Cosmetic dentistry treatments for a smile that looks naturally beautiful
Chips, cracks, cavities, and other dental damage not only threaten the structural integrity of the teeth but can also mar the appearance of your smile. At Kersey Dental, our team in LaGrange serves Mountville, Hogansville, West Point, Greenville, and West-Central Georgia with dental fillings, crowns, and other restorations that are as natural and attractive as they are durable, strong, and compatible with surrounding tissues. Cosmetic dentistry also includes elective procedures such as teeth whitening, bonding, and veneers. These treatments are generally appropriate for patients with healthy teeth and gums who want to enhance their smiles.
So my filling won’t look dark or silver?
Correct! Our dentist, Dr. Douglas B. Kersey, Jr., only uses tooth-colored fillings to ensure the best aesthetic results. These fillings are made from a composite resin material that can be shade-matched to blend with the surrounding tooth. Composite resin is an attractive option for patients concerned about the silver-hued appearance of “traditional” metal fillings. They are also a welcome alternative for patients concerned about adverse reactions or other sensitivities to metals. Rest assured, our fillings are safe and look like real tooth structure!
What materials are used for dental crowns?
There are now stronger, more durable, and more natural-looking materials than ever for restoring weak, misshapen, and discolored teeth with crowns. Today’s dentists often use a variety of options, including ceramics like porcelain and zirconia, as well as gold or a combination of ceramic and metal. We strive to design crowns that are indistinguishable in feel and appearance from healthy, natural teeth. The materials mentioned here may be precisely shade-matched to look natural in your smile. Or, a strong metal substructure may be covered with a tooth-colored ceramic/porcelain to get the ideal cosmetic result.
How effective is teeth whitening?
Professional teeth whitening is worlds apart from most products you can buy online or in stores. Our prescription-strength whitening gels are formulated with the right active ingredients to break down stains into small fragments that are no longer visible. We can lighten your teeth by several shades with both in-office Philips Zoom Kor whitening and whitening trays.
For heavy staining, Dr. Kersey recommends jump-starting your whitening with a chairside treatment at our office. You can maintain those results with either trays customized to fit your mouth or ones that are prefabricated and disposable. Regardless of your treatment of choice, under the guidance of a qualified dentist, your teeth are in safe hands, and your experience will be comfortable.
What do you treat with dental bonding and veneers?
Bonding and veneers are used to correct cosmetic imperfections. These concerns include stubborn discoloration that does not respond to whitening treatment; visible wear and tear; chips; small cracks; minor gaps between teeth and alignment issues; and teeth that are too small, overly short, or unevenly shaped. While they are used to address many of the same issues, the treatments differ.
For starters, bonding uses composite resin. The resin may be applied directly to the teeth, where it is then expertly shaped by Dr. Kersey. Once this is done, Dr. Kersey hardens the resin with a special light to secure it to the tooth. Treatment can be completed in a single appointment and may not require enamel removal.
Veneers are made from stain-resistant porcelain. A dental lab makes these thin coverings. To ensure they fit properly on your tooth, we remove a small amount of enamel. After the veneers are made, they are secured to each tooth. While veneers are more expensive than bonding upfront, they are well-known for their natural appearance and can last for many years with good care.
There are many factors to consider when choosing treatments to enhance your smile at Kersey Dental. We look forward to discussing them with you! Call (706) 813-6754 to schedule your consultation at our LaGrange, GA office today.
