BEAUTIFUL SMILES AND TEETH ARE OBSERVED FIRST

BELLEVUE DENTIST SAYS BEAUTIFUL SMILES ARE IMPORTANT

A BEAUTIFUL SMILE AND YOUR TEETH ARE NOTICED IMMEDIATELY WHEN YOU MEET NEW PEOPLE!

THIS BEAUTIFUL SMILE IS NOTICED IMMEDIATELY. This Patient of Dr Cindy Pauley has had an already attractive smile enhanced by cosmetic dentistry procedures.

BEAUTIFUL SMILES NOTICED FIRST

Beautiful Teeth and a Radiant Smile are usually among the first things noticed when you meet a new person. However, there is a difference between what men observed first and what women view initially about a person. Also, it depends on whether women or men are being observed and whether or not they are being observed by the same sex or the opposite sex. Men and women have different perceptions of the face, head, teeth, and smile along with the body and they perceive the same and opposite sexes differently. According to a recent study by the Baluke Dental Studios and published in Gallery Dental Smile Designs by Patient News Publishing 2009, teeth and smiles may be viewed and perceived somewhat differently by men and women. However, there is no doubt that these are very important in terms of how a first impression is made. This is the most recent information available regarding how teeth and smiles are perceived by people. From this information you can draw your own conclusions as to how important you think these things are upon initial contact with new people.

Smiles and Teeth for Women were very important when encountering a new person and they were the second items noticed by men. Somewhat surprisingly it was the eyes of women that were noticed first by men according to the Dental Studios Survey. The eyes and smile accounted for 64% of women’s features that are initially noticed by men. Those things noticed next by men about women were the body, clothing, hair and lastly a variety of other things combined. The percentages of what men noticed first about women according to the Dental Studios Study are indicated below:

THINGS NOTICED FIRST ABOUT WOMEN

• EYES – 39%
• SMILE – 25%
• BODY – 14%
• CLOTHING – 12%
• HAIR – 3%
• OTHER – 7%

MEN have their Teeth and Smile noticed first by women according to the survey. Among women surveyed, 40% noticed a man’s smile first. Eyes were the second things about men that were noticed by women. Together, the eyes and teeth accounted for 75% of the features that women notice first about men. These first two things were followed in order by the clothing, hair and body (these two were tied) and followed by other things combined. The percentages of what women noticed first about men in the Dental Studios Survey are indicated below:

THINGS NOTICED FIRST ABOUT MEN

• SMILE – 40%
• EYES – 35%
• CLOTHING – 11%
• BODY – 4%
• HAIR – 4%
• OTHER – 7%

It was not surprising that a person’s teeth and smile ranked so high in the survey with both women and men. It is certainly one of the first things that people see when they encounter a new person or acquaintance. I think most people quickly notice a beautiful or handsome smile and also they notice a very poor smile. A poor smile is greatly accented if there are missing, cracked, broken, crooked or discolored teeth. A very poor smile can imply many things to a new person at an initial meeting, most of which are not good. On the other hand, if you have an unsatisfactory smile or teeth that are not in optimal condition, you should visit your Bellevue Cosmetic Dentist, because there are many modern dental techniques such as porcelain veneers and crowns can be used to create a smile that is very attractive. In the case of missing teeth, porcelain crowns placed on dental implants are a perfect solution to an attractive smile. Individual teeth that are crooked do not need full orthodontia and can be part of a beautiful smile using limited cosmetic tooth movement of the individual tooth or teeth that are not straight. Cracked and broken teeth can be repaired with dental bonding and composite tooth-colored fillings. Front teeth often have unattractive spaces between the called diastemas, which can be altered with either porcelain veneers or tooth-colored composite fillings. Often, an ordinary smile can be made beautiful simply by having your teeth bleached by your cosmetic dentist. In the case of a “gummy” smile, simple gum surgery with a laser can be accomplished with wonderful results and almost no pain even without anesthesia. At Brookside Dental in Bellevue, WA, we are dedicated to giving people beautiful and handsome smiles that are durable as well as attractive. Dr Cynthia Pauley and Dr Patricia Pauley provide excellent high quality family and cosmetic dental services in the Bellevue, WA, and Seattle, WA, metropolitan areas.

