Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry has skyrocketed in popularity over the past few decades. At Stephen L Ruchlin DDS, we specialize in several cosmetic services aimed at improving the appearance of your teeth and overall smile. From minor cosmetic changes to full-tooth restorations, we have got you covered!Teeth Whitening
One of the most common complaints we receive involves the brightness of our patients’ smiles. For this reason, we offer professional teeth whitening treatment. Teeth whitening is one of the most basic and cost-effective ways to improve your smile.
As we get older, our teeth pick up stains from certain foods, drinks, medications, and personal habits. These stains, also known as extrinsic stains, are easy to remove with a bleaching solution. However, many store-bought bleaching products leave people dissatisfied with the results. Because we are trained professionals, we use a bleaching agent with a much higher concentration than store-bought alternatives. Our whitening treatment could make your teeth up to eight shades brighter in just a single appointment!
Learn more about brightening your smile with teeth whitening.
Types of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are tooth covers, or caps, placed over damaged teeth to protect and hide them. Placement of dental crowns is a vital medical procedure as untreated decayed or damaged teeth can be painful, infectious, and contaminate other teeth as well as gums, the jaw, and tongue. By getting damaged teeth covered with dental crowns, patients can enjoy their mouth's aesthetic and functional restoration. They also hide the damaged teeth and prevent them from deteriorating further.
Learn more about the various types of dental crowns.
Porcelain Crowns
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that completely covers the visible portion of a damaged or decayed tooth. In previous years, a dental crown was fabricated using a gold or silver amalgam. These days, porcelain is usually the material of choice. Porcelain is a ceramic compound that mimics the light-reflective properties of natural enamel. It can also be textured and color-matched to your existing teeth. Thanks to porcelain and other ceramics, crowns can also be used to fix the aesthetics of an unsightly tooth.
Discover more of the benefits of porcelain crowns.
Placing Dental Crowns
The placement of dental crowns is a rather simple procedure. However, it does require preparing the mouth by cleaning and treating the affected tooth. Once the tooth is treated, the dentist prepares a dental crown to protect it from further damage and allow the patient to eat comfortably. The placement of dental crowns can take place in two steps in the old-school fashion or a single step using advanced technology. The two-step process requires the dentist to take an impression of the tooth that requires the dental crown to use a rubber-like material called polyvinyl siloxane. The crown is created using this impression. Any type of dental crown can be created using this approach.
Discover more about placing dental crowns.
Dental Veneers & Bonding
A dental veneer is a razor-thin shell that is bonded to the front surface of a tooth. Like our dental crowns, our veneers are typically made from porcelain. Veneers can be used to fix teeth that are severely discolored, worn down, chipped or broken, misaligned, uneven, irregularly shaped, or even gapped. During the procedure, we have to remove a small amount of enamel to accommodate the thickness of the veneer. For this reason, the veneer procedure is considered irreversible.
Patients looking for a less-invasive and more cost-effective solution may benefit from dental bonding. Dental bonding involves the application of composite resin, a putty-like material, to the surface of an aesthetically displeasing tooth. For example, dental bonding is an excellent solution for minor chips or cracks. During the procedure, the composite resin will be color-matched to the existing shade of your enamel, making it virtually indistinguishable from the rest of your tooth.
Read more about dental veneers and dental bonding.
Invisalign®
We offer Invisalign as a discrete alternative to traditional orthodontic treatments, such as braces. Aligner treatment involves a series of trays that gradually move your teeth to a more proper position. We often recommend clear aligners for adult patients who do not want their treatment to get in the way of their personal or professional life.
Discover how clear aligners can discretely move your teeth.
Smile Makeover
A smile makeover, as the name suggests, is the process of completely revamping the appearance of your smile. The types of procedures you receive depend on your situation. Like other treatment concepts, a smile makeover starts with a consultation appointment.
Read more about how we can makeover your smile.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you are unsatisfied with the current state of your smile, you may qualify for cosmetic dentistry! Call (585) 427-7820 to schedule your consultation now!