One of the most important aspects of social interaction is smiling, showing others we’re confident and outgoing.  Many people, though, are hesitant to use this important social skill because their teeth are unattractive.

But even the most unattractive teeth can be dramatically transformed through cosmetic dentistry. Here are 5 prominent ways we can restore beauty to your problem teeth.

Enamel shaping. Sometimes teeth can have an irregular shape that makes them stand out like a sore thumb. With this “sculpting” technique, we remove very small amounts of enamel, the outer protective layer of a tooth, which improves the tooth’s overall shape without harming it.

Bonding. Recent developments in acrylics now make it easier to repair chipped, broken or decayed teeth with minimal preparation. The acrylic material can be molded to resemble a natural tooth and colored to precisely match its shade and that of neighboring teeth. It’s then bonded to the tooth with a durability that can last through years of daily biting and chewing.

Veneers. These thin layers of dental porcelain are bonded to teeth to cover minor defects. Otherwise healthy teeth that are slightly chipped, stained or a bit out of alignment can get a more attractive “face” that’s durable and lasting.

Crowns and Bridgework. Sometimes teeth are too heavily decayed or lost altogether to use bonding or veneers. With porcelain dental restorations that have a strong inner core and an outer life-like appearance, we can completely cover an individual damaged tooth with a custom-made crown or replace one or more missing teeth with fixed bridgework.

Dental Implants. Introduced over thirty years ago, implants are a popular tooth replacement choice.  Its inner titanium post is surgically inserted into the jaw where bone cells grow and adhere to it to form a strong, lasting bond. Implants can be used for single teeth or as supports for fixed bridgework or removable dentures.

Regardless of your teeth’s appearance problems, cosmetic dentistry has a solution. The first step is a comprehensive examination — from there we can advise you on the best options for turning your embarrassing smile into a more beautiful and confident one.

If you would like more information on the various techniques for smile transformation, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Beautiful Smiles by Design.”

What are veneers?

Instead of replacing your natural teeth, veneers are placed on top of their visible surfaces. They cover up cosmetic problems like chips, irregular shapes or discoloration. They can also be used to smooth out minor overlaps and fill in gaps. Your Tampa dentist Dr. Tran takes impressions of your teeth to create the exact specifications for your veneers, which are then crafted by a dental laboratory out of wafer-thin porcelain or resin. They are often no wider than a contact lens. Once they have been manufactured, each veneer will be attached to the front of the corresponding natural tooth using a bonding cement.

Who is a candidate for veneers?

One of the first things to consider about veneers is the commitment. Your Tampa dentist must remove a small amount of enamel from the natural teeth before placement to ensure a proper fit; this means they are permanent and cannot be removed if you decide you don’t want them. Some or all of the veneers will need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years, although each patient is different.

Another important requirement is healthy enamel, which your Tampa dentist will evaluate before the veneer process begins. Although veneers are lightweight, your enamel needs to be strong enough to support them and to withstand the removal before placement. In fact, your overall dental health is an important factor in getting veneers; people with decayed teeth will need these problems addressed before veneers can be placed.

During a consultation with your Tampa dentist, you will discuss your goals and expectations for veneers. This will help you make an informed decision that will ultimately end with a beautiful, natural-looking smile! Contact Mangrove Bay Dentistry in Tampa, Florida to set up your consultation with Dr. Toan Tran today!

“I’m not into messy teeth,” Derulo said. “If the grill has spaces and different colors, it’s not my vibe.”

As it turns out, he may be on to something: A number of surveys have indicated that a bright, healthy smile is often the first thing people notice when meeting someone new. Yet many are reluctant to open up that big grin because they aren’t satisfied with the way their teeth look. If you’re one of them, consider this: Modern cosmetic dentistry offers a variety of ways to improve your smile — and it may be easier and more affordable than you think.

For example, if your smile isn’t as bright as you would like it to be, teeth whitening is an effective and economical way to lighten it up. If you opt for in-office treatments, you can expect a lightening effect of up to 10 shades in a single one-hour treatment! Or, you can achieve the same effect in a week or two with a take-home kit we can custom-make for you. Either way, you’ll be safe and comfortable being treated under the supervision of a dental professional — and the results can be expected to last for up to two years, or perhaps more.