BELLEVUE DENTIST EXTREME MAKEOVER SMILES

BELLEVUE COSMETIC DENTIST ACTUAL PATIENT

Bellevue Dentist Extreme Makeovers

Bellevue Cosmetic Dentistry is an excellent way to create an Extreme Makeover Smile. Changing and improving your smile is one of the easiest methods to improve your overall appearance. A great smile not only looks great but also makes you feel more confident. Cosmetic Dentistry may be able to Help You at Work and in Your Personal Life. A recent study by the Baluke Dental Studios and published in Gallery Dental Smile Designs by Patient News Publishing 2009, indicates how a smile is perceived by people. The study states that Teeth and a Beautiful Smile are among the first things noticed by a stranger. However, it depends on whether women or men are being observed. Additionally, men and women perceive the face and head differently. WOMEN have their eyes noticed first by men according to the survey. The Smile and Teeth are the second things about women that were noticed by men. MEN have their Teeth and Smile noticed first by women according to the survey, while the eyes of men were the second thing noticed by women. One thing is certain, Bellevue Cosmetic Dentistry creates smiles that work for men the same as beautiful new smiles work for women.

Look into a mirror and observe your smile. When you consider cosmetic dentistry to alter and improve your smile, it is important to look at your bite and your gums, as well as your teeth. Cosmetic dentistry can improve and maintain your bite in a correct manner. Your gums should be healthy and adequately frame your teeth in a symmetrical fashion. Finally, observe what you don’t like about your teeth and think what you would like to have changed. Do you have fillings that show? Are your teeth discolored from coffee, tea, red wine or smoking? Are your teeth poorly shaped or broken? Are there large spaces, chips, or cracks?

Bellevue Dentist Extreme Makeover Options

Bellevue Extreme Makeover Dentists may adjust your bite and sculpt your gums, as well as change your teeth in some fashion to improve the overall look of your smile and the function of your teeth and gums. Gum reshaping with a laser can help to reframe your teeth and make your smile more symmetrical. Chips and cracks can be erased with tooth-colored fillings and by reshaping the teeth. Cosmetic dentistry may use tooth bonding to restore the shape and size of your teeth. Stained teeth can be bleached and whitened easily, which will give your teeth a beautiful and refreshed pearly white appearance.

There are several full-mouth reconstruction options that are available to create a beautiful new smile. The least costly and quickest procedures may be used to target specific problems such as a decayed tooth or a general discoloration of the teeth. Discuss with your Bellevue Dentist what alternatives and procedures are available and determine what kind of smile you wish to have.

Cosmetic dentistry technology, such as digital cameras and computer imaging can demonstrate to you visually the effect of any of the procedures that you and your Bellevue Cosmetic Dentist are considering to use in the alteration of your smile. A picture of your existing smile can be taken and placed on a computer monitor for use with a program that can simulate different cosmetic procedures and the probable outcome of an alteration of your smile. Using the computer in such a way, allows you to assist your Bellevue Cosmetic Dentist in the design your smile and to get an idea of the outcome of various cosmetic dentistry procedures. Additionally, your well-trained Cosmetic Dentist will be able to show you many portraits and photographs of before and after cosmetic dental work that are associated with extreme makeover smiles done at Brookside Dental, Bellevue, WA, and Dayton Dental, Edmonds, WA.

Bellevue Dentist Extreme Makeover Procedures

Bellevue Extreme Makeover Dentists at Brookside Dental offer several procedures that can improve the quality and look of your smile.

TOOTH WHITENING - Many people considering cosmetic dentistry have stained or discolored teeth. The simplest and least expensive way to brighten the color of your teeth is with Tooth Whitening or Tooth Bleaching, which can be done either at home or in a dentist office. When done properly, teeth whitening can last for up to five years if the patient avoids tooth staining items such as coffee, tea, smoking and red wine. However, touch-ups can restore the whiteness to teeth and is recommended as a periodic treatment for anyone that bleaches their teeth.

TOOTH BONDING - Common wear and tear cause teeth to have chips, breaks and cracks. Cosmetic dentistry tooth bonding can easily fix these common problems and enhance your smile. Additionally, teeth repaired in this fashion will stay healthy for a long time. Tooth bonding is a procedure in cosmetic dentistry that is used to fix chips, cracks, and small breaks or to fill gaps. It is achieved by applying a white-colored plastic material to the outside of the teeth, which is light cured to harden. As technology has advanced, there are now more options than simple bonding.

PORCELAIN VENEERS – When a large number of teeth need to be fixed or altered, one of the more popular procedures is to have porcelain veneers placed on your teeth to achieve an almost perfect smile makeover. A thin porcelain shell is attached to both the front and the biting surfaces of the teeth after they have been etched and prepared for the veneers. Unlike conventional bonding there is very little chance of discoloration. Porcelain veneers are highly resistant to coffee, tea, and cigarette stains. Porcelain veneers can be used to replace badly stained teeth, as well as teeth that are chipped or have other small imperfections. Crooked and twisted teeth also can be fixed with veneers. Porcelain veneers are easy to maintain with brushing and flossing everyday just as your regular teeth would be maintained.

