Cosmetic Dentistry

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain is now the most popular restorative material used to make dental crowns. Porcelain looks beautiful and holds strong as time progresses. Once we add a porcelain crown to your tooth, it will blend in perfectly with the rest of the teeth in your mouth. If you would like to learn more about our porcelain crowns or have not been to the dentist in the past six months, give us a call at (510) 222-4178.

The porcelain crown process starts by numbing the tooth and nearby tissues with a local anesthetic. A dental lab fabricates the porcelain crown based on your mouth’s unique dimensions. This means the porcelain crown made for your teeth will be different from that made for your neighbor, co-worker, etc. Impressions of your mouth’s nuances are used to make a temporary crown worn until the permanent crown is made at the dental lab.

Our dentist uses a helpful shade guide to ensure your porcelain crown looks similar to the rest of your teeth. The dental crown serves to cover and protect the drilled portion of the tooth. The part of the tooth below the crown is reduced to ensure the restoration fits just right. The dentist will ensure the crown is the proper fit so bacteria does not move inward. A rubber dam is used during the crown application process to ensure the old filling, water and tooth components do not move into the rest of the mouth. Once your new crown is in place, you will agree it looks just like a normal tooth.

Composite (Tooth Color Filling)

Composite is a word used in dental circles to refer to a filling that is the same color of a tooth. If you suspect or know you have a cavity, reach out to us at (510) 222-4178 to schedule an appointment with our dentist. Our composite fillings look just like regular teeth, meaning no one will have any idea you are using a composite tooth filling when you part your lips to smile.

The addition of a composite filling can be completed in a single appointment. The dentist numbs the tooth, drills out the decay and inserts the composite filling in the area where the decayed portion of the tooth was located. The dentist then shapes and polishes the composite filling with highly specialized dental instruments. If necessary, the filling material will be strengthened and hardened with the use of a high-intensity light so it properly bonds with the tooth’s surface.

Composite fillings are perfect for cavities as well as chipped teeth, concealing the spaces in between teeth, broken teeth, cracked teeth and worn teeth. Though you might feel some sensitivity to the composite filling after it is first put in your mouth, this sensitivity will dissipate shortly thereafter. Once the restoration is in place, you will be ecstatic with the look of your composite filling as it blends in just right with the rest of your teeth.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is by far the most popular cosmetic dental treatment. If you dislike how your teeth look due to staining or yellowing, you can benefit from teeth whitening. From coffee drinking to sipping wine, eating dark-colored foods, smoking and the aging process, there are several reasons why teeth darken. The solution is to reach out to our practice at (510) 222-4178 to schedule an appointment for teeth whitening. Professional teeth whitening really will conceal ugly stains and discoloration on teeth. So don’t assume DIY teeth whitening kits from the store are the answer. These cheap products have the potential to leak the bleaching agent to your gums, adjacent teeth, tongue and even your cheeks.

Instead, put your faith in our dentist to whiten your teeth to perfection without the potential for bleaching your gums, tongue, etc. The dentist dries the mouth and applies retractors to prevent the whitening agent from moving to the rest of your mouth. Specially designed trays are used to ensure the whitening solution reaches the front of the teeth that are displayed when smiling, ultimately eliminating stains and discoloration. Once your teeth are whitened, you will have the confidence you need to smile widely in public settings, laugh, talk, yawn and do whatever else you please knowing your teeth look amazing.

Veneers

Dental veneers transform the look of a smile without ruining a patient’s finances. The placement of dental veneers starts with a consultation at Wong Family Dentistry. The dentist will discuss your oral health and beauty as well as your concerns and goals. If you are a solid candidate for dental veneers, the dentist will plan the veneer treatment in terms of the number of veneers necessary, the shape of the veneers, their width, their length and so on. The dentist will even help you select the veneer color that looks the best for your unique smile. The dentist will take dental impressions along with digital x-rays, setting the stage for your veneers to be fully customized for your mouth’s measurements and your specific needs. The outer part of the enamel is prepared, removing a very thin layer so tooth width in the area in question is slightly reduced. This way, the veneer will properly attach to the tooth and look like a regular tooth.

The dentist adds temporary veneers as interim restorations so your teeth do not feel too sensitive. A couple weeks later, the porcelain dental veneers will be added. The dentist removes the temporary veneers, adds a strong agent for bonding purposes and presses the restoration onto the tooth. The adhesive cures and the veneer will resemble an actual tooth. No one will know you are using veneers unless they are within a few inches of your teeth. Even then, onlookers might not have any idea you are using one or several dental veneers.