The Ultimate Guide to Teeth Whitening: Everything You Need to Know

Who doesn’t want a bright, dazzling smile? Despite regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene, teeth tarnish and discolor over time. Teeth whitening is an effective and reliable way to restore your brilliant smile. Here’s everything you need to know about whitening your teeth.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening brightens your smile by removing stains and discoloration. It’s a very effective way of lightening the existing color and enhancing the appearance of your teeth without causing any damage to the tooth’s surface. 

Learn More: Is Whitening Safe for My Teeth?

Why do teeth change color?

The most common reasons teeth change color include:

• Food and beverages – Food and drinks cause discoloration and impact the appearance of your teeth. What are the biggest tooth-staining culprits? Red wine, coffee, tea, dark sodas, berries, and tomato-based sauces.
• Tobacco –  All forms of tobacco contain black particles that cause visible stains on the teeth. Smoking causes the inside of the mouth to become dry. This dryness makes it easier for tobacco particles to stick to the enamel, staining the teeth more quickly.
• Wear and tear – Over time, wear and tear on teeth can cause them to look discolored. As your enamel wears down and gets thinner, the yellowish-colored dentin underneath shows through, making your teeth look darker and stained.  
• Dental trauma – Falling, chipping, and other dental injuries can damage the enamel and tooth discoloration.
• Medications – Some medications including antihistamines, antidepressants, antihypertensives, and antibiotics such as tetracycline, are known to stain and discolor teeth. 

What are the top teeth whitening options?

Many teeth whitening products and treatments are available, so choosing the right option for you can be confusing. Talk to your dentist if you want the best results from teeth whitening. Here are the most commonly used options:

• Whitening toothpaste – Whitening toothpaste doesn’t change the color of your teeth, but it can eliminate surface stains and make them appear whiter. Small, mildly abrasive particles gently remove surface stains that build up over time.
• Over-the-counter whitening strips – Although professional teeth whitening treatment is more effective in achieving whiter teeth, OTC teeth whitening strips help remove surface stains or discoloration on natural teeth.
• Professional take-home whitening kits – A powerful, prescription-strength whitening gel with a special tray customized to fit over your teeth is the best option if you want a brighter smile. The process only takes two to four weeks, and the gel won’t leak onto your gums. Atkins & Anderson DDS trusts the Opalescence™ tooth whitening system.
• In-office whitening treatment – If you want teeth whitening results quickly, an in-office treatment might be a good option. A high-intensity whitening gel brightens teeth in about an hour. The strength of the active chemicals and the added use of lasers or lights require a dental professional to place a protective barrier over the gum tissues and oversee the procedure.

Facts about teeth whitening

There are several misconceptions about teeth whitening, so here are some things you should know:

• Teeth whitening is safe. If you’re using OTC whitening products, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. The safest way is to use an at-home whitening tray and gel from your dentist or have your teeth whitened in the dentist’s office. Teeth whitening doesn’t damage your teeth because your teeth naturally remineralize and rehydrate after each whitening treatment.  
• It’s best not to whiten too often. While safe, you shouldn’t whiten your teeth too often. Whitening products use abrasive chemicals or bleaching agents to remove stains. These ingredients can weaken and erode your enamel, causing sensitivity and tooth decay if used frequently.
• Your teeth have pores. Your teeth have tiny pores that absorb color from highly pigmented items like coffee, tea, soda, and tobacco. Teeth whitening products open your teeth’s pores and deactivate the stains to whiten your teeth. 
• The best time to whiten your teeth is before bed. Whitening before bed reduces the opportunity for staining and allows your teeth to remineralize and rehydrate overnight. 

Ready to transform your teeth with teeth whitening?

Professional teeth whitening is a safe and effective way to restore your dazzling smile and keep your teeth bright and healthy! Contact us today for more information about Atkins & Anderson Family and Cosmetic Dentistry or to schedule an appointment.

Dental emergencies usually happen without warning and come in many forms – some more urgent than others. Knowing what to do and who to call after an injury empowers you to handle these unexpected emergencies quickly and effectively.

