Tower Smiles - Cosmetic Dentistry
While traditional dentistry focuses on oral hygiene and preventing, diagnosing and treating oral disease, the goal of "cosmetic/restorative dentistry" is to accomplish all of these things while also improving the appearance of a person's teeth, mouth and smile.
Cosmetic/Restorative Dentistry is general dentistry and much more! - It also has the added dimension of art!
While there are functional requirements to be taken into account, when considering your smile, our team must pay close attention to the relationships between your smile and the rest of your face. Many aspects such as lip line, nose position, width of smile, and gum display all play a role in determining what can be esthetically achieved to give you the smile you've always wanted. At Tower Smiles we strive to offer you the best treatment options available.
Below are only some of the cosmetic services that Tower Smiles are able to offer you. If you are interested in exploring how we can help you improve your smile, then please contact us at (403) 262-3826 for your complimentary smile evaluation appointment.
Tooth Whitening
Many people have discolored teeth and these people know how self-conscious they feel when they are in company. Many suffer in silence and just put up with the fact that their teeth are not perfect though they never look into the vast array of options available for effective treatment. Personal health has always been of paramount importance for many people who may have to interact with friends, work colleagues, customers and associates in different capacities every day of their lives. For these people it is essential to look good and take care of their appearance.
Teeth discoloration is very common and the reasons for the problem can go as far back as childhood in some cases. The most common causes are through smoking or chewing tobacco though this is now thankfully on the decline as more and more people kick the smoking habit. Drinking excessive tea, coffee or cola drinks is another common cause of teeth discoloration and it is the tannin inside the ingredients that does the damage. Taking antibiotics as a child, trauma, poor dental hygiene and general ageing are some of the other main sources of the problem.
For your convenience and budget, we have two methods of whitening available to you. The first is an in-office procedure called Laser Whitening. The Second is the use of a Take Home Kit that you can conveniently use at home..
Whitening Options
We know your smile is important. It's one of the first things you notice when you meet someone. A whiter, brighter smile is beautiful - it can help you feel better about yourself and make a memorable impression
Your lifestyle and the aging process can stain and darken your teeth. Many things we do on a regular basis can contribute to stained teeth, such as drinking coffee, tea, cola and red wine or smoking.
Whitening can get your smile looking its best. Non-professional procedures and clinically unproven teeth whitening tips can often lead to unsatisfactory results, you should look for a whitening procedure that is:
- Fast and Convenient!
- Long Lasting
- Low Sensitivity
- Proven to be safe and effective
- Performed by a Dental Professional
With proper aftercare, whitened teeth can stay bright for a few years! To keep your smile bright as long as possible, try these easy tips:
- Follow the "white teeth diet" Drink white wine instead of red wine, cappuccino instead of espresso, and grapefruit juice instead of cranberry juice.
- Use a "whitening" toothpaste with a mild abrasive or peroxides (for example: Opalescence toothpaste, Supersmile , Whitening Toothpaste and most of the over-the-counter "Whitening Toothpastes" on a daily basis.
If you desire to improve your smile and potentially
your quality of life then contact us today at 403.262.3826!
Porcelain Veneers
In the past, the only way to correct dental imperfections was to cover the tooth with a crown. Today, in most cases there are several alternatives: crown, composite resin bonding or porcelain veneer or even cosmetic contouring or orthodontics.
So what is a veneer?
A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain or plastic that is bonded to a tooth to improve its color and shape. A veneer generally covers only the front and top of a tooth. Veneers can be used to close spaces between teeth, lengthen small or mishapen teeth, or whiten stained or dark teeth.
When teeth are chipped or beginning to wear, veneers can protect them from damage and restore their original appearance.
What are veneers used for?
- Teeth that are slightly crooked or stained
- Chipped teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Teeth that are different lengths
Veneers can be the ultimate smile makeover treatment!
Having a dazzling, balanced smile is possible, thanks to porcelain veneers. Since veneers fit over the front of teeth, they transform the smile by completely concealing imperfections.
Veneers can be the solution for numerous aesthetic flaws
Porcelain veneers camouflage numerous cosmetic problems, making them an option for a wide range of patients. Chips, cracks, discoloration, and misalignment are among the flaws veneers can cover.
Veneers can be an alternative to orthodontic treatment
Many people are dissatisfied with their smile's alignment, but they avoid seeking treatment because they don't want traditional braces. Porcelain dental veneers can even be specially fitted to reshape crooked teeth that may otherwise require orthodontics.
Compatible with other dental treatments
Although porcelain veneers are often all that is needed for a smile makeover, they are also compatible with other dental treatments. For example, they can be placed in combination with teeth whitening, a full-mouth reconstruction, TMJ treatment, or neuromuscular dentistry to completely repair and enhance a patient's smile.
If you desire to improve your smile and potentially
your quality of life then contact us today at 403.262.3826!
