Dr. Wakefield is one of fewer than 100 dentists in Minnesota to have
completed the
prestigious Post-Doctorate
Degree Program in Cosmetic
Dentistry at the University of Minnesota.
Not many of us are born with a perfect smile, and the degree of imperfection varies from person to person. Teeth can also become misshapen or damaged accidentally or discolored by certain prescription drugs. We have answers to all your cosmetic dentistry questions.
Click here to see before-and-after photos of some of our patients whose lives have been improved by a perfect smile!
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.
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.
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 esthetics 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!"
If you are not entirely happy with the color of your teeth, whitening may be for you. Tooth whitening 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 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.
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.