If you live in the Bryan/College Station area and wonder if your pain or discomfort is considered an emergency, Atkins & Anderson DDS is here to help determine if you need to make an appointment.

What is a dental emergency?

When experiencing a dental emergency, people often hesitate to call their dentist because they aren’t sure if the situation warrants urgent dental care. So, what constitutes a dental emergency?

The American Dental Association defines dental emergencies as “potentially life-threatening and requiring immediate treatment to stop ongoing tissue bleeding or to alleviate severe pain or infection.”

Life-threatening dental emergencies include:

• Uncontrollable bleeding – from accident, trauma, health condition, or other cause
• Trauma that involves facial bones that may be compromising a person’s airway
• Soft-tissue infections with swelling could compromise someone’s airway. Tooth infections can spread into the soft tissues and cause swelling without pain.

Non-life-threatening dental emergencies that require urgent care include:

• Extreme tooth pain from decay
• Pain from post-extraction surgery or dry sockets
• Abscesses or other infections causing pain and swelling
• Third molar/wisdom tooth pain
• Objects caught under the gums or between teeth causing pain or swelling
• Trauma to the mouth causing one or more teeth to become loose or displaced
• Tooth chips, fractures, or lost fillings causing trauma or pain to the soft tissues or teeth
• Orthodontic wires or other dental appliances becoming loose and cutting into the gums or cheeks

The longer dental issues go untreated, the more likely they’ll cause permanent damage to your teeth – or result in significant and expensive treatments.

How do you handle the most common types of dental emergencies?

Knocked Out Tooth

If a child’s primary (baby) tooth gets knocked out, apply pressure to the bleeding area. Don’t try to place a baby tooth back in the socket because this may damage the permanent tooth growing under the gum. Call your dentist.

If a permanent tooth gets knocked out, follow these steps quickly:

1. Locate the tooth if possible. If you find it, hold the tooth by the crown, not the root.
2. Don’t wash or remove any tissue pieces from the root.
3. The tooth must stay moist! If possible, put the tooth back in the socket and hold it in place. If you can’t do this, keep the tooth in your mouth next to your cheek. A third viable option is to place the tooth in a clean cup of fresh milk or saliva. Do not place the tooth in tap water. 
4. See your dentist or an emergency dentist within 30 minutes if possible – there’s a chance the tooth can be saved within an hour of being out of the mouth.    

Broken or Chipped Tooth

The most common minor dental injury is broken, chipped, or cracked teeth. However, immediate treatment can help prevent infection and save the tooth. Follow these tips if you have a broken, chipped, or cracked tooth:

• Rinse your mouth with warm water and assess for pain, temperature sensitivity, or rough edges.

• If a blow to the face caused a broken or chipped tooth, put a cold compress on the area to help reduce swelling.
• Call your dentist immediately and take the tooth fragment(s) with you if you can find them.

Read More: Did You Chip or Break a Tooth? Here’s What to Do

Painful Toothache 

A painful toothache can indicate an abscess or infection. 

• Rinse the mouth with warm salt water to clean it. 
• If there’s any swelling, place a cold compress on the cheek. 
• Call your dentist to schedule an emergency appointment.

Mouth Injury

If an impact results in a jaw injury, the jawline may appear crooked or dislocated. Keep the injured person’s face as still as possible and get emergency assistance promptly.

Follow these tips if you bite or cut your cheek, tongue, or lip:

• Stay calm. There are a lot of blood vessels in the mouth tissues, so even minor injuries may look worse than they really are. 
• Wash the area gently and place moist gauze or a towel on the area to control any bleeding. Keep firm pressure until the bleeding stops. Then, place a cold compress on the area to reduce swelling.
• Contact your doctor or head to the nearest urgent care or emergency room if the bleeding doesn’t stop in 15 minutes, if the cut is deep, extends onto the face, or if there’s a puncture through the lip or cheek.
• Most mouth injuries heal properly on their own, but it’s crucial to keep the area clean to avoid infections. Rinse with salt water or a 1:1 mix of water and hydrogen peroxide several times daily to help the wound heal quickly.
• Contact your dentist or doctor if you see signs of infection, like fever, swelling, pus, redness growing wider around the wound, or the wound remaining tender or painful.
• Talk to your orthodontist if you or your child have orthodontic braces and a loose bracket or wire cut into gums or cheeks. They can provide dental wax and other ways to temporarily solve the problem until you can get into the office.  