PORCELAIN CROWNS – When a large amount of a tooth is decayed, broken off, or cracked, porcelain crowns can be used to cover the remainder of the tooth. Unlike veneers, a crown covers the entire tooth. Porcelain or Ceramic crowns are the preferred choice for an extreme smile makeover when there is a large amount of structural damage to your teeth. They also can be used to cover twisted or crooked teeth. Porcelain crowns are also used to cover any tooth after it has had a root canal performed to prevent loss of that tooth. In some cases a full crown is not required, in which case a ¾ crown can be used. The ultimate goal always should be to save as much of the natural tooth as possible. For posterior teeth, crowns made of porcelain attached to a precious metal base can also be used. These crowns can be structurally more stable in some situations than an all porcelain crown. Crowns are made of porcelain, ceramic or porcelain fused to metal, and in some cases all gold for posterior teeth. Crowns can also be used in tandem, called a bridge, to fill gaps where teeth are missing due to decay and extraction. Another cosmetic method of filling gaps is with a titanium dental implant that is anchored into the jawbone. The implant is designed to support an all porcelain crown specially made to fit that particular dental implant. The problem of missing teeth is easily solved with dental implants and is the preferred method of choice to accomplish this. The implant is extremely permanent and stable. Dental implants have a 95% success rate.

PORCELAIN ONLAYS AND INLAYS – Two other procedures can be used for cosmetic smile makeovers. These two are onlays and inlays, which have the drawbacks of being expensive and often not covered by dental insurance plans. Onlays and Inlays can be an option for cosmetic restoration of teeth. At Brookside Dental, we rarely use either of these techniques, because we feel bonded fillings and porcelain crowns are better alternatives. An Onlay covers all points over a tooth, while an Inlay is similar to a filling. Both the Onlay and Inlay are preformed from a composite resin which is tooth colored. They are design to fit over or into a specific area of the tooth in same manner in which a crown or ¾ crown is designed to do. The resin structurally reinforces the tooth ensuring your smile lasts for a long time.

Dr Cynthia Pauley DDS and Dr Patricia Pauley DDS provide Family Dentistry including services for children as well as cosmetic dentistry, which includes extreme makeover smiles. They provide quality dentistry to the areas of Bellevue, Seattle, and Kirkland, WA.

Bellevue Smile Makeover
www.brooksidedental.com | Phone 425.643.2818 | Fax 425.746.8041





© copyright 2009 - 2019, Dr Pauley all rights reserved – Brookside Dental

Creating Beautiful Smiles - Keeping Smiles Beautiful

DENTAL IMPLANTS HELP BELLEVUE DENTIST CREATE BEAUTIFUL SMILES

DENTAL IMPLANTS CREATE A BEAUTIFUL SMILE
BELLEVUE COSMETIC DENTISTS CREATE BEAUTIFUL SMILES

Dental Implants are changing how Bellevue Dentists are able to create beautiful new smiles for people. Dental bridges used to be the standard restorative dental treatment when a tooth or two was missing and they are still used in many instances. However, with dental implants, people are discovering they are more comfortable and natural feeling than bridges in many cases. Amazingly, dental implants can be used in large numbers and throughout the mouth often replacing the need for dentures or partial dentures. Dental Implants are giving people the confidence to eat, speak, laugh and enjoy life. Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth. A person with implants regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that their teeth and smile appear natural and that their facial contours have been preserved.

Dental implants are an option to create new smiles for people with missing teeth, which can be put in place by your Bellevue Cosmetic Dentist. Several different options are available in modern dentistry to patients with teeth that are missing. Dental implants can be used to replace either a single tooth or multiple teeth. The dental implant actually acts as an anchor to hold either a crown for single tooth replacement or a bridge for replacement of multiple teeth. The dental implants take the place of the roots that have been lost by the tooth or teeth. The implants are metallic titanium screws that are surgically imbedded into the jawbone where teeth are missing and can be placed in either the upper or lower jawbone, depending upon which tooth or teeth are missing. The bone grows around and bonds with the titanium screw to create a strong foundation for artificial teeth. Your cosmetic dentist will permanently attach special porcelain crowns to the dental implants after they are anchored securely into the bone of the jaw. Implants preserve more natural tooth structure than classical dental bridges that are physically attached onto adjacent healthy teeth that have been prepared to act as abutment anchors for the bridge by removing a considerable amount of the healthy tooth on each side of the dental bridge. In addition to restoring a natural appearance in the mouth, dental implants can help preserve facial structure, preventing bone deterioration and gum recession, which typically occur when teeth are missing.

