Cosmetic Dentistry

Esthetic re-contouring is one of the simplest methods to make a significant difference in the way your teeth look. If you have a chipped front tooth or irregular, uneven teeth or teeth that slightly overlap, re-contouring them is a simple, inexpensive and painless process that can often resolve those issues. Minor bite problems are also a candidate for contouring and reshaping.

Nothing freshens up your appearance like a whiter, brighter smile. If you’re tired of living with dark, stained, or discolored teeth, tooth whitening could be the solution to rejuvenate your smile. Even the healthiest teeth can become stained by exposure to various foods, coffee, red wine, soft drinks, tea, or previous dental work. Whitening provides the opportunity to restore your teeth to their original brilliance, brightening your smile and even taking years off your appearance.

Our dental practice has been bleaching teeth for over 25 years, and we now recommend the latest in-home whitening technology called Opalesense. The safe and non-toxic liquid gel is applied to custom fitted trays that hold it evenly against the tooth surface; as the peroxide breaks down, it allows oxygen to enter tooth surfaces and whiten the enamel. Our bleaching methods are safe for the teeth and surrounding soft tissues, and you can have overnight results! Best of all, they are fast and simple to use.

There are dozens of over-the-counter tooth whitening options, but professional whitening is the safest, fastest, and most effective way to brighten your smile. The bleaching gel comes in a variety of carbamide peroxide concentrations so our team of professionals will be happy to help select the whitening solution that is just right for you. If your teeth are sensitive, we can carefully adjust the type and strength of our whitening ingredients to ensure a smooth and comfortable process.

Professional whitening is an excellent gift for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas. If you would like a sparkling white smile for yourself or a loved one, please contact us to set up an appointment.

The most common reason that you might need a filling is to repair a tooth that has a cavity. Fillings can also be used to repair minor fractures, chips and damage to the tooth’s enamel. There are a variety of different types of filling materials available. Tooth-colored fillings (often called “composite resin” or “bonding”) are a hi-tech resin or plastic material. The material is gently placed in the tooth in a soft, putty-like form and is then hardened using a special ultraviolet curing light. Once the filling is completely hardened, it will be shaped and polished to perfectly match your surrounding teeth.

Composite bonding is a conservative option for teeth that are chipped, cracked, or discolored. It can reduce unsightly gaps between teeth, replace worn enamel or minimize the fading of natural tooth color.

Bonding is a process where a composite material is added to existing tooth structure. While not as durable and long-lasting as porcelain veneers and onlays, remarkable improvements in appearance can be achieved through bonding if performed by a dentist who is an expert with its use. When used by Drs. Hunt and Dr. Gorham, the translucent composite resins can be matched to your existing teeth for a natural color and beautiful aesthetic result.

Porcelain veneers are very thin, durable, customized “facings” of porcelain that are bonded to the front surface of your teeth. They are semi-translucent, which improves your smile with a natural appearance. Porcelain veneers mimic your natural teeth, renewing the position and shade of the teeth that they cover creating the appearance of a perfect and beautiful smile.

Porcelain veneers can be used on one or several teeth and can treat multiple situations including:

• Cosmetically, to create a uniform, white, beautiful smile
• Crooked teeth
• Misshapen teeth
• Discolored or stained teeth
• Teeth that are too small or large
• Unwanted or uneven spaces
• Worn or chipped teeth

Each person is unique so careful planning and clear communication are essential to achieving a smile that is naturally beautiful and functionally accurate. The final result is dependent on many factors. The first piece of the puzzle is being clear about what you want the teeth to look like after the final porcelain veneers are in place. It is important for the patient to communicate the result they want and the dentist to clearly understand it. Beautiful results are also dependent on the dentist and the ceramist being very skilled and taking the necessary time to get exquisite results. Our doctors have spent many years of additional education beyond dental school becoming experts in cosmetic dentistry. We work with only the best personally-selected ceramists, who are experts and artists in their own right to ensure your result.

Drs. Hunt and Dr. Gorham have extensive experience in working with veneers and have helped many patients achieve a more attractive and natural-looking smile.

Dental Crowns, Bridges, and Dental Implants are solutions that are versatile for either cosmetic or restorative dental procedures.

Crowns are made of porcelain and are custom matched to be identical in color and shape to surrounding teeth. They help support and restore damaged or decaying teeth and can last for many years.

Dental bridges are often a preferred choice over removable dentures to replace missing teeth. Bridges look and feel natural, and provide a long-lasting solution.

Dental implants can be used in concert with dental bridges, or be a stand-alone solution for missing teeth. Implants are made out of titanium and act as an artificial tooth root to hold dental restorations in place.

We encourage you to make an appointment to discuss how cosmetic dentistry could enhance your smile. We serve patients in Rocky Mount, NC and surrounding areas. Call us at 252-316-2214 and speak with Kim, our patient care coordinator.