We all realize that having a healthy, bright, beautiful smile enhances our appearance and allows us to smile with confidence. Thanks to the advances in modern cosmetic dentistry, we are able to improve our teeth and smiles with quick, painless and surprisingly affordable treatments.
Galleria Dental offers a broad range of cosmetic dentistry services designed to dramatically improve the look and health of your smile. Our Houston cosmetic dentists specialize in the following dental procedures:
Porcelain dental crowns or caps replace the missing portion of a tooth in order to restore its original functionality and appearance. The porcelain crown is specifically sculpted so that it smoothly fits over the existing tooth in a manner that simulates the look of natural tooth enamel. At the same time, it’s resilient enough to withstand the normal wear and tear teeth undergo. Porcelain crowns are a popular choice among patients not only because of their strength, but also because of their ability to replicate—and in many cases enhance—the smile of those who wear them.
Porcelain veneers are thin yet durable custom made pieces of porcelain that recreate the look of natural teeth. They are custom made to fit the wearer and therefore vary in shape, size and color. These thin strips of porcelain are bonded to the front of teeth in order to repair chips or cracks, fill in gaps and spaces, or to cover up stains or discoloration. For many cosmetic dentist patients, veneers are a viable alternative to porcelain crowns and can often last for a long time before they are ultimately replaced.
Porcelain fixed dental bridges are a non-removable appliance used to replace missing teeth. A bridge is made up of two or more dental crowns that anchor the bridge in place, with a false tooth (or teeth) made of porcelain or gold alloy in the middle. The most common and popular type of fixed dental bridge is made of porcelain fused to metal. The porcelain bridge is a hit among patients due to its durability and ability to be worn comfortably for extended periods.
Porcelain onlays are a cosmetic dentistry technique used to repair chipped, cracked or decayed teeth. These custom-made onlays are typically constructed from a composite of tooth-colored porcelain and gold. Onlay restorations offer another option to porcelain crowns that are also highly durable and mimic the appearance of natural teeth. Unlike crowns, porcelain onlays don’t involve the removal of tooth structure in order to incorporate them.
Porcelain inlays are another cosmetic option in which a composite gold/porcelain material is used to fill a cavity in a tooth. This technique involves creating a dental impression of the tooth that is then used to repair the damaged or decayed tooth. As compared to onlays, porcelain inlays are a more conservative dental option because they remove less of the existing tooth structure. Also, inlays are popular due to their ability to mimic natural teeth and are often less expensive than porcelain crowns.
Tooth whitening is a non-invasive dental process which restores the natural color of one’s teeth. In cases where the natural tooth shade is whitened, the process is known as tooth bleaching. Both tooth whitening and tooth bleaching are simple, non-invasive treatments that add beauty to a discolored or stained smile. It should be noted that tooth whitening procedures work only on natural tooth enamel, so those wearing crowns or other cosmetic dental enhancements will want to consider replacements that match the newly whitened or bleached teeth.
Zoom is a tooth whitening and bleaching process that reverses discoloration of enamel and dentin. Manufactured by Royal Philips, Zoom is an in-office dental procedure that whitens stained teeth without changing their overall structure. The Zoom procedure is both painless and effective, making it a popular option for those patients looking to restore the state of their smiles.
Lumineers are porcelain veneers that are ultra-thin and highly translucent, resulting in an appearance that resembles natural tooth enamel. Produced by DenMat Lab, Lumineers employ the latest dental technology to produce naturally beautiful smiles that retain the original structure of teeth. As opposed to other dental veneers, Lumineers can be worn for up to 20 years and can be installed in two easy and comfortable cosmetic dentist visits.
Dental implants are a cosmetic dental treatment that allows patients to restore a lost, damaged or decayed tooth. Due to their durability, dental implants can last a lifetime provided that they’re properly installed and cared for. These implants utilize artificial roots and teeth that are installed surgically into the upper or lower jaw bone. The most common, effective and popular types of dental implants include single tooth replacement, multiple teeth replacement and full-arch replacement.
CEREC (or Cerec) is an acronym that stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. Made by Dentsply Sirona, CEREC uses CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) technology to create and insert ceramic reconstructions of natural teeth. Unlike many other dental restoration procedures, CEREC can be created and installed in just a single visit. In addition, CEREC is made of high-quality ceramic products that can last for years with the proper care.
Composite fillings are made from a plastic and glass mixture that is designed to restore cracked or decaying teeth. These fillings are tooth colored so the process of dental restoration appears natural. To install composite fillings, Houston cosmetic dentists first remove the destroyed tooth portion and then add layers of composite that is shaped to fit the remaining tooth. Silver amalgam fillings are another popular dental option, but they lack the advantage provided by composite fillings in matching the color of natural teeth.
