Cosmetic Dentistry
In Nampa, Idaho
Improving Your Smile
Teeth Whitening
At Middle Creek Dental, we understand how important it is to you to have a great looking smile that makes it easy to make amazing first impressions.
Over time teeth tend to become stained and faded in color and appearance. Enamel makes up the hard outer layer of your teeth and is what makes your teeth appear white. Over time the enamel on your teeth will wear down and become stained, this is where teeth whitening comes in. Whitening can breathe new life into your smile by bleaching impurities out of the enamel of your teeth.
We offer at-home whitening solutions to give you the ultimate level of control over your teeth. This system requires that you visit our office twice.
- During the first visit we will take an impression of your mouth so that we can build custom teeth whitening trays for you. These trays are made of clear plastic and are intended to hold the teeth whitening solution.
- At your second appointment, we will make sure that the trays fit your teeth and we will make adjustments to them as needed. We will send you home with special instructions that will detail the finer points of your whitening process.
You can either wear the trays twice a day or once every night. We will determine how long you will have to wear the trays based on how deeply stained your teeth are and how many shades you would like to whiten them by.
HOW LONG DOES PROFESSIONAL TEETH WHITENING LAST?
The length of professional teeth whitening results will depend on several factors. One of them is the method of teeth whitening. Bleaching agents applied at a dentist’s office will last for at least one year.
With good oral hygiene, the results could last as long as three years. Bleaching agents have different strengths, so the stronger agent has longer-lasting results and vice versa. However, strong bleaching agents might have significant side effects.
DOES WHITENING HAVE SIDE EFFECTS?
There are side effects to teeth whitening. The main one is that it can lead to gum irritation and burning as the bleaching agents are meant for teeth and not gums.
There are cases where teeth whitening leads to enamel erosion, affecting tooth strength and integrity. However, it is only seen when strong bleaching agents or powerful lasers are used.
Cosmetic Bonding
At Middle Creek Dental we offer dental bonding as a solution to meet certain cosmetic needs.
Our bonding process allows your teeth to look brand new.
We can use bonding to fix several different issues with your teeth, without pain, and without a lot of cost. Dental bonding is made of a combination of plastic and glass particles that we can apply to your teeth.
Bonding material comes in several different colors. That way, we can match the bonding agent to your teeth. The agent allows us to permanently cover any tooth imperfections so that your teeth will be whole again. Bonds can fix damage to your teeth that is several years old or new.
DENTAL BONDING PROCEDURE
Cosmetic Bonding is one of the easiest procedures we do in our dental practice.
- In order to install dental bonding to your tooth, we will first choose the color of bonding that will match your teeth.
- We will then lightly sand the surface of your tooth where the bonding is going to be placed. This is because a slightly rougher edge will better receive the bonding material and create a stronger adhesion.
- After your tooth is prepared, our team will place the bonding material on it.
- Our dental professional will shape it to the desired dimensions so that it seamlessly fits onto your tooth.
- It will then be polished to the proper color, so it matches the existing tooth.
- Once we shape the new tooth to look like the tooth you had in the past, we will shine a UV light onto the bonding agent to harden it. This is the final step for your dental bonding.
That is all it takes to make your tooth look like new. Once it is complete, you will be all set to resume your normal activity.
As there will not be any anesthesia required in most situations for your dental bonding procedure, you will be all set to return back to the office or to any activity once you leave your appointment.
Are there Risks or Side Effects?
There are no known risks that are associated with the bonding process and the materials that are used for it.
You should be made aware, however, that dental bonding is not as durable as your natural teeth are.
The bonding material can potentially crack, chip, or even break if you sustain an injury to the tooth, or if you bite down on something too hard. Be sure to avoid crunching on hard items such as ice, hard candies, and pencils and chewing your nails.
On average, you can expect a dental bonding to last approximately three years or so. Our professionals may recommend a stronger treatment option if you damage your bonding frequently.
Cosmetic Crowns & Bridges
Dental crowns and bridges are great ways to replace lost or damaged teeth without anyone being able to tell! These dental appliances are made to look just like your natural teeth and can last for many years, even decades. Bridges and crowns are a great way to ensure your remaining teeth stay healthy.
Crowns are dental restorations that are made to sit on the top of a damaged tooth, to protect it from further damage. They allow you to eat and speak as you did with your natural, healthy teeth. Crowns can be made out of a variety of different materials, depending on the tooth that is being restored.
A dental bridge literally “bridges” the gap created by a missing tooth. Your surrounding teeth, also known as abutment teeth, are capped with dental crowns and serve as support structures for the prosthetic tooth. In other words, the dental crowns are linked together by the prosthetic tooth.
Veneers
At Middle Creek Dental, we have skillful personnel who have been transforming many smiles using dental veneers for many years.
A veneer refers to thin, tooth-colored shells attached to the front surface of the teeth to help improve their appearance.
They are made from resin-composite or porcelain materials and are bonded to the teeth permanently The procedure is minimally invasive and often seen as a conservative alternative to dental crowns for your anterior (front) teeth.
You will find many advantages in choosing dental veneers over other restorations. Porcelain is a stain resistant material that can be shaded to match existing teeth, or even brighter to whiten your smile. Porcelain veneers do not only provide a natural appearance, but it is also well accepted by your gum tissue, the minimizing risk of infection. Like most restorations, veneers eventually need to be replaced, but they last between 10 and 15 years.
Unlike dental crowns, veneers do not require a significant reshaping of your teeth, reducing procedure time and discomfort. Veneers are fabricated to match each smile, making it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between your natural tooth and the veneer.
THE PROCEDURE FOR VENEERS
To receive veneers, you will need to complete two office visits.
- During the first visit, Dr. Shaun Christensen will examine your teeth and make sure that veneers are a viable option.
- Once we have determined that veneers be right for you, we will prepare the teeth. This requires a lightly buffing and reshaping of the surface, to allow space for the veneer. We will take an impression of each tooth, and determine a shade with you, to best suit your needs.
- Afterward, we send the impressions to the lab, where they will fabricate your new veneers. This usually takes about 2 to 4 weeks.
- During the second visit, we will treat each tooth with a special liquid to help ensure proper bonding. We will then make sure each veneer fits securely before we apply the cementing agent.
- Once the veneers and cement are in place, we will use a specialized light to activate the chemicals in the cement. This will help harden the cement and bond the veneer quickly.
After the process is complete, you will receive care instructions, and be asked to return for a follow-up visit to make sure that your gum tissue has accepted the veneers.
Call us to schedule an appointment or no-obligation consultation today!
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