Final Thoughts

Since you never know when a dental emergency will occur, it’s important to be familiar with these helpful tips for the most common dental emergencies. Your dental insurance plan also has information explaining how they cover dental emergencies.

Atkins & Anderson DDS has a dentist on call 24/7 for emergencies outside our regular business hours. Our on-call dentist can speak with you to assess the emergency and meet you at the office if necessary. Contact us today to learn more about the dental services we offer Bryan/College Station residents.

The holiday season is upon us – and this year, you or someone you love may be wishing for a whiter, straighter, more beautiful smile. At Atkins & Anderson Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we know a dazzling smile is a gift that lasts a lifetime.

What is cosmetic dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is a broad term for dental procedures that improve the look of your smile. Over time, your teeth can wear down and become discolored or damaged. Cosmetic dentistry helps restore and rebuild your smile, making your bite and teeth more comfortable – and boosting your appearance and confidence.

What kinds of procedures does cosmetic dentistry include?

Veneers – Porcelain veneers are a conservative cosmetic treatment that makes a dramatic difference in the appearance of your teeth. They’re the perfect solution (and gift) if your teeth are crooked, chipped, stained, or have gaps between them. Veneers are customized to fit your teeth and boost your smile, appearance, and self-esteem.

Read More: Crowns vs Veneers 

Teeth Whitening

Whitening your teeth can make a huge difference in a beautiful smile. Coffee, wine, and tobacco can discolor teeth over time, diminishing your dazzling smile. Dentist-supervised tooth whitening is safe, effective, and long-lasting. Our practice uses a trusted at-home whitening kit with a customized tray that fits over your teeth. Powerful, prescription-strength whitening gel is inserted into the tray before you wear it. You’ll have a beautiful and dazzling smile in a few weeks!

Read More: Is Whitening Safe for My Teeth?

Invisalign

Whether you’ve never had braces or you had braces before, but your teeth have shifted – Invisalign may be your answer. Invisalign is a system of clear aligners that work to move teeth into the most ideal position. It’s an aesthetic alternative to conventional braces because the aligners are clear and barely noticeable.

Read More: FAQs About Invisalign

Porcelain Crowns and Bridges

You can erase years of wear and tear with porcelain crowns. Atkins & Anderson Dentistry uses a tooth-like crown made of porcelain to restore your tooth after the decay has been removed. With a sturdy porcelain cap, crowns protect and restore cracked, broken, or weak teeth. Porcelain bridges replace a missing tooth by anchoring to existing teeth or crowns on either side of the missing tooth.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

New advancements in dentistry mean you can now have tooth-colored fillings instead of silver fillings – resulting in a brighter, whiter, long-lasting smile. The tooth-colored material is bonded to the tooth for a stronger restoration.

Composite Bonding

A tooth-colored material applied to the tooth’s surface is known as composite bonding. The bonding material is sculpted and polished to look indistinguishable from your surrounding teeth. Bonding is an excellent option for chips, cracks, and damages due to stains and decay. It’s a quick procedure at an affordable price.

Read More: We’ve Got Answers to Your Dental Bonding Questions

Let Atkins & Anderson Dentistry Give You a Dazzling Smile

What better gift can you give a loved one or yourself than a healthy, beautiful smile? Other gifts may bring a smile for a little while, but the gift of cosmetic dentistry brings smiles that last a lifetime! Contact us today to learn more about our services.

The world of braces has changed dramatically over the years. The word braces used to evoke feelings of dread as people pictured bulky metal and headgear. Now, there are many more options making braces less uncomfortable and less obvious. The age that many people wear braces is also changing. While braces are typically seen on school-aged children, more and more adults are getting braces. If you missed the opportunity for braces as a child, or your teeth have shifted since then, there are several reasons you should consider braces as an adult. 

