Cosmetic Dentistry
Seattle, WA
 Cosmetic dentistry has skyrocketed in popularity over the past few decades. At Queen Anne Family Dental, we specialize in several cosmetic services aimed at improving the appearance of your teeth and overall smile. From minor cosmetic changes to full-tooth restorations, we have got you covered!
One of the most common complaints we receive involves the brightness of our patients’ smiles. For this reason, we offer professional teeth whitening treatment. Teeth whitening is one of the most basic and cost-effective ways to improve your smile.
As we get older, our teeth pick up stains from certain foods, drinks, medications, and personal habits. These stains, also known as extrinsic stains, are easy to remove with a bleaching solution. However, many store-bought bleaching products leave people dissatisfied with the results. Because we are trained professionals, we use a bleaching agent with a much higher concentration than store-bought alternatives. Our whitening treatment could make your teeth up to eight shades brighter in just a single appointment!
Dental crowns are covers that hide and protect damaged teeth. If the damage to teeth is severe, so much so that the teeth cannot be restored through a filling, dental crowns are used to restore the normal shape and protect the teeth from further deterioration. Some patients become nervous when their dentists tell them they need dental crowns. This is because patients generally associate any dental procedure with pain. But the process of placing dental crowns is pain-free, no matter the type of dental crown used.
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that completely covers the visible portion of a damaged or decayed tooth. In previous years, a dental crown was fabricated using a gold or silver amalgam. These days, porcelain is usually the material of choice. Porcelain is a ceramic compound that mimics the light-reflective properties of natural enamel. It can also be textured and color-matched to your existing teeth. Thanks to porcelain and other ceramics, crowns can also be used to fix the aesthetics of an unsightly tooth.
The preparation for placing a dental crown includes treating the damaged teeth, filling it if needed, scaling it to make space for the crown, and taking the impression of the mouth. The impression is used to create the customized dental crown to fit perfectly in place of the damaged tooth. The dental crown is placed in one or two steps. The two-step procedure is the old-school method where the dentist uses the material polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) to take the impression of the damaged tooth. They will use this impression to create the dental crown. The one-step process is advanced and quicker. The impression is taken through an intraoral scanning device that delivers 3D scans of the inside of the patient’s mouth.
A dental veneer is a razor-thin shell that is bonding to the front surface of a tooth. Like our dental crowns, our veneers are typically made from porcelain. Veneers can be used to fix teeth that are severely discolored, worn down, chipped or broken, misaligned, uneven, irregularly shaped, or even gapped. During the procedure, we have to remove a small amount of enamel to accommodate the thickness of the veneer. For this reason, the veneer procedure is considered irreversible.
Despite their superficial similarities, veneers and dental crowns are designed to cover distinct areas of the tooth and restore it to its natural shape. Dental crowns cover the whole tooth and are used to restore the shape and strength of a tooth, while veneers only cover the front face of a tooth and are mostly used for cosmetic purposes.
Patients looking for a less-invasive and more cost-effective solution may benefit from dental bonding. Dental bonding involves the application of composite resin, a putty-like material, to the surface of an aesthetically displeasing tooth. For example, dental bonding is an excellent solution for minor chips or cracks. During the procedure, the composite resin will be color-matched to the existing shade of your enamel, making it virtually indistinguishable from the rest of your tooth.
Single Visit Crowns are made of porcelain over metal that caps your teeth to protect them. Single Visit Crowns are made on-demand, while you wait. Single Visit Crowns are not made of gold and silver, so they are strong. We use a CAD machine, which uses x-rays and photos of your teeth to make a 3D model of your tooth. We use that to make a permanent crown while you wait - rather than waiting for days or even weeks for a replacement.
We offer clear aligners as a discrete alternative to traditional orthodontic treatments, such as braces. Aligner treatment involves a series of trays that gradually move your teeth to a more proper position. We often recommend clear aligners for adult patients who do not want their treatment to get in the way of their personal or professional life.
Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign for Adults
Traditional braces are perhaps the most common type of orthodontic treatment. At Queen Anne Family Dental, we specialize in traditional braces, as well as some other straightening appliances. If you or your child needs orthodontic treatment, we can help you determine which orthodontic appliance is most appropriate.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you are unsatisfied with the current state of your smile, you may qualify for cosmetic dentistry! Call (206) 424-4450 to schedule an appointment now! |
