Serving Durham, NC, and surrounding areas, Oak Grove Family & Cosmetic Dentistry offers an extensive menu of cosmetic dentistry services to help you achieve your dream smile. Dr. Erika Graham is your local cosmetic dentist in Durham, NC.
Whether you want to make a subtle change or prefer to achieve a dramatic transformation, our experienced doctors can work with you to create the healthiest and most beautiful version of your natural smile. Cosmetic dentistry services can aesthetically correct your smile while restoring function to your bite. Continue reading to learn more about the cosmetic dentistry services available at our office below.
Cosmetic Dentist in Durham, NC
Dr. Erika Graham is your local cosmetic dentist in Durham, NC. She has helped many of our patients and community members achieve beautiful and healthy smiles with cosmetic dentistry solutions.
Our first priority is to ensure your smile is healthy, so we address any underlying issues causing your cosmetic concerns before completing any cosmetic procedures.
Once any underlying conditions have been addressed, Dr. Graham will recommend one or a combination of our cosmetic dentistry services that best meet your needs. When you receive a cosmetic dentistry treatment plan at Oak Grove Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, it may include any of the following services.
Cosmetic Dentistry Services
Our office provides a variety of cosmetic dentistry services so that we can meet every patient’s need.
Teeth Whitening
A common dental concern that we treat in our Durham, NC dentist office is dental discoloration. This is a common concern because many foods and beverages we consume daily contain staining agents that attach to our teeth and leave behind residues. These residues affect the color of your teeth, which is why many patients will notice their teeth begin to yellow as they age.
Our teeth whitening services can lift years of discoloration from your smile. Our whitening options are personalized to you, unlike over-the-counter options that take a one-size-fits-all dentistry approach. If you suffer from dental staining or discoloration, our teeth whitening services can help you achieve a whiter and brighter smile. To learn more about the teeth whitening services we offer in our office, see Teeth Whitening.
Porcelain Veneers
Perfect for patients looking to achieve a complete smile transformation, porcelain veneers act as your teeth-but-better approach to cosmetic dentistry. Using thin, porcelain shells that attach to your teeth, porcelain veneers are designed to replace the front-facing portion of problematic teeth. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can get one veneer or a full mouth of veneers.
We can conceal misshapen teeth, gaps, and stains with porcelain veneers, creating a more uniform version of your smile. Because they only replace the front-facing portion of your tooth, you will still maintain most of your natural tooth structure beneath your veneer, making this a minimally invasive yet highly effective cosmetic dentistry procedure. To learn more about how porcelain veneers can benefit your smile, see Porcelain Veneers.
Tooth Bonding
Our office provides tooth bonding as a conservative cosmetic dentistry solution for minor chips, gaps, stains, or cracks. Using the same resin material utilized for dental fillings, a small amount will be placed over small imperfections and hardened to your tooth using ultraviolet light. Then, your dentist will shape the material until it blends seamlessly with your surrounding dental structures.
We can complete a tooth bonding treatment within one appointment. Patients will leave our office with a fast and cost-efficient smile makeover. The bonding material will last several years and can easily be reapplied if needed. To learn more about our tooth bonding services and what bonding can be used to aesthetically correct, see Tooth Bonding.
Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
Do you have further questions about our cosmetic dentistry services? Continue reading to learn more about our cosmetic dentistry services and find answers to questions commonly asked in our office.
Can teeth whitening treatment help someone with yellow teeth?
Yes. Teeth whitening treatments are highly effective for patients who have yellow teeth. The active ingredients in teeth whitening products help remove the pigments inside the enamel and dentin that can make the teeth look yellow. However, reaching the shade you desire may take a few sessions if the teeth are too yellow.
How long does dental whitening last?
On average, professional dental whitenings last between 2 to 3 years. However, depending on their habits and diet, it can vary from patient to patient. It may last as little as six months for a patient who regularly consumes highly pigmented substances such as tobacco, wine, tomatoes, or sodas. A patient’s oral health also plays an important role in the duration of the results.
Is a porcelain veneer procedure painful?
No. Generally, porcelain veneers don’t require extensive dental teeth prepping. This means the dentist will only prep a small portion of the enamel surface, which does not cause any pain. However, if there is any type of discomfort during the procedure, the dentist will use anesthesia to make the process as pleasant as possible.
Are there foods I should not eat with porcelain veneers?
Yes. Porcelain veneers are very durable dental restorations. However, they are not as strong as your natural teeth. Therefore, they can break when chewing hard food, such as hard candies or ice. Patients should also avoid cutting foods with their teeth, like biting apples or eating corn on the cob.
Will tooth bonding weaken my teeth?
No. Your dentist will only use tooth bonding once the teeth suffer from tooth decay. Thus, in this case, bonding will reinforce the structure of the teeth, making them stronger. Moreover, this will prevent your tooth from breaking or fracturing while eating.
Can my dentist remove tooth bonding, or is it permanent?
Yes, we can remove tooth bonding. However, the dental tissues removed before the bonding won’t grow back. In addition, the teeth might be fragile without bonding restoration due to the lost tissues. If you choose to remove your bonding, we recommend replacing it with a new bond or a different cosmetic restoration so that your bite function and smile aesthetics are not lost.
Schedule An Appointment
Looking for a cosmetic dentist in Durham, NC? Our office is currently welcoming new patients. We invite you to experience the difference our personalized approach can make in caring for your smile. Schedule an appointment online, or contact us directly if you have questions about our services. We look forward to seeing you soon.