Teeth may be lost from a variety of conditions or situations, such as tooth decay, trauma, injury, or gum disease. Regardless of the reason for the tooth loss, dental implants are very aesthetic and often feel and function much more like natural teeth than other type of tooth replacement such as traditional dentures or bridges. The dental implants help prevent bone loss and gum recession which may be seen when traditional bridges or dentures are used that do not have any anchoring support in the jawbone. If someone is missing a large number of teeth, multiple implants can be used to support either a partial denture or a full denture. In implant supported dentures, the integrity and shape of underlying jawbones are better preserved. There is a very high satisfaction rate among patients that receive dental implants. Some general dentists, such as Dr Brian Cave, have specialized training with dental implants. However, specialists such as an oral surgeon or a periodontist frequently are used for implant placement. Your Bellevue Dentist may work very closely with either an oral surgeon or a periodontist to insure that your implants and associated crowns and bridges are the best and most natural fit and function available to the patient. With proper materials, procedures, and patient care, dental implants should last your entire life.

BENEFITS OF DENTAL IMPLANTS

• Beautiful Smiles give an improved appearance, which is the most obvious advantage of using dental implants to help your smile look more natural and more youthful.
• Comfortable Teeth because the implants are part of your jawbone after attachment is complete and there is not any discomfort such as that associated with removable partials or removable full dentures.
• Natural Tooth Preservation because implants do not require that the crowns on them need to be physically anchored onto adjacent healthy teeth as three or four unit bridges do.
• Cost Effective due to the fact that adjacent healthy teeth do not need to be cut, prepared and restored as is done with three or four unit bridges.
• Long-lasting Beauty because dental implants are very durable and should last for many years with the same oral care as that of natural teeth and other dental restorations.
• Improved Oral Health because individual dental implants allow very easy access between the natural teeth and the implant supported crowns.
• Speech Improvement occurs because the implants do not slip as occurs during speech with improperly fitted removable full dentures.
• Eating Improvement occurs because sliding or moving dentures make it difficult to chew properly and you can eat all of your favorite foods, vegetables, and fruits without any concerns.
• New Image and Self-esteem can accompany your successful implant supported teeth, because you should have a new radiance to your smile and a better overall self-confidence.
• Reliability and Success Rate of dental implants is very high which makes their usage very predictable and reliable with a long-term implant retention rate of approximately 97%.

DENTAL IMPLANT SUCCESS

Optimum success for Dental Implant placement requires good general and oral-health as prerequisites, the same as with any type of surgical procedure. The jaw should have adequate bone levels to support the implant once it is anchored in place and the patient's gum tissues should be disease free. If you do not have adequate jawbone structure or healthy gum tissue, you will need to have graft surgery performed by either an oral surgeon or a periodontist to increase the bone or gum tissue in the area where the dental implant will be located.

If you are interested in a consultation to discuss dental implants with one of the cosmetic dentists at Brookside Dental in Bellevue, WA, please call 425-643-2818 or email our office at info@brooksidedental.com.

COSMETIC DENTISTRY BONDING FOR A BEAUTIFUL SMILE

COSMETIC DENTIST TOOTH BONDING GIVES BEAUTIFUL SMILES

Bellevue Cosmetic Dental bonding is accomplished by using a composite resin material that that can be colored in various shades of white to match existing teeth. It is used to fix a variety of dental situations. Some of the things that dental composite bonding material can be used to fix are certain small tooth breaks, tooth cracks and chips on teeth. A wonderful use of this material is to close some spaces between teeth called diastemas. Of course, its most common and original use is for fillings in anterior teeth after the removal of decay. However, in the last decade it has been used by Bellevue Cosmetic Dentists for posterior teeth after decay removal, since our office went amalgam free with all of our fillings. Although it can be used to repair some fairly large problems with teeth, when various tooth imperfections or spaces are large, bonding may not be an option. If that is the case porcelain veneers or crowns may be required to give a good cosmetic result.

Bellevue Dentist patient with cosmetic bonding on multiple anterior teeth.
Only Anterior Dental Bonding was used to create this extremely beautiful smile. Patient of Dr Patricia Pauley, Brookside Dental, Bellevue, WA

