Cosmetic Dentist in Stamford CT

Cosmetic Dentistry

Transform Your Entire Smile

Cosmetic Dental Services in Stamford CT

What is cosmetic dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is a subset of dental services that caters to improving the appearance of the gums, mouth, and teeth. At The Stein Dental Group, we are proud to offer an array of cosmetic dental services designed to improve minor and major defects. We value your needs and are committed to helping you achieve a beautiful, vibrant smile that will enhance your oral health and confidence.

There are many reasons why people might not love their smiles. Cosmetic dentistry services aim to fix your problematic teeth and deliver you a bright, beautiful smile. People should never feel the need to hide their smiles and with the systems we have in place at our office, you’ll never be self-conscious again.

Cosmetic Dentistry Cosmetic Dentistry Services We Offer

Teeth Whitening Services

Even though hard work is required to maintain good oral hygiene, it does not guarantee protection against the development of stains. Teeth stains are common and can range in color, size and shape, sometimes appearing as yellow or brown stain lines, and other times presenting as irregular blotches. Stains can be caused by drinks (coffee, tea, wine), food, medications, and smoking; however, some causes of staining can have a more severe impact than others.

Teeth whitening services are commonplace nonsurgical procedures designed to remove teeth stains and help you achieve a brighter, whiter smile. Despite the recent saturation of the market with teeth whitening products, professional grade teeth whitening services remain the safest and most effective elective procedures for achieving long term results. If teeth whitening services are the type of upgrade you are seeking to improve the look of your smile, please visit our Teeth Whitening services page to learn more about the different types of professional grade whitening services that our Stamford, CT office can offer you.

Crowns

Porcelain crowns are ideal for tooth restoration as they are translucent and look like your natural teeth. Today, porcelain crowns are considered the most beautiful crown that a tooth can get. They offer great strength along with great aesthetics.

Veneers

Veneers are another common procedure that can be performed to improve one’s smile. Veneers were designed as a long-term solution for misplaced teeth, chipped teeth, discolored teeth, and enamel damage. Unlike corrective dental procedures, veneers do not require orthodontics or the realignment of teeth to achieve a perfect smile. Typically made of porcelain or composite materials, veneers are designed to match the style of your teeth. These materials are bonded to the front surface of the teeth to cover any imperfections. Veneers also have the added benefit of increasing the strength of your teeth. The hardness of these materials can aid your teeth by supporting any preexisting cracks in the enamel that may have weakened their structural integrity.

Cosmetic Services Explained Porcelain Veneers Explained

How Are Veneers Created?

Before being prepped for veneers, one of our dentists will inspect your teeth to determine you have met the appropriate eligibility criteria. This inspection includes ensuring there is no evidence of tooth decay or grinding that may compromise the success of the intervention. After confirming good oral standing, our dentists will begin the preparation stages of fitting your veneer.

There are two main types of veneers that can be created. Composite veneers are constructed from resin in the office, bonded to the front of your teeth, cured and polished in one visit. Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, typically take more than one visit to complete. Porcelain veneers are designed by compiling layers of laminated shells together and customizing them to match the style of your teeth. This process requires fabrication by a lab technician.

In some cases. Porcelain veneers also require trimming of the enamel of the tooth that is being fitted. Because veneers add contour to the teeth, trimming allows the veneers to be properly aligned with the neighboring teeth to ensure no visual overlap is present. Afterwards, a mold of your teeth can be taken and used as a template for the assembly of your veneer. Our molds will be sent off to a lab technician, where the veneer will be created using a 3D printer. Once we receive your return order, we can evaluate the product to determine if the fit and color are correct. If the veneers meet your satisfaction, we will commence bonding the veneer to the front of your teeth.

What should I expect while I wait for my veneer to be developed?

Because porcelain veneers can take two to three weeks for completion, it is common to be fitted with a temporary veneer at the end of your first appointment. Temporary veneers are placed after the inspection, trimming and impressions of the teeth have been taken. There are several reasons that a temporary veneer is required. One reason is for protection. If trimming was required due to the presence of tooth decay, the structural integrity of the tooth may be partially compromised, and in some cases, this may increase susceptibility to tenderness. Temporary veneers will help protect tender teeth and prevent them from sustaining any future damage. Another reason a temporary veneer is important is that it serves as a trial period before committing to the permanent veneers.

While the patient is wearing the temporary veneers, our dentists will be able to evaluate the comfort, speaking/chewing abilities, and the overall appearance. If the temporary veneers do not meet your satisfaction, our cosmetic dental team can work with you to make necessary adjustments.

