Cosmetic Dentistry | Dentists University Place

From subtle changes to major repairs, your University Place dentist at Light Dental Studios of University Place can perform a variety of procedures to improve your smile. There are many techniques and options to treat teeth that are discolored, chipped, misshapen or missing.

Your dentist can reshape your teeth, close spaces, restore worn or short teeth or alter the length of your teeth. Common procedures include bleaching, bonding, crowns, veneers and reshaping and contouring. These improvements are not always just cosmetic. Many of these treatments can improve oral problems, such as your bite.

Bleaching

Bleaching is a common and popular chemical process used to whiten teeth. Some people get their teeth bleached to make stains disappear, while other just want a whiter shade.

Discoloration occurs in the enamel and can be caused by medication, coffee, tea and cigarettes. Discoloration also can be hereditary or due simply to getting older.

At Light Dental Studios of University Place, our experienced University Place dental team offers our own proprietary brand take home whitening kit made with pharmaceutical grade bleach that is made right here in the USA. Ask how to get free refills on your bleach by joining our free Whitening for Life program.

Bleaching can also be performed by your dentist in the office or with custom made trays for you to do at home. Typically, whitening at home takes two to four weeks, depending on the desired shade you wish to achieve. Whitening in the office may call for one or more 45-minute to one-hour visits to your dentist's office.

Bleaching can be performed by your dentist in the office or, under dental supervision, at home. Many patients enjoy bleaching at home because it is more convenient. Treatment begins when your dentist creates a custom mouthpiece to ensure the correct amount of whitening solution is used and that your teeth are properly exposed. Typically, whitening at home takes two to four weeks, depending on the desired shade you wish to achieve. Whitening in the office may call for one or more 45-minute to one-hour visits to your dentist's office.

Bonding

Bonding is tooth-colored material used to fill in gaps or change the color of teeth. Requiring a single office visit, bonding lasts several years. Bonding is more susceptible to staining or chipping than other forms of restoration. When teeth are chipped or slightly decayed, bonded composite resins may be the material of choice. Bonding also is used as a tooth-colored filling for small cavities. Additionally, it can be used to close spaces between teeth or cover the entire outside surface of a tooth to change its color and shape.

Crowns

Crowns, also known as caps, cover a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and appearance. As a more invasive technique, crowns are only done with teeth are compromised or other functional factors require additional strength and stability. Crowns have the longest life expectancy of all cosmetic restorations and great color stability.

Veneers

Veneers are thin pieces of custom made porcelain fabricated in a lab and placed over the front teeth to change the color or shape of your teeth. Veneers are used on teeth with uneven surfaces or are chipped, discolored, oddly shaped, unevenly spaced or crooked. Veneers are used to treat some of the same problems as bonding.

Porcelain veneers require more than one visit because they are fabricated in a laboratory. Veneers have a longer life expectancy and color stability than bonding.

Orthodontics and Clear Braces

Straightening your teeth may be a great way to get the natural and beautiful smile that you desire. It often takes longer than other cosmetic procedures, but it requires no drilling on the teeth. At Light Dental Studios we offer both traditional braces with metal or clear brackets as well as clear aligners like Invisalign® and ClearCorrect®.

If you are looking for a beautiful, healthy smile, Please contact our University Place dental office today!