Cosmetic Dentistry

As the old saying goes, you’re never fully dressed without a smile. To make sure your smile is a brilliant showstopper, we offer cosmetic dentistry that includes a whitening system, invisible aligners, and veneers.

Whitening

Wish your smile was a little more sparkling? Whether it’s coffee, tea, red wine, soda, berries, smoking, or just aging that has dulled your pearly whites, we can help you boost your smile with our Zoom!® Whitening System.

Zoom® In-Office Whitening

Zoom® is a bleaching process widely used throughout the country and around the world to lighten discoloration of enamel and dentin. The Zoom® in-office tooth whitening procedure uses the Zoom® Advanced Power Chairside Lamp to activate the 25% hydrogen peroxide whitening agent. As the hydrogen peroxide is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin to bleach the stained substances, leaving the structure of the tooth unchanged. The complete procedure takes less than an hour, but for best results we recommend completing the procedure immediately following a regular teeth cleaning. We’ll begin by covering your lips and gums, leaving only your teeth exposed. We’ll apply the Zoom® hydrogen peroxide whitening gel and activate the light for 15 minutes. During this time, you can relax, watch TV, or listen to music. The gel is applied for a total of three 15-minute sessions with the light activation which accounts for a treatment time of 45 minutes. If you have a strong gag reflex or anxiety, you may have difficulty undergoing the entire procedure. Immediately afterwards, we’ll apply a fluoride gel to reduce any sensitivity.

Zoom® Whitening At-Home Maintenance

After your in-office whitening session, you will receive a Zoom® at-home maintenance kit that includes custom-fitted whitening trays and a tube of whitening gel as well as detailed instructions for when and how to use your at-home whitening kit. As part of our Smile for Life program, we’ll give you a free tube of whitening gel at each of your six-month preventive care appointments so you can continue to maintain your whitening regimen. Of course, you’ll also need to practice good basic hygiene with proper brushing, flossing, and avoiding stain-causing foods or activities to see the most benefit from the Zoom® whitening procedure. This process is not for everyone; our team will visit with you about whether Zoom® whitening is a good option for you.

Teeth Alignment

If you wish for straighter teeth but just can’t commit to traditional braces, you may be the perfect candidate for clear aligners. Our clear aligners are removable, comfortable, very effective, and virtually invisible. Treatment is customized for you. The revolutionary Invisalign® system consists of a series of clear aligners that you switch out about every two weeks to gradually move your teeth into better alignment.

At your first consultation, we will discuss what you would like to improve about your smile and the results you would like to see. If we feel the Invisalign® treatment will work for you, we’ll develop a treatment plan with your goals in mind beginning with impressions of your teeth. These molds, along with photos and your treatment plan, will be sent to Invisalign®. They will use the impressions to produce a computerized 3-D model of your teeth which will help us determine the timeline of your treatment and how many aligners you may need to wear. The next step is fabricating your customized aligners, and although this varies for each person, a full set typically includes 20–30 aligners which will take approximately 10–15 months of treatment. You will wear your aligners at all times, only removing them for eating and drinking. Every 4–6 weeks, you will meet with us to review progress and to provide you with the next set of aligners. Little by little, your smile will move into something you’d like to show off.

The benefits of straightening your teeth are endless: you’ll have a healthier smile and healthier gums, your home hygiene and dental cleanings will be easier, and you may even experience improved chewing and speech. With Invisalign®, we can maintain your comfort and your natural tooth structure by preventing abnormal wear. Serenity Valley Family Dentistry is a Premier Invisalign® provider. We’ll be happy to answer questions you have about the process or how Invisalign® may work for you.