Are you happy with the look of your teeth and smile? Do you smile confidently, or are you reluctant to fully reveal your inner spirit? Dr. Ken Schweifler provides cosmetic dentistry in Los Altos, CA. He has the experience you need to create a beautiful and lasting smile.
Cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on improving the appearance of teeth. Still, we do not limit cosmetic treatments to teeth whitening, dental fillings, and porcelain veneers. Cosmetic dental care can improve the overall health of your smile, too.
We believe how people perceive themselves is important and influences their overall health. We also believe that how you feel when you show your smile is more important than how your mouth looks. Negative feelings toward one’s oral appearance can harm one’s self-esteem. It can even cause a person to resist revealing their utmost beauty, especially if they loathe smiling at full capacity.
Dr. Schweifler aims to provide his patients with effective cosmetic dental care options. Our cosmetic dental clinic in Los Altos helps improve the look of teeth and the stability of your bite. Not to mention, it can raise your self-esteem!
We can transform spaces, chips, or irregularly shaped teeth into ideal proportions and colors. Furthermore, we can whiten stained teeth to make them look brighter and more vibrant. Our cosmetic dental treatments incorporate treatments that may span dental disciplines, such as restorative dentistry. We will help you achieve your oral health goals and address any underlying dental concerns.
Cosmetic Dental Services in Los Altos, CA from Dr. Ken Schweifler
Learn about our cosmetic dentistry procedures. Cosmetic procedures include the below treatments.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening at the dentist is a non-invasive, inexpensive way to whiten teeth and makeover your smile. We take impressions (molds) of your teeth to create custom-fitting plastic bleaching trays. They will fit snugly over your teeth and hold the whitening gel in place. You can perform the bleaching conveniently at home. You will see results over 1-2 weeks.
A dental professional can also provide in-office teeth whitening, which can take 30 minutes to 2 hours to complete. Learn more about professional teeth whitening.
White Dental Fillings
White fillings are just like traditional amalgam fillings but contain different materials. Traditional amalgam fillings contain mercury and other silver, copper, and tin metals. Simply replacing a single silver filling or metal crown with a tooth-colored one provides an instant smile makeover. It also offers superior protection against decay. To create a seamless fit, we match our white composite fillings to the surrounding tooth structure.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a system of clear aligners that gently move teeth to a straighter position. We can use this treatment on adults and teens with mild to moderate tooth misalignment. Invisalign slowly moves teeth into the right position without wires or brackets. The result is a straight and beautiful smile in less time than it would take with traditional braces. Learn more about Invisalign.
Porcelain Veneers and Crowns
Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells that your dentist bonds to the front of the teeth. Veneers can change teeth’s shape, size, length, and color. We provide custom high-quality ceramic veneers. the strong shells transform your smile and overall look in about two visits. Learn more about porcelain veneers.
Tooth Bonding
Dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure that repairs a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth. The procedure uses a tooth-colored composite resin to fill in gaps and cover the front surface of teeth. We can use bonding to close spaces between teeth, repair chips or cracks, and improve the look of crooked teeth. The dentist will place a composite resin on the tooth and shape it by hand. Learn more about tooth bonding.
Why Cosmetic Dentistry?
Typically, people go for cosmetic dentistry because of the look of their smile. They’re unhappy with it and don’t want to show it off. However, cosmetic dental problems are usually caused by underlying oral health issues. We also want to treat the underlying oral health problems when approaching cosmetic dental issues. We don’t just want to mask the issues.
One of the best examples of this is crooked teeth. People are concerned about how they look when they smile. But they come with many other issues. Crooked teeth are harder to clean than normal. There are little nooks and crannies where your teeth overlap that your toothbrush doesn’t reach. Even our specialized dental tools may not be able to reach them. Even though you’re taking care of your teeth properly, you’re still at high risk for tooth decay and gum disease.
Crooked teeth make your bite uneven, too. When your bite comes together, the pressure distributes evenly throughout your teeth. But when your teeth are crooked, the pressure doesn’t distribute evenly. Certain teeth take on more pressure than others. These teeth wear down faster than the rest and are likelier to break or chip. You’ll then have to look into restorative solutions to fix these problems.