To start the tooth bonding procedure, your Bellevue Dentist will prepare your surface of the tooth or teeth to be bonded so that the composite resin material will be accepted. Surface roughening is performed to allow the resin to adhere properly to the tooth structure when it hardens. When the tooth or teeth are properly prepared, the cosmetic dentist will apply a mixture of two different materials which have an adhesive and a catalyst in them. The composite material mixture is then carefully applied to the properly prepared area of the tooth to be fixed. The tooth-colored composite is then shaped and smoothed to accomplish the desired cosmetic appearance. A high intensity light is used by your Bellevue Cosmetic Dentist to harden the composite resin material once it is placed on the tooth. If the area to be fixed is large or deep, more than one layer of composite material may have to be applied and cured separately. After shaping, the newly repaired area is smoothed and polished to look like natural tooth structure. If done correctly by someone well trained in cosmetic dentistry, the finished composite should have the same appearance as the adjacent natural tooth structure and be completely undetectable as a repaired area of the tooth. Any tooth whitening that is needed or desired must be done prior to the use of cosmetic dental bonding resins, because the resin is not effected by the bleaching process and remains color shade that you have created. Therefore, composite bonding almost always is done on teeth after they have been bleached, when the tooth-colored bonding material can be matched to the newly whitened teeth. Cosmetic tooth bonding with composite material can usually be completed during one office visit, depending upon the amount of repair needed and the number of teeth to be treated. Cosmetic cases that are complicated involving multiple teeth in various parts of the mouth may require more than one visit to your Bellevue Cosmetic Dentist.

COSMETIC DENTISTRY TOOTH BONDING BENEFITS

Cosmetic Dentistry Bonding as a finished product is usually fairly long lasting, assuming the patient takes normal care of their teeth. Tooth colored dental bonding is a wonderful alternative to more extensive and more expensive cosmetic dentistry treatment that is done with porcelain veneers, crowns, and bridges. The cost of dental tooth bonding varies depending upon (1) the number of teeth repaired; (2) the size of the individual area repaired; and (3) the city where the dental bonding is performed.

An important fact about dental bonding is that very frequently, it will be at least partially covered by your dental insurance if not fully covered, because in many cases the problems are primarily structural rather than just cosmetic. However, there may be a combination of structural problems and cosmetic problems, where the structural probably will be given preference as to payment by an insurance company. Strictly cosmetic dental work is never covered by your dental insurance. Dental bonding is usually worth the cost even if your insurance does not pay any it because it is usually cheaper than other alternatives and it can straighten, fill spaces and generally improve your smile. If you are having extensive dental bonding performed on your front teeth, this anterior tooth work will always have some cosmetic dentistry component to it. Therefore there is both a technical aspect and an artistic aspect to dental bonding, especially on anterior teeth. So be sure to check the credentials of your dentist before having extensive anterior tooth bonding performed.

If you do not currently have a dentist, you may contact Bellevue Cosmetic Dentists, Dr Patricia Pauley or Dr Cynthia Pauley, to set up a dental exam. Both cosmetic doctors can be contacted at info@brooksidedental.com in Bellevue, WA, and additional information may be viewed at their Bellevue Cosmetic Dentistry website.

Bellevue Cosmetic Dentist Porcelain Veneers

Bellevue Dentist Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain Veneers showing before and after creation of a new Beautiful Smile!

Bellevue Porcelain Veneers are also called dental veneers,porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates. They are one of cosmetic dentistry's more recent and successful developments. They are wafer-thin shells of porcelain which are bonded onto the front side of teeth and also cover the biting edge of the teeth. They can be an excellent cosmetic dental solution for a variety of problems including teeth that are stained, chipped, or slightly misaligned.

Porcelain Veneers are used for extreme makeovers in cosmetic dentistry everyday. Porcelain veneers are used to close gaps in teeth, fix chipped teeth, improve a gummy smile, lengthen short teeth, and generally improve your overall smile. Many Hollywood stars have porcelain veneers rather than traditional teeth whitening methods, because you can choose the shade and amount of whiteness that you want and they are resistant to staining. Bellevue Porcelain Veneers uses an on-site porcelain artist that will give you the whitest smile imaginable.

Porcelain Veneers Become Available

Bellevue Porcelain Veneers are the most recent application of the art and science of cosmetic dental bonding. For decades dentists have had available materials which can bond to tooth enamel. The porcelain veneer technique utilizes the bonding capabilities of these materials to securely attach a thin sheet of porcelain (the porcelain veneer) to an individual tooth. These veneers are attached so that they cover the front and the biting surfaces of the tooth that has the veneer. Although porcelain is inherently brittle, when it is firmly bonded to a sturdy substructure (a tooth) it becomes very strong and durable.

Porcelain Veneer Advantages

Two of the greatest advantages of porcelain veneers over other types of cosmetic dental bonding are:

A) Bellevue Cosmetic Porcelain Veneers create a very life-like tooth appearance.

You might be surprised to learn that a major component of teeth is enamel, but teeth are not solid enamel. The enamel component of a tooth is actually only an outer shell. It is this cosmetic veneer that then becomes the permanent tooth covering shell. This veneer covering is not susceptible to dental decay.

B) Porcelain veneers resist staining.

