The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to improve the appearance of teeth that show when you smile and talk. If you’ve ever felt self-conscious while smiling, you owe it to yourself to schedule a consultation with our Troy, MI, cosmetic dentist.
After close observation and a thorough discussion about personal smile goals, we can pinpoint the exact procedure(s) to move forward with.
Depending on your specific situation, cosmetic dentistry can repair:
- Tooth discoloration
- Chipped teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Slight gaps between teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Irregularly-shaped teeth
- Small cavities
Here’s what you need to know about the various cosmetic dental procedures that we have available.
In-Office & At-Home Teeth Whitening
Over-the-counter whitening products like strips, pens, and toothpastes promise convenience, but they often fall short in results and longevity. They can also cause gum irritation or uneven bleaching if not used properly.
If you’ve ever felt self-conscious about discolored teeth, our local cosmetic dentist is here to help with two options: GLO teeth whitening in-office treatments and take-home custom teeth whitening trays. is applied by our team and in one appointment, can help whiten your teeth by several shades.
If you’re instead interested in teeth whitening at home, we can create custom tray(s). During your first visit to our Troy, MI, dental office with us, we’ll take impressions of your teeth to send to the dental lab. When you return for a second appointment, your whitening tray(s) will be ready. Our dentist may slightly adjust the fit of your tray so it sits comfortably in your mouth.
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are wafer-thin shells or coverings made of porcelain. Each veneer covers the front surface of a tooth so imperfections are no longer visible. Our dentist may recommend if you have front teeth with slight chips, cracks, or stains. For example, we may recommend dental veneers for chipped tooth repair.
The entire veneers procedure takes two trips to our office. During your first appointment with us, we’ll remove a small amount of enamel from the fronts of your receiving teeth. Next, we’ll take dental impressions to send to the lab where your veneers will be made.
When you return for your second appointment, your veneers will be ready. Our dentist will make sure that your porcelain veneers are the right shape, fit, and color before bonding them to the fronts of your teeth.
Dental Bonding
Our dentist may recommend teeth bonding to repair teeth with small chips, cracks, and cavities. Dental bonding can also be used to fix irregularly shaped teeth or teeth with slight gaps. Compared to other similar cosmetic treatments, bonding is more affordable and cost-effective as patients are often only having one tooth worked on at a time. Additionally, the procedure doesn’t typically involve any local anesthetic and no enamel is removed. That means more of your natural tooth is preserved for a strong, yet beautiful final look.
Read More → Advantages of Cosmetic Bonding
During your appointment, our dentist will etch or roughen the tooth’s surface to ensure a secure bond before applying and molding the composite resin material. We’ll then use an ultraviolet light to harden the resin. Depending on the number of teeth you need bonded, it will take 30-60 minutes per tooth.
Inlays & Onlays
The decision to place an inlay or onlay will come down to what your tooth needs most. For instance, if a cusp (point) on the tooth is broken or the top of the tooth is excessively worn, our dentist will go with an onlay. , however, are better suited for teeth affected by large cavities that have compromised the inner surface between the cusps.
Before we move forward with any procedure, we’ll conduct a dental exam. Closely observing the tooth in question and possibly taking X-rays will allow our dentist to assess the level to which it needs to be fixed. We never want to suggest or pursue a treatment unless it’s truly necessary. If this is the best path forward for your smile, we’ll take dental impressions and send them to the lab for fabrication.
Schedule a Smile Evaluation Today
If you have questions about cosmetic dentistry and are interested in getting started with a treatment plan, our , would love to sit down with you for a discussion. Call Mosaic Dental today at (248) 528-2270 to schedule an appointment.
This blog has been updated.
Teeth Whitening