The short answer
Cosmetic dentistry improves the color, shape, size and alignment of teeth. At Gentle Care Dentistry & Implants in Sierra Vista, AZ, Dr. Kent Hales offers porcelain veneers, professional teeth whitening, tooth-colored dental bonding and combined smile makeovers. Dr. Hales has completed multiple continuing education courses in esthetic dentistry and veneer technique.
Start with the problem, not the procedure
People rarely come in asking for a specific treatment. They come in because something about their smile bothers them: teeth that have darkened, a chipped front tooth, a gap, edges worn flat from grinding, or older fillings that no longer match. The right treatment depends on which of those it is, and often the best answer is the most conservative one.
Teeth whitening
Professional whitening lightens the natural color of your enamel and is the simplest way to refresh a smile. It works well on yellow and brown staining from coffee, tea, red wine and age. It does not change the color of crowns, veneers or fillings, so if you are planning other cosmetic work, whitening usually comes first so everything else can be matched to the new shade.
Dental bonding
Bonding uses a tooth-colored composite resin that is shaped directly on the tooth, hardened with a curing light and polished. It is a good fit for small chips, short or uneven edges, small gaps and some discoloration. Little or no tooth structure is removed and it is typically finished in a single visit. The trade-off is durability: resin can pick up stains and chip over time, and it may need touch-ups.
Porcelain veneers
Veneers are thin shells of porcelain bonded to the front surface of teeth. They can change color, shape, length and the apparent alignment of teeth all at once, and porcelain resists staining far better than resin. A thin layer of enamel is usually removed so the veneer sits flush, which is why veneers are a considered decision rather than an impulse one.
Dr. Hales has taken multiple continuing education courses specifically in esthetic dentistry and veneer technique. In practice that shows up in the planning: matching translucency so veneers do not look opaque, keeping proportions that suit your face, and preparing as little tooth as possible.
Smile makeovers
A smile makeover is not a single procedure. It is a plan that combines treatments in the right order, for example Invisalign to straighten, then whitening, then veneers or crowns only where they are needed. Planning the whole result first avoids doing work that has to be redone later.
Keeping results looking new
Brush and floss daily, keep your cleanings, and limit the habits that stain or chip teeth. If you grind or clench at night, a custom night guard protects both natural teeth and cosmetic work. Call (520) 458-9460 to book a cosmetic consultation.