Cosmetic Dentistry in Durham, NC

A healthy mouth is job one at The Smile Shop, but we also understand that an attractive smile is also essential. Surveys show that teeth are the first things people notice when they meet you, and a beautiful smile exudes confidence that can dramatically improve your quality of life.

So regardless of which aspects you like least about your teeth, we can provide a range of cosmetic dentistry services at our Durham, NC, dental office that will help you achieve the gorgeous smile of your dreams!

• How Can Cosmetic Dentistry Improve Your Smile?
• Our Comprehensive Cosmetic Dental Services in Durham, NC
• Why Not Start with Professional Teeth Whitening?
• How Dental Bonding Works towards a Brighter Smile
• What You Should Know about the Porcelain Veneers Process
• How Dental Crowns Restore and Beautify Teeth
• Orthodontic Treatments Fix Crooked Teeth in Durham, NC

How Can Cosmetic Dentistry Improve Your Smile?

Over time, your teeth endure a myriad of challenges, the slings and arrows of modern life. For example, sporting or other injuries can cause chips or cracks, and everyday foods like coffee, tea, and sodas contribute to tooth staining and discoloration.

Whatever your aesthetic concern is, we offer the solutions you need. Here is a sampling of what cosmetic dentistry can fix:

• Discolored or stained teeth
• Teeth that are shorter or smaller than the others
• Size or shape discrepancies
• Teeth with gaps between them or missing teeth
• Broken, chipped, or cracked teeth
• Mild to moderate tooth misalignment

The popularity of cosmetic dentistry has grown along with advances in modern dental technology. The first step is to make an appointment with Dr. Dolin, Dr. Spriggs, or Dr. Alessandro at The Smile Shop. At your initial consult, we create a comprehensive exam to evaluate each aspect of your smile and discuss your treatment options.

Our Comprehensive Cosmetic Dental Services in Durham, NC

Whether you'd like to fix just one tooth or transform your entire smile, you can turn to cosmetic dentistry for solutions. Here is a brief sampling of our services, from the least invasive treatments to complete smile makeovers.

Teeth whitening – Addresses surface stains through a whitening process that scours tooth enamel so that more brilliant natural tooth shows through.

Dental bonding – This conceals deeper discoloration in one visit using the same moldable materials with which we fill cavities.

Porcelain veneers – Also for disguising surface flaws, and shape issues, tooth veneers are thin shells customized for you and cemented onto your tooth.

Dental Crowns – Constructed similarly to veneers, crowns are a cap that totally covers a tooth to conceal flaws and restore functionality.

Orthodontics – When smile alignment is the challenge, we can help you get braces or Invisalign clear aligner therapy, whichever solution is best for your unique needs.

Smile makeover – Our cosmetic dentists can mix and match the above treatments for a cumulative effect and a smile free from the problems that bother you most.

Why Not Start with Professional Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is the perfect option for brightening your smile without sacrificing time and money.

At The Smile Shop, we offer several whitening options so you can choose the best fit.

• Custom trays for take-home whitening – Here, we take impressions of your teeth and fabricate bleaching trays customized for your smile. This way, the bleaching agent contacts more teeth surfaces while protecting your surrounding gum tissue.
• In-office booster whitening – If you want whiter teeth without the wait, in-office whitening could be a good option. Most patients notice significant brightening after just one visit.
• Individual tooth whitening –A single tooth could become discolored due to trauma, often resulting in a root canal. We have bleach specifically designed to work on individual, root-canaled teeth.

No one option is best for everyone. However, our team is knowledgeable about the various options available, so if you are interested in a brighter smile, please don't hesitate to ask us for more information!

How Dental Bonding Works towards a Brighter Smile

Dental bonding is an aesthetic dental treatment that alters a tooth's shape, size, or shade. We use tooth-colored composite filling material for bonding because it blends seamlessly with dental enamel. The procedure involves the building-up of tooth-colored composite.

Since the material is putty-like in consistency, we layer it to correct the imperfection. Each layer is hardened with a curing light before proceeding, resulting in a sturdy, durable repair that looks like a natural tooth! Bonding is conservative since we don't emove any tooth structure, and the process is so straightforward that we can often perform several repairs during one appointment. 

What You Should Know about the Porcelain Veneers Process

Dental veneers are another surface treatment that allows us to change tooth shape and color with a durable, engineered option that lasts longer than dental bonding. Veneers require at least two appointments, so we may design and place them at our Durham, NC, dental office.

At the first appointment, we minimally prepare your teeth will be minimally prepared and make impressions that we send to our excellent dental lab. During your next visit, we will check your finished veneers and cement them in place. We can further protect your new smile and recommend a night guard to prevent damage from grinding and lengthen the lifespan of your porcelain veneers.

How Dental Crowns Restore and Beautify Teeth

If your smile already has some fillings in the front teeth or has been treated with a root canal, we may recommend crowns to make your smile beautiful. Placing a crown typically requires two appointments. First, like with veneers, we prepare your natural tooth for the crown and then take a detailed impression. We then place a temporary crown to serve you while your final crown is fabricated.

After the lab finishes building your crown, we remove the temporary one and thoroughly examine the fit and finish to ensure the crown is correct. Once you are 100% satisfied with the fit, we permanently cement the crown to your tooth.

We assure you that both appointments are as painless as possible, and every step is taken with your comfort in mind.

Orthodontic Treatments Fix Crooked Teeth in Durham, NC

Straightening your teeth with braces or Invisalign clear aligners is an excellent way to improve the aesthetics of your smile. We work with some of the best local orthodontists who offer braces and Invisalign in Durham, NC, to help make your smile perfect.

If you desire to straighten your teeth, please get in touch with us today to make an appointment to evaluate your smile.

How Can I Get Started with Cosmetic Dentistry?

Every smile is unique, so our team works closely with patients to better understand their desires and expectations. By focusing on individual tooth shapes, and shades, then following the "golden ratio" standards, we can create a smile you will be proud to show off!

Please feel free to ask any of our team members for more information or call The Smile Shop today to arrange your commitment-free smile consultation!