Cosmetic Dentistry

Invisalign – Veneers – Bonding – Teeth Whitening – Crowns- Smile Makeover – Replacing Fillings

Dr. Wakefield is one of fewer than 100 dentists in Minnesota to have received a certificate recognizing her participation in a post-doctorate degree program in aesthetic dentistry at the University of Minnesota.

If you wish you could change the color, shape, position, or size of your teeth, cosmetic treatment may be for you!

Whether you want to change just one tooth or several, we can give you the smile you’ve always wanted so you can be proud of your appearance.

Cosmetic dentistry is probably the most exciting treatment we provide for our patients. We so enjoy the impact this treatment has had on our patients’ lives. Many of our patients were unhappy with the smile they saw in the mirror. After treatment, our patients are proud of their smiles. They tell us they smile more, are more confident, and feel better about themselves. One of our patients even canceled plans for a facelift as she said her new smile made her look ten years younger!

Together we will analyze your smile and plan a treatment that will not only beautify your teeth, but improve the harmony of your teeth and smile line in relation to your face and lips. The treatment is often minimally invasive and comfortable.

Call us today for a complimentary visit. We’ll show you the dramatic changes we’ve made for others and how we can help you!

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin layers that are artistically fashioned in a lab, and then applied to the surface of the teeth in our office. The veneers look and function the same as the teeth; any differences are virtually invisible to the naked eye. Veneers can change the size, shape, or color of a single tooth, or they can be used to recreate the entire smile.

Problems that can be corrected with veneers include:

• staining
• misshapen teeth
• chipped teeth
• discolorations
• spacing
• crowding

The translucency of the porcelain is what gives veneers their natural appearance. Light reflects from the porcelain surface in the same way it reflects from tooth enamel, unlike materials formerly used by dentists.

With the latest in porcelain technology, we have the ability to make beautiful veneers with little to no preparation of the teeth. We can close spaces, re-shape, cover up discoloration and a give you the gorgeous smile you have always wanted.

At your first appointment, Dr. Wakefield will examine your teeth and discuss a treatment plan with you. She will assess your needs and determine whether porcelain veneers are appropriate for your situation.

Bonding

Bonding is the process of changing the shape and/or color of a tooth using a plastic coating that is applied to the tooth, then sculpted and smoothed. The coating is hardened with a high-intensity light, and the process can often be completed in a single office visit.

Bonding can enhance the appearance of teeth that are misshapen or malaligned.

A ceramic resin is applied to the tooth and hardened with a high-intensity light. Dr. Wakefield then contours and polishes it, creating the appearance of a natural tooth. The procedure often does not require the use of anesthetics for the patient.

Bonding of ceramic resin can last several years. However, the material is weak and porous, and therefore prone to staining and chipping, unlike porcelain veneers.

Bonding is generally much less expensive that its alternative treatment, porcelain veneers.

Crowns

When a tooth is weakened (by large existing fillings or fractures) we can restore the shape and function of the tooth with a crown. The aesthetics of the new porcelain technology is unsurpassed in history. Some of our patients say, “The tooth with the crown is the best-looking tooth in my mouth!”

It may have been recommended that you have a crown placed. A crown is the treatment of choice in the following situations:

• To support the tooth and protect it from fracture when the existing restoration is sufficiently large so as to jeopardize the strength and function of the tooth.
• To replace tooth structure lost when an unprotected tooth suffers a fracture.
• To replace lost tooth structure when insufficient structure remains to support a filling.
• To restore optimal contour of the tooth to improve periodontal (gum and bone) health and improve access for home care.
• To restore proper vertical dimension (distance between nose and chin).
• To correct congenital malformations and staining of the teeth.
• To support a bridge.
• To strengthen and shape the tooth to support a partial denture.
• To improve aesthetics.

A crown can be fabricated of either a gold alloy, a veneer of porcelain over a gold framework, or fully of porcelain.
We will recommend the type of crown which will best meet your needs based on the material and its properties. In the case where any type of crown is acceptable.

Smile Makeover

Have you ever wanted to change the way your smile looks? We can transform your current mouth to a beautiful smile. We have many different ways of doing this, so give us a call for a free consultation about how we can improve your smile.

Teeth Whitening

Over time your teeth can get stain from some of your daily habits, such as drinking coffee, soda, and many other foods. Your teeth also start to yellow as you age. With our custom teeth whitening, you can erase years off your smile to have those gorgeous white teeth you have always wanted in very little time.

If you are not entirely happy with the color of your teeth, professional teeth whitening may be for you. Teeth whitening, often referred to as teeth bleaching, is a process that actually lightens the color of the enamel and dentin.

There are many causes of tooth discoloration. Tooth color is mostly an inherited trait. Tooth color also depends upon the condition of the teeth, general dental health, and lifestyle considerations.

We will determine if you are a viable candidate for the tooth whitening process during your thorough oral examination.
If together we decide you are a candidate for whitening, we will take impressions of your teeth. These impressions are used to create models of your teeth. After the models are prepared, trays will be formed over them. These trays will precisely fit around your teeth, and accommodate the whitening gel.

Benefits of Whitening:

• A whitening procedure supervised by a dentist can produce whiter, brighter smiles in a two week period.
• You whiten in the privacy of your home. Many patients choose to whiten while they sleep.
• The whitening agent used in our office is an oxidizing gel that oxidizes the surface stain from the tooth surface. It does not contain hydrated silica, an abrasive found in many over-the-counter whiteners.
• All teeth whiten to some degree. The best results are achieved with teeth which are yellow, orange, or a light brown.
• We use only products which have been found to be safe and effective by the ADA Council on Dental Therapeutics.

Limitations of Teeth Whitening:

• Whitening agents do not whiten tooth-colored filling material or porcelain (crowns, veneers, and bridges).
• The degree of whitening a person will achieve is not predictable.
• The effect of teeth whitening is semi-permanent and may fade with time but can be maintained with additional applications if you desire.

Contraindications of Teeth Whitening:

• Persons who have tooth root exposure due to gum tissue recession may experience increased sensitivity to air and cold and may not be good candidates for whitening procedures.
• Patients who use tobacco products should refrain from tobacco during treatment.
• Persons with active decay are not recommended for whitening until restorative phase of treatment is complete.
• We do not recommend the product be used by those allergic to hydrogen peroxide or its derivatives.
• Patients who are pregnant or lactating should avoid use of whitening.

Possible Adverse Reactions:

The teeth may become sensitive (to air, cold, certain foods). This is short-lived and reversible. If this occurs:

• Use less gel
• Shorten length of time of each exposure
• Increase intervals between exposures
• Apply sodium fluoride if directed
• Inexpensive desensitizers may be purchased and used in your whitening trays (instead of the gel) on the days your teeth feel sensitive.

Gum tissue may become irritated. If this occurs:

• Do not allow tray to rub against tissue
• Remove excess gel after tray is seated

If excess gel is swallowed, sore throat or nausea may be experienced. Following the directions for use should avoid the possibility of swallowing the gel

Replacing Fillings

As amalgam fillings age, they can sometimes darken and become more noticeable and less esthetic. You might consider having them replaced with tooth-colored (resin bonded) fillings, or with porcelain inlays.

Click here for After Treatment Instructions