If your teeth have minor spacing irregularities, small chips or cracks, it may be possible to repair them in a single office visit via cosmetic bonding. In this process, a liquid composite resin is applied to the teeth and cured (hardened) with a special light. This high-tech material, which comes in colors to match your teeth, can be built up in layers and shaped with dental instruments to create a pleasing, natural effect.

If your smile needs more than just a touch-up, dental veneers may be the answer. These wafer-thin coverings, placed right on top of your natural teeth, can be made in a variety of shapes and colors — from a natural pearly luster to a brilliant “Hollywood white.” Custom-made veneers typically involve the removal of a few millimeters of tooth enamel, making them a permanent — and irreversible — treatment. However, by making teeth look more even, closing up spaces and providing dazzling whiteness, veneers just might give you the smile you’ve always wanted.

If you would like more information about cosmetic dental treatments, please call our office to arrange a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine article “Cosmetic Dentistry — A Time for Change.”

Teeth whitening

Over the years, teeth can become dull, yellow and stained. Teeth whitening removes those stains and whitens teeth by bleaching them. Although over-the-counter teeth whitening products are available in stores, your dentist can obtain better results with professional strength products. Your dentist may whiten your teeth in his office or may provide you with trays and materials to complete the process at home.

Composite bonding

Your dentist uses composite bonding to strengthen and repair damaged teeth. During the process, he builds up these areas with composite resin that matches the color of your teeth.

Porcelain crowns and bridges

Crowns cover fragile or damaged teeth. They’re designed to look just like your natural teeth and are often used after root canals. Porcelain bridges replace one or more missing teeth. They’re called “bridges” because they connect to your existing teeth on either side of the missing tooth or teeth.

Veneers

Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain or resin that are permanently attached to the front of your teeth. They’re a good choice if you want to hide gaps or crooked, damaged or discolored teeth.

Dental implants

Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. Your dentist drills into your jaw and places a titanium implant in the opening. Over the course of several months, your jawbone grows around the implant. When this occurs, your dentist adds an abutment to support a dental crown that looks just like a natural tooth.

Inlays and Onlays

Sometimes a filling can’t be done because the damaged area is too large. In this case, inlays or onlays made of porcelain, resin or gold may be needed. An inlay fits inside the edges of the teeth, while an onlays extend beyond the edges.

If you’re not sure which cosmetic dentistry procedure is right for you, call Dr. Toan Tran, your Tampa FL Dentist at Mangrove Bay Dentistry at (813) 891-9898. After examining your teeth, he’ll review the procedures with you and help you choose the best option to restore your smile.

Michael speaks from experience. As a teenager, his own smile was enhanced through orthodontic treatment. Considering the career path he chose for himself — performing for multitudes both live and on TV — he calls wearing an orthodontic device (braces) to align his crooked teeth “life-changing.” He relies on his welcoming, slightly mischievous smile to welcome audiences and make the initial human connection.

A beautiful smile is definitely an asset regardless of whether you’re performing for thousands, passing another individual on a sidewalk or even, research suggests, interviewing for a job. Like Michael, however, some of us need a little help creating ours. If something about your teeth or gums is making you self-conscious and preventing you from smiling as broadly as you could be, we have plenty of solutions up our sleeve. Some of the most popular include:

• Tooth Whitening. Professional whitening in the dental office achieves faster results than doing it yourself at home, but either approach can noticeably brighten your smile.
• Bonding. A tooth-colored composite resin can be bonded to a tooth to replace missing tooth structure, such a chip.
• Veneers. This is a hard, thin shell of tooth-colored material bonded to the front surface of a tooth to change its color, shape, size and/or length; mask dental imperfections like stains, cracks, or chips, and compensating for excessive gum tissue.
• Crowns. Sometimes too much of a tooth is lost due to decay or trauma to support a veneer. Instead, capping it with a natural-looking porcelain crown can achieve the same types of improvements. A crown covers the entire tooth replacing more of its natural structure than a veneer does.

If you would like more information about ways in which you can transform your smile, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about the techniques mentioned above by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Teeth Whitening,” “Repairing Chipped Teeth,” and “Porcelain Crowns & Veneers.”