Patients often come to our practice seeking advice on ways to correct aesthetic dental problems. These patients may require cosmetic dental procedures or treatment for a number to correct a variety of cosmetic defects - to repair a malformed bite or crooked teeth, to treat an injury, or just to improve their overall appearance. For these and many other reasons, cosmetic dentistry has become a vital and important part of the dental profession. But whatever their reason for seeking treatment, the ultimate goal is to restore a beautiful smile.

In the past decade there has been a dramatic increase in the demand for cosmetic dentistry.  We all understand that having a healthy, bright, beautiful smile enhances our appearance and allows us to increases self-confidence.  Thanks to the advances in modern cosmetic dentistry, cosmetic dentistry is no longer a luxury reserved for movie stars, and the professionals at our Marin County Dentist Office are able to improve your smile with quick, painless and surprisingly affordable treatments.

Common cosmetic dental procedures can be performed to correct misshapen, discolored, chipped or missing teeth. Procedures used in the practice of cosmetic dentistry can also change the overall shape of teeth, whether they are too long or short, have gaps, or simply need to be reshaped to create a more attractive smile.

Some of the more common procedures involve:

• Change the size, shape, and alignment of certain teeth
• Fill in unattractive spaces between teeth
• Improve or correct bites
• Lighten or brighten the color of teeth
• Repair decayed, broken, cracked, or chipped teeth
• Replace missing teeth
• Replace old, unattractive dental treatments

Which techniques should be used to improve your smile? Before making any decisions, your dentist will need to do a complete dental exam. It is very important to identify any underlying issues that may affect the results of any cosmetic dental procedure. Your Novato Cosmetic Dentist will also discuss your lifestyle with you to determine the best treatment for you. Contact your cosmetic dental professional for more information and to take the first step towards obtaining the smile of your dreams.

Are you one of the many people that still have metal fillings? These can be very noticeable inside your mouth. Advances in technology have made those metal fillings a thing of the past. Today, you can have a bright vibrant smile using tooth colored composites or all porcelain Cerec restorations, which match the color of your natural teeth.

Your Novato Cosmetic Dentist uses metal and mercury free materials to quickly and comfortably improve your appearance and protect your teeth from fractures or stress. The result is natural looking teeth, without the worry of metal fillings showing through when you smile.

Tooth Colored Restorations can be used to:

• Replace silver/mercury fillings
• Protect exposed tooth roots from gum recession
• Close visible gaps in the front of your teeth
• Restore cracked or chipped teeth
• Mask stains
• Restore decayed teeth

Depending on how damaged your teeth are determines the restoration type and materials to use so your teeth are esthetically pleasing and retain their full structure. Silver or mercury filled teeth can often cause fractures, which could lead to extensive tooth damage, and leave your tooth too weak to support a filling.

For the individual with significant damage to their teeth, all porcelain restorations are recommended. All porcelain, Cerec Restoration is available at your Novato Cosmetic dentist. Modern porcelain is as strong as your natural teeth. Once bonded, it will strengthen your remaining tooth structure. Cerec restorations for crowns are metal free, and are completed in just one visit!

Whether you need a small filling, or more extensive porcelain restorations, tooth colored materials are used to ensure an esthetically pleasing outcome. The degree of damage ultimately controls which material is right for you, so schedule an appointment today!

Did you know, knowledge about your dental health is a key link in knowing your overall heath? It is estimated that over 90% of all adults have some form of periodontal disease, and only a trained dental professional can determine the extent of the disease in your mouth.

Periodontal Disease, otherwise known as gum disease, is a bacterial infection to the gums and bone around your teeth. This disease destroys the tissue and bone surrounding and supporting your teeth. Periodontal disease is the main cause of tooth loss in adults, and is almost as widespread as the common cold.

Numerous independent research studies indicate periodontal disease has links to:

• Heart Disease
• Diabetes
• Strokes
• Respiratory Disease
• Pre-term low birth-weight babies
• Overall health issues

Periodontal disease begins when a sticky film of bacteria, known as plaque, builds up under your gums. If not removed, plaque will harden and become tartar, which can only be removed with a professional dental cleaning. If this is not treated, the plaque will irritate the gumline, resulting in Gingivitis. There is usually little to no discomfort at this stage. The only indication of the disease will be redness of the gums, swelling, and bleeding.

Some people, due to lifestyles, habits, or other factors may be more susceptible to periodontal disease. You may be at risk if you:

• Are under chronic stress
• Clench or grind your teeth
• Have diabetes, auto-immune diseases, systemic diseases, or heart disease
• Wear braces
• Have a receding gum line
• Smoke or chew tobacco
• And many more!

If you have any of these risk factors, or any of the early warning signs of periodontal disease, make an appointment for a dental check up immediately! If diagnosed early enough, nonsurgical treatments can be used to stop the diseases progression.

For tips to keep your teeth and gums their healthiest, contact your Novato Cosmetic Dentist today!

When you look in the mirror are you disappointed to see old or dark looking teeth dulling your smile? If so, you know how important white, bright teeth can mar your appearance. More patients than ever are taking advantage of teeth whitening options to turn back the clock on their aging teeth as cosmetic dentistry becomes more accessible and wide spread. Consumers can use over-the-counter teeth bleaching treatments at home or receive custom whitening in the office a dental professional. These two types of treatment are not created equally as the formulations, expected results, and treatment processes are different.
 