An uneven bite is one of the main causes of TMJ disorders. The jaw isn’t tracking smoothly because the bite doesn’t come together properly. The small disc inside the jaw joint starts to wear down, causing pain and problems with function. Pain and tension extend throughout the jaw, head, face, and neck. You may also experience issues opening and closing your jaw, or it may get stuck in a certain position. It continues to get worse with time.
All of these things can stem from the crooked teeth you’re insecure about. Especially in the long term, they can all harm your health and peace of mind.
The Smile Makeover Process
Dr. Schweifler works with patients on an individual basis to create mouths that are natural-looking and healthy. The process of creating a smile makeover starts with a thorough dental exam. First, we will look for problems that could impact the integrity of your result. Dr. Schweifler will ensure that your personal treatment plan results in a beautiful new smile that functions comfortably. The results will support your long-term oral health and wellness.
A one-on-one conversation with Dr. Schweifler is the first step in your journey toward the smile you desire. This is the opportunity to openly share your concerns about the shape of a tooth, teeth, or entire mouth.
- Dr. Schweifler will provide many options. They can range from conservative and inexpensive to more elaborate and complex.
- Dr. Schweifler can create a unique Smile Design 3D Blueprint in wax-on-stone models of your teeth. Thus more vividly communicating potential cosmetic outcomes in advance.
- We can make highly aesthetic temporary restorations from this wax design if available. This will let you “test drive” your new smile design. Before proceeding to the final phase, we will ensure you are happy with the look, function, and comfort.
Dr. Schweifler has close professional relationships with master ceramists and technicians in the area. We only partner with those as knowledgeable in their craft as he is and ensure the highest patient satisfaction. Therefore, you can expect high-quality materials in your custom dental restorations.
Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
Cosmetic dentistry improves both the aesthetics and function of your smile. Learn more by reading the answers to commonly asked questions.
What dental issues can cosmetic dentistry address?
Cosmetic dentistry can fix or disguise any issues you have with your teeth. These issues can include crooked teeth, chipped teeth, stained teeth, missing teeth, teeth with gaps in between them, worn down or ugly fillings, worn down teeth, and TMJ issues.
What’s the difference between general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry?
General dentistry focuses on preventative care to maintain your oral health. It tries to keep your mouth as healthy as possible with minimally invasive maneuvers to prevent serious conditions that require intensive work and cost. Cosmetic dentistry focuses on the aesthetics of your smile. We want you to have a smile you’re proud to show off that’s healthy and functional.
What’s the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedure?
Teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic treatment. Everyone deals with discolored teeth at some point in their lives. Professional teeth whitening isn’t an invasive procedure, is more affordable, and is something almost everyone is eligible for.
Is cosmetic dentistry permanent?
No cosmetic dental treatment is completely permanent. Tooth whitening results can last anywhere from a few months to a few years. Porcelain veneers are a longer-lasting option for 10-15 years or more. While clear braces offer what’s the closest to a permanent solution, there’s upkeep required to keep it that way. Your teeth will still shift and move if you aren’t wearing your retainer as directed.
Will my dental insurance cover my cosmetic dental treatments?
Dental insurance is a tricky subject. Most dental insurance companies only cover what they deem crucial to oral health. Typically, the only procedures that dental insurance plans cover are preventive care treatments, like teeth cleanings and fillings. Most of these plans do not cover cosmetic dentistry. They believe cosmetic treatments are elective and unnecessary to maintain good oral health.
How do I know which cosmetic dental treatments are right for me?
You should schedule a consultation with Dr. Schweifler to learn more about our available dental services. Dr. Schweifler is a talented cosmetic dentist who can recommend the appropriate services. He will list your options after listening to you and evaluating your oral health. Then, he will create a treatment plan for your oral health needs, wants, and budget. Contact our office to learn more about the cosmetic dentistry services we can provide for you.