1.    Invisalign is an Option

Unlike when you were an adolescent, there are many more options to straighten your teeth. Clear aligners such as Invisalign will still give you the impact of traditional braces without the discomfort or visibility of metal (or colorful rubber bands). At Atkins & Anderson, DDS, we are thrilled to offer Invisalign to our patients. Schedule an appointment with us today to discover if Invisalign is right for you. 

2.    Improve Your Overall Oral Health

Braces do more than simply straighten your teeth. Braces reduce discomfort in your jaw and correct an overbite or underbite. Misalignment of your teeth can lead to more serious dental conditions causing persistent pain, sleep disruptions, and difficulty eating. Jaw-related issues such as TMJ, overcrowded teeth, or a history of grinding your teeth can be reduced with the help of braces. Sometimes the position of the teeth makes it difficult to brush or floss effectively which can lead to tooth decay and cavities. Braces are a simple solution to a host of dental problems. 

3.    Smile with Confidence

Life is too short to be self-conscious. We want you to love your smile. Wearing braces for a short time is worth it if the result gives you more confidence. We want you to be successful in both your personal and professional life. Having a smile you’re proud of is a great step toward putting yourself out there and achieving your goals.

4.    It’s Worth the Investment

Braces often cost between $5,000 and $8,000. Check with your insurance company to see if you have orthodontics coverage. If braces are needed for reasons beyond cosmetics, dental insurance may help cover the costs. While braces are a financial investment, they can positively impact your life and protect your mouth from various dental issues. If you’re concerned about the cost of braces, talk to our front office about payment plans. Our team at Atkins & Anderson will show you the best options for braces that meet your oral needs as well as your budget. 

If you have questions about braces or want to see if Invisalign is right for you, schedule an appointment with us at Atkins & Anderson, DDS, today! 

The calendar is marked for your upcoming family photoshoot. You’re thinking about outfits that will match (without being too “matchy”) and praying that there is at least one picture of the whole family smiling so that you can display it proudly on your Christmas card. You browse your closet looking for inspiration while you brush your teeth one morning, thinking about a beautiful photo that displays your family’s love for one another and everyone’s pearly whites. You rinse your mouth and wonder if you should whiten your teeth before the photoshoot. After years of countless cups of coffee, you realize your bright white teeth are a bit dull. But you wonder, “Is teeth whitening safe?” “What are your options?” “Will it even work?” 

At Atkins and Anderson Dentistry, we want you to be proud of your smile and your Christmas cards. There are several options that are both safe and effective when it comes to whitening your teeth and we can help you make the decision that’s right for you.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Whitening products contain either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide—bleaches that break down stains on your teeth. The bleach makes your teeth look whiter and brighter by reducing the color concentration of the stains.

Is It Safe to Bleach My Teeth?

Over-the-counter and in-office teeth whitening products are safe, though the effects differ from person to person. Some people experience a side effect of tooth sensitivity. When the peroxide gets through the enamel, reaching the soft layer of dentin, it can irritate your tooth nerve. In most cases, the sensitivity does not last. You may decide to delay treatment until your teeth are no longer sensitive, and then try again. While safety is not a concern for teeth whitening products, the effectiveness is. Some types of tooth coloration do not respond to bleach. Before you invest time and money into whitening your teeth, talk to your dentist first.

What Are My Whitening Options?

• Over-the-Counter Bleaching Products are common, easily attainable products that you can order online or purchase at the grocery store. The concentration of the bleach will not be as strong as the products in your dentist’s office, but they can be effective. If you go this route, talk to your dentist about your options and make sure you choose a product with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. This ensures the whitening kit has been tested and found safe and effective.
• In-Office Bleaching is also known as chair bleaching because it typically requires one office visit. During your appointment, your dentist protects your gums by applying a protective gel or rubber shield. Then, bleach is applied to your teeth.
• Opalescence is an at-home bleaching kit that our team at Anderson & Atkins highly recommends. We provide a custom-made tray that fits your mouth, prescription-strength whitening gel, and specific instructions on how to apply the tray and how long to wear it. Within a month, you’ll have a bright white smile again!

