Cosmetic Dentistry St. Louis
Cosmetic dentistry in St. Louis, MO, can transform your smile into one you have always dreamed of. Whether you have stained, chipped, cracked, or misshapen teeth, Dr. Thomas O’Connor is here to help.
Most people are good candidates for a cosmetic dentistry procedure at Smile Now STL. However, you may need to delay treatment if you have gum disease or extensive cavities to allow you to take care of those concerns first. Dr. O’Connor will let you know if you are ready to schedule a cosmetic procedure when you come in for your initial consultation.
Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry
Most patients who have undergone a cosmetic procedure agree that increased confidence is the greatest benefit they have enjoyed. You can probably relate to feeling too self-conscious to smile and show your teeth to others. Below are several additional benefits you can expect from cosmetic dentistry.
- Brighter and shinier teeth
- Disguise minor imperfections like chips, cracks, and gaps
- Symmetrical smile
- Uniform shape of your teeth
Keep in mind that you will need to maintain a consistent oral healthcare routine to ensure that your new cosmetic enhancements last as long as possible. You also need to commit to certain behaviors, such as avoiding dark-colored foods and drinks after you have undergone teeth whitening. You also need to avoid chewing on hard substances such as ice cubes when a veneer is placed or has undergone dental bonding.
Which Cosmetic Dentistry Procedure is Right for You?
You have several options when it comes to improving the appearance of your smile. Please read the descriptions below to determine your interest, and then reach out to Smile Now STL if you have additional questions.
Gum and tooth contouring
Having excess gum tissue can make your teeth appear small and give you the appearance of a gummy smile. Gum contouring is the process of removing the excess gum tissue to give you a more symmetrical smile, which means that your teeth and gums appear even.
Tooth contouring involves Dr. O’Connor removing a small portion of enamel from your tooth. Once he removes as much tooth enamel as possible while still leaving enough to protect your tooth, he reshapes the tooth to make it match the appearance of your other teeth.
Implants
Dental implants typically do not fall under the category of cosmetic dentistry in St. Louis, MO. However, implants can be both cosmetic and restorative when you have lost or damaged one or more teeth in an accident. Dental insurance companies will typically cover at least some of the cost of dental implants when you receive them for restorative reasons.
The process of receiving dental implants involves several steps. First, Dr. O’Connor makes a small cut in your gumline to enable him to implant a small screw that serves as your new tooth root. After waiting several weeks to a few months for your jaw to heal, you return to our office to have the artificial tooth attached to an abutment. Abutment refers to the piece that connects the artificial root and tooth.
Teeth whitening
Your teeth naturally lose their bright white color over time due to the process of aging. Lifestyle habits like smoking and drinking a lot of coffee can accelerate the process of your teeth losing their original shine. While that may seem discouraging, the good news is that professional teeth whitening can brighten the shade of your teeth by up to 10 times.
You have two options for teeth whitening. The first is an in-office treatment that lasts about 60 minutes. Dr. O’Connor pours carbamide peroxide into your customized mouth trays for your top and bottom rows of teeth. The substance penetrates to the deepest layers of your tooth enamel. After removing the trays and having you rinse your mouth, the last step is for Dr. O’Connor to use a curing light on your teeth to dry the carbamide peroxide and help bring out their natural shine.
You can also opt to brighten your teeth at home with a kit our office sends home. For the best results, you should plan to wear the two mouth trays and brightening liquid to bed for 14 consecutive nights. Regardless of which method you choose, the results last for several months before you need to consider repeating the procedure.
Schedule a Cosmetic Dentistry Consultation Today
Are you ready to learn more about what cosmetic dentistry in St. Louis, MO, can do for you? Please reach out to Smile Now STL to reserve a time for your initial consultation.
