Harry Albers, DDS | Cosmetic Dentistry | Santa Rosa

Everything seems to be a buzzword these days, and for patients in Santa Rosa, CA one of the biggest buzzwords is cosmetic dentistry. However, what is cosmetic dentistry? How does it differ from just going to the dentist and ensuring your teeth and gums are in good shape, look good and are clean and a cavity or disease free?

Cosmetic dentistry takes making your teeth look good a step further. Not all dentists practice cosmetic dentistry because it does require different tools and training. The training is not only learning how to apply these breakthroughs in dentistry, but also which option would work best for our patient. Santa Rosa dentist, Harry Albers DDS has gone through this training, upgraded our tools and has incorporated it into our regular practice.

What Can Cosmetic Dentistry Do?

Cosmetic dentistry can accomplish many things that will not only make your teeth look better but can also correct flaws that you have been living with your whole life. Here are a few things that are associated with cosmetic dentistry.

The most popular is teeth whitening. Even if you brush your teeth unless a dental sealant has been applied to your teeth, they are porous. If you smoke or drink coffee or tea, your teeth will stain. This will give them a different color, and it also won’t be a uniform color.

Teeth whitening, performed by us, will be tailored to your teeth. We can use a stronger solution than you can get over-the-counter. The tooth tray you need to apply it will be an image of your teeth. This makes it work better and last longer. Read More About Teeth Whitening

If you need filings, cosmetic dentistry makes it possible to fill your teeth with a compound that works as well as the old school fillings but matches the color of your teeth, so they aren’t noticeable. 
 

Crooked Teeth Can Get Corrected With Cosmetic Dentistry

Another breakthrough is correcting crooked teeth. Normally you would get metal braces. However, we can treat you with Invisalign. These are similar to braces but are transparent, therefore invisible, and unlike braces, they are removable. They are basically like retainers and are replaced as your teeth move. Read More About Invisalign®

Dental contouring is another procedure we can perform to correct minor flaws like teeth that are a little longer than the others. It takes a short amount of time and is completely painless. Read More About Dental Contouring
 

Perhaps You Would Benefit From Veneers, Bonding, Or Crowns

If you have a few teeth that have chips or gaps, porcelain veneers can be fitted. These are wafer thin pieces of porcelain that fit over the existing tooth. We match the color of the surrounding teeth, so the veneers close the gaps or hide the chips without being noticed. Read More About Porcelain Veneers

Cosmetic bonding is a method of filling teeth with a tooth-colored composite resin. This can be used to repair minor flaws in your teeth like chips or cracks. It can also be used to fill teeth or protect your teeth if the root is exposed due to gum recession. 

Dental crowns, also known as caps, are tooth-like caps that are fit over an existing, damaged tooth, and cemented in place. There are many types – gold, metal alloys, porcelain, and ceramic. Each has its advantages and specific uses, but ceramic crowns can match the color of your surrounding teeth. Read More About Dental Crowns
 

Inlays & Onlays

There are many similarities between inlays and onlays. They are both indirect fillings that can remedy decay without having to remove large amounts of your tooth. These are created in a lab custom-fit for your mouth, so there are minimal drilling and less discomfort. They are attached to the teeth directly, which then can be color matched so you will not even see a difference between where the filling stops and your tooth begins. 

If you have any questions or would like an evaluation, contact our Santa Rosa dentist, Harry Albers DDS at (707) 575-1190.