Cosmetic Dental Services

It can be hard to define exactly what makes a smile beautiful. We know one when we see one. But cosmetic dentistry is not about giving you the teeth you see in someone else’s mouth. It’s about giving you the teeth that are absolutely right for your features.

Dr. Rich has spent over twenty years studying and practicing the art and science of beautiful smile design. She has trained in advanced esthetics at the Las Vegas Institute, and combines that knowledge with her vast experience in functional and neuromuscular dentistry.

For teeth that have been chipped, fractured, crowded, worn, or discolored (sometimes through tetracycline use as a child), esthetic crowns and veneers can often be the most ideal treatment to restore both form and function to your smile. But esthetic improvements to your teeth do not always require a full mouth of new crowns or veneers.

Sometimes treatment of a single tooth or group of teeth is all that is needed in order to enhance the overall appearance of your smile. Simple bonding or minor orthodontic treatment can also enhance or produce the final outcome, and in some cases the cosmetic treatment itself can produce “instant” orthodontics, or the appearance of straightening the teeth.

As with any other type of restorative treatment, the foundation is critical. Sometimes periodontal treatment is required as an adjunct treatment to ensure that the restored teeth are healthy and well-supported. In some cases, a small amount of laser gum recontouring may also be necessary to achieve the most ideal result.

In order to determine just how much restoration may be necessary to improve your smile, a detailed examination is necessary. During this exam, Dr. Rich will assess any potential recurring causes of damage and analyze your teeth and facial proportions.

If cosmetic crowns or veneers are indicated, she will then have beginning impressions and photographs taken of your teeth and send them to the best cosmetic dental laboratory. Using Dr. Rich’s designs, a highly-skilled porcelain technician will then create wax models of the ideally-proportioned restorations for your approval before any treatment is commenced.

To schedule a cosmetic evaluation,
or to inquire further about Dr. Rich’s treatment philosophy, please call 503-228-6870.

Cosmetic cases are not always complex, but they are very individual. A brief email exchange may begin the process, but ultimately a telephone conversation will be necessary to adequately address all the information needed to schedule the appropriate appointments.