Opalescence gives you the perfect blend of the at-home whitening comfort and pace with the products and guidance only a dentist can provide. For more questions about Opalescence, or the best way to bring your smile back to life, contact Atkins & Anderson, DDS today.

Accidents happen. That might just be the first lesson we all learn. That and “it’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.” These principles apply to many situations that lead to a chipped or broken tooth. In many cases, it’s purely an accident with an outcome you never saw coming. But at Atkins & Anderson Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we understand that accidents happen. We don’t judge our patients. We help them! So don’t let embarrassment prevent you from calling us when something happens and your tooth is damaged.

But what do you do in the meantime? How do you respond if you or your child chips or breaks a tooth? Here we’ll give you a short checklist for different circumstances so that you can respond quickly and accurately.

What to Do If You Chip or Break a Tooth

1. Contact our office and make an appointment.

2. Rinse your mouth with warm water immediately.

3. Apply pressure to stop the bleeding.

4. Apply a cold compress to prevent swelling.

5. Take over-the-counter pain medication and anti-inflammatories.

6.  If you have a small chip, apply dental wax to the jagged edge to protect your tongue and mouth.

7. Avoid chewing on the side with the damaged tooth.

What to Do If You Lose a Tooth

1. Contact our office immediately.

2. If possible, use gauze to grab the tooth by the crown and place it back in the socket as quickly as you can.

3. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it in warm water but do not scrub it with any kind of solution or attempt to clean off the remaining tissue.

4. If you cannot put the tooth back in the socket, place it in a glass of milk, saline solution, or water.

5. Attempt to get to the dentist within 30 minutes, especially if you cannot get the tooth back in your mouth. 

Repair Methods for Chipped or Broken Teeth

Depending on the location and size of the chip or break, your dentist will determine the best course of action to repair your tooth. Treatment may include polishing, bonding, a root canal or crown placement, and in extreme situations, tooth extraction, and implant placement.

While there are several things you can do at home to take care of a broken or chipped tooth, don’t hesitate to contact us at Atkins & Anderson, DDS. We can go over the steps to take while you wait for an appointment or get you in quickly if you have excessive pain or bleeding. If a tooth gets knocked out, we should be your first phone call as you attempt to get to our office within half an hour. Our team is skilled, patient, and gentle. We’ll take care of your whole mouth, and after just a visit or two, no one will know you broke a tooth!

Do you ever wonder if you have bad breath? Are you self-conscious because you know your breath isn’t as fresh as it should be? Here are 8 things you can do to keep your breath fresh and your mouth clean. 

1. Brush and Floss Often 

Plaque buildup on your teeth can lead to bad breath. Trapped food is also a culprit. To keep both at bay, brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once. Practice proper brushing techniques so that you don’t unintentionally brush away the enamel which can lead to tooth decay. 

2. Use Mouthwash

Rinsing with mouthwash adds another layer of protection against bacteria. Make sure to use a good mouthwash that kills the germs that cause bad breath rather than just covering up smelly breath. 

3. Brush Your Tongue

Brushing your tongue with your toothbrush or a scraper helps to eliminate bacteria that coats your tongue and leads to bad breath.  

4. Avoid Certain Foods

Foods like garlic and onion have substances that don’t just cause your breath to stink but get into your bloodstream and into your lungs. You actually breathe out the pungent smell. Before a meeting, it’s best to just avoid them altogether.

5. Stop Using Tobacco Products

Tobacco causes bad breath, gum disease, stained teeth, and cancer. To improve your overall health and reduce bad breath, put in the hard work to stop using tobacco products. 

6. Chew Gum After Meals

Instead of grabbing a mint after a meal, chew sugarless gum. Bacteria in your mouth use sugar to create acid which promotes bad breath. Gum also encourages the production of saliva—your mouth’s natural defense against plaque, bacteria, and bad breath.

7. Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking enough water every day has numerous health benefits, including increasing the production of saliva. You can reduce your risk of tooth decay and bad breath just by drinking water. 

8. Keep Your Gums Healthy 

Bacteria can gather at the base of your teeth which leads to stinky breath and gum disease. Regular dental appointments and routine teeth cleanings can help protect your gums from disease and keep bad breath at bay.

