Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry in San Antonio
Teeth Whitening | Composite Bonding | Veneers | Crowns | Implant Crowns | Bridges | Dentures | Removable Partial Dentures
Taking care of your smile is important! At John L. Covert, D.D.S., P.A. & Associates in San Antonio, TX, cosmetic dentistry is at the forefront of our business. We offer several cosmetic services including teeth whitening, dental veneers, composite bonding and much more!
When you make an appointment at our dental office, it's our goal to make you comfortable and provide you with all necessary information regarding your dental procedure. Please don't hesitate to ask us questions about any of our cosmetic dental services!
Teeth Whitening
Your teeth may darken over time. Changes in the color of your teeth can be caused by such factors as the food and beverages consumed (like coffee, tea and soda). Other known factors for discoloration may include childhood medications or illnesses, tobacco use or improper oral hygiene. Restoring your natural white smile is a priority for our dental whitening team. We can provide a variety of options for whitening your smile.
We are trained professionals using industry-approved methods. Our goal is to meet the needs of every patient, and every patient's needs are different. One of the methods used by our practice is a gentle hydrogen-peroxide gel-activated solution. Our process will whiten your entire smile in one visit. We offer both in-office and at-home bleaching. Call us today for a whitening evaluation.
Nothing improves your appearance more than a bright, white SMILE!
Composite Bonding
Bonding is a common solution for fixing or repairing chipped or decayed teeth, reducing unsightly gaps between teeth and hiding tooth discoloration. With bonding, a composite resin, is bonded to an existing tooth.
The advantages of bonding include:
- It is a quick process, which typically lasts less than one hour.
- It does not reduce the tooth's original structure and is relatively inexpensive.
- Composite resins come in many different shades and provide better matching of shades to the natural color of your teeth.
Veneers
Veneers are thin, semi-translucent "shells" made of porcelain material and permanently bonded to your front teeth. Veneers are used to correct spaces between the teeth, broken or chipped teeth, stained or discolored teeth and crooked or misshapen teeth.
Veneers are a great aesthetic solution to your smile that may even help you avoid orthodontic treatment. Subtle changes to your smile can be achieved with veneers, and in most cases, veneer application is completed in only two office visits. Porcelain veneers are more esthetic than composite bonding and tend to last longer.
Crowns
A crown is a permanent covering that fits over an original tooth that is decayed, damaged or cracked. Crowns are made of a variety of different materials such as gold, white porcelain or silver colored metal.
In preparation for a crown, the tooth is trimmed on all sides to provide an ideal fit for the crown. An impression is made and the custom-made crown is created. The finished crown fits on the tooth precisely and is cemented or bonded to the tooth.
Implant Crowns
An implant crown is effective because it mirrors the size and shape of a patient's natural tooth and is often as strong as the patient's original tooth. With surgery, the implant or artificial root is placed into the jawbone, and then allowed to heal and integrate with the bone. Once the healing process is completed and the jawbone is attached to the implant, the patient returns to the dental office where the implant is fitted with the new tooth. This process generally takes anywhere from four to six months, and in some cases, we can place immediate implant crowns.
Advantages of getting implants include improved biting pressure, better comfort and fit, longevity and reliability as well as increased self-confidence.
Bridges
A bridge is a dental device that fills a space that a tooth previously occupied. A bridge may be necessary to prevent:
- Shifting of the teeth that can lead to bite problems (occlusion) and/or jaw problems and resultant periodontal disease.
- Bridges safeguard the integrity of existing teeth and help maintain a healthy, vibrant smile.
A fixed bridge consists of a false tooth (pontic) that is attached to two crowns, which fit over the existing teeth and hold the bridge in place. It is cemented in place just like a single crown and it is not removable. The fixed bridge can be made of white porcelain, gold, silver or a combination of these.
Dentures
Periodontal disease, injury and tooth decay can all cause a loss of your natural teeth. However, we can bring back the smile on your face with dentures to restore your missing teeth. With improved technology and updated materials, dentists can now make them appear more natural and more comfortable for the patient.
There are two types of dentures: complete and partial. Complete dentures cover the patient's entire jaw while partial dentures, with their metal framework, replace multiple missing teeth. Ask our doctors to see which type would be right for you.
It may take some time to adjust to your dentures. Speaking and eating may feel different at first, but these regular activities will resume normally once you are accustomed to your dentures. Implant supported dentures are much more comfortable and functional then conventional dentures.
Removable Partial Dentures
Removable partial dentures can be used instead of a fixed bridge. Designed to be inserted and removed by the patient, it is held in place by metal clasps that surround your natural teeth.