Cosmetic Dentistry

If you are unhappy with your smile, we at Berardi Dentistry have several ways of achieving the look you have always desired.  Sometimes events pop-up and we need to make a great first impression.  With cosmetic dental enhancements, a job interview, wedding, or first date doesn’t have to be a dreadful experience.  You can leave a lasting first impression with a wonderful smile.
Modern cosmetic dentistry can help you reverse the aging process by giving you a more youthful, brighter smile.  Cosmetic dentistry today is simpler than ever and with a variety of options a new dynamic appearance is just around the corner. 

Teeth Whitening

The most common and simple cosmetic treatment is teeth whitening.  All whitening products contain the same ingredient used to lighten your teeth.  This active ingredient is called carbamide peroxide.  The differences in the variety of whitening products consist of different strengths of the peroxide.  Over the counter whiteners, such as white strips, have a lower concentration of peroxide and have limited results.  Whiteners dispensed from a dental office will have increasingly higher concentration of peroxide.  These whiteners are given to the patient under the direct guidance of the dentist.
Drinks like coffee, tea, red wine, and cola may lead to stained and darkened teeth.  At Berardi Dentistry, we recommend a custom whitening system that will quickly brighten your smile without harming your teeth.  This system is easy to use and provides immediate results.  Because whitening gel contains fluoride, little post-whitening sensitivity occurs.  Remember, dental fillings do not whiten.  You made need to replace any fillings on your teeth that remain darker than your new, brighter smile.

 
Bonding

If you are unhappy with not only the shade of your teeth, but also their shape, then bonding may be the answer to your problem.  Bonding can be used to close spaces between the teeth, lengthen small or misshapen teeth, and lighten stained teeth.  Bonding can be used on one tooth or transform and entire smile.
Generally, bonding is the placement of composite resin filling material over the teeth and shaping it into a more pleasing shape and lighter shade.  If your teeth are darker, we may have you whiten them before bonding.  The reason for this pre-whitening is to have a lighter shaded tooth to cover with the bonding and also to improve the shade of any adjacent teeth that won’t be bonded.  Without pre-whitening you would have a two-toned smile.
Once a desired shade is achieved, the bonding process can begin.  This process takes one appointment and in that time the teeth are prepared with an etchant allowing the bonding to adhere to the enamel.  The composite resin is then placed and light-cured to the tooth.  Dr. Berardi will then sculpt and polish this lighter colored material allowing for a transformation smile.  You can have the new smile that you’ve always wanted through bonding.  Like any other type of filling material, bonding will wear down over time.  At Berardi Dentistry we will examine your bonding during your ‘check-up’ appointment and if necessary we can easily tune-up your smile.

Veneers

Veneers are the most popular method of improving the look of your smile. Porcelain veneers are translucent, thin laminates specifically made to improve the esthetics of natural teeth, to correct crowding, or to replace composite bonding. Veneers can beautify your smile by improving the color and shape of one or more of your teeth. A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain or plastic that's bonded to a tooth, generally covering only its front and top.

Veneers, like bonding, can be used to close spaces between your teeth, lengthen small or misshapen teeth, or whiten stained teeth. And if your teeth are chipped or beginning to wear, veneers can protect them from damage and restore their original look.

It takes two or more appointments to restore your teeth with veneers. On the first appointment, your teeth are shaped and roughened. From impressions, precise working models are made of your teeth. It's on these models that the veneers are crafted to exactly fit your teeth. On the second appointment, your prepared teeth are polished and cleaned. Then an adhesive is used to bond the veneers to your teeth. A harmless high-intensity light hardens the adhesive.

Once in place, veneers virtually become part of your teeth. You can use them like you would your own teeth, because the bond is extremely strong. The final result is a more beautiful and natural looking smile!