providing strength and protecting the tooth from breaking, which is a far more serious matter and much more difficult to treat.
At DeCastecker Dental Specialists, we restore a tooth with a crown in two appointments. During the first appointment, we remove any decay from the tooth and shape the tooth to accept the crown. We then take an impression of the tooth to use in creating a custom crown, which is typically made of high-strength porcelain over gold alloy, all ceramic material or gold. While the crown is being fabricated, a temporary crown is worn. In the second visit, we remove the temporary crown, adjust the permanent crown as needed and then cement it in place.
Venus Whitening (In office)
Make your smile sparkle with Venus Whitening, which is a gentle, effective process that makes teeth whiter and brighter by lightening discoloration of enamel. The Venus White Max teeth whitening procedure can quickly jump start your whitening. It consists of three or four 15-minute dentist-supervised sessions in our office, delivering a brighter, whiter smile in a hurry. Venus White Max contains potassium nitrate, which helps decrease sensitivity associated with bleaching.
Whitening Strips
Sheer White! Whitening Film and Whitening Strips are fast and effective ways for professional whitening. Both the film and strips are designed not to slide or slip, keeping the gel on your teeth where it belongs to ensure even bleaching. Virtually invisible, you can wear them at work or home, speak normally and can even drink hot or cold beverages.