Austin Laser Dentist - Helen Ragsdale DDS, 11615 Angus Rd Ste 101, Austin 78759, United States (US) - Phone: 512 346-4690

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5 Cosmetic Dental Procedures For A Beautiful Smile

young woman with beautiful smileIf you want a beautiful smile, but your teeth have become discolored or damaged or you have never liked the appearance of your teeth, you are not alone. Thankfully, cosmetic dentistry offers many tools that can give you a bright, straight, even smile without undergoing more intensive restorative procedures. These include porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, dental bonding, Invisalign® aligners, and even complete Smile Makeovers to create a beautiful smile. Dr. Helen Ragsdale of Austin Laser Dentist in Austin, TX offers an array of cosmetic dental procedures to help you obtain the smile you deserve.

Here is a look at 5 of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures for a beautiful smile

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneersor laminates involve the use of thin shells made of hard porcelain that fit on the front of your existing natural teeth. They are used to cover minor imperfections, damage and alignment issues. You are left with a durable, natural-looking smile that will allow you to eat, talk and smile as usual.

Porcelain veneers can help:

  • Close gaps between teeth
  • Restore decayed, eroded or worn teeth
  • Fix the size, shape, and length of teeth for a more uniform smile
  • Cover minor cracks, chips and fractures
  • Cover stains and discoloration
  • Create a uniform texture and surface
  • Change position of teeth (occlusion)

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whiteningis one of the least expensive ways to obtain a beautiful smile. For the procedure, a peroxide-based gel is applied to the teeth to brighten your smile by up to 8 shades. Treatment is often combined with a specialized laser for even more dramatic whitening.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a non-invasive way to even out your smile. The same resin used in tooth-colored fillings is applied to cover small cosmetic flaws in your teeth, such as stains, discoloration, chips and cracks. For the bonding process, the dentist will micro-etch the surface of the teeth and then apply the composite in several layers.

Gum Lifts

A so-called “gummy” smile occurs when a disproportionate amount of gum shows, creating an uneven or overly large gum line. During a gum lift, excess gum is trimmed using a specialized laser to expose the upper portion of your teeth. The laser is extremely precise to protect the surrounding tissue.

Invisalign Aligners

If you have crooked teeth, alignment or bite issues, Invisalign® treatment can help. Your teeth are straightened using a series of clear plastic aligners that fit over your teeth. The trays are switched out every 2 weeks until you finish treatment, which usually takes 6 to 12 months. The advantage of Invisalign is that they are invisible and removable so you can take them out when needed.

Smile Makeover

A Smile Makeover is a more comprehensive approach to restoring your smile. It can involve a number of cosmetic procedures (several of which are addressed above) to fix different problems with your smile. It can include procedures like teeth whitening, veneers, redoing old fillings, dental implants, bridges, crowns, dental bonding, dentures and teeth straightening.

A Smile Makeover can help:

  • Close gaps between teeth
  • Whiten and brighten discolored/stained teeth
  • Repair decayed, chipped, broken or cracked teeth
  • Replace old metal fillings
  • Replace missing teeth
  • Lengthen or shorten uneven teeth
  • Reposition crowded teeth
  • Improve or correct your bite

Contact Austin Laser Dentist Today

If you want to learn more about cosmetic dental procedures that can give you a beautiful smile, contact Dr. Helen Ragsdale of Austin Laser Dentist in Austin, TX at (512) 346-4690 to schedule a consultation.

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Is composite bonding right for you?

Is Composite Bonding Right For You?Composite bonding sounds complex, but it’s a simple dental procedure that can be completed in one appointment. Also known as dental bonding, it repairs the structure and appearance of teeth with the application of composite resin. During the procedure, Dr. Ragsdale will shape your tooth in preparation for bonding. Once applied, the resin will be hardened, or cured, with a blue light.

So how can you know if dental bonding is the right treatment for you? While bonding is a great option for treating several cosmetic dental issues, Dr. Ragsdale might recommend a veneer or dental crown instead. She’ll perform a thorough evaluation, discuss your goals and desires, then make a professional recommendation, based on your situation. If you live or work in the Austin area, contact Dr. Helen Ragsdale of Austin Laser Dentist at 512-346-4690 and book your consultation.

What does composite bonding treat?

The material dentists use for composite bonding closely mimics the color and texture natural tooth enamel. Generally, it is used to cover stains or replace part of a tooth, to create a more shapely and aesthetic result.

Bonding is used for these conditions:

• Cavities: composite fillings repair the hole left after a cavity is removed.
• Gaps between teeth: for particular cases, Dr. Ragsdale can close or reduce a gap between teeth, so that orthodontics are not necessary.
• Cracked or chipped teeth: damaged teeth can be quickly repaired, which may help protect against the need for future root canal or extraction.
• Surface stains or discoloration: a thin covering (or veneer) of composite can brighten the appearance of dulled or discolored teeth.
• Misshapen teeth: by carefully sculpting composite resin, the dentist can improve dental uniformity.

What are the advantages of composite resin over other treatment options?

If you have a cracked or chipped tooth, or want to improve a tooth’s shape or color, composite bonding is probably just one treatment option Dr. Ragsdale will recommend. As you decide on the best treatment option, consider these advantages.
With composite bonding, we preserve a maximum amount of natural, healthy tooth structure. To prep the tooth for bonding, the dentist will roughen, not remove, enamel. This is important because enamel protects your tooth’s vulnerable inner tissues; once it’s been removed, it can’t grow back. In contrast, porcelain veneers and crowns require some enamel removal before placement.
Bonding is also less expensive than veneers or crowns, and the procedure can be fully completed during one appointment. Veneers and crowns require at least two appointments and can cost many hundreds or thousands of dollars.

What are the disadvantages of composite bonding?

Composite bonding has its shortcomings. Although it can correct discoloration in a tooth, it is slightly softer than porcelain/ceramic, and so there is a chance that the composite could chip or crack with use. Bonding is not as long-lasting as a crown or veneer, either. Generally, bonding lasts about five to seven years. Crowns and veneers can last 15 to 20 years, or longer, in some cases.

To determine if composite bonding is right for you, look at what you want to achieve now, as well as your short-term and long-term goals. If cost and speed of treatment are more important to you, bonding might be a great treatment option. If you want to ensure a permanent fix, crowns or veneers may be the best. To ensure you’re satisfied with treatment results, talk through the options with Dr. Ragsdale before deciding.

To discuss a dental bonding or other cosmetic treatments with a gentle, caring, and experienced dentist in the Austin area, call 512-346-4690 and schedule a consultation at Austin Laser Dentist.