Cosmetic Dentistry

Composite Resin Veneers

Like all veneers, composite resin veneers are used to improve the overall appearance of teeth by changing their shape and color. Composite veneers are used to treat multiple cosmetic dental issues including things like stained teeth, crooked teeth, chipped or cracked teeth or to fill in gaps between existing teeth. 

While other types of veneers can require multiple visits to the dentist and usually involve some drilling or reshaping of existing teeth, composites usually require little to no tooth reduction during the treatment process. The composite material is usually applied to the outer surface of the tooth and molded into shape by the dentist, making it a fairly quick but effective treatment.

While composite veneers don’t tend to last as long as porcelain veneers and don’t have quite the same transformative impact, they can be a great way of transforming a smile for far less of an investment. It’s the best way of fixing minor cosmetic damage to teeth and can be used to fix a wide range of dental issues.

Ask our dentist at Dental Care of Westminster about composite veneers to enhance your smile. Call us at 410-848-4000 to schedule a consultation.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A bridge is made up of two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap (these anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth) and a false tooth or teeth in between. These false teeth are called pontics and can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Dental bridges are supported by natural teeth or implants.

Bridges can:

• Restore your smile
• Restore the ability to properly chew and speak
• Maintain the shape of your face
• Distribute the forces in your bite properly by replacing missing teeth
• Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position

Invisalign Treatment Process

Invisalign takes a modern-day approach to aligning crooked or crowded teeth. Using a series of thin, transparent and custom-made aligners, the treatment stands out against traditional braces because it's virtually invisible. Daily use of the aligners will steadily shift your teeth into the correct position. Before beginning your treatment at Dental Care of Westminster in Westminster, Maryland, our dentist will work with you to create a treatment plan that meets your unique needs and alignment goals. Take a closer look at the process and what you can expect, below.

Invisalign Teen

Lumineers

Lumineers may be suitable for teeth that are chipped or cracked, stained or discolored, misshapen, worn or slightly crowded. They're digitally designed to be ultra-thin (about as thin as a contact lens), so they can be applied seamlessly over your teeth to deliver a natural looking smile. This technique is best used with patients who have spacing in their smile and only minor tooth rotations. 

Lumineers are a popular veneer option because they are a "minimal preparation" or "no-preparation" procedure. Lumineers do not require the dentist to grind, cut or file down any tooth structure for proper placement. The veneers are adhesively bonded to the facial (front) surface of the teeth, making the process as much of a minimally invasive procedure as possible.

The Lumineers Two-Visit Process

After your initial consultation, your dentist will take an impression of your upper and lower teeth and send the mold to a laboratory along with photos and other records that ensure the very best results for you. Unlike traditional veneers, there is typically no need for extensive drilling, shots or acrylic temporaries.

On your next visit, generally a couple weeks later, your dentist will place your Lumineers. Before they're bonded in place, it's important to try them on to ensure a good fit. Teeth are then moderately etched (covered with a protective coating) to prepare for placement and then bonded one by one.

Ask about Lumineers at Dental Care of Westminster by calling us at 410-848-4000.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth, changing their color, shape, size or length.

What Type of Problems Do Porcelain Veneers Correct?

• Teeth that are discolored -- either because of root canal treatment, stains from particular drugs, excessive fluoride or the presence of large resin fillings that have discolored the tooth
• Teeth that are worn down
• Teeth that are chipped or broken
• Teeth that are misaligned, uneven or irregularly shaped
• Teeth with gaps between them 

Porcelain veneers are stronger and more durable than composite resin veneers and last 10 to 15 years, while composite resin veneers last between five and seven years. Porcelain veneers also resist stains better than resin veneers and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth. As you might assume, porcelain veneers cost significantly more than composite veneers. 

Talk to your dentist at Dental Care of Westminster about whether porcelain veneers are right for you. Call us at 410-848-4000.

Veneers

Dental veneers are thin shells of porcelain or composite resin that are custom made to fit over teeth, providing a natural, attractive look. They can be used to fix chipped, stained, misaligned, worn down, uneven or abnormally spaced teeth. They are custom made to the contour of your teeth and are bonded to the tooth's original enamel during a series of in-office procedures:

1. The dentist will clean the tooth and determine the correct shade for the veneer. 

2. An impression will be made for the laboratory and a temporary veneer will be placed on the tooth 

3. After the laboratory has delivered the veneer to your dentist, the temporary veneer is removed and the tooth is cleaned. The veneer is then etched (coated with a protective layer), rinsed thoroughly with water and air dried. The adhesive is placed on the preparation, and then the cement, and the veneer is placed for exact fit and contour.

4. The veneer is then light cured for 60 seconds on all surfaces of it to attach it to the tooth structure.

5. Your dentist will remove any excess material and polish the margins of the veneer.

Veneers are a less intrusive option than crowns or braces. But they're an irreversible treatment, so having them placed is a big decision. Call Dental Care of Westminster at 410-848-4000 for a consultation with our dentist to see if veneers are right for you.