Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic Dentistry is the part of dentistry that involves treatments that improves a person’s appearance of teeth, gums and bite. The main focus is aesthetically improving the colour, shape, size and alignment of the overall smile.
The overall desired outcome of cosmetic treatments is to brighten up your smile for a better lifestyle:
- Improve self-confidence
- A healthy smile
- That special event
- That perfect photo
- Look younger
At Parklands Dental, we work with you to achieve what you would like for your teeth. Cosmetic dentistry now offers up many affordable options to achieve that desired smile. We tailor your treatment to suit you.
“A Smile is a beautiful thing. It can not only uplift oneself but it is a gift that you can keep giving to other people!”
Teeth Whitening
How does teeth whitening work?
Teeth whitening is a popular, clinically proven, safe process which uses oxidation to break down staining from everyday foods (berries, spices and other dark foods) and drinks (coffee, tea, red wine, some juices) as well as smoking and some antibiotics.
Oxidation occurs with a light activated peroxide gel which is applied to teeth to create a whiter, brighter smile.
Generally teeth whitening has no side effects, although some patients may experience teeth sensitivity which is resolved by using desensitising gels.
At Parklands Dental, we uniquely offer our teeth whitening services in order to give you a variety of options that best suits you and your teeth, including options that make it affordable for you.
Along with the Australian Dental Association, we highly recommend that a qualified dental practitioner carry out any teeth whitening.
Read more about Australian Dental Association teeth whitening policies
Composite Bonding
Composite Bonding
Bonding is a simple treatment option to achieve great aesthetic results to improve your smile.
What is Composite Resin Bonding?
Composite Resin is a dental filling material we routinely use. It binds chemically and physically to our natural tooth structure. The material is colour matched and placed directly onto your teeth, then shaped and contoured to achieve the desired effect.
Cosmetic Dentistry solutions with Composite Bonding
A whole range of problems can be solved using Composite Bonding:
- Cracked or decayed teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Discoloured or stained teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Shortened or worn down teeth
- Teeth that may have an undesired shape
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are a thin shell of porcelain which permanently bond to the tooth surface. Veneers are a cosmetic and functional treatment to:
- rebuild crooked or broken teeth
- close spaces between teeth
- aesthetically improve permanently stained teeth.
Two visits are required:
- the first to shape the teeth and take an impression which is sent to a lab for porcelain fabrication.
- The second is to fit and apply the veneers after ensuring that you are happy with the shape and shade.
Porcelain Fillings
Porcelain Fillings
When you have a cavity or tooth decay in a tooth then we usually place a dental filling in it to restore it to normal function.
There are a range of materials that can be used. At Parklands Dental we use Composite Resin and porcelain as filling materials.
Porcelain is a much more durable material and its strength closely aligns with the strength of natural teeth, compared to composite resin.
Porcelain inlays are designed for smaller cavities whereas onlays are designed to cover most of the tooth if the restoration required is much larger.
The process involves 2 visits where we prepare the design for the filling and take an impression which is sent to a dental lab in Adelaide. They custom make your porcelain inlay or onlay which is returned and adhered to your tooth some days later. In between these visits we fit a temporary filling so your tooth can function normally.
Do you think you may have old/broken fillings like amalgam fillings that may be failing? Our friendly team would be happy to help answer any questions you have if you would like to know more about porcelain fillings.
Crowns & Bridges
What are Crowns?
Crowns (‘caps’) are a type of tooth restoration used when a tooth is heavily decayed, fractured or root filled, and a filling is not strong enough.
They are designed to cover the entire tooth thus restoring the structural integrity of the tooth and are fitted onto the tooth with a dental cement.
Crowns are made from porcelain generally, but they can also be made from a gold or metal alloy.
What are Bridges?
Bridges are a treatment option used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. Existing teeth next to the missing tooth are used as anchors or supports by placing crowns on them. Attached to this is a porcelain tooth (called a ‘pontic’) that spans the gap, thus replacing the missing tooth. Like individual crowns this is cemented into place and is not removable like a denture.
Gum Lifting
Gum Lifting
Do you feel like you have a gummy smile? Gum lifting or gingivectomy is a cosmetic procedure that involves trimming and shaping gums to improve the appearance of your teeth and smile.
Using soft tissue laser technology we delicately reshape the line where your gum meets the tooth in cases where there is too much gum or where there is a “gummy smile”.
This is also done where the gum line is uneven so that a more cosmetic shape is achieved.
Smile Makeovers
Smile Makeovers
Multiple or single cosmetic dentistry disciplines are used in smile makeovers, to give you the smile that you desire.
We take into consideration facial and dental aspects of aesthetics to contribute to a rejuvenated, beautiful and healthy smile.
Factors include:
- eye colour
- lip contours
- shade and shape of teeth
- reshaping of crooked or broken teeth, restoring worn down teeth, and implants to restore missing teeth.
Specific techniques used in smile makeovers include laser gum lifting, teeth whitening, veneers, composite build-ups, porcelain inlays/onlays, crowns and bridges.