Cosmetic Dentistry is the art and science of beautiful smiles. A beautiful smile could change your entire outlook by changing the way you feel about your appearance. Healthy, beautiful teeth can take years off your appearance, giving you a more youthful, exhuberant look.

In fact, in a recent survey done by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 92 percent of those surveyed believe that an attractive smile is an important social asset and can actually increase your chances for career success.

Dr. Ivey will treat you as a unique individual by customizing a solution that will give you a natural-looking, attractive smile that will last a lifetime.

A veneer is a thin porcelain shell that is bonded to the surface of a tooth, generally covering only its front and top. Veneers are often used to close spaces between your teeth, lengthen small or misshapen teeth, cover dark or stained teeth, improve the smile-line and even eliminate wrinkles from the upper lip by adding fullness. Veneers can also protect teeth that are chipped or beginning to wear.

The procedure takes two appointments. During the first appointment, your teeth are prepared and shaped. Impressions are taken and provide precise working models of your teeth. The veneers are crafted by a quality lab using the models taken so they will be an exact fit. A temporary tooth (or teeth) is made until your new veneers are completed (about two weeks).

During your second dental visit, your prepared teeth are cleaned and polished. A strong adhesive is used to bond the veneers to your teeth, and a high-intensity light hardens the adhesive. Once in place, the veneers are strong, permanent, and virtually part of your teeth. The final result is a beautiful, natural-looking smile. Back to top

Over time, your teeth will inevitably begin to yellow or become discolored. This gradual change can be caused simply from the aging process, or from substances that stain your teeth, such as tea, coffee, tobacco, or nerve deterioration. We offer several procedures to help brighten your smile. Both the in-office whitening or at-home bleaching system are relatively simple and completely safe.

One-hour office procedure - Dr. Ivey offers the Rembrandt Sapphire System, the safest, fastest, and most comfortable power light bleaching procedure available today. During your whitening visit, you can simply relax and enjoy a selection from our DVD collection. The unique power light can bleach all teeth at once, or one tooth at a time, concentrating on super-stained teeth. This flexibility provides superior, uniformly white results that last. And the results are stunning and immediate.

Take-Home Bleaching Process - The take-home bleaching process is simple. All you need is one, short appointment to have an impression made of your teeth. Soft, clear plastic cleaning trays are custom-made from the impressions to fit snugly over the teeth and ready for you in about a week.

Once you receive your trays and solution, you will need to repeat the regimen every day for two weeks. Bleaching solution is injected into the trays which are worn on the teeth for about two hours twice a day. Whitening is gradual and can be repeated every several months. Back to top.

Crowns, often referred to as caps, are used to repair or replace broken or worn teeth. Crowns are often used in cosmetic dentistry to restore or help improve the look of your teeth. For single crowns, Dr. Ivey uses a non-metal, or porcelain crown using the Procera AlCeram crown. Dr. Ivey will discuss your options and recommend a crown that will provide the best possible solution.

The three different materials used in crowns:

• All porcelain - Dr. Ivey uses the Procera AllCeram crown, a unique system for fabricating highly aesthetic and functional dental crowns. It utilizes computer-assisted design/computer-aided machining or "CAD/CAM" technology that provides unsurpassed strength and aesthetics while optimizing fit. Porcelain crowns are usually used in the front of the mouth where your teeth are most visible. Because they do not have a metal base, all-porcelain crowns retain a translucent quality which makes them virtually impossible to detect from your real teeth. The all-ceramic material is extremely biocompatible, being composed of pure titanium and densely-sintered pure aluminum oxide.

• PFM - Porcelain fused to metal. These crowns are used in molars and in areas that require additional strength for biting. Natural-looking porcelain is bonded to a metal base to form the crown.

• All metal - All metal crowns have been used for many years. In some cases, metal crowns are recommended.

The procedure requires two visits. The damaged tooth is prepared to about 25 percent of its original size. An impression is then taken and sent to a lab where the crown is made to fit. A temporary tooth (or teeth) is made until the new crown is completed (about two weeks).

During the second visit the crown is bonded to the remaining original tooth. It is then polished, and your smile is restored. Back to top.

Dr. Ivey has successfully treated edentulous areas with implants for more than 20 years. Implants provide you with dental replacements that are natural-looking and functional. Implants look and feel better than traditional removable bridges, offer the same biting force and will last a lifetime.

The procedure requires an oral surgeon or periodontist to perform the initial procedure by placing the implant into the jaw, were is is left for six months to integrate with the bone. After six months, Dr. Ivey places the final resotration inside and on top of the submerged implant. The final restoration may be a crown, bridge or combination of both. Back to top.

Cosmetic Procedures:
Veneers
Teeth Whitening
Crowns & Bridges
Implants