Cosmetic Dentistry

Composite Fillings

Cavities and small fractures leave many teeth with defects that progress over time if untreated. In the past, metal restorations served a need but left many teeth discolored and strained from the wedging effect of the metal. Today, tooth-colored composites blending into tooth structure provide an excellent option for restoring defects. Composites can often be placed in thinner layers than metal, preserving more of the natural tooth.

Composites serve both functional and aesthetic roles, often at the same time. For example, a cavity invading the front of a tooth along the gum line may be visible in your smile. By gently cleaning out the soft, discolored area the decay ceases to destroy healthy mineral surfaces. And when a composite shade matching the tooth is sculpted into place, the tooth looks better than ever.

Composites contain a mix of liquid resin embedded with finely ground glass particles. After being molded against conditioned tooth structure, blue light applied directly to the composite leads to a firm set within seconds. Shaped and polished, a high shine reflecting the beauty of natural enamel results in an invisible restoration: strong, smooth, conservative.

Porcelain Veneers

At San Clemente Smiles, watching patients discover a brilliant new smile highlights our days. Veneers can transform a smile dramatically, sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics.” A set of veneers can correct chips, stains, and even deeply discolored teeth. But they can also alter the length and size of teeth, or help teeth that seem rotated suddenly appear straight. While it sounds dramatic, only the stunning visual outcome is surprising. Veneers provide a highly conservative approach to esthetic smile makeovers.

Veneers display the ultimate in dental art and science, handcrafted and customized to fit your smile. Like a contact lens, these paper-thin pieces of porcelain bond to the outside of your natural teeth. But don’t be fooled by the thin characteristics of this material. Many unique features can be incorporated into the ceramics, replicating any look you want to create.

While veneers provide a conservative way to repair bad teeth, the steps behind the process require a high level of training to produce accurately. So what’s involved in bringing a smile like this to life?

Good Planning Paves The Way

Careful planning of your veneers is vital to a successful outcome. Models, photographs, and digital x-rays allow you and Dr. Curfew to create a perfect blueprint to direct your case from start to finish. Like all successful projects, this planning can’t be compromised. He will consider your input and incorporate your desires into your veneer case, from color to shape and a number of other factors.

The Next Steps

Once Dr. Curfew plans your case, usually two appointments leave you with a stunning new smile. At the first visit, the teeth are gently prepared to allow space for the ultra-thin porcelain to be crafted over by a master lab technician. Dr. Curfew provides all the information to a specialized lab that’s needed to create a masterpiece.

Dr. Curfew also produce acrylic temporary restorations that mimic the veneers, worn for about three weeks. These temporaries provide a preview of the general appearance of your new smile and allow further input regarding the appearance of your upcoming smile.

Delivering The Magic

After hours of custom craftwork in the lab, you’ll return for a second appointment. Dr. Curfew will try in each veneer and evaluate the appearance and fit, giving you an opportunity to preview the new look. He will then go through several precise steps to bond the thin veneers to the outer surface of your teeth, creating an incredibly strong bond between tooth and porcelain. Minor adjustments to your bite and a final polish will leave you with a smile that may have you wondering why you waited so long to find San Clemente Smiles!

Crowns

Modern dentistry offers more options than ever to help you restore and maintain an optimal level of health. While the strength and beauty of materials continue to advance, the skill of the practitioner makes a significant difference in every outcome. Dr. Curfew focuses on utilizing the best techniques for comprehensive care, returning even the most damaged mouths to full health.

Sometimes teeth undergo significant damage due to cavities, heavy bite forces, trauma, or even normal functioning. If a root canal is needed to salvage a severely compromised nerve, the tooth may be especially fragile. Many situations can leave teeth in danger of loss if treatment is bypassed. Dental crowns, or caps, allow these teeth to be rebuilt and covered with materials that mimic nature. Not only are most “capped” teeth indistinguishable from natural teeth, but they’re also extremely secure and comfortable.

Crowns can be crafted to repair a single tooth, multiple teeth (including the entire mouth), or in conjunction with dental implants to fill a space. In fact, when missing teeth enter the equation, special consideration might be given to placing a dental bridge or implants.

One Simple Step

Once your case is planned, two appointments leave you with a restored tooth. At the first visit, the teeth are gently prepared to allow space for crafting porcelain over the tooth by a master lab technician. Dr. Curfew provides all the information to a specialized lab that’s needed to create a masterpiece. A temporary crown allows you to function normally until the crown arrives for placement typically within 2-3 weeks.

After hours of custom craftwork in the lab, you’ll return for a second appointment. Dr. Curfew will try-in and evaluate the appearance and fit of the crown, before bonding it strongly into place. Minor adjustments to your bite and a final polish leave you with one of the finest restorations in dentistry.

Gum Contouring

A perfect smile results when multiple parts blend for one stunning presentation. The gums surrounding the teeth form a stark contrast to the white teeth, framing their appearance. Gums flow around the neck of each tooth in a scalloped fashion, dipping naturally around the front and back to expose the fullness of each one. Texture, thickness, height, and color tone all influence the appearance of the gums serving their vital supporting role.

Sometimes specific areas of the gum detract from a pleasant smile. The scalloped flow may be uneven, sitting too high around certain teeth. Or a thick area may protrude unnaturally, causing a visual distraction.

Just as a piece of art benefits from reframing, gums can gently be contoured to complement the smile. Fortunately, laser technology often makes this procedure quick, painless, and dramatic. The results can be observed immediately and within a few days your gums look perfectly natural. In some cases, more extensive contouring may be discussed. Dr. Curfew evaluates numerous factors before deciding which approach will give you the finest smile.