Professional whitening treatments are administered in our Marin County Cosmetic Dentist Office. These treatments are peroxide formulations that will actually bleach dental enamel and drastically whiten the appearance of your teeth.
 
Professional whitening treatments are:

• More effective than over the counter products because the whitening formulation contains a greater concentration of whitening agent.
• Faster than over the counter products—most patients see significant results in just one or two visits.
• More predictable than over the counter products. Working with a dental professional, you can better control the level and quality of whitening achieved.

Home whitening treatments, on the other hand are:

• Less expensive than professional whitening treatments, because they are less effective and take weeks or even months to achieve full results.
• More of a risk, because you cannot closely control the process and may end up with uneven enamel whitening, dental sensitivity, or gum irritation.

Before deciding on cosmetic whitening, it’s important that you consult with a dental professional to ensure optimal results. Professional whitening treatments allow you to better control your results, avoid sensitivity, and optimize bleaching to enhance your overall smile. Please feel free to contact Novato Cosmetic Dentistry Office for further information.

Have you ever chipped a tooth, needed a veneer, or a crown after a root canal? These are common cosmetic needs that have traditionally taken multiple dental visits to fix.

Generally, a crown takes two dental visits to complete. An impression of the tooth is made and then needs to be sent out to a lab where the permanent crown is created. It typically takes two weeks from the original appointment to complete the procedure, and the patient is stuck with the nuisance of a temporary crown.

At our Marin County Cosmetic Dentist office, we can fix your teeth in one visit!

The CEREC, or Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, is a state of the art computer system that designs and generates ceramic dental restorations. Using the CEREC system, we can do custom tooth restorations for:

• Repairing chipped or worn teeth
• Masking discolored front teeth
• Creating crowns
• Fillings and/or veneers

The CEREC system is in our dental office, and allows us to fabricate your crown while you wait, no second visit necessary! This is just one of the many benefits of CEREC. Other benefits include:

• Fewer injections, less drilling and less time our of your schedule
• No temporary crowns
• Conservation of the natural tooth structure
• Contains no metal. It is an all ceramic material
• Enhancement of life and longevity of the tooth
• Less trauma for the tooth
• Less discomfort afterward

Using the CEREC system, in only one dental visit, your teeth can be restored to their natural beauty and function. Let Marin County Dentist enhance your smile today!

Has your smile lost the shine it once had? Have you tried those over the counter tooth whitening products and seen little result, if any at all? If you are tired of stained or yellow teeth, our Marin County Cosmetic Dentist office is where this can all change.

There are many over the counter tooth whitening systems on the market today, but none are as effective or provide the same level of whitening as the professional products.  Tooth whitening is the simplest and least expensive way to enhance your smile and restore a youthful appearance.

Teeth can naturally be less than white, or may be stained and discolored due to:

• Age
• Genetics
• Illness
• Certain medications (such as antibiotics). 

Most common reasons for discoloration are due to:

• Tobacco use
• Coffee
• Tea
• Soft drinks
• Wine

Zoom! Power Whitening System

Tooth whitening is one of the safest dental procedures available. The Zoom! System is a state of the art, in office procedure. It is a safe, easy, and effective bleaching process that lightens the discoloration of your enamel and dentin. Our Novato Cosmetic Dentist offers this system as well as other professional home whitening products. This procedure is done while you sit back in our comfortable chairs, and relax while you listen to your favorite music.

Contact your Novato Cosmetic Dentist for a complementary consultation to evaluate your whitening goals and needs. We take the time to ensure that you will leave with the beautiful vibrant smile you are looking for.  

Are you less than happy with the appearance of your smile? Do you shy away from business situations and social interactions because you’re self conscious about your appearance? You may be surprised to learn that many issues you think are purely cosmetic can also have an impact on your general oral health.

Teeth that are cracked, decayed, missing, or incorrectly aligned not only mar your appearance and make you self-conscious, but they can lead to a variety of other problems including periodontal disease, jaw pain, and difficulty with chewing. Cosmetic dentistry can correct these issues, restoring your oral health and beautiful smile.

Cosmetic Dental Solutions
At Marin County Cosmetic Dentist office we understand that every patient’s needs are unique. When you visit our office, we will work closely with you to find the solution that is right for you, correcting potentially harmful dental issues and giving you a smile you can be proud of.

Cosmetic dentistry offers several solutions for perfecting your smile:

• Porcelain Veneers can cover discolored teeth and correct problems like uneven spacing, gaps, and crooked teeth
• Dental Implants can be used to replace missing teeth and offer additional support against shifting teeth and jaw collapse
• Porcelain Crowns offer a strong, aesthetically pleasing solution for patients with cracked or chipped teeth
• Tooth-colored fillings prevent further decay while appearing natural, unlike amalgam fillings
• Tooth bonding corrects the appearance of broken, misaligned, or crooked teeth

There are almost unlimited options for creating a smile you can be proud of. In addition to correcting potential dental problems and ensuring your overall oral health, our Novato Cosmetic Dentist offers a wide range of cosmetic services from basic teeth whitening to more complex procedures such as dental implants. This combination of sound general dentistry combined with cosmetic dentistry offers a solution for every smile.