What if you have a magic wand and you want to do a magic or you want this wand to help you get the smile that you really like?
I'm Dr. Mirna Lasaga. Today we're going to talk about cosmetic dentistry.
What are veneers and who are they best to use?
Veneers are those thin shells that we cement to the front of your tooth. It's kind of like those acrylic nails that you have and you place on top of the nail. Veneers are best suited for those teeth that are discolored or what we call stained permanently, like tetracycline stain. Also, for those with mottled enamel or developmental defects, like when you were born, your teeth already had abnormalities on them. It's only the facing that you need, especially on the front teeth.
What options do I have for teeth whitening?
Your options for teeth whitening could be what we call in-home whitening, where you do the whitening at home. There is a tray you place, and you can do that every day at home for half an hour to an hour. The other option is the in-office treatment where you get it done in the dental office. It's usually an hour. We place a chemical on your teeth, and most of the time, we use a light to activate the chemical, although in some cases we don't need to use the light.
What is a smile makeover and what treatment is included?
A smile makeover is broad. It depends on what you want to accomplish. It's best for you to get a consultation or an exam with a dentist and talk to the dentist about what you're trying to accomplish. There are a lot of options that we can do to improve your smile. If you're concerned that your teeth are crooked, there are braces. If your teeth are discolored, you can have whitening or veneers. If your teeth are broken down or worn down, you can have crowns. It depends on a case-to-case basis, but it can always be customized to what you really need in that scenario.
How do you choose the right cosmetic dentist?
You can ask a friend who has had work done. Most of the time in my office, it's a friend or a family member that's been referred, and they've seen the work that we did on those folks. You can also look at Google Reviews as well as before and after photos.
What is the difference between veneers and crowns?
The difference between veneers and crowns is that a crown is a full coverage cap for the tooth, while a veneer only covers the front of the tooth. A veneer is like a thin shell. Normally we use very thin porcelain, and we stick or cement it to the front of the tooth. That's a veneer. The back part of the tooth is not reduced. For most of the veneers that we do at the office, we don't even have to reduce the front area. It's very conservative.
Now I know that you might have some questions regarding cosmetic dentistry. The best way is to call our office if you have more questions at (619) 377-7586. We'll be happy to answer all your questions.