Kirkland patients ask, “What is included in cosmetic dental care?”

An individual’s smile is linked to self-confidence. It has an impact on relationships and can improve the chances of a good first impression. Cosmetic dental care is an option to enhance the smile and boost self-esteem. In Kirkland, WA, Dr. Ann Kelley and the team at Kingsgate Dental Clinic understand the importance of a healthy smile. Dr. Kelley offers comprehensive general and cosmetic dental services to protect the health and appearance of the smile.

What is cosmetic dental care?

Cosmetic dentistry creates positive changes or additions to your teeth or smile. The procedures may involve altering or improving the physical appearance of the teeth and/or gums. Depending on the patient’s unique needs and the procedures chosen, material may be added or removed from the teeth or gums or the color, size, or shape of the teeth may be changed. Although the main focus of cosmetic dental care is to enhance the smile’s appearance, the health and functionality may be improved also. Cosmetic dentistry should complement the overall general and overall health of the patient.

Cosmetic dental procedures can dramatically enhance an individual’s overall appearance. Even a minor treatment such as teeth whitening creates a significant change and boosts an individual’s confidence level. Cosmetic dentistry services often include color correction, tooth replacement, and tooth correction.

Cosmetic dental care procedures available

The reason to alter the smile is personal. Patients who have chipped, uneven, missing, or stained teeth may be self-conscious of their smiles. Cosmetic dentistry has increased in recent years. Patients want teeth that are brighter, straighter, and more even. Professional cosmetic procedures provide patients with ways to achieve their smile enhancement goals. Many of the procedures are an easy way to receive instant gratification and to dramatically improve the smile.

Dr. Kelley understands the importance of a stunning smile. Our cosmetic dental care services include the following:

• Tooth-colored fillings
• Teeth whitening
• Dental crowns and bridges

Foods, drinks, and lifestyle choices affect the teeth. Coffee, wine, tea, and tobacco can cause discoloration of the teeth. Teeth whitening is one of the most common cosmetic dental procedures. Professional whitening with a dentist is a safe way to dramatically brighten the smile. Whitening with a dentist ensures a more effective result. The teeth are cleaned and checked for problems that may interfere with the whitening process. This keeps the mouth healthy and improves the aesthetic results. Compared to over-the-counter products, professional teeth whitening also uses a higher quality whitening agent which allows patients to achieve brighter smiles in a shorter period of time.

Instead of amalgam fillings, tooth-colored fillings are used to restore cavities. Composite fillings are safe, durable options that are metal-free and mercury-free. The composite bonds to and blends in with the surrounding tooth for a natural, aesthetically-pleasing result. As a mercury-free office, amalgam fillings are not placed and old fillings can be safely removed when requested. Removed fillings are replaced with tooth-colored fillings for a safe, more natural appearance.

Dental restorations such as crowns and bridges repair and restore the teeth. They improve the overall function and aesthetic of the smile. Functionally, the bite is improved so chewing and speaking can occur naturally. The surrounding teeth remain in place and cannot shift which allows for better brushing and flossing. There are fewer hidden areas where bacteria can accumulate. Aesthetically, dental restorations produce a complete smile for a natural-looking result.

Crowns are essentially caps that are placed to restore and protect chipped, broken, or decayed teeth. They are also placed over dental implants. As a restorative or cosmetic dental procedure, porcelain or ceramic crowns restore the function and appearance of the tooth. The ceramic material is matched to the adjacent teeth in size, shape, and color for a natural result. Porcelain crowns ensure safety, durability, and aesthetic appeal.

Porcelain veneers are another option to correct the appearance of teeth. Veneers are ultra-thin porcelain shells that are bonded to the front of the teeth. They may cover misshapen, crooked, stained, gapped, or uneven teeth. Crowns can often be used to achieve the same result producing a more uniform smile.

If you are interested in cosmetic dental care, contact Dr. Ann Kelley and the staff at Kingsgate Dental Clinic in Kirkland, WA to schedule an appointment. Call (425) 385-0080.

Ann Kelley, DDS

Dr. Ann Kelley is a graduate of the Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska. She highly values the comfort of her patients, and places the needs of the patient above her convenience. Her dental clinic is built to bring the best and most comfortable dental experience to all her patients. She builds relationships with her patients based on trust and always acts to safeguard this trust.