Enhance Your Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry in West Houston, TX
A bright, beautiful smile goes a long way these days, from contributing to memorable first impressions to boosting your self-esteem. As an established cosmetic dentist, with over 13 years of experience, it’s Dr. Payumo’s passion to help your smile remain as radiant as it is healthy. We offer comprehensive cosmetic procedures to correct flaws, balance aesthetics, and restore teeth, jaws, and gums to their full function.
If you’re looking to improve your smile and promote long-lasting oral health, our Houston dental team is here to help! Contact the office of Alma F. Payumo, DMD today to schedule your cosmetic dentistry consultation!
CALL US: (713) 903-2556 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
When it comes to cosmetic dental care, many individuals automatically think of teeth whitening or veneers, or other treatments specifically reserved for the rich and famous. Cosmetic services can supply cost-effective treatments designed to address a multitude of issues for patients of all ages. This branch of dentistry also has restorative benefits, and certain procedures can even prevent tooth decay and strengthen the jawbone.
Cosmetic dental care can address numerous concerns, like:
- Mild to severe tooth discoloration
- Unwanted gaps
- Chips, cracks, and fractures
- Worn, weak, and misshapen teeth
- Uneven or crooked teeth
- Uneven gums, or a “gummy smile.”
Am I a Good Candidate for Cosmetic Dentistry?
Almost any teen, young adult, parent, or senior can be a candidate for cosmetic dental care.
The first step is determining the overall, general health of your smile. When existing issues like decay, inflammation, or infection are present, these conditions can seriously hinder the outcome of your cosmetic treatments.
We focus on your basic oral health first. When your foundational oral health is strong, then we will recommend the right treatment options for improving the aesthetics of your smile.
Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments We Offer
Our team is constantly working to improve the way cosmetic dental care is provided in Houston, and are proud to offer the following services:
Should I Get My Teeth Professionally Whitened?
With such easy ways to whiten your smile these days, it can be challenging to decide which method will be the safest, quickest, and most effective. While over the counter products sell themselves for their efficient promises, they also pose a higher risk for tooth sensitivity and enamel damage if not monitored correctly.
Professional teeth whitening differs from these methods because it uses whitening gels, which are specially-formulated for expert use. At our practice, we offer a variety of chair-side and take-home options for your comfort and convenience.
How is In-Office Teeth Whitening Performed?
In-Office: This form of whitening is performed by our dentist or a trusted member of our team, often in a single visit. Lip and gum re-tractors are used to keep sensitive soft tissue safe, exposing only the surfaces of your teeth. A special solution is then applied for additional sensitivity protection. Then, we apply the whitening gel evenly to teeth and activate it with a special, curing light.
Multiple applications can be made every 15 minutes up to three times to achieve the desired color. This method typically takes about 45 minutes for the complete treatment, with results that can lighten your teeth by up to eight shades. However, it’s important to note that treatment times and outcomes can vary due to your level of discoloration.
Take-Home:Professional whitening kits are not the same as those available at your local convenient store. This efficient method involves custom-made trays crafted from impressions to ensure the whitening gel is distributed evenly. We will provide you with all the instructions you need to lighten your smile at-home, at your own pace.
Is Professional Teeth Whitening Worth It?
Professional teeth whitening is safe, effective, and tends to produce longer-lasting results when done under the supervision of experienced dental professionals. Because of this, it’s often worth the extra cost to visit our office for the bright smile you desire.
5 Benefits of Professional Whitening:
- Professional-grade gels produce brighter results
- Treatment is completely personalized to your needs
- Careful monitoring helps to prevent sensitivity
- Expert advice for helping keep your smile whiter, longer
- Shorter treatment times
Do I Need Bonding or Veneers?
With the cosmetic dentistry treatments of today, chipped, cracked, and even missing teeth can’t stop you from achieving the Hollywood-worthy smile you’ve always wanted.
For smiles that have experienced wear or damage, they can be repaired, and their aesthetics improved with our bonding and veneer treatments.
Bonding: involves tooth-colored, composite materials used to repair chipped, fractured, discolored, and even decayed teeth. These materials can be shaped and polished to match the surrounding teeth. This procedure is one of the easiest and most cost-effective methods of achieving a beautiful smile.
Veneers: are thin, yet highly-durable shells of porcelain that are placed over the surfaces of your teeth, often the most visible front teeth of the smile. They are known for their ability to mimic the look, shape, and shade of natural teeth, making them a popular treatment.
Why Choose Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding can even-out many defects or imperfections of teeth. In addition to repairing the damage, the procedure can also be used to close small gaps in between teeth and provide length to worn or “small” looking teeth.
Treatment doesn’t require any downtime, and if you don’t need anesthesia, you can continue with your daily routine after the procedure.
Why Choose Porcelain Veneers?
The veneer process results in outcomes that look completely natural. They replicate the strength and translucency of natural tooth enamel, but unlike natural teeth, veneers are highly resistant to staining and wear.
This treatment is an excellent choice for correcting severe discoloration, sizable dental gaps, misalignment, and many forms of damage.
Do Bonded or Veneered Teeth Require Special Care?
Surprisingly, no! Another benefit to dental bonding and veneers is you can go about your normal, daily oral hygiene routine undisturbed.
We recommend brushing twice daily, flossing at least once a day, and rinsing with mouthwash before bed. As always, never miss out on attending your regular dental visits for essential cleanings and exams every six months.
How Can I Repair and Improve My Teeth?
White, composite fillings are becoming the norm when it comes to repairing dental damage caused by cavities and tooth decay. The main reason is that resin fillings resemble the contours and aesthetics of the natural teeth almost identically, meaning they can also be used to repair front and back teeth. The other advantage is that they do not contain any mercury components like traditional, metal fillings.
Will My Composite Fillings Last?
One of the most significant factors determining how long your composite filling will last is your overall oral care. If you take great care of your teeth, brushing and flossing twice daily, and visit us every six months, your filling should last five years or much more!
Your Ideal Smile Awaits You
By providing an endless variety of cosmetic dentistry solutions, Dr. Payumo and her team can help individuals of every age achieve the beautiful smiles they deserve. Don’t wait! Put your smile in experienced hands you can trust! Contact our Houston dental office today to schedule your appointment!
CALL US: (713) 903-2556 REQUEST APPOINTMENT