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. Chavala Harris is your local cosmetic dentist in Durham, NC. She offers experienced care for your aesthetic needs and can help you achieve the smile you desire.
Whether you want to make a subtle change or prefer to achieve a dramatic transformation, our team 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. We also provide additional dental services for new and existing patients. Continue reading below to learn more about the cosmetic dentistry services available at our office.
Cosmetic Dentist in Durham, NC
Dr. Chavala Harris 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. Harris 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’s 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.
SureSmile
Dr. Harris is a SureSmile provider in Durham and can help you achieve a straighter smile using this clear aligner system. SureSmile can offer a more convenient alternative to metal braces in our Durham dentist office and is often the perfect solution for teen and adult patients. From crooked teeth to malocclusion, SureSmile can treat a range of common orthodontic concerns without the hassles associated with metal braces.
Cosmetic Dentistry Benefits
Cosmetic dentistry offers many treatments to enhance the look and health of your smile. In addition to improving the aesthetic aspects of your teeth, cosmetic dentistry can also boost your confidence and overall well-being.
Improved Smile Appearance
The most obvious benefit of cosmetic dentistry is improving your smile’s appearance. Treatments such as teeth whitening, veneers, crowns, and Invisalign can address a variety of cosmetic issues, including staining, crookedness, and gaps between teeth. Whether you want to brighten your smile or straighten your teeth, cosmetic dentistry offers tailored solutions to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. A beautiful smile can make a huge difference in how you look and feel, helping you feel more confident in social and professional settings.
Boosted Self-Confidence
A great smile can have a powerful effect on your self-esteem. If you feel embarrassed about the appearance of your teeth, it can make you hesitant to smile or speak openly. Cosmetic dentistry can help you overcome these insecurities by addressing imperfections in your teeth, giving you a smile that you feel proud of. A more attractive smile will make you more likely to smile freely, engage with others, and feel more confident in your everyday interactions.
Long-Lasting Results
Cosmetic dental treatments are often designed to provide long-lasting results. For example, dental veneers can last up to 10-15 years, while crowns and implants can last for decades with proper care. This means you can enjoy your new smile’s benefits for many years without needing frequent touch-ups or replacements. The durability of cosmetic treatments, like porcelain veneers or crowns, ensures your smile will look great for a long time.
Enhanced Oral Health
While cosmetic dentistry is primarily focused on improving the appearance of teeth, many treatments also have functional benefits. For example, dental implants not only replace missing teeth but also help preserve bone structure in the jaw. Straightening your teeth with braces or Invisalign can also make it easier to clean them properly, reducing the risk of gum disease and cavities. By improving the function and health of your teeth, cosmetic dentistry can contribute to your oral well-being.
Customized Treatment Plans
One of the great things about cosmetic dentistry is that treatments are highly customizable to suit your specific needs and goals. Whether you’re interested in a full smile makeover or just need a minor touch-up, your dentist will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan. This flexibility lets you choose the procedures that best fit your dental concerns and desired outcomes, giving you a perfectly tailored smile.
Quick and Efficient Solutions
Many cosmetic dental procedures can be completed in a relatively short amount of time. For example, teeth whitening can be done in just one office visit, and treatments like veneers and crowns can often be completed in two visits. For those looking to enhance their smile quickly, cosmetic dentistry offers fast and efficient solutions with minimal downtime. This makes cosmetic dentistry a great option for people who want to improve their smile without requiring lengthy treatments.
Minimally Invasive Options
Advances in cosmetic dentistry have led to the development of minimally invasive procedures that require little to no downtime. For example, bonding and contouring can be done in one visit with little or no discomfort, while procedures like Invisalign straighten teeth without traditional braces. For many people, cosmetic dentistry improves their smile without surgery or extensive dental work.
Boost in Overall Well-Being
When you’re happy with the appearance of your smile, it can positively impact your overall sense of well-being. Smiling more often can improve your mood, reduce stress, and make you feel more relaxed in social situations. Cosmetic dentistry can help improve your appearance and emotional health by giving you a smile that makes you feel confident and happy.
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.