Cosmetic Dentistry
A Beautiful Smile Through Cosmetic Dentistry
A beautiful and healthy-looking smile is a confidence booster. Do you have
imperfections that are preventing you from smiling and lowering your self-confidence? Heritage Dental Care in Pflugerville, TX, is here to fix that with a range of cosmetic procedures
including:
- In-Office and Take-Home whitening
- Invisalign®
- Dental bonding
- Veneers
- Crowns
- Implants
- Bridges
- Full or partial dentures
- Composite fillings
Call us today to boost your confidence and make your smile beautiful!
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Your teeth might be worn, chipped, broken, misaligned, discolored, stained, or have
gaps. Cosmetic dentistry can give you a better smile. We can improve the appearance of your smile through one or
more cosmetic procedures. Our experienced team will work with you to develop a
treatment plan that fits your budget and your lifestyle.
How Do I Know Which Cosmetic Treatment Is Right for
Me?
When you visit Heritage Dental Care, we listen to what you want your smile to look like. We
will perform a thorough exam to assess the overall health of your teeth and gums and let you know what
treatments options are available.
A Brighter Smile with Teeth Whitening
Your teeth become stained and discolored over time from food and drink. When
this happens, you may want to brighten your smile with a professional whitening treatment. We
offer take-home and in-office options such as Venus White and Smile Perfect to help restore the natural
color of your teeth.
Whitening is a convenient and economic cosmetic solution that can make a big
difference in the way you look and feel. Whether you need a fast treatment for a special event or
require a more long-term maintenance program, our in-office or take-home options can help.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Depending on the option you choose the process will be different. Feel free to
ask us about how Venus White and Smile Perfect work and which is right for you. Follow these tips to
keep your smile as white as possible:
- Practice daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing
- Avoid smoking
- Limit your consumption of food and drinks such as coffee, and
berries
- Follow up with your dentist for regular cleanings
A Clear Way to Straighten
Your Smile
Clear aligners are an
excellent alternative to traditional braces. This treatment uses clear, removable trays to help straighten your
teeth. Your aligners are customized to fit your teeth and guide them back into their proper position. Aligners
work best for mild to moderate misalignment issues, so it is important to consult with our expert team to
determine if this is the right option for you.
How Do Clear Aligners Work?
Clear aligners such as Invisalign® use targeted, gentle pressure to guide your teeth
into the proper position. Just like braces, they gradually control the movement of your teeth, but without all
the metal and wires. The aligners are made if a durable material that is comfortable and easy to remove for
eating, brushing, and flossing. During the treatment, you will switch aligners every time your teeth have
reached a specific position. The aligners must be worn for at least 22 hours each day and will be changed every
two weeks. Your treatment length will depend on the severity of misalignment and your dedication to wearing them
regularly.
Benefits of Wearing Clear Aligners
Invisalign® or other clear aligners are a great way to achieve a straighter smile if
you don’t like the idea of wearing metal braces, or if you simply need a minor correction to your smile. There
are many advantages to using aligners.
- The aligners are easy to clean.
- They are more comfortable than traditional braces.
- The custom trays are removable.
- Easier to maintain your oral health
Making Your Smile Beautiful with Veneers
Veneers are a fast and effective way to cosmetically enhance your smile.
Veneers are a thin, durable custom-made shell of tooth-colored porcelain that usually covers your
front teeth. After some enamel is removed from the surface of your teeth, the thin shells are cemented
onto your teeth to mask a variety of imperfections including:
- Irregularly shaped teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Stained or discolored teeth
- Chipped or worn teeth
- Uneven tooth size
- Unwanted gap
How are Veneers Applied?
Veneers are usually applied in two visits. During the first visit, the
selected teeth will be prepped, and a detailed impression will be taken to send to the lab for
fabrication of your veneer. You will be provided temporary veneers until the final one is ready. At the
second visit, the temporary will be removed, and the permanent will be fitted, adjusted, and cemented
securely in place, completing your new smile.
Cleaning and Caring for Your Veneers
Caring for your veneers is just like caring for your natural teeth. Brushing,
flossing, and rising your mouth just like you normally would will help your veneers last a long time.
Avoid using your teeth as tools to open packages or break a string and always follow up with our team
for regular cleanings and exams. Dental veneers last an average of 10 years but can vary from
patient to patient.
Enhance Your Smile with Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is the
application of durable tooth-colored resin to repair decay, chips, fractures, discoloration, or gaps in your
teeth. Bonding, unlike veneers, doesn’t require a mold or manufacturing in a dental lab, so it can usually be
done in one visit.
Dental bonding is often used to improve the appearance of a tooth that is chipped or
discolored. The resin can also be used to reshape a tooth or as an alternative to traditional metal
fillings.