Cosmetic dental bonding materials utilized in the past had the shortcoming of being susceptible to staining and discoloring. This was especially severe problem for people whose teeth had excessive exposure to tea, coffee, red wine, or cigarette smoking.

A significant advantage of porcelain veneers over other types of cosmetic dental bonding is related to the fact that a porcelain veneer's surface is just that, porcelain. Since porcelain is a ceramic, or glass-like, its surface is extremely smooth and impervious so it will not pick up permanent stains.

Porcelain Veneers Additional Advantages

Porcelain veneers or porcelain laminates from your Bellevue Cosmetic Dentist can often be an effective method by which to make cosmetic changes to teeth that are chipped, worn, stained, crooked, or discolored. Please note that individual case selection is an extremely important factor in the success of this technique. Porcelain veneers cannot be utilized in every situation.

It is not always necessary to use these veneers on all of your teeth to obtain a beautiful smile. In some cases as many as 10 porcelain veneers may be needed. However, beautiful smiles can be accomplished with 4, 6 or 8 veneers. And in some cases only 1, 2 or 3 veneers maybe needed. At our Bellevue Dentistry office we have done many cases ranging from a single veneer to 10 veneers.

Only an examination by your cosmetic dentist can determine if porcelain veneers are an appropriate method by which to make the changes you desire. Even if porcelain veneers are not appropriate for your circumstances, your cosmetic dentist will most likely be able to suggest other treatment options that will yield suitable results.

One property of tooth enamel covering is that it's translucent. This means that when light strikes a tooth's surface it is not immediately reflected off, but instead penetrates into the thickness of the enamel. This light will subsequently be reflected off the non-translucent tooth structure beneath the enamel. This property of translucency is an important part of what gives teeth their characteristic appearance. Your Bellevue Cosmetic Dentist working with their porcelain artist will create this translucence in your porcelain veneers. This will translate into a strikingly beautiful smile.

Historically the cosmetic dental bonding materials dentists have had available to them were only semi-translucent. This means that most of the light striking the tooth did not penetrate into the bonding layer but instead was reflected off the bonded outer surface. The net result was that while the bonding did give the tooth an improved appearance, there was no sense of a tooth's characteristic translucency and ultimate beauty. Light striking a porcelain veneer will penetrate its thickness, and then subsequently be reflected back out once it has reached the opaque cement and tooth structure lying underneath the veneer. This translucency effect provides a sense of depth, and thus a very life-like appearance.

Porcelain Veneers Smiles

Patients usually need three appointments for the entire procedure when a porcelain artist is working with the cosmetic dentist: diagnosis and treatment planning, preparation, and bonding.

Diagnosis and treatment planning: It's critical that you take an active role in the smile design. Spend time in the decision-making and planning of your smile. Be sure that you understand the corrective limitations of the procedure. Have more than one consultation, if necessary, to feel comfortable that your dentist understands your objectives. See our previous article on how to choose a cosmetic dentist.

Preparation of teeth: This appointment will take two or more hours depending upon how many teeth are going have veneers on them. To prepare the teeth for the porcelain veneers, the teeth are lightly buffed to allow for the small added thickness of the veneer. Usually, about a half a millimeter of the tooth is removed, which may require a local anesthetic. At this appointment, a mold is taken of the teeth, which is sent to a porcelain artist for the fabrication of the veneers. This can take about one to two weeks. Because the teeth are unsightly at this time, temporary veneers are placed over the prepared teeth. Bellevue Cosmetic Dentist temporary veneers will be of the highest quality and appearance and are included without any additional cost.

Porcelain Veneer Bonding: This appointment will take about one or three hours usually depending again upon the number of teeth receiving Porcelain Veneers from your Bellevue Dentist. First, the dentist places the veneers with water or glycerine on the teeth to check their fit and get a sense of the shade or color. While the veneers are resting on your teeth, view the esthetic results, and pay particular attention to the color. At this point, the color of the veneers can still be adjusted with the shade of the cement to be used. The color cannot be altered after veneers are cemented. To apply the veneer, the tooth is cleansed with specific chemicals to achieve a bond. Once a special light sensitive cement is placed between the veneer and tooth, and a visible light beam catalyzes the hardening of the cement.

Porcelain Veneer Maintenance

For about a week or two, you will go through a period of adjustment as you get used to your beautiful "new" teeth that have been changed in size and shape. Brush and floss daily. After one or two weeks, you'll return for a follow-up appointment for any final adjustments. Bellevue Dentists, Dr Cynthia Pauley and Dr Patricia Pauley, recommend the use of a night guard when you are sleeping to protect your beautiful new investment because about 80% of all people either grind or clench their teeth during the night while sleeping.

