Cosmetic Dentistry for a Brighter Smile
Dr. Lockhart is the lleading Cosmetic Dentist in Columbia and offers a range of cosmetic services to keep your smile in tip-top shape. We provide teeth whitening, bonding, and porcelain veneer services.
Finding the Right Cosmetic Dentist.
Cosmetic dentistry is a specialized field within dentistry that focuses on improving the appearance of a patient’s teeth and smile. A cosmetic dentist is a trained and experienced dental professional who performs a wide range of cosmetic dental procedures, including teeth whitening, dental veneers, dental implants, and orthodontic treatment. A cosmetic dentist’s ultimate goal is to enhance the aesthetics of a patient’s teeth while maintaining their functionality and oral health.
One of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures is teeth whitening. Many people are self-conscious about the color of their teeth and seek the help of a cosmetic dentist to improve their smile. A cosmetic dentist can perform a professional teeth whitening procedure that can significantly lighten the shade of a patient’s teeth, resulting in a brighter, more youthful-looking smile. Dental veneers are another common cosmetic dental treatment that can correct a variety of dental flaws, including chipped, cracked, or misaligned teeth. A cosmetic dentist can custom-create dental veneers that are designed to blend seamlessly with a patient’s natural teeth, providing a flawless smile that looks both beautiful and natural.
A cosmetic dentist can provide patients with a wide range of options for enhancing the aesthetics of their teeth and smile. By utilizing various cosmetic dental procedures, a cosmetic dentist can help patients achieve the beautiful, healthy-looking smile they have always wanted. Whether it’s teeth whitening, dental veneers, or another cosmetic dental treatment, a cosmetic dentist can provide the expertise and personalized care needed to help patients achieve their dream smile.
Teeth Whitening
Get Your Glow On
Looking to improve the appearance of your smile? Whitening is the perfect solution for minimizing discoloration caused by yellowing, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Dr. Lockhart and her staff use the latest whitening technology and offer various safe methods for creating a brighter smile.
Whitening corrects brown, yellow, and spotted tooth staining, as well as smoking stains. Whitening technology is effective on both teenage and adult teeth. Furthermore, it eliminates intrinsic staining that can’t be removed during dental cleanings.
At Lockhart Dental, we use the following whitening methods. Visit our office to discuss which option might be best for your smile.
Opalescence TresWhite
This technology simplifies the tooth-whitening process through the use of pre-filled, disposable trays. Unlike other whitening methods, the Opalescence TresWhite trays don’t require dental impressions, molding, or lab time. The thin membrane trays adhere directly to the teeth, whitening both front and back. Worn for just 15 to 60 minutes per day (depending on the formula used), results can be seen within a week.
Custom Whitening Trays
Custom trays are another take-home whitening solution. In the office, we take an impression of your teeth to make the custom trays. Trays are filled with whitening gel and