Who says you can’t have a healthy smile that’s beautiful, too? Your cosmetic dentists in West Mobile at Parker Dental & Orthodontics can take the teeth and gums Nature gave you and craft your vision of the perfect smile. It starts with an aesthetic smile consultation. Read about what that entails and how amazing the results can be.

What Would You Like to Change?

Think about what you dislike about your teeth and gums. Do you have mild crookedness? Are your teeth stained from tobacco or dietary selections such as coffee and curry? Are dark amalgam fillings prominent in the front of your mouth?

Bring your concerns to your dentists in West Mobile, Dr. Hube Parker and his professional associates at Parker Dental & Orthodontics. Dr. Parker will study your teeth and gums through careful visual inspection and digital X-rays. Also, he will listen to your concerns and smile goals. Together, you will arrive at a cosmetic treatment plan perfect for your budget, personal schedule and aesthetic preferences.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry says that most people they survey feel a great smile makes someone look and feel their very best.  Dr. Parker and his team are dedicated to help you achieve that great smile.

Treatments That May Be Included

At Parker Dental & Orthodontics, Dr. Parker and his team are pleased to offer several cosmetic services. Two of the most common address tooth color and tooth shape. They are professional teeth whitening and porcelain veneers. Here are some details on both.

Professional Teeth Whitening

This simple aesthetic service safely bleaches stained enamel, resulting in a bright and renewed smile in about two weeks. Dr. Parker ensures that teeth are healthy enough for whitening before proceeding. In other words, teeth and gums should be free from extensive decay, multiple restorations and gum disease.

Then, he takes oral impressions used to craft acrylic whitening trays. These comfortable trays apply a powerful hydrogen peroxide whitening gel just to the tooth enamel without spilling on to adjoining gum tissue. The patient takes the trays home and fills the trays with the gel, wearing them for a prescribed amount of time daily. Over the course of two weeks, teeth brighten by several shades of color.

Why do teeth stain? Time and age change tooth color, but even teens and young adults can have dull yellow enamel because of:

• Prescription medications such as antihistamines
• Dark foods such as blueberries, soy sauce and curry
• Highly pigmented beverages such as coffee, tea, soda pop and sports drinks
• Neglected oral hygiene habits leading to an accumulation of plaque and tartar

To keep teeth bright and shining, whitening patients should:

• Brush twice daily
• Floss every day
• Get semi-annual check-ups and cleanings at Parker Dental & Orthodontics
• Get occasional whitening touch-ups
• Stop smoking (check with your primary care physician)
• Stay hydrated

Porcelain Veneers

Some smiles have more than problems than surface stains. They may have chips, deep discolorations, small gaps, hairline fractures and more. For these problems, Dr. Parker may recommend beautiful porcelain veneers,  a permanent way to cover defects in just two visits to the dental office.

Who is a candidate for these shells of fine dental ceramic? Patients with healthy teeth and gums may receive veneers. Also, they should have good at-home oral hygiene habits and come to Dr. Parker every six months for oral examinations and hygienic cleanings.

Also, prospective veneers patients should understand that this cosmetic treatment is permanent. To place veneers, the dentist removes a small portion of enamel from each tooth. He takes oral impressions to send to an outside lab where a skilled ceramist individually makes each veneer according to a three-dimensional model of the patient’s mouth.

At the next appointment, Dr. Parker uses special tooth-colored adhesive to bond the veneers in place. Additionally, he checks the fit and bite for a perfect result.

Your Customized Plan

Your new smile may include whitening, veneers or other offered services such as Invisalign clear aligners, tooth-colored fillings and all-ceramic restorations. Dr. Parker can do it all under one roof, and you’ll be delighted with the results.

To arrange your cosmetic dentistry consultation, contact Parker Dental & Orthodontics for an appointment. We have four locations to serve your needs.