How to Chose a Cosmetic Dentist

Actual Patient Brookside Dental

HOW TO FIND AND SELECT A COSMETIC DENTIST

Cosmetic Dentist Location

The number of dentists in the United States and many other parts of the world that are offering cosmetic dental procedures is increasing all the time. Cosmetic Dentistry includes a large variety of procedures and techniques that are used individually and in various combinations for the purpose of enhancing, altering or completely changing your smile. The later is often called an extreme makeover smile.

Finding a Cosmetic Dentist

Finding a qualified cosmetic dentist requires careful consideration and caution, because Cosmetic Dentistry is not a recognized specialty of American Dental Association. Therefore, there is no neutral referral system in place or third party insurance administrator involvement to assist with the selection of a cosmetic dentist. In general, most cosmetic dental procedures are not covered by any dental insurance plans. However, if a restorative procedure is needed on a single tooth, which is part of a cosmetic process, dental insurance may pay a portion of the restorative work done on that single tooth. A wide variety of cosmetic dental procedures are available depending upon the condition of your teeth and gums. Keep in mind that consultations with multiple cosmetic dentists will most likely yield several variations and differences of opinions on how you can obtain a beautiful new smile.

Cosmetic Dentist Referrals

Your general dentist may give you a referral to a qualified cosmetic dentist, assuming he or she does not do extensive cosmetic work. There are organizations and referral agencies that can suggest a “cosmetic dentist” for you. There are several well-known cosmetic dental training groups and organizations that keep lists of qualified dentists. However, keep in mind that these groups and organizations usually only recommend dentists that have taken ALL of their specific courses or that have paid them an advertising fee. For example, if a dentist takes advanced training in cosmetic dentistry with several different groups, they may not be listed with any of the groups, even though they are highly qualified to do excellent cosmetic dentistry. It is important for you to investigate the level of cosmetic dentistry experience that each cosmetic dentist has attained either before or during a consultation appointment. Bellevue Cosmetic Dentists, Dr Cynthia Pauley and Dr Patricia Pauley, both have had extensive advanced training in various cosmetic dentistry techniques at several different facilities, including the Las Vegas Institute (LVI). Look at the websites of cosmetic dentists in your area. Their websites will usually list their credentials, honors and awards, as well as exhibited examples of their cosmetic dental work, including before and after photographs of their cosmetic dentistry. Additionally, their websites should also list the various types of procedures that they do and those in which they specialize. Ask your friends, neighbors, and business associates that have undergone any type of smile enhancement, smile change or smile makeover what dentist that they would recommend. A personal referral from a happy friend or associate is probably the best referral source that you can have. During your phone inquiries, ask whether or not if the dentist does amalgam (silver) fillings, because cosmetic dentists do not do these—they only do composite (tooth colored) fillings.

Cosmetic Dentist Consultation

Ask the dentist what types of advanced courses they have taken in cosmetic dentistry. You will want to see photographic examples of both before and after work that they have performed using various procedures and techniques. Other criteria for determining if a cosmetic dentist is the right one for you would include how long the dentist has been doing dentistry and in particular how long they have been doing cosmetic dentistry. Keep in mind that your individual results may vary depending upon the skill level of the dentist. You must decide if you like the results shown in before and after photos of previous patients. Ask the dentist if the photos are of actual patients that the dentist has treated and ask what particular procedure or procedures were done on the patients that you are viewing. Find out what dental technologies are used in the practice and what patient comforts are provided. Headphones with music and movie glasses are especially nice for long procedures lasting two hours or more. Through all of this, a very important thing is your perception and feelings toward the dentist and the work presented, so that you will have confidence in the treatment process and that it will be an anxiety-free experience. If possible, try to assess how staff members interact and what type of overall ambience is present in the office. These two things will have a bearing on how well you will be treated and cared for during and after completion of your cosmetic dental procedures and smile changes. At Brookside Dental, Bellevue, WA, we hire people for their ability to work together with each other as well as their technical skills. This is something that is very noticeable to patients when they visit our office—many of them comment on how friendly and helpful the staff members are.

At your initial consultation, you should discuss what you like and don’t like about your smile. This is the time for you and the cosmetic dentist to establish realistic expectations for your cosmetic dental treatment. Some patients may have unrealistic expectations and this needs to be addressed. Cosmetic dentistry consultations should involve a comprehensive dental examination that may include intra-oral photos and x-ray evaluation. These are important to create a unique and precise cosmetic dental treatment plan that will satisfy the patient’s needs and meet realistic expectations. Since a significant amount of time may be spent for this purpose, the dentist may charge you a small consultation fee, which should be applied to any work that you have done.

