Cosmetic Dentist – Greater Inwood, Houston
Whiten Teeth and Correct Imperfections
A head-turning smile allows you to show the world your true personality without hesitation. It is for this reason, we are happy to provide basic cosmetic dentistry services. As a family dental practice, we take every measure to keep your teeth healthy, and to take your smile that extra step on the path to perfection, Dr. Lawton can tailor a cosmetic plan to brighten and whiten dull and damaged teeth.
Even with correct maintenance and hygiene, teeth discolor with age and dietary habits, and they can crack, break, and shift for any number of reasons. Thankfully, we can treat most of these issues with cosmetic dentistry, which enables us to boost the health and beauty of your smile. Dr. Lawton can provide high-quality, in-office and at-home teeth whitening treatments using the Ultradent product line. He can also correct damage, slight misalignments, and discoloration with customized porcelain veneers or cosmetic bonding. Schedule a consultation today and find out how Dr. Lawton can enhance your healthy smile using cosmetic dentistry.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are an excellent way for patients to comprehensively change their smile’s appearance in just a few short appointments. This type of custom-made restoration is designed to be extremely thin so that Dr. Lawton can fit it over the front, visible surfaces of the teeth. The result is impressively beautiful while still maintaining full function.
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Full-Mouth Dental Restoration
At times, recovering oral health after facing extensive injuries, advanced decay, or years of well-meaning neglect may seem like an insurmountable goal. Thankfully, Dr. Lawton has a talent for solving even the most advanced dental problems his patients are facing. Together, he will work with you to develop a customized full-mouth restoration plan that addresses your needs and goals, giving your smile a new lease on life.
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Metal-Free Dental Restorations
Our patients shouldn’t have to choose between repairing damaged teeth with metallic restorations and maintaining a smile that’s wholly natural in appearance. Metal-free restorations are the perfect compromise, offering both high-level aesthetics and durable longevity. The ceramic materials we use are a very precise match for tooth enamel – they even have the same translucent quality. Additionally, they’re biocompatible, less sensitive to temperature than their metal counterparts, and tough enough to last for several years at a time.
Dental Bonding
Direct bonding is a fast and simple way to repair smaller dental flaws, such as chips in the enamel, gaps between teeth, and dark spots. In most cases, Dr. Lawton will only need one appointment of your time to complete this procedure. He’ll start by applying a tooth-colored composite resin to the requested tooth and then sculpting it to perfection. Once the flaw is fully covered, your new dental addition is hardened in place with a curing light and polished so that it has the same feel as the rest of the tooth.
Teeth Whitening
Over time, teeth are likely to become darker, discolored, and stained for several reasons – poor oral hygiene, a diet with plenty of coffee and wine, and even unavoidable genetics to name a few. If you’re ready to give your smile a boost of brightness, let Dr. Lawton know that you’re interested in teeth whitening. We offer in-office procedures for conveniently fast improvements and take-home kits for a more gradual and flexible experience. Both methods can whiten your enamel by several shades!
Digital Imaging
Many patients want to undergo the cosmetic makeover of their dreams, but they hesitate to commit. “What if I don’t like the finished result after all that work?” they ask. Thankfully, Dr. Lawton and the rest of our team can provide a virtual sneak peek into the future through digital imaging. All we need is a current photo of a patient’s smile and a list of the services they’re interested in. With a few tweaks and edits, we can change the photo to reflect these improvements so that they can see what they have to look forward to!
Gum Recontouring
Would you describe your smile as “stubby” or “gummy” in appearance? Do your teeth seem noticeably uneven? Aesthetic gum recontouring can correct these concerns by reshaping your natural gum line and removing excess tissue, revealing the beautiful teeth hidden underneath. The precise beam of our soft tissue laser is very comfortable, and patients can expect a fast recovery period following their procedure.
Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
At this point, perhaps you want to see a cosmetic dentist in Houston. They could treat your smile flaws so your grin looks gorgeous! However, you should learn the basics of cosmetic dentistry first. Doing so will confirm if its procedures suit you. Luckily enough, we at Dr. Lawton’s office can help: here are the answers to some popular cosmetic dentistry questions. Reading them will let you see how aesthetic treatment works. Otherwise, just call us to learn any other relevant details.
Does Cosmetic Dentistry Hurt?
Given stereotypes, you might fear that cosmetic dental procedures hurt. The truth, though, is quite the opposite: this field of dentistry is entirely painless. Dentists take precautions to ensure your treatment is smooth and comfortable.
Firstly, most cosmetic dental work is non-invasive. Procedures like teeth whitening and dental bonding, for instance, don’t even involve a local anesthetic. Dentists can directly apply the bleaching gel or resin (respectively) without causing discomfort.
Secondly, a dentist numbs your mouth before performing invasive cosmetic options. That way, you won’t feel pain as your tooth (or teeth) are reshaped during treatment. You may feel sore afterward, but this effect is temporary and fades in a few days.
Why Is Cosmetic Dentistry So Popular?
Today, cosmetic dentistry is fairly popular for several reasons. The chief ones, though, are the high level of societal dental health and cosmetic work’s new accessibility.
You see, the modern average person has better dental health than was possible before. This fact stems from recent advancements in dentistry techniques and home oral care. As a result, people have more leeway to shift from preventive care to cosmetic boosts.
On the other hand, present-day cosmetic dentistry is highly accessible. It used to be that its treatments could only be bought by the wealthy and famous. With the rise of flexible financing, however, more individuals can afford to book cosmetic work.
How Can Cosmetic Dentistry Change Your Life?
While doing so may seem frivolous, correcting smile flaws can improve your quality of life. A white and bright grin, you see, has several unexpected perks.
For one thing, you’re likelier to keep your smile clean if you like how it looks. In particular, you’ll brush and floss more often and see your dentist regularly. You’ll then have better oral health as a result.
Furthermore, pride in your grin means you’ll show it off frequently. This habit will lower your stress levels by causing your body to produce endorphins. According to some research, it’ll also boost your immune system.
How Long Does Cosmetic Dentistry Last?
Ultimately, the lifespan of cosmetic dentistry varies. It all depends on which treatments you receive and whether you care for your smile.
As it happens, quick and easy cosmetic work tends to have shorter results. That principle certainly applies to teeth whitening and direct bonding, which only last a few years. There are some exceptions, however. Gum recontouring, for example, is usually quickly done and offers permanent results.
Longer, more invasive cosmetic options – veneers, crowns, etc. – usually last a while. Their materials are of a higher quality and durable. Still, you’d be wise to care for them over time. They could erode if you’re not careful and fade early.