This is an excellent procedure when certain teeth are discolored, shaped oddly, or damaged–but not damaged enough to warrant replacing them. First, some enamel is removed from the tooth being treated, creating a rough surface in which dental adhesive can firmly set. Then, a custom-molded, custom colored sheet of dental-grade porcelain is bonded to the tooth.

Minimal-prep veneers are much like standard porcelain veneers, except they require much less time. You may have heard them referred to by a brand name, such as Lumineers or Durathins. They’re used when the condition of the tooth being treated is such that it requires little or no enamel removal. Ask Dr. Bratton which veneer solution is right for you.

There are situations where so many of a person’s teeth are damaged or missing–due to such things as trauma, severe decay or gum disease–that the best course of action is to rebuild both the upper and lower rows of teeth. Should you ever find yourself in this position, Dr. Bratton will work with you to map out your restoration in the most time-efficient, cost-efficient way.

If you’re unhappy with your smile, Dr. Bratton can help you analyze what you don’t like and plan a series of procedures to get your smile where you want it to be. For instance, you may need some straightening, whitening and cosmetic bonding. Dr. Bratton believes in being conservative about treatment, so she will work with you on the least invasive way of improving your smile.

Cracked or chipped teeth are often treated with composite bonding, in which a bonding material is mixed and colored to match the shade of your teeth. That material is then applied to the damaged teeth and shaped to repair the areas being targeted. The bonding material hardens to create a tight seal.

Sometimes, gum disease causes such deep pockets around teeth that the best solution for keeping debris and bacteria out is to literally cut away some of the gum tissue. This procedure is also used for people who, for some reason, simply have more gum than necessary covering their teeth. Dr. Bratton uses a laser diode tool for gum recontouring, minimizing bleeding and shortening healing time.

When teeth are uneven, have bumps of enamel on them, or need other reshaping, they can benefit from tooth contouring, in which Dr. Bratton uses a tool called a “dental bur” to literally grind down the imperfections, resulting in an even row of teeth, flatter tooth surfaces, or better proportioned teeth.

This procedure is exactly what it sounds like. Using a product called Opalescence Boost, Dr. Bratton and team will treat your teeth with several rounds of whitening agent applications, making an enormous difference in the whiteness of your teeth. You will then be given an Opalescence GO take-home kit, featuring trays that immerse your teeth in the whitening agent.

If you’ve ever heard of Botox, it was probably in connection with cosmetic surgery and removing wrinkles. In dentistry, it can also be used in certain cosmetic situations, such as improving the appearance of the lips and cheeks to better enhance your smile. Most importantly, Botox can be immensely helpful in relieving the pressure and pain of TMJ or TMD jaw conditions.