Vestavia Hills Dentist | Restoring Smiles with Veneers

About 1 in 4 adults in the United States feels embarrassed by the look of their smile. Our dental office is proud to offer porcelain dental veneers to new and existing patients. Dr. Cosgrove has the training and experience to provide porcelain veneers to patients who wish to restore a whiter, healthier, more even look to their smile.

 

Porcelain veneers are a cosmetic and restorative dental solution that are designed to mimic the look and feel of natural teeth. Veneers create an immediate improvement in the appearance of a smile. They are a minimally invasive treatment option and can be more cost-effective than many other cosmetic improvement options.

 

Patients  whose teeth are healthy, but are chipped, cracked, crooked, or mildly stained can benefit from veneers. Patients whose teeth are uneven or have gaps may also find veneers are a great solution for improving the look of their smile.

 

We offer custom-crafted porcelain veneers that are fitted precisely to cover the front surface of the tooth. Because porcelain is a semi-translucent material, the tooth continues to have a natural healthy appearance with the veneer in place. Veneers are chosen with care to match the natural teeth around them, to ensure optimal aesthetic results.

 

Once placed, porcelain veneers are a strong, stain-resistant, and long-lasting cosmetic dental solution. However, porcelain dental veneers need ongoing dental care, just like natural teeth. They should be brushed and flossed regularly and normal dental exam and cleaning schedules should be maintained. When cared for properly, veneers can last a lifetime.

 

There are some additional factors to consider before choosing veneers. First, it is common to experience some sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages for a few days following the placement of veneers. This is generally mild and unlikely to last more than about a week.

 

Second, while porcelain is a strong and durable material, it is recommended to avoid activity that will put great stress on the veneers, such as chewing excessively hard foods or using the teeth to attempt to open a nut or bottle. Finally, any patient who has issues with bruxism (grinding) should discuss this with our doctor before deciding whether to have dental veneers placed.

 

For more information or to schedule a consultation with our expert dentist, contact our office today. We’re here to give you a smile that you can show with pride.

Vestavia Hills Dentist | Can I Get a Whiter Smile at Home?

Teeth whitening is one of the most commonly requested treatments in our office each day. Nearly everyone we meet wants to have a brighter, whiter smile. There are many options available, both in our office and from the store that can help whiten your teeth. With any whitening option, not all teeth may show results, depending on the cause of their discoloration.

 

Before Starting, Talk to Us

Before choosing a whitening solution, it is important that we provide you with a comprehensive dental examination. Tooth discoloration can have several causes, so it is important that we assess your smile and determine that your teeth are healthy enough for whitening treatment. Only then will we be able to recommend the methods that lead to the most successful results for your needs. Staining and discoloration can be caused by smoking, coffee drinking, medications, decay, or oral diseases. The first step in whitening your smile is determining the cause of staining.

 

What Treatments are Available for Home Use?

One popular choice for whitening your smile at home is whitening strips. These are applied to your teeth for a period of time, then removed. Whitening strips generally contain peroxide that sticks to the surface of your teeth. Usually, they contain fewer bleaching chemicals than treatments our office can provide. Increased sensitivity can occur when whitening with strips, so it is important to monitor your discomfort. If your sensitivity becomes unmanageable, stop using the strips. It is often best to avoid brushing your teeth right before using whitening strips.

 

Another common option is to use a whitening toothpastes, which may include hydrogen-peroxide to bleach your teeth. Like whitening strips, you may find limited whitening results with these toothpastes. For more intense results, you may require more concentrated treatments available through our office.

 

Talk to Our Team for Whitening Solutions

Over-the-counter whitening products often contain fewer whitening substances than the solutions we have available in our office. They can, however, achieve noticeable results. Before starting any whitening treatment, make an appointment to see us. We can help you ensure your teeth are healthy enough for whitening.  Our experienced dental team will work with you to determine the best way to brighten your smile.

 

For more information on whitening your smile or to schedule your next examination, please contact our office.