Cosmetic Dentistry

Tooth Colored Fillings

Also called a “white” filling, these dental restorations are composite resins containing a mixture of acrylic plastics and quartz fillers. These restorations differ from amalgam (silver or mercury) fillings in that they are held in place by a bonded resin rather than mechanical retention. These materials have evolved to the point that they will last as long and are as durable as sliver fillings.

Tooth Whitening

As we age our teeth become darker due to changes in the mineral structure of the enamel. Teeth can also become stained due to pigmentation from bacteria, foods we eat and the use of tobacco and coffee. There are several methods for bleaching teeth. The most common is “take home” bleaching where an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide gel is placed in a custom tray and placed over the teeth for a period of time.

Bleaching usually lasts for a few months before more needs to be applied. This depends on your life style; the foods you eat and weather you smoke or not. While bleaching can yield wonderful esthetic results for patients, there are some risks; increased tooth sensitivity and uneven results.

Veneers

This is a thin layer of restorative material (such as porcelain or composite) that is placed over a tooth to improve esthetics, usually on the front teeth. These restorations are bonded to the tooth with a resin-based cement.

Because they are so thin, they do not protect a tooth like a crown and are indicated in very specific cases.

Please talk with dentist in Portland Dr. Beck to see if veneers would be the right restorative choice for you.