Cosmetic Dentistry - Columbia, South Carolina
Look Great, Feel Great, Be Great
PORCELAIN VENEERS
As we age, our smiles sometimes lose a bit of their luster. Other times, you may simply be unhappy with the way your teeth look when you smile. In these cases, porcelain veneers could help restore both beauty and confidence. Porcelain veneers are very thin pieces of porcelain, shaped and color matched to your specifications. After Dr. Swick prepares them by slightly reducing the size of your teeth so the veneers will look natural, they are applied with an incredibly strong bonding agent. Porcelain veneers are a permanent enhancement and they last up to 15 years.
MINIMAL-PREP VENEERS
Once in a while our patients are not willing to make a permanent commitment to veneers. In these cases, we offer minimal-prep veneers, even thinner pieces of porcelain customized to your specifications, then applied with a strong adhesive to your natural teeth. Minimal-prep veneers offer all the benefit of traditional veneers, but they are removable.
FULL-MOUTH RESTORATION
We understand that life can get in the way of making regular visits to the dentist, sometimes for years. We also understand that teeth may become highly damaged from medications, unfortunate life circumstances, or even occupational hazards. In these cases, a full-mouth restoration may be in order. In a full-mouth restoration, we assess your oral health, discuss your smile priorities with you, and then work together to create a plan to make your teeth gorgeous and strong again. Full-mouth restorations are typically a combination of cosmetic and restorative procedures.
CROWN LENGTHENING AND GUM RECONTOURING
It is difficult to understand the difference between these two procedures because the end result is similar. But think of it like this: Crown lengthening is to expose more of the tooth to support a restoration or for aesthetic reasons and may involve processes that alter the tooth, or hard tissue. Gum recontouring involves removing excess gum tissue to create an even gum line. Just ask Dr. Swick which procedure is right for you.
COMPOSITE BONDING
If a person’s smile has gaps or chips, composite bonding may be a good cosmetic option. Composite is a tooth-colored dental material we use to fill gaps,smooth edges, or take care of chips. It looks and feels just like your natural tooth, and can restore balance and harmony to a damaged smile.
TOOTH RECONTOURING
In tooth recontouring, teeth are ever so slightly reshaped in order to create an even appearance. Sometimes people have teeth that overlap or are different in size. Sometimes tooth edges are uneven or have disharmonious wear patterns. In these cases, Dr. Swick basically sculpts your teeth, removing tiny portions of tooth with a miniature diamond sander. The procedure can restore beauty and is a fast and comfortable option for permanent cosmetic improvement.
WHITENING
Ask Dr. Swick about take-home whitening trays from Opalescence. These are custom-fitted whitening trays that come with professional-strength whitening gel. Just follow the instructions carefully and wear the trays for 15-20 minutes each day. In just two weeks, you’ll notice a dramatic change in your smile. If you have questions, give us a call. We’re glad to help.