You may also meet with the practice’s office manager to discuss the types of financing or payment options available to help you manage the cost of your cosmetic dentistry treatment — as mentioned previously, dental insurance does not typically provide coverage for cosmetic treatment. If not, ask what financing options are available through either a dental loan provider or as an in-house payment option that your cosmetic dentist may provide. Find out if the treatment can be done in phases and if it can be then, which phase the is most important. Always ask if the work is guaranteed. Any good cosmetic dentist should be willing to guarantee their work for a reasonable period of time against “normal wear and tear” without a lot of caveats. Many cosmetic dentists will not offer a guarantee unless the patient agrees to have ALL the work done that the doctor indicates should be done. Be very careful in evaluating this, because often all recommended work is not always necessary to obtain a beautiful smile. Because some people have budget constraints, there is a trade off between getting a nice smile and a stunningly beautiful smile. The patient must make this final evaluation, but be realistic in what you expect for the dollars you can spend–this is why multiple consultations are valuable. In our office at Brookside Dental, Bellevue, WA, if we do any work, that work done is guaranteed even if the patient did not get all the work done that we felt would give the maximum result.

Cosmetic Dental Treatment Plan

The patient should be given a treatment plan at the time of the consultation, including a detailed cost breakdown. Your treatment options should be understood and you should feel comfortable with the detail and inclusiveness of the treatment plan given to you. Be sure to ask about expected longevity of the final results and what maintenance may be required in order to maintain the benefit of your smile changes. For example, to protect veneers, you may need to wear a protective mouth guard at night to help prevent them from chipping or cracking. Bleaching of your teeth, commonly called tooth whitening, may have to be repeated on a regular basis — depending upon the procedure used to get your teeth white. A night guard is something that we often recommend to protect veneers.

When crowns, bridges, porcelain veneers, or dental implants are used in your smile makeover, a dental laboratory will be involved in your smile restoration. Find out how long the dentist has worked with the lab he or she uses. Also find out if the same porcelain technician always does his or her cases—this gives continuity and reliability to the work. It is preferable that the dentist has a long-term working relationship with this laboratory and they have done similar cases to the one you will be having done. An on-site porcelain artist is ideal to deal with any color or shade questions immediately. However, most dentists do not have on-site porcelain artists and must ship their work out to a laboratory, often in another state. In our office at Brookside Dental, Bellevue, WA, we have an onsite porcelain artist that we have worked with for over 15 years who is a master craftsman at fashioning all porcelain veneers and crowns. Any minor adjusts can be made onsite for the convenience of the patient.

Cosmetic Dentist Final Selection

When you select a cosmetic dentist, you are selecting a dental professional who will help you change your appearance by changing the look of your teeth and your smile. It is a very personal and important choice. Most cosmetic dental procedures are not reversible, so you will want to take your time, ensure that you feel comfortable with the dentist, and that you feel confident with his/her skills and capabilities. When you do, you will likely be happy and completely satisfied with the results that are achieved with the cosmetic dentistry treatment you receive.

If there are any complications during a cosmetic dentistry procedure, an experienced cosmetic dentist will be more adept at handling the situation. In addition, a cosmetic dentist who has performed many complicated dental procedures will have had more time to perfect his or her technique and results. Cosmetic dentistry treatments like dental veneers and bonding require an artistic touch to produce the most attractive and natural-looking results. Choosing the best possible cosmetic dentist near you requires evaluation of many things. When you plan cosmetic dental work to enhance, alter, or change your smile, it is important that you choose a qualified and experienced cosmetic dentist. Cosmetic dentists who have performed numerous complicated dental procedures will have had more time to perfect their techniques. Cosmetic treatments like porcelain veneers, tooth-colored fillings, and crowns on dental implants require an artistic touch as well as superior technical ability to produce the most attractive and natural-looking results.

The following guidelines may help you find a qualified cosmetic dentist in your area:

·Verify the dentist’s dental education through your state’s certification board or the American Dental Association.
·Look for a dentist who has received specialized training in the field of cosmetic dentistry.
·Find a dentist who has made cosmetic dentistry a major part of his or her practice.
·Learn about his or her qualifications and experience by requesting this information at the time you talk to the office manager.
·Visit the practice’s website for the dentist’s qualifications, before and after case information and office ambience.
·Look at before and after pictures of previous patients with various procedures.
·Find out how long and under what parameters the restorative work is guaranteed.
·Make sure the dentist is licensed to practice in your state and that they have not had any disciplinary actions brought against them.
·Check their standing and membership with the Better Business Bureau.

Bellevue Cosmetic Dentists, Dr Cynthia Pauley and Dr Patricia Pauley, were featured in “Doctor of Dentistry” 2008. You can www.brooksidedental.com for additional information on Cosmetic Dentistry.