Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry allows for a vast range of services specifically targeted towards improving ones physical appearance. From simple whitening to more extensive reconstruction, our office is experienced and skilled with whatever is required to help you have a beautiful and lasting smile.
Teeth whitening is one of the most sought after cosmetic dentistry procedures, and for good reason. It is remarkably effective; the overwhelming majority of our patients see moderate to substantial improvement in the appearance of their teeth. You cannot turn on the TV or look through a magazine today without noticing how popular whitening has become. The transformation that comes with something as simple as whiter, brighter teeth is astounding.
Many factors can contribute to your teeth becoming discolored. Teeth are referred to as pearly whites" for good reason. When our teeth come in, they are protected by enamel. Enamel is made of microscopic crystalline rods and protects the teeth from damage due to chewing, acids, sugar, and trauma. As we age, the enamel on our teeth wears and becomes thinner. Our teeth’s core is comprised of dentin, and this is naturally a yellow color. As enamel thins, the color of the dentin begins to show.
Today’s dental advances allow teeth to be whitened from even intrinsic stains, which gives hope to many who thought teeth whitening was not an option for them. At our practice, we can help most people achieve remarkable results.
Porcelain veneers and crowns are thin shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front and top surfaces of the teeth. They are an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility. With porcelain veneers and aesthetic crowns as an alternative, there is no reason to put up with gaps between your teeth, teeth that are stained, badly shaped or crooked. A veneer placed on top of your teeth can correct these maladies, simply and quickly, to help you achieve a beautiful smile!
When bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers and crowns are virtually undetectable and highly resistant to coffee, tea, or even cigarette stains. For strength and appearance, their resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel is unsurpassed by other restorative options. Because they are thin, light can shine through them and they take on the natural color of the underlying tooth.
If you're missing one or more teeth, you may notice a difference in chewing and speaking. Bridges help maintain the shape of your face, as well as alleviating the stress in your bite. Sometimes called a fixed partial denture, a bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, looks great, and literally bridges the gap, spanning the site of missing teeth. These restorations are generally made of porcelain and are bonded onto surrounding teeth for support.
Bonding is a procedure in which chipped, cracked or discolored teeth are repaired. This procedure begins with selecting a tooth-colored resin that is applied to the teeth and hardened with a special light, ultimately "bonding" the material to the tooth to improve your smile in a single visit. Bonding can repair chipped or cracked teeth, close gaps, change the shape of teeth, or be used as a cosmetic alternative to silver amalgam fillings.
Existing fillings sometimes need to be replaced due to wear, chipping, or cracking. Many people use this opportunity to replace their silver amalgam fillings with natural, tooth-colored composites. Once placed, Composite Fillings are virtually undetectable in the mouth, and conserve most of your natural tooth structure.
Enamel shaping or contouring is a quick and painless process of shaping natural teeth to improve their appearance. It is generally used to correct small imperfections such as uneven teeth or teeth that are slightly overcrowded. The results of enamel shaping can be seen immediately.
Gum reshaping can improve a "gummy" smile in which teeth appear too short, or where the gum line appears uneven. A small amount of gum tissue is removed and contoured to expose more of the teeth. This procedure can be done to one tooth to even the gum line, or to several teeth to expose a natural, broad smile.
3932 24th Street | San Francisco, CA 94114
ph. 415.678.5445 | fax. 415.796.2761