Cosmetic Dentistry – Creating Beautiful & Natural Smiles in Tuscaloosa
The effects of a beautiful smile reach far beyond a pleasing appearance. Smiles impact one's confidence and self-esteem, and are an important part of how a person is perceived by others. Advances in technology, materials, and education have opened doors in the areas of smile design and enhancement, presenting opportunities that did not exist just 20 years ago. Cosmetic dentistry provides an avenue for everyone to have a brilliant smile.Porcelain Dental Veneers
Porcelain dental veneers are used to conceal flaws in the teeth, such as chips, cracks, discoloration, and misalignment, and misshaped teeth, dramatically transforming one’s smile in just two office visits.What Are Porcelain Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are thin sheets of porcelain that fit over the front surfaces of teeth to conceal visible flaws. Veneers are bonded to the tooth with strong, dental-grade cement, and they look and feel virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. Porcelain veneers are custom-made for each patient, ensuring that each new smile we create with veneers is unique.Placement of Porcelain Dental Veneers
Placing porcelain dental veneers typically takes two visits to our Tuscaloosa office: one to prepare the teeth for placement, and a second to place the veneers. The dentist begins each visit by administering a local anesthetic, which completely numbs the mouth. During the first visit, he shaves down a small portion of the tooth to accommodate the width of the veneers, takes a mold of the teeth and mouth to send to the laboratory that will custom-craft the veneers, and applies attractive temporary caps for the patient to wear until his or her veneers are complete. During the second visit, the dentist removes the caps and bonds the veneers to the teeth, assuring a proper fit. Finally, he buffs them to a shine, and the patient can leave with a dazzling new smile!Dental Bonding
If you have a tooth with a minor aesthetic flaw, dental bonding may be an excellent solution. Dental bonding is an attractive cosmetic dentistry treatment that conceals flaws in the teeth such as small chips, cracks, discoloration, and gaps between the teeth. Dental bonding is used to improve the overall appearance of the teeth.What Is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding involves the application of a tooth-colored composite plastic or resin material to the teeth. The bonding material is custom-blended to match the natural tooth, thereby providing a natural-looking result. Unlike porcelain dental veneers or dental crowns, dental bonding does not require reduction of the natural tooth; instead, the tooth is lightly scuffed in preparation for bonding).Benefits of Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a non-invasive, relatively inexpensive, and highly effective cosmetic treatment. The bonding process is usually quick – it typically requires less than an hour – and painless. Unlike veneers, the results of dental bonding are immediate.If you are looking for a simple solution for minor dental flaws, dental bonding may be ideal for you. Contact Fikes & Wagner Family to learn more about improving the appearance of your smile with dental bonding. We serve Tuscaloosa, Northport, and surrounding areas.