Place A Crown Over A Damaged Tooth
A dental crown, also called a cap, is placed over a decayed or damaged tooth to
restore its appearance, shape, size, and strength. A cap can protect and reinforce the structure of your tooth
when a filling or other type of restoration can’t be done. Crowns are used both as restorative and cosmetic
treatments depending on your situation.
4 Reasons We Might Recommend a Crown:
- Your teeth might be misshapen
- Your teeth have become discolored
- You have chips or cracks
- To complete a root canal or implant treatment
How Long Does A Crown Take?
A crown takes at least two appointments to complete. During the first appointment, the
dentist will remove any decay and shape your tooth. An impression of your tooth will be taken after the first
part of the procedure, so a detailed and custom cap can be custom fabricated. A temporary crown will be used
until the permanent one is made.
At your second appointment, the temporary crown will be removed, and the permanent
crown will be fit and adjusted to your tooth. Once the cap is comfortable and properly adjusted it is cemented
in place, giving you a beautiful new tooth.
Fix Your Smile by Replacing Missing Teeth
If you suffer from tooth loss, you are not alone. Millions of Americans lose teeth due
to tooth decay, periodontal disease, or trauma. The only treatment options in the past were bridges and
dentures, but today we have dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth. They are an artificial
tooth root that is made of titanium and are used to replace teeth that are lost from extraction, decay, or
trauma. Implants look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. Implants are surgically placed into your jaw
which fuses with your bone to form a stable support for restorative appliances.
Advantages of Dental Implants
There are many advantages to having dental implants, including:
- Improved self-confidence
- Improved smile
- Improved oral health
- Improved comfort
Most of the time, anyone healthy enough to go through routine dental treatments can be considered for a
dental implant. You should have enough bone and healthy gums to hold the implant properly, our dentist
will check this along with your medical history during your consultation to make sure an implant is
right for you.
A dental bridge is a technique that has stood the test of time. This restoration method can replace a
short row of missing teeth and prevent a host of problems such as difficulty speaking, eating, and
nutritional deficiencies.
A dental bridge can close spaces that are created from one or more missing teeth. If these gaps are
left open, they can cause your teeth to drift out of position and lead to other dental
complications. The artificial replacement tooth is called a "pontic." The healthy adjacent teeth,
called abutments, are on either side providing support.
To provide this crucial support to the abutment teeth, they must be crowned or "capped." The process
to do this is the same as if for any other reason, such as trauma or significant decay. First, the
abutment teeth are "prepared" by removing some of the enamel, creating sufficient space for the
crown to fit over and cover them completely while maintaining a natural appearance. A false tooth
will be attached in between and attached to the crowns on the abutment teeth. A pontic functions
like other crowns; the difference is that it has no tooth structure underneath.
Schedule A Consultation
Dentures – Making Your Smile Whole Again
Dentures serve as a replacement for missing teeth and can be removed. Dentures today
are more natural looking and comfortable than ever before and can help complete your smile.
Types of Dentures
There are two common types of dentures, full and partial. The type of dentures you need
will depend on whether all or some of your teeth need replacing.
Full dentures are an option when
all your teeth are missing on either the top or bottom jaw. They are made to match the color of your gums and
natural teeth. Dentures are custom made to fit your mouth properly.
Partial Dentures can replace one or
multiple teeth on either jaw. The teeth on these dentures are placed on a metal framework that attaches to your
natural teeth.
Dentures may take up to a month to get used and may need to be adjusted or repaired
over time. If you wear dentures be sure to visit our office regularly so we can assist you with the fit and
durability of your dentures.
Composite Fillings – Aesthetically Pleasing and
Efficient
If you have a cavity, a composite filling is a good way to restore your tooth
without compromising the look of your smile. Fillings can be comprised of a variety of materials
including composite, amalgam (silver), or gold. Composite fillings are among the most common due to
their aesthetically pleasing look.
How Do Composite Fillings Compare to Metal
Fillings?
Composite fillings have become increasingly popular because they are durable
and look very natural. The material has other benefits that include:
- Preservation of your tooth enamel
- Can be used in highly visible areas like your front teeth
- Made from a safe, bio-compatible material
- Comfortable and stain resistant
A composite filling can last 5 to 7 years, and with proper oral hygiene, you
can easily maintain your filling and extend its longevity.
Caring for Your Teeth After A Cosmetic Procedure
With all cosmetic dental treatments you should maintain a strict oral care routine
with brushing, flossing, and rinsing. Ask our experienced team if there is anything specific you might need to
do based on your procedure.
Ready for a Brighter, Healthier Smile?
No matter what condition your smile is in today we can help you improve the way it
looks and help you maintain optimal oral health. Call us today to schedule a consultation to help you decide
which cosmetic procedure is right for you!
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