Just as a kitchen renovation can transform a space you use every day, cosmetic dentistry can improve the look of your smile for a renewed sense of confidence. Cosmetic procedures include teeth whitening, veneers, white fillings, porcelain crowns, and dental bridges.
Treatment Coordinator Devin Gray is a Pascagoula native who graduated from Moss Point High School and University of South Alabama. She loves spending time with her family and repurposing thrifted clothing.
Teeth Whitening
A bright, white smile is something that many people want. Whether they have mild staining or want to remove extrinsic tooth stains, there are several cosmetic dentistry Pascagoula procedures that can help. These procedures include whitening, veneers and crowns.
Depending on the type of whitening method, the procedure can take between 30 and 60 minutes. A bleaching gel is applied to the teeth and then an LED light is used to activate it. It is important to avoid consuming staining foods and drinks after treatment, and re-treatment may be necessary.
Dr. Jessica Bosarge Taylor, a Pascagoula native, is the lead dentist at Gulf Islands Dentistry in the city’s South Shore district. A summa cum laude graduate of Pascagoula High School, she is active in community organizations and provides family dental care.
Veneers
Veneers are strong, thin caps a dentist can place on the top of your teeth. They can improve the appearance of your smile, especially if you have chipped or damaged teeth. They can also make your teeth whiter and brighter. You can choose between porcelain or resin-based composite veneers.
Porcelain veneers are most popular, as they resist staining and offer a natural-looking appearance. However, they require multiple appointments and invasive tooth modification.
Resin-based composite veneers are less invasive and can be used to shape your teeth before placing more permanent porcelain ones. Your dentist will clean, etch, and prepare your teeth before bonding the composite veneers.
Bonding
In dental bonding, tooth-colored resin material is bonded to a damaged tooth and hardened with ultraviolet or laser light. This procedure can be completed in a single office visit and typically lasts several years before it needs touchups. Cosmetic dental bonding can be used to change a tooth’s color, close gaps between teeth, repair a chipped or cracked tooth, or replace old silver fillings. Unlike porcelain veneers, which require the removal of natural enamel, bonding is minimally invasive. However, dental bonding is less durable than porcelain and may not be able to withstand biting or chewing forces. Therefore, it is not recommended for use in back teeth.
Crowns
Crowns, also known as caps, fit over a damaged tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and improve appearance. They can save a tooth with large decay that cannot be saved with a filling, protect a cracked or broken tooth, hold a root canal treatment in place, and even replace missing teeth.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are fabricated with a metal core covered in porcelain for durability and a more natural look. Sometimes, the underlying metal can show as a dark line next to the gums (though this is less common with newer materials). These can be more durable than all-porcelain crowns but may not have as good of an aesthetic.
Bridges
Many treatments overlap between cosmetic dentistry Pascagoula and restorative dentistry, and dental bridges are one of these. They are a good option for replacing missing teeth and can improve your smile, as well as prevent the remaining teeth from shifting out of place.
A traditional bridge consists of two anchoring teeth, a pontic (the replacement tooth), and abutments. During your initial visit, the dentist will prepare the anchoring teeth by removing a small portion of enamel to create a space. A mold will then be taken and sent to a laboratory where the bridge will be fabricated.
Gulf Islands Dentistry Treatment Coordinator Devin Gray is a Pascagoula native and graduate of Moss Point High School and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. She loves working with a talented team of dedicated professionals at the practice.