Cosmetic Bonding
Dental bonding uses a composite resin material to mask cosmetic imperfections in your smile while simultaneously protecting your teeth from future damage. The resin used is customized in both colour and application to match surrounding tooth shade and address individual aesthetic flaws.
Problems Dental Bonding Addresses
While dental bonding is a more conservative approach than porcelain veneers or porcelain fillings, the imperfections it can correct are the same, including:
- Tooth decay – Small holes caused by decay are filled by the resin used in dental bonding
- Tooth discolouration – Dental bonding effectively masks intrinsic stains otherwise resistant to traditional tooth whitening techniques
- Crooked teeth – By precisely sculpting the resin to the desired tooth shape, dental bonding is able to correct the appearance of crooked teeth
- Chipped or broken teeth – Failing to address a chipped or broken tooth can lead to further tooth decay, be the source of embarrassment, or cause physical pain. Up to half of a tooth can be replaced through dental bonding
- Gaps – Undesirable spaces between teeth can be filled
- Tooth erosion – Any eroded enamel can be replaced by the resin, preventing further erosion
The Dental Bonding Procedure
Similar to porcelain veneers, the dental bonding procedure is quick and non-invasive:
- First, the composite resin material is applied to your teeth in a paste form
- The paste is sculpted to the desired shape, which will correct some smile imperfections
- A specially calibrated light cures the resin, hardening it in place
- Any final adjustments are made, allowing the restoration to appear natural and clean
Lifespan of Dental Bonding
While some patients experience dental bonding success for upwards of fifteen years, some require touchups to address stain accumulation along the resin’s margins.
Below are tips to ensure the longevity of your dental bonding:
- Provide regular maintenance by brushing with a soft-bristled tooth brush and flossing daily
- Reduce your consumption of sweets or starchy foods
- Visit a hygienist skilled in dental bonding maintenance two to four times per year for cleaning
Dental bonding is an efficient and economical method to address minor smile imperfections.
If you desire to improve your smile and potentially
your quality of life then contact us today at 403.262.3826!
Crowns
Crowns are dental restorations that are more commonly known as "caps". These restoration are quite extensive in that they cover all tooth surfaces.
Crowns may be the ideal treatment optionwhen previous fillings have broken, fractured orchipped surfaces are noted, or tooth sensitivity is involved. Crowns are also used to improve the appearance of natural teeth that are malformed, malpositioned or discolored.
Crowns can be made from various materials, which include porcelain, Zirconia based porcelain, porcelain fused-to-metal, and full cast metal. Based on numerous factors including esthetics, position within the mouth, habits such as grinding, and your personal preference, a full assessment will be needed to determine which material is appropriate for you
Some of the indications for requiring a crown are:
- A previously filled tooth where there now exists more filling than tooth. The existing tooth structure becomes weakened and can no longer support the filling.
- Extensive damage by decay or breakage.
- Discolorations and compromised esthetics.
- Fractures
- Root canal - After root canal therapy, teeth tend to become brittle and are more apt to fracture. These teeth need to be protected and strengthened by a crown.
- Bridges - When missing teeth are replaced with a bridge, the adjacent teeth require crowns in order to support the replacement teeth. Crowns strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure and can improve the appearance of your teeth.
So if you are interested in a long-term, cost-effective, esthetic and durable restoration, a crown may be the best treatment option for you!
If you desire to improve your smile and potentially
your quality of life then contact us today at 403.262.3826!
Bridges
A bridge, also known as a fixed partial denture, is a dental restoration used to replace a missing tooth by joining permanently to adjacent teeth or dental implants.
There are many different types of bridges, depending on how they are fabricated and the way in which they anchor to the adjacent teeth. Bridges are most commonly made using the indirect method of restoration by which the bridge is fabricated outside of the mouth and cemented in afterwards.
A bridge is fabricated by reducing the teeth on either side of the missing tooth or teeth by a preparation pattern determined by the location of the teeth and by the material from which the bridge is fabricated. In other words, the abutment teeth are reduced in size to accommodate the material to be used to restore the size and shape of the original teeth in a correct alignment and contact with the opposing teeth.
Once the teeth are prepared, an impression is taken and sent off to a lab for processing. The new bridge is usually sent back to the office within 1-2 weeks. To ensure protection and esthetics, a temporary bridge is made in-office while the final bridge is being processed. Once returned, the temporary bridge is removed and the final bridge is permanently cemented.
Not only does a bridge restore function and esthetics, but it also prevents the surrounding teeth from drifting out of position and fill spaces that would otherwise leave surrounding teeth susceptible to tooth decay. Clearly a dental bridge is an excellent treatment option.
The best candidate for a dental bridge is a person with one or more missing teeth and good dental hygiene. Special attention to hygiene at home will need to be taken, especially flossing under the bridge. Furthermore, dental visits, including professional cleanings, should completed every six months.