Do you have to get your teeth trimmed to get veneers?

While it is not unusual for dentists to trim teeth for fitting prior to placing veneers, it is not always required. Composite veneers do not require every patient to have their teeth trimmed as the resin can often be built up around the pre-existing surfaces. However, if there is some tooth decay, then the dentist will most likely need to trim down your tooth.

How long do veneers last?

On average, veneers typically last 8-10 years. The materials used to create the veneer impact the overall resilience of the product. Porcelain veneers tend to last longer than composite veneers, as long as 15 years at their upper limit, due to increased hardiness/durability when bonded to the teeth. Composite veneers, on the other hand, have an upper limit of 8 years. Aftercare habits are also very important in dictating the lifespan of veneers. Similar to natural teeth, veneers can chip or break, thus we recommend refrain from chewing hard foods, nail biting, opening items with your teeth and grinding your teeth.

Cosmetic Services Explained Dental Crowns Explained

Dental crowns are an important cosmetic solution for a variety of dental needs. A dental crown is a singular covering placed over a tooth to help restore its shape, integrity, appearance and function. More expansively, dental crowns can be recommended for the following reasons:

To aid weakened teeth affected by advanced tooth decay
To support a misshaped or cracked tooth following trauma
To serve as a superficial cap to an implant
To protect a tooth that has undergone a root canal procedure

Are there different types of dental crowns?

Yes, a large variety of materials can be used to manufacture a crown depending on the cost, function, and personal preference of the individual. Below are some of the most common types of crowns:

Gold crowns: A durable copper alloy with high strength and durability that requires less trimming of your natural tooth for placement. Gold crowns are placed over molars due to their ability to sustain gradual wear over time.
PFM (Porcelain fused metal): A fusion between porcelain and metal elements that offers aesthetics of porcelain at a more affordable cost.
Porcelain: This type of crown provides the most natural look. Although susceptible to chipping and not as strong as gold crowns, porcelain remains a popular option for front teeth restorations.
Zirconia: A newer type of crown material that offers strength closely matching the strength of metal crowns while limiting chipping experienced with porcelain crowns. These types of crowns can be bonded or cemented and often placed during your initial visit; however, the strength of the material can wear down the biting surfaces of adjacent teeth.

Your Initial Visit for A Dental Crown

During the initial visit, our dentist will take X-rays to examine your teeth, mouth and jaw. The nature of the reasoning for the crown will guide the subsequent steps taken. If the tooth is exhibiting signs of tooth decay, the dentist will prepare the tooth for the crown by removing the decay using a drill. If the tooth appears to be infected or the tooth decay has reached the deeper, neural region of the tooth, known as the pulp, a root canal may need to be scheduled before proceeding any further. Once the decay has been removed, the tooth will be properly trimmed/shaved to create a proper for the crown. The dentist will proceed by taking an impression of the teeth in order to get an accurate sizing and fit for the crown. The impression will then be sent to the lab for the crown to be fabricated. Since the crown will take about 2-3 weeks to be created, the patient will leave with a temporary crown.

Your Follow Up Visit

Once our office has received your crown, we will have you come in to test out the fit and color of the crown. If the crown meets your expectations, one of our dentists will cement the crown over your tooth.

How long do crowns last?

Collectively, crowns can range in lifespan from five to fifteen years depending on the materials Crowns also vary in life spans depending on how the crown is maintained. Following a proper oral hygiene regimen is one of the most effective means of protecting the crowns’ lifespan. Patients should also avoid hard foods and be mindful of any habits that may hinder a dental crown such as biting nails, grinding teeth, etc.

What is the difference between veneers and crowns?

Veneers and crowns differ in their coverage. Veneers cover the front portion of the tooth (the visible portion) while crowns cover the entire tooth.

If you are feeling insecure about the status of your smile, or maybe you are unsure whether a particular imperfection can be addressed, give our Stamford, CT Cosmetic Dentistry office a call. Cosmetic dentistry may be an appropriate solution. Our dentists are trained to analyze and create custom treatment plans designed to meet your expectations.

The staff is exceptional here. I actually looked around for a good fit for my children and myself and found it here at The Stein Group. Dr Stein is very professional, great at what he does with a soothing bedside manner and everyone from the nurses to the ladies at front desk couldn’t be nicer or more accommodating. My kids were thrilled with the video games and could have stayed longer. 5 stars!

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