Cosmetic Dental Treatments
Cosmetic Dentistry
Using advanced cosmetic dental treatments and materials, your Federal Way, WA cosmetic dentist, Dr. Wang, can make a real difference. The skill, experience, and commitment of our practice — using a unique combination of science and artistry — can literally redesign your smile.Even a subtle change in your smile helps you to project an image of self-confidence and high personal esteem. When you feel good about yourself, it shows in your appearance.
Cosmetic Treatments
● Bonding● Porcelain Veneers
● Inlays & Onlays
● Teeth Whitening
● Clear Braces
Bonding
Bonding is an alternative to veneers and can be used as a restorative procedure for teeth that are chipped, cracked, discolored or misarranged.
How does it work?
The tooth is prepared for the procedure by lightly etching the surface and applying a bonding liquid. Once the liquid sets, a plastic resin is applied and sculpted into the desired shape by the dentist. Once set, the resin is trimmed, smoothed and polished to a natural appearance.Considerations
The bonding procedure can often be completed in a single office visit, and can improve the appearance of a tooth significantly. However, since the plastic resin used is not as strong as your natural tooth enamel, it is more likely to stain, chip or break than natural teeth. Bonding typically lasts three to five years before need of repair.
Porcelain Veneers
What are porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front surfaces of the teeth. They are an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility.Placing custom veneers requires a high degree of technical skill as well as attention to cosmetic detail. We place veneers routinely, and design each case individually to match and enhance the characteristics of each patient’s smile.
Will they look like normal teeth?
When bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers are virtually undetectable and highly resistant to coffee, tea, or even cigarette stains. For strength and appearance, their resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel is unsurpassed by other restorative options.How durable are porcelain veneers?
With proper care, porcelain veneers will brighten your smile for well over a decade.Dr. Wang will ensure that your veneers are crafted from the highest quality porcelains and are bonded with the most advanced and proven materials available.
Refraining from using your veneers as tools to open and cut things will prolong their life, and if accidental breakage or damage occurs, it is usually possible to replace only the veneer involved.
Inlays & Onlays
When more than half of the tooth’s biting surface is damaged, a dentist will often use an inlay or onlay.
What are inlays and onlays?
Inlays and onlays can be made of porcelain, gold, or composite resin. These pieces are bonded to the damaged area of the tooth. An inlay, which is similar to a filling, is used inside the cusp tips of the tooth. An onlay is a more substantial reconstruction, similar to the inlay but extending out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth.Traditionally, gold has been the material of choice for inlays and onlays. In recent years, however, porcelain has become increasingly popular due to its strength and color, which can potentially match the natural color of your teeth.
How are inlays and onlays applied?
Inlays and onlays require two appointments to complete the procedure. During the first visit, the filling being replaced or the damaged or decaying area of the tooth is removed, and the tooth is prepared for the inlay or onlay. To ensure proper fit and bite, an impression of the tooth is made by the dentist, and sent to a lab for fabrication. The dentist will then apply a temporary sealant on the tooth and schedule the next appointment.At the second appointment, the temporary sealant is removed. The dentist will then make sure that the inlay or onlay fits correctly. If the fit is satisfactory, the inlay or onlay will be bonded to the tooth with a strong resin and polished to a smooth finish.
Considerations for inlays and onlays
Traditional fillings can reduce the strength of a natural tooth by up to 50 percent. As an alternative, inlays and onlays, which are bonded directly onto the tooth using special high-strength resins, can actually increase the strength of a tooth by up to 75 percent. As a result, they can last from 10 to 30 years. In some cases, where the damage to the tooth is not extensive enough to merit an entire crown, onlays can provide a very good alternative.Teeth Whitening
Having a beautiful smile may be even easier than you think. Many people achieve the look they’ve been dreaming of with our simple “bleaching” procedure.
What are the details of teeth whitening?
It’s safe, quick, and inexpensive. Just let us know at any appointment if you would like to whiten your teeth. You can lighten only your upper teeth or both the upper and lower, depending on how much you show when you talk and smile.During your appointment, the dentist can determine if you are an ideal candidate for whitening and review the options we offer here at Woodcreek Family Dentistry.
Key Benefits of Teeth Whitening
● Corrects brown, yellow and spotted tooth staining.● Works on people of any age.
● It is a near-permanent solution for a “dull” smile, restoring brightness and bringing a smile alive.
A Straighter Smile, Without Braces
Subtle. Comfortable. Designed around your life.
A straighter smile can improve more than appearance. Properly aligned teeth can make it easier to maintain good oral hygiene, improve your bite, and contribute to a healthier, more balanced smile.At Woodcreek Family Dentistry, we use Invisalign clear aligners to gradually move your teeth into a more ideal position—without the brackets and wires associated with traditional braces.Nearly Invisible. Remarkably Effective.
Invisalign uses a series of custom-made, removable clear aligners. Each set is designed to gently guide your teeth toward their planned position.Because the aligners are removable, you can continue to eat the foods you enjoy and brush and floss normally throughout treatment.
A Digital Approach to Your Smile
Your treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation and digital planning. We carefully assess your teeth and bite and develop a treatment plan based on your individual goals.Your aligners are then custom fabricated according to your treatment plan, allowing your smile to gradually transform over time.
Why Patients Choose Invisalign
Clear & Discreet
The aligners are designed to be subtle, allowing you to straighten your teeth without traditional metal braces.Removable
Take your aligners out when eating, brushing, and flossing.Comfortable
Smooth aligners are designed to fit comfortably over your teeth without brackets or wires.Customized
Your treatment is digitally planned around your teeth, bite, and smile goals.Designed for Your Lifestyle
Invisalign can fit into your daily routine without making orthodontic treatment the center of your life.Your Smile. Your Plan.
Whether you want to correct crowding, spacing, or certain bite concerns, Invisalign may be an excellent option for achieving a more confident smile.Schedule a consultation with our team to find out whether Invisalign is right for you.
Botox
Botox in Dentistry: Everything You Need To Know
Botox is a well known cosmetic solution for cosmetic needs, but can also be an option for the treatment of some orofacial conditions. There are many benefits of using Botox in dentistry, but there are also risks, that should be thoroughly discussed to determine it is the right treatment for you.What is Botox?
Botox uses a special protein to block overactive nerve impulses, restricting muscle contractions. In doing so, Botox helps to relax the muscles beneath the skin, so that fine lines and wrinkles become less visible, giving the skin a healthy, more youthful appearance.Depending on each individual case, the results can last between one and six months. Treatment is temporary, and once the Botox begins to wear off, the skin will return to the way it looked before treatment.
Botox is also used to relieve symptoms of TMJ, as well as provide comfort to patients receiving dental implants. In each case, Botox is used to reduce the amount of stress placed on the teeth and jaw so that patients feel comfortable and confident.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had bleeding issues; plan to or have had surgery; have forehead muscle weakness such as trouble raising your eyebrows, drooping eyelids; or any changes to your face.
Contra-Indications with Botox
Adverse reactions to localized Botox is uncommon. Side effects may include a temporary change in facial expression, allergic reactions, rash, itching, headache, neck or back pain, muscle stiffness, difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath.Botox uses in Dentistry:
● Temporomandibular Joint Disorder● TMJ Dislocation
● Tension-Type Headaches
● Bruxism
● Excessive Gingival Display
Areas for treatment
● Forehead Lines● Eyebrows
● Glabella
● Crows Feet
● Gummy Smile
● Masseters
● Smoker's lines
● Neck wrinkles and platysmal bands