If you’re concerned about bad breath or need to schedule a teeth cleaning, make an appointment at Atkins and Anderson Dentistry today. We are a family dentistry in Bryan-College Station dedicated to providing you a comfortable office visit with quality dental treatment. 

If you’re unhappy with your teeth, several options will give you the confidence to smile again. In fact, two of the most common dental cosmetic services create a straighter and whiter smile. Atkins and Anderson Dentistry will customize a treatment plan based on your age, goals, and financial comfort level. When you trust us to take care of your cosmetic dental needs, you won’t want to hide your smile anymore. 

If you want a straighter smile:

Invisalign 

Invisalign is a system of clear aligners that move your teeth into their correct position. Invisalign can redefine your smile and correct your bite. And because the aligners are nearly invisible, you may feel more comfortable and confident during the process than if you were wearing traditional braces. If you’re ready to take the next step towards a straighter smile, contact us today and schedule a free consultation to find out if Invisalign is right for you. 

If you want a brighter smile:

DIY Whitening Tips 

There are a few things you can do at home to decrease plaque buildup, limit stains, and make them appear whiter. 

1. Reduce your sugar intake. Sugar supports the growth of bacteria that causes plaque buildup and gingivitis. 
2. Limit your consumption of coffee, tea, soda, wine, and dark berries that are known for staining your teeth. Tobacco also stains your teeth and should be avoided. 
3. Brush and floss regularly, especially after eating sugar or drinking or teeth-staining beverages. 
4. Consume calcium-rich food like milk, cheese, and broccoli to strengthen the white enamel on your teeth and prevent the exposure of yellow dentin underneath. 
5. Eat more fruits like strawberries and pineapples that contain teeth-whitening properties. Consuming raw vegetables not only promotes overall health but may help rub plaque away while you chew.

Professional Whitening Kit 

At Atkins and Anderson Dentistry, we trust Opalescence to safely and effectively brighten your smile. This dentist-supervised whitening system is customized to fit your teeth. Prescription-strength whitening gel and clear instructions will give you a whiter smile in less than a month. Compared to over-the-counter tooth whitening kits, Opalescence is effective and long-lasting.

If you’re ready to move forward in creating a brighter, straighter smile, call Atkins and Anderson Dentistry today. Together, we’ll customize a plan that meets your needs aesthetically and financially. 

After years of wearing your favorite jeans, they get worn out. The color fades, and the seams stretch, threads come loose around the knee. Unfortunately, this is normal. And after wearing them one more time, you know it’s time to throw them out. Over years of use which results in natural wear and tear, the function of your teeth diminishes and their color fades. The good news is, unlike your jeans, you don’t have to discard your teeth—you can restore them! Atkins and Anderson Dentistry offers a variety of options for restorative dentistry to renew your smile and your confidence.

Dental Implants

Implants are a prosthetic tooth root that mimics the design of a natural tooth. It is placed in the jaw where it integrates with your bone, creating a solid foundation for a crown, bridge, or denture. Dental implants are considered for patients who are missing teeth or who currently wear ill-fitting dentures. There are many benefits to dental implants including their ability to increase bone retention and eliminate loose dentures. If taken care of properly, dental implants can last a lifetime, giving you the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth.

Dentures

There are several types of dentures, but all are used to give you the function of natural teeth when they are missing. Talk to one of our dentists to find out what kind of dentures are best for you.

• Traditional Dentures: Dentures give your teeth and mouth the function required to eat, talk, and smile naturally. They also help you maintain the natural muscle tone in your face. If your teeth are missing, dentures will enable you to retain your lifestyle and look and feel healthy. Our team works diligently to give you a natural smile with properly fitting dentures.
• Partial Dentures: Removable, partial dentures are considered if you have several missing teeth that cannot be corrected with a bridge. Partial dentures blend into your natural teeth and mimic your gum tissue for a comfortable fit.
• Implant Supported Dentures: This kind of denture removes many of the problems associated with traditional dentures. Implant supported dentures distribute your biting pressure more evenly which reduces gum sores and difficulty chewing. They do not shift because of their solid fit and they stimulate supportive structures in your mouth that prevent your bone and soft tissue from shrinking.

