Cosmetic Dentistry

Prosthodontists, the dental implant experts, specialize in cosmetic dentistry. If you’re not even sure what a prosthodontist really is, let us help. In order to become a prosthodontist, one must not only go through four years of dental school, but also complete an extra three to four years of specialized training through either a hospital or a university based program accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA). They are trained to become experts on the interrelationship between tooth positions, facial esthetics, speech, and oral function. Due to this training, when they enter the field, they are specialists that deal primarily with bridges, crowns, dentures and dental implants. If you notice, those services are all related to the restoration of a smile, which is often times much of what cosmetic dentistry involves as well.

At Washington State Prosthodontics and Dental Implant Center, our doctors Dr. Russell Johnson and Dr. Michael Johnson are the only board-certified prosthodontists in Bellevue and two of only a handful in the entire state of Washington, so if you’re looking to get cosmetic dental work done, Washington State Prosthodontics and Dental Implant Center is the place to go!

Is Cosmetic Dental Work Right for Me?

Here at Washington State Prosthodontics, we know that the way your smile looks isn’t what truly matters, it’s how your smile makes you feel. We believe your smile is one of your most important features, and with our wide variety of advanced and continually evolving treatment options, we make achieving a healthy, beautiful smile that exudes confidence possible for patients of all ages.

Here’s a quick check list we have our patients run through when deciding if they’re ready to make over their smile:

  • Do you want to increase your self-confidence?
  • Do you tend to hesitate when you smile?
  • Are you wanting to look your best in either social or professional situations?
  • Are you ready to reverse any dental imperfections you have?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, you’re in the right place, and cosmetic dentistry just might be exactly what you’re looking for!

Our team views cosmetic dentistry as something very different from general dental care. We see it as both an art and a science. Cosmetic dentistry is done to enhance or even completely restore your smile while offering maintenance treatments along the way to ensure you have optimal dental health. Stick with us to learn a little more about the different cosmetic dentistry services we offer, and how we can help you get the smile and confidence you deserve!

Discolored Teeth? We’ll Turn Them into Pearly Whites!

Teeth whitening is one of the most common cosmetic procedures our patients come in asking for, and there’s good reason why! Having discolored or yellowing teeth is something that happens to everyone over time. But whether it’s from age, medication, or certain food and drinks that stain your teeth, having a yellow smile can have a big impact on your confidence level. It is one of the first things others notice about us after all. But the good news is, with a visit to our team of professionals at Washington State Prosthodontics, it’s reversible!

We’re sure it has crossed your mind before to try over-the-counter teeth whitening options, or maybe you already have, and if that’s the case we’re going to assume it didn’t go so well! We always advise our patients to be careful when trying to achieve a brighter smile with over-the-counter products as more often than not, they simply remove surface stains which will not actually change or brighten the color of your teeth.

Instead of over-the-counter treatment, we suggest our patients choose in-office teeth whitening or at-home teeth whitening with trays, both professional solutions with guaranteed results! In-office whitening is done (you guessed it), in our office where our team applies a whitening gel to the surface of your teeth, and after your 90-minute appointment, you’ll see immediate results!

Tray bleaching is another way to whiten your smile professionally, but in the comfort of your own home. This involves custom-made trays and a whitening gel that you can only get through your dentist. The gel has ingredients to ensure maximum comfort throughout the process while giving you pearly whites. The biggest difference between tray whitening and in-office whitening is tray whitening tends to take around ten to fourteen days to give your desired results.

Veneers – The Quick Fix!

Genetics impact everything about a person, including their smile. Unfortunately, this means no matter how well you take care of your oral health, you just might not be able to get the ‘perfect’ smile you long for. Unless that is, you opt for veneers. If the shape of your teeth is a concern to you, or if they’re too small, too short, etc., veneers are a great option.

Veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth-colored materials such as porcelain, designed to cover the front side of teeth. They are an option for correcting stained, chipped, decayed or crooked teeth, and are custom made from a model of your teeth created by your dentist. (American Dental Association, 2023). One way we like to explain the process of veneers to our patients is to compare them to artificial fingernails. When you go to a nail salon, before getting artificial nails put on, the nail tech files and buffs your natural nails, preparing them to have artificial nails placed on top. The same goes for veneers, your natural teeth are prepared, and veneers are placed on top of them, giving you an entirely new, yet natural looking smile. Curious to learn more? Check out this blog to see if veneers are right for you!

Crowns for Cracked Teeth

Crowns are a cosmetic restoration that can be used for a multitude of reasons; broken, worn, decayed or cracked teeth. It’s a fairly simple process that involves the crown being cemented onto your existing tooth that needs to be restored, covering the entirety of your tooth that is visible above the gums. Crowns are created from your tooth impression and are sculpted to function as a normal tooth would. Not only will the functionality of your tooth be restored, but the appearance will be as well! Porcelain crowns mimic the color and translucency of natural teeth, fitting in seamlessly with the rest of your smile!

The Best Cosmetic Dentistry in Bellevue

With over 30 years of combined training and experience, our specialists can handle any and all situations from a simple crown to an entire full mouth restoration. We see so many patients come in feeling embarrassed and even defeated because they have yet to find a solution from their general dentists that can restore their smile and their confidence. At Washington State Prosthodontics we give those patients a renewed sense of hope that something can be done, and we will be there to help every step of the way. If you’re considering getting cosmetic dental work done and are looking for the best in patient rapport, compassion, and skill, Washington State Prosthodontics is your trusted choice, so give us a call or schedule a consultation today!