Cosmetic Dentistry in Rochester - Smile with Confidence
Your smile can make or break a first impression. If you find yourself hiding your teeth or embarrassed by your smile, it’s time to consider cosmetic dentistry.
At East Avenue Dentistry, we’re proud to help our Rochester patients achieve a smile they love. Our skilled dentists combine experience and skill with an artistic eye to create a smile that is flattering to your features and lets your personality shine through.
Discover how it feels to enjoy your smile again! Schedule a cosmetic consultation today to get started.
Can Cosmetic Dentistry Fix My Smile?
Whether you have a minor cosmetic issue, such as staining, or a complex problem like misshapen teeth, it’s possible to enhance your smile through cosmetic dentistry. Our dental office is equipped with the service and skill to help you overcome:
- Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
- Worn or misshapen teeth
- Staining and discoloration
- Crooked or crowded teeth
- Gaps between teeth
Which Cosmetic Treatment Should I Get?
Choosing the right cosmetic treatment relies on multiple factors. During a consultation, the dentist will determine what your goals are for your smile, and what issue(s) you’re looking to correct. A thorough evaluation of your smile helps to determine which treatments are viable for you and will provide the best result.
We provide the following solutions at our Rochester office:
A Brighter Smile for Better Confidence
It’s normal for teeth to become stained over time, especially when frequently exposed to staining substances like coffee, soda, tomato sauce, or tobacco. If your discolored enamel makes you feel embarrassed or uncomfortable with your smile, professional teeth whitening can help you restore your natural color and make your smile fresh and beautiful.
Why Are My Teeth Yellow?
Tooth enamel is slightly porous, allowing certain substances to pass through and leave stains below the surface. Though the staining is subtle at first, over the years, it can build up to severely discolor your teeth. The most common staining substances are:
- Dark foods and drinks (coffee, black tea, red wine, dark berries)
- Acidic foods and drinks (soda, orange juice, tomato sauce, curry)
- Tobacco
In-office or Take-home Whitening: Which is Better for You?
We provide professional whitening both in our office and with custom take-home kits. Both options have advantages, so choosing between them is simply a matter of deciding which works best for you.
In-office Whitening
For powerful whitening, nothing can match the results of in-office whitening. We apply a professional-grade whitening gel that can eliminate years of staining, often in a single one-hour visit.
One of our experienced dental professionals is continuously on-hand to monitor your treatment and minimize sensitivity. You’ll be able to see on a color chart where your teeth rank before and after treatment, so you know just how effective your whitening treatment is.
Take-home Whitening Kits
These kits offer a potent yet safe brightening gel administered in custom-made whitening trays, which ensures your treatment is even across your entire smile. These take-home kits are highly beneficial for patients with tight or erratic schedules since you can whiten your teeth at home, in the office, or wherever it’s most convenient for you.
Take-home kits are also great to have for touch-ups after an in-office whitening, in case your smile starts to dull over time or you have an important event coming up.
How White Will My Teeth Get?
Whitening does not actually change the color of your teeth, but lifts set-in stains to reveal your original color underneath. Teeth are not naturally pure white but are a very pale shade of yellow or gray. Whitening restores a soft, natural color to your smile.
If you would prefer your smile to be a brilliant white, ask the dentist about other cosmetic options, such as veneers and Lumineers.
How Do I Keep My Teeth White After Whitening? 5 Simple Tips!
After a whitening session, you’ll want your results to last as long as possible. These five tips can help you protect your brilliant smile.
- Limit consumption of staining foods and drinks.
- Avoid smoking and tobacco use.
- Rinse your mouth after a meal.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Use a take-home kit for touch-ups.
Transforming Your Smile with Porcelain Veneers
When it comes to cosmetic enhancements, veneers are the master of versatility. These thin shells, usually made of porcelain, are affixed to the front surface of your most visible teeth and are designed to mimic the appearance of an ideal healthy tooth. Veneers can conceal a wide variety of cosmetic issues, and almost anyone can enjoy their benefits.
What Do Veneers Correct?
Our office provides veneers for patients looking to enhance or conceal:
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Worn teeth
- Teeth that are too small
- Gaps between teeth
- Minor misalignment
- Severe stains and discoloration
Are Veneers Bad for Your Teeth?
Veneers do not harm your teeth. When placed, a veneer becomes part of your teeth just as a filling or crown does.
To place a veneer, the dentist smooths out the front enamel so that the tooth does not look bulky, and to give the veneer a better bond with the enamel. The veneer is then cemented onto the tooth and now acts as the new front of your tooth.
Lumineers or Veneers: Which Should I Get?
