Cosmetic & Advanced Restorative Design
Washington, D.C.
The goal of creating cosmetic dental restorations is to simulate or improve the appearance of the natural dentition. Successful cosmetic dentistry must perfectly integrate with the whole face, not just the surrounding teeth.
Cosmetic Dentistry at Chevy Chase Digital Dentistry
The cosmetic dental exam and design process is the key to long-term success. The artistry of digital protocols allows Dr. Azin Ghesmati and Dr. Andrew Cobb to design, image, and develop the smile before any irreversible care begins. This team effort between dentist and patient ensures you get your dream beautiful smile. We offer cosmetic and restorative services to meet your dental treatment plan and needs.
Teeth Whitening
As we age, our enamel may thin and expose the layer of the tooth we call dentin. Dentin is naturally yellow in color and causes a yellow tint on the teeth. Consuming highly acidic food and beverages can speed up staining on the surface of the teeth.
Chevy Chase Digital Dentistry provides at-home teeth whitening. Our professional at-home teeth whitening system requires custom-made trays to fit perfectly over your teeth and uses professional quality whitening gel.
In one to two weeks, you will see results. Unlike over-the-counter teeth whitening options, professional at-home systems whiten all of your teeth and provide maximum comfort with minimal tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.
Minor Clear Retainer Tooth Movement
The most common way to correct crooked teeth is through orthodontic treatment or the use of braces. While traditional orthodontic treatment calls for metal braces, many patients today elect to use clear aligners to straighten their smile.
Clear, near-invisible retainers and aligners have revolutionized orthodontic treatment options. They achieve the same results as traditional braces without many of the downsides. Clear aligners move the teeth in small increments like metal braces. However, they can also complete minor cosmetic corrections in a matter of months.
In addition to cosmetic gains, orthodontic movement can help create a stable, even, and comfortable bite. Our office uses your digital mouth scans to create retainers that will gradually move your teeth to a straight position. For more involved orthodontic needs, we work as a team with some of the area’s best orthodontists.
Most patients want to avoid wearing braces altogether. However, there may be certain conditions where straightening teeth without braces is not likely. In these cases, alternative procedures can effectively straighten teeth without braces. Common treatments for straightening teeth without braces include:
- Porcelain veneers cover the front and sides of teeth and can correct minor problems in tooth alignment.
- Cosmetic bonding is a treatment that uses tooth-colored composite material to improve the look of crooked teeth and close gaps between teeth.
- Dental implants are for replacing lost teeth. However, they can help someone with crooked teeth who needs to remove teeth to correct major alignment problems.
Tooth Bonding
Tooth bonding is a dental procedure that uses composite material to cover the tooth’s front or top surface. Using today’s biocompatible tooth-colored materials, we can use bonding to fix many dental health issues, such as:
- Filling dental cavities
- Repairing chips and cracks
- Closing gaps between teeth
- Repairing worn-down teeth
- Fixing misshapen teeth
- Making teeth appear longer
- Improving the look of stained teeth
This cosmetic dental treatment can be an economical option or a transition to porcelain veneers or crowns. Patients can usually receive dental bonding in just one visit.
Dental Veneers
We can correct chips, gaps, stains, and various additional cosmetic concerns with veneers. Veneers cover the front part of your tooth with an ultra-thin layer of ceramic material. We can match the existing shades of your teeth or work with you to choose a new shade for a more dazzling smile.
Case planning is critical for porcelain veneers. Choosing an experienced cosmetic dentist ensures the best results and long-term wear. Our dentists take a very conservative approach to porcelain veneers. This means they do their best to save as much of your real tooth structure as possible.
Porcelain veneers are a permanent replacement for teeth. However, we can remove old veneers if they crack or incur damage. Once a veneer has been removed, it cannot be put back on. In this scenario, Dr. Azin Ghesmati and Dr. Andrew Cobb will work with you to determine whether new veneers or an alternate option are your best path forward.
Dental Crowns
Severely worn and damaged teeth are at risk of further damage and loss. A crown is like putting new enamel on the entire tooth surface. A crown is a protective covering that permanently sits on a broken tooth. The crown provides benefits that restore function, prevent further damage, provide additional strength, and improve the look of severely warped and stained teeth.
Our office spends much time planning each crown to ensure proper placement and the best results. Many materials are available and selected based on strength and cosmetic concerns.
Cosmetic Implant Restorations
Missing teeth can be enough to ruin self-confidence, leaving us less inclined to smile and show off our bright side. It can take a toll on physical health, too. Missing teeth make eating difficult and also pave the way for issues like jaw bone loss, misalignment, and gum disease. Overcrowding is also an issue when remaining teeth move into empty gaps.
Cosmetic implant restorations are a popular procedure in dentistry for replacing missing teeth. The cost of the procedure can vary depending on the type of implant that you need. Cosmetic implant restorations have become more affordable over time due to technological advances.
The most popular dental implants consist of titanium. You can find these dental implants in different colors and shapes, making them more aesthetically pleasing than other types of dental implants.
Dental implants are by far the most modern option for missing teeth as well. A dental implant will restore both the look and function of the original tooth. In fact, our dental implants, placed by Dr. Azin Ghesmati or Dr. Andrew Cobb, are so life-like even you will find it hard to tell the difference.
Smile Makeovers
A smile makeover is a great way to boost your confidence and show off your pearly whites. With the help of the latest digital dental technology, Drs. Ghesmati and Cobb can now provide patients with a complete smile transformation in just a few visits. From teeth whitening and veneers to dental implants and braces, there are many options available to help you achieve the perfect smile and boost your oral health.
Whether you want to improve the look of your teeth or address any dental issues, a smile makeover can help you get the results you desire. When more extensive problems are present, we will work with you to find the best and most conservative choice. We follow a thorough 4-step approach that we outline below:
1. Comprehensive Evaluation
Our dentists will carefully assess the teeth, gums, mouth, jaw joints, and muscles. They will look for signs of decay, stress, or instability.
Many of a patient’s cosmetic dental concerns are from functional abnormalities. Because of this, it’s important to correct any health or functional problems prior to making cosmetic improvements. This will ensure that there is no recurrence of either the cosmetic or functional concerns.
2. Solution Planning
The 3Shape design software allows Dr. Ghesmati and Dr. Cobb to design treatments with immense efficiency and precision. Using 2D and 3D schematics, patients are able to view proposed corrective actions and results before we start any irreversible treatment.
3. Tooth Shaping and Prototypes
3D printing models provide a road map for tooth shaping and prototypes, improving accuracy and reducing invasiveness. We frequently print prototypes ahead of time to supply a precise forecast of results.
Traditionally, dentists use the term “temporaries” for these interim restorations. Prototypes more accurately portray the final result. They allow for a “test drive” to confirm that planned treatments achieve cosmetic and restorative dental goals. This level of detail in dental care ensures functionally comfortable results.
4. Final Restorations
A state-of-the-art dental laboratory will produce the permanent restorative elements we use for the final cosmetic procedures, e.g. - crowns, porcelain veneers, and dental bridges. Drs. Ghesmati and Cobb team up with some of the country’s top dental labs and ceramists, providing exact specifications using 2-D and 3-D modeling to give the lab everything they need to achieve the best possible result.
Because of this comprehensive design process, the application of the final restoration is not a guess at our dental office. It is a predictable and dependable result that feels comfortable, looks natural, and functions well.