Crowns

Natural wear and tear include discoloration, chipping, and cracking. To renew your smile, a porcelain crown may be right for you. The porcelain is shaded to match the color of your natural teeth, so no one knows but you. A unique fit gives you the look and function of healthy teeth, so contact our office if you experience pain while chewing or are sensitive to temperatures.

Bridges

A bridge is necessary if you have lost a tooth or have a large gap in your teeth. If left unattended, your bite pressure could shift to other parts of your mouth, adjacent teeth may begin to move into the gap. This results in discomfort, pain, and other significant problems. A bridge “bridges the gap” between your teeth by inserting a prosthetic tooth. Bridges give you a functional, natural smile while eliminating your discomfort and protecting your bite.

Inlays/Onlays

In some cases, it’s necessary to remove a portion of your tooth to effectively remove decay. However, a customized inlay or onlay fills the space left behind. Inlays and onlays are made from porcelain that makes them indistinguishable from your natural teeth. Inlays and onlays also remove pain from chewing, cavity pain, and tooth degeneration.

If you have questions about restorative dentistry, contact Atkins and Anderson Dentistry today. We’ll find the right solution to renew your smile and restore the function of your teeth.

Your smile is an important part of who you are. It’s how you express joy and greet others. It’s how you encourage your child when he looks for you in the stands during his basketball game. At Atkins and Anderson Dentistry, we want you to love your smile and show it off as often as possible. If you have concerns or are embarrassed about your teeth, we offer many cosmetic dental services to correct various minor issues. It’s time to show off your smile, not hide it!

Cosmetic Service for a Brighter Smile:

Teeth Whitening System

Maybe you’ve tried at-home teeth whitening systems before, but at Anderson & Atkins, we trust Opalescence to safely and effectively brighten your smile. This is a dentist-supervised whitening system that is customized to fit your teeth. It includes prescription-strength whitening gel and clear instructions that will give you a whiter smile in less than a month. Compared to over-the-counter tooth whitening kits, Opalescence is effective and long-lasting.

Cosmetic Service for Crooked Teeth:

Invisalign

Invisalign is a system of clear aligners that move your teeth into their correct position. Because the aligners are nearly invisible, you may feel more comfortable and confident during the process than if you were wearing traditional braces. Even if you had braces as a child and your teeth have shifted, Invisalign can redefine your smile. Schedule an appointment with us at Anderson & Atkins to determine if Invisalign is right for you.

Cosmetic Services for Broken, Chipped, or Missing Teeth:

Porcelain Crowns

If you have experienced natural wear and tear over the years, your dentist may encourage putting in a crown. At Anderson & Atkins, we use a porcelain, tooth-like crown that can restore a decayed tooth, a broken or chipped tooth, and even correct gaps in your teeth. The crown is delicately matched to the color of your other teeth, so no one but you will know it’s there.

Porcelain Bridges

To remedy missing teeth, a porcelain bridge can be anchored to your existing teeth on either side of the missing teeth. With precise color-matching, your smile will look flawless.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

Did you have a cavity as a child and receive a silver filling? Advancements in dentistry have led to a tooth-colored filling to ensure a brighter smile. The tooth-colored material is bonded to the tooth for a stronger restoration.

Cosmetic Service to Remedy Any Issues:

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers give you the straighter, brilliant smile you’ve dreamed of! If you want to correct chipped or crooked teeth, gaps in your teeth, or stained teeth, veneers may be the solution. This is a more costly procedure, but it produces a dramatic difference that enhances your appearance in a lasting way.

Composite Bonding

To correct chipped, broken, discolored, or stained teeth, composite bonding can be applied. It is a tooth-colored material that adheres to the surface of your tooth so you can confidently smile again. Composite bonding is less expensive than porcelain veneers. However, the material does not last as long. Over time, the bonding can become stained from consuming certain food and beverages.

If you’re ready to make an investment in your smile, contact Atkins and Anderson Dentistry today. We’ll go over your options and customize a plan that meets your needs aesthetically and financially.