Lumineers are the thinner, lighter cousins of veneers. Both veneers and Lumineers have their advantages, so it’s important to bear the qualities of both in mind as you make a decision.
When compared to veneers, Lumineers are thinner and weigh less. This has the benefit of needing little-to-no tooth preparation for placement, preserving your natural teeth. The drawback is that they are more fragile and may not last as long. Their thinness also means they may not be able to conceal discoloration as well as veneers.
Take the time to talk to the dentist about how either choice would impact your smile. Together, you can make the decision that will provide the greatest benefit to your smile.
5 Things to Ask the Dentist About Composite Fillings
If you need a filling because of cavities and tooth decay, or an old filling needs to be replaced, you’re likely wondering whether a composite (white) filling is the right choice for you. Composite fillings have become more and more popular in recent years.
These five questions can help you determine whether they’re a good choice for you.
- Where will the filling be located?
- How long do composite fillings last?
- How will a composite filling affect my smile?
- Does my insurance cover composite fillings?
- Can I replace my metal filling with composite?
How Does a Porcelain Crown Benefit My Smile?
Porcelain crowns are highly valued as a dental treatment because they provide both health and cosmetic benefits. When a tooth is cracked, broken, has severe decay, or has been worn down, a dental crown can preserve the tooth and protect it from extraction.
Porcelain crowns provide the same protection without disrupting the smile. The porcelain maintains a tooth-like luster, and the color is shade-matched to your surrounding teeth for a more natural look.
Should I Get Veneers or Crowns?
Both crowns and veneers can enhance your smile in a variety of ways. In many cases, their possible applications overlap, leaving you to decide between the two.
Veneers
Pros:
- Only require the front surface to be reshaped.
- Maintain the translucence of real teeth.
Cons:
- More fragile than crowns.
- Not typically covered by insurance.
Crowns
Pros:
- Protects teeth as well as enhances them.
- Long-lasting when properly cared for.
- More likely to be covered by insurance.
- Can be placed on any tooth.
Cons:
- Requires more significant reshaping of the tooth.
How Invisalign® Enhances Your Smile and Your Health
Did you know that a straighter smile is not only attractive but offers numerous health benefits? Straight teeth function better, last longer, and are easier to keep healthy. However, you may be reluctant to try braces because of their appearance or comfort issues.
If you have mild to moderate alignment issues, you may be a candidate for Invisalign, a clear alternative to braces. This orthodontic treatment can help to transform your smile without disrupting your daily life. Schedule a consultation to find out whether Invisalign is a good choice for you!
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign uses a series of custom-fitted trays designed to provide pressure to specifically targeted points of your smile. The gentle pressure gradually guides teeth into the desired position, resulting in a smile that’s straight, healthy, and beautiful.
What Are the Benefits of Invisalign?
For those who are good candidates, Invisalign offers multiple benefits over traditional braces. The clear trays fit snugly over your teeth, making them more comfortable in your mouth and taking much less time to get used to them. They’re also safer, especially for people who have active lifestyles or play contact sports.
Aesthetically, Invisalign preserves the look of your smile. Most people won’t be able to tell you’re wearing them without looking closely. They’re also removable, making them more convenient for eating and brushing.
Who Can Get Invisalign?
Invisalign is a great orthodontic choice for many people, but may not be for everyone. More complex cases, such as underbites, overbites, severe crowding, or teeth erupted in the wrong place, need more intensive treatment. Invisalign would not be recommended in these cases.
Invisalign also requires the discipline to wear the aligners at least 22 hours a day. For this reason, Invisalign is not recommended for children, although responsible teens may be considered candidates.
5 Habits to Dump When You’re Wearing Invisalign
- Smoking: On top of the many health issues, tobacco stains the clear aligners, making your teeth appear brown and stained.
- Biting Your Nails: Chewing on your nails isn’t great for your teeth or nails, but it gets even trickier when you’re wearing aligners.
- Frequent Snacking: You’re free to eat whenever you like with Invisalign, but since you have to brush your teeth every time you eat, many people cut down on their snacking habit.
- Clenching Your Teeth: Clenching your jaw when you’re stressed puts unhealthy pressure on your teeth – something you don’t want when you’re having orthodontic treatment.
- Using Your Teeth as Tools: Before you risk warping your aligners by opening a bag with your teeth, consider reaching for the scissors instead.
Your Perfect Smile Awaits
With so many cosmetic options, it’s easy to see why so many patients are thrilled with the smiles we create for them.
Put your smile in hands you can trust! Contact East Avenue Dentistry and schedule your consultation now.