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Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry involves all procedures to enhance the look of your teeth. Procedures range from bleaching to veneers. Dr. Roach is the most trusted cosmetic dentist in Kennewick and the Tri-Cities.

 

Porcelain Crowns

The purpose of a crown is to cap a broken tooth to restore it to full capacity. The cap covers to the gum line, and makes the capped tooth the right size, shape and very strong. Crowns come in many types from metal to metal and porcelain fused, pure porcelain or pure resin. Finding what type is right for you is something we can help you with at Three Rivers Dental.

  • Porcelain crowns provide a better color match than any other type of crown.
  • Porcelain crowns are more sensitive than natural teeth and may require a night guard for people who clench or grind their teeth at night.
  • Our same day CEREC crowns require no second appointment or adjustment.

Composite Fillings

Composite fillings are a mixture of tooth colored plastic and glass. They are used primarily to restore teeth due to tooth decay. They work to restore color and shape to damaged teeth.

Advantages of composite fillings are primarily aesthetic. They blend with the tooth color are therefore are not noticeable. In addition to being visually pleasing the filling will bond with the tooth to help prevent breakage and pain from temperature change.

Disadvantages of composite fillings are that occasionally a patient will have postoperative sensitivity on the tooth with the filling. Another drawback to the composite filling is the possibility for the filling to become stained from foods and drinks that can change the tooth color.

Porcelain Bridge

A porcelain bridge is very useful to replace a tooth or a few teeth in a row that have problems. The bridge is strong and can be molded to look just like regular teeth, or even better. The bridge helps create a strong foundation for the broken tooth or teeth and literally creates a bridge across the teeth.

  • Advantages of the crown are stability, cosmetic appearance in the mouth, and longevity. A porcelain crown can look better than real perfect teeth, and if there is tooth decay or a missing tooth the change in appearance will be striking and dramatic, but look completely normal and healthy.
  • The primary disadvantage of crowns is the irreversible prep work it takes to prepare the tooth/teeth for the crown to be installed. The teeth need to be ground and shaped right for the crown, which cannot be undone. The other disadvantage is the cost compared to possible other options for tooth repair

Porcelain Veneers

They are more commonly known as dental veneers, but porcelain veneers are wafer-thin custom colored shells designed to cover the front surface of teeth to help improve its appearance. They are bonded to the front of the teeth for a more beautiful smile.

Reason for Veneers

  • For teeth that are worn down, chipped or broken
  • For teeth with gaps in between them
  • For teeth that are misaligned, uneven, or misshaped
  • Cosmetically, to create a uniform, white, perfect smile

Process

The first step is a diagnosis appointment with your dentist on what are the results you are looking to achieve. The dentist might also have an examination of your teeth as well as x-rays to make sure your teeth are healthy enough for veneers.

Next, we will need to prepare your teeth for a veneer. This requires us to numb your mouth as we take away about ½ millimeter of enamel from the tooth surface.  Once this is done, your dentist will make impressions of your teeth to be sent off to a dental laboratory where your veneers will be constructed.  It takes between 1-2 weeks for us to get the veneers back.

Before the bonding process begins, we will do a trial fit to inspect the fit and color of the veneers adjusting them for the perfect fit. Once this is done, your teeth will be cleaned, polished, and etched roughing up your teeth allowing for stronger attachment to the veneers.

Once properly positioned, we will apply a special light beam to the veneers, activating the cement chemical that starts the bonding process between your teeth and the veneers. After removing all the excess cement, we will check your bite once more before you are good to go. We also suggest a follow-up appointment to see how you are feeling after a couple of weeks and make sure we fix any problems you may have.

Facts about Veneers

  • The process is not reversible.
  • Porcelain veneers are stain resistant
  • Veneers last between 5 to 10 years depending on how they are taken care of.

Teeth Whitening

It is a cosmetic procedure used to change the color of your natural enamel. There are two different types of procedure depending on the outcome you are looking for. The first is just a tooth whitening which will restore your teeth back to the natural tooth color. The second type is a tooth bleaching which whitens teeth beyond natural color.

Reasons for tooth whitening:

  • Removal of surface stains and internal discoloration (i.e. tobacco, wine, tea, coffee)
  • Boost of confidence and a younger appearance
  • Stained teeth due to medications (tetracycline, etc.)
  • Fluorosis (excessive fluoridation during tooth development)
  • Make a positive first impression on others
  • A special event such as a wedding, job interview or class reunion
  • To simply reverse years of everyday staining and yellowing

Process for Tooth Whitening procedure

First Visit – Impressions of your teeth will be made for clear custom plastic trays.
Second Visit – Try on the trays making sure they are the proper fit, and making any changes that are necessary.

Once fitted, you should wear the trays with special whitening solution twice a day for 30 minutes each for a couple of weeks.  They can also be worn overnight depending on the degree of staining and desired level of whiteness you are looking for.  It is common for your teeth to become sensitive during this period.

Cosmetically speaking, let’s make this happen.