Cosmetic Dentistry

Your willingness to smile communicates a lot about you to others. Along with the eyes, smiles are one of the first features we notice about others. If you’re unsatisfied with the appearance of your smile, you may be hiding it because of subconscious insecurities about your teeth. Other people may misinterpret this hesitancy to smile as unfriendliness or disinterest.

Your self-confidence is another reason it’s important to be happy with your smile. When you are pleased with your appearance, you feel better and project more confidence. You choose the clothes you like and the hairstyle you prefer, so why not have the teeth you want, as well?

Cosmetic dental services by Dr. Spencer and his team can give you the smile you want. We will work together with you to design a plan, set realistic expectations, and get you set on the path to an outstanding smile. Of course, we always perform our treatments with your comfort in mind, and we’re sure to be gentle during every procedure. Take a look at our cosmetic dentistry offerings below.

Teeth Whitening

A bright smile is a happy smile. However, the substances you eat and drink work every day to dull and darken your teeth. While some beverages, like coffee and tea, are especially bad about staining your teeth, many common foods and drinks contribute to teeth darkening over the years. There is no way to avoid teeth staining completely, but you can do something to limit the severity.

We have professional-grade teeth whitening treatments available in office. Our treatments are not the same as the products you’ll find over-the-counter at your local grocery store. Instead, we use treatments like Zoom by Philips that are powerful, effective, and only available to dentists.

A whitening session in our office takes less than an hour and can lighten your teeth by up to eight shades. You’ll be able to enjoy noticeable results quickly. Also, Zoom whitening contains ingredients to protect your teeth’s enamel, reduce sensitivity, and increase shine.

We also provide take-home Zoom whitening kits, so you can achieve a brighter smile according to your schedule. You can whiten your teeth during 30-minute sessions once a day or choose to whiten overnight as you sleep, all in the privacy of your home. You should begin to see results within two weeks. Naturally, Dr. Spencer will provide professional advice and guidance, regardless of which whitening approach you choose.

Porcelain Veneers

It is not unusual for a patient to have several cosmetic dental issues. For example, you may have discolored teeth, as well as a few small chips. Perhaps your teeth have uneven lengths or you believe the spaces between your teeth are too large. If you have multiple cosmetic problems with your smile, we have good news. You may be able to have all these issues fixed at once.

Porcelain veneers are how patients get “movie star” smiles. Veneers are slim shields that adhere to the front surfaces of your teeth in a manner similar to how a false fingernail overlays a natural nail. In as few as one or two office visits, you can have veneers applied that cover cosmetic imperfections and give you a set of gleaming, symmetric teeth.

Specifically, veneers can help with minor chips, teeth that appear too short, dark, or discolored, unattractively large gaps between your teeth, and more. You will not need to remove your veneers. Instead, they are permanent and can last for many years.

The process of receiving veneers is minimally invasive, meaning no oral surgery is required. Dr. Spencer simply “roughens” the surfaces of your teeth to prepare them for the adhesive. Then, he applies your custom veneers. In no time at all, you’ll have a beautiful, new smile. Contact us now to set up your consultation.

Porcelain Crowns

Our porcelain crowns offer the best of both worlds: aesthetic appeal and restorative function. Your teeth are strong, but they are not impervious to damage. When you suffer trauma or extensive decay, you may develop cracks in a tooth. Those cracks can eventually lead to breakage, which is a devastating and painful occurrence. A crown can provide much-needed structural reinforcement to your tooth, effectively preventing breakage. Additionally, a porcelain crown can hide unattractive silver fillings, discoloration, cracks, and other blemishes.

We use porcelain in our crowns for several reasons. Dental-grade porcelain is an extremely strong and durable material. A porcelain crown may even last for your entire lifetime. Also, porcelain makes a great match for the natural color of your surrounding teeth, allowing your new crown to blend in seamlessly with your smile.

A crown is often the answer to a damaged tooth and may allow you to avoid tooth loss and subsequent dental treatments. We provide both new porcelain crowns and replacement porcelain crowns at our Great Falls, MT, dental office. Give us a call, and we will be happy to let you know if a custom, high-quality crown is right for your situation.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

Did you think silver-colored amalgam fillings were your only option for cavity treatment? If so, you’re not alone. In reality, you have a choice. Tooth-colored fillings are a possibility, and this option is a great choice when you have a cavity in a highly visible location. There is no need to let a metal filling ruin the appearance of your smile.

Tooth-colored fillings are made of composite resin, a material with several applications in dentistry. Composite resin has an off-white color, and Dr. Spencer can match the shade to the color of your surrounding teeth, making your filling practically invisible. You won’t need to worry about durability since composite fillings are comparable to silver amalgam fillings in strength and lifespan.

From your point of view, the process of receiving a tooth-colored filling will be virtually identical to getting an amalgam filling. The procedure times and experiences are quite similar. As always, Dr. Spencer’s team will be focused on your comfort throughout the entire process.

There is nothing wrong with silver fillings. However, if you are concerned about how a filling may impact the appearance of your smile, then talk with us about our tooth-colored fillings. These fillings are appropriate for all ages and are a highly aesthetic way of dealing with tooth decay.

Tooth-Colored Bonding

Bonding is a versatile cosmetic technique with many varied applications. Dr. Spencer can use bonding material to repair chips, give teeth a longer appearance, close large gaps between teeth, and mask discoloration. Effective application of dental bonding takes skill and training, and Dr. Spencer has years of experience with this technique.

Similar to the composite used in tooth-colored fillings, composite bonding is also tooth-colored, so the material blends in well with surrounding teeth. The process is painless and brief. Although minimum preparation of the tooth surface may be necessary, there is rarely a need for anesthetics.

As he applies the composite material, Dr. Spencer will shape it to meet your needs. He will then apply a special lamp to cure the material, so it hardens in place. Bonding is an inexpensive and quick way to correct many cosmetic problems. Many patients prefer bonding to more costly alternatives, like veneers. However, bonding will not be sufficient to fix severe cosmetic defects or major problems.

Bonding typically lasts for years. If your bonding does wear away or chip, replacements and touch-ups are a simple matter. For a minimally invasive way to address cosmetic issues, contact our office, so we can set up an appointment for you.