Cosmetic Dentistry FAQ

FAQ: Cosmetic Dental Procedures

If you live in Phoenix, AZ or the surrounding areas and have been looking for comprehensive and cost-effective cosmetic dentistry solutions, Matthew J Cavendish, DDS, PLLC is the dentist to call! Since 2007 we have been the areas first and best choice for reliable dental services. With a seasoned team and state-of-the-art technology, we have the cosmetic solutions to completely transform the smiles of our patients. Keep reading to learn the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions regarding our cosmetic dentistry services.

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is referred to dental solutions that works to improve the appearance of a patient’s teeth, gums, or bite. There are a wide range of cosmetic dentistry solutions, which all work together to enhance a person’s smile whether it’s through the improvement of color, shape, position, size, or alignment.

What Are Some Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry solutions work to not only enhance the appearance of a person’s smile, but it also has been seen to significantly enhance that person’s overall confidence. But cosmetic solutions aren’t just great for beautifying our patient’s smiles, they can also be used to restore proper function of the teeth as a way to safeguard a person’s oral and overall health.

What is The Most Common Cosmetic Dentistry Service?

Teeth whitening is by far the most common cosmetic procedure we perform here at our Phoenix, AZ dental office. This cosmetic dentistry solution is such a popular choice among patients because it is considered a low-cost and minimally-invasive way to improve overall smile aesthetics. At the office of Matthew J Cavendish, DDS, PLLC, we offer laser whitening in just one appointment or ZoomNiteWhite take-home trays for patients wanting to brighten their smiles.

Who is A Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

Ideal candidates for our teeth whitening solutions include the following:

• Tea, coffee, and wine drinkers
• Tobacco users
• Those with discolored or stained teeth
• Those who wish for a brighter smile

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?

Our teeth whitening solutions can last anywhere from two months to ten years, depending on your personal habits. You have a better chance at keeping your pearly whites longer if you avoid drinks and foods that can cause discoloring.

Will Teeth Whitening Effect My Fillings, Veneers, or Crowns?

Teeth whitening has little to no effect on porcelain and other restorative materials. With that being said, there are some cases and techniques where teeth whitening can temporarily reduce the bond strength between composite restorations and enamel, which is why it’s always best consult with Dr. Cavendish before beginning teeth whitening treatments.

What Are Dental Crowns?

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that can be placed over a tooth that has been cracked, chipped tooth, or discolored, to improve the shape, size, strength, and overall function. The crown is cemented in place to completely cover the damaged tooth long-term.

Why May Someone Need a Dental Crown?

The most common reasons out patients require dental crown solutions include the following:

• To cover a dental implant
• To hold a dental bridge in place
• To cover a discolored or misshapen tooth
• To support a tooth with a large filling
• To restore strength to a worn down or broken tooth
• To protect a weak tooth from decay
• To hold together a broken or cracked tooth

What Are the Types of Dental Crowns?

The four different types of dental crowns include:

• Ceramic – Ceramic dental crowns are made of a porcelain-based material and used for restoring front teeth and are popular for their ability to blend with the natural color of a patients’ teeth.
• Porcelain-Fused to Metal – This crown-type provides an extremely durable bond since it is connected to a metal structure.
• Gold Alloys – Gold alloy dental crowns are a mix of gold, copper, and other metals to provide a strong bond to the tooth that won’t fracture or wear away the tooth itself.
• Base Metal Alloys – Made up of non-noble metals that are highly resistant to corrosion, this type of dental crown is ideal for its strength and often used on the back molars.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Typically Last?

Generally speaking, dental crowns can last anywhere from five to 15 years depending on how well they are taken care of. Proper oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups, the food and drink patients eat, as well as habits like grinding or nail biting all play a significant role in the lifespan of your dental crown.

What Are Dental Bridges?

When you have a missing tooth, one of the restorative options we offer here at the office of Matthew J Cavendish, DDS, PLLC is to close – or bridge – the gap. A dental bridge is a false tooth that’s held in place by “abutment” teeth on either side of the missing tooth.

What Are the Different Types of Dental Bridges?

There are four main types of dental bridges to choose from. These include the following:

• Traditional Dental Bridge – A traditional dental bridge is described as a false tooth (or teeth) that is held in place by dental crowns that have been cemented to each of the abutment teeth. This is the most popular type of dental bridge and is used when you have natural teeth on either side of your gap.
• Cantilever Dental Bridge – This dental bridge type is held in place b a dental crown that’s cemented to only one abutment tooth. With a cantilever bridge, you only need one natural tooth next to the missing tooth gap.
• Maryland Dental Bridge – Maryland dental bridges use two natural abutment teeth, one on each side of the gap. This bridge-type utilize a framework of porcelain or metal that’s bonded to the back of the abutment teeth.
• Implant-Supported Dental Bridge – As you may have guessed, implant-supported bridges utilize dental implants to stay in place. This is considered the strongest bridge-type and will require a surgery to implant the implants to the jawbone, as well as a second surgery to place the bridge.

Who Is a Candidate for Dental Bridges?

Dr. Cavendish may recommend a dental bridge as a restorative if you want to address the following:

• Enhancement of your smile
• Restore bite and ability to properly chew
• Improve pronunciation and overall speech
• Maintain the shape of your face
• Prevent remaining teeth shifting

What is Proper Dental Bridges Care?

To take care of your dental bridge, you will need to be on top of your dental hygiene, brushing and flossing as you normally would, paying extra special attention to cleaning around your bridge. This added flossing and brushing around your dental bridge will ensure no plaque has a chance to build-up. It’s also crucial that you keep coming back to our office for checkups, so Dr. Cavendish can make sure your dental bridge is in good condition.

What Orthodontic Options Do You Offer?

We are proud to offer two types of invisible braces, so you can straighten your teeth efficiently and subtly. Rather than offering our patients orthodontic treatments that involve a mouth full of metal, we offer the following:

• Spark clear aligners – This teeth-straightening method uses advanced printing technology to create patient’s clear, removable, and custom-made aligners. Over time, clear aligners work to correct the positioning of the teeth in a minimally-invasive way.

What Are the Benefits of Clear Braces?

Some of the reasons we stand firmly behind clear braces include the following:

• They don’t have metal brackets or wires
• They are suitable for all ages
• These aligners are “invisible, making them very discrete
• The aligners are made from smooth plastic, making them much more comfortable than traditional options
• Clear aligners gradually shift your smile into its proper alignment just as well as other braces-types
• They do not require as many follow-up dental visits
• They fit so snugly to the teeth, your speech won’t be affected
• They are removable for effective oral hygiene, reducing the risk of cavities often associated with metal braces.

Are Clear Braces Effective at Fixing Crooked Teeth?

Yes! Our clear braces options are just as effective at shifting and correcting your smile as traditional braces. When you have crooked teeth due to overcrowding or another reason, clear aligners can gradually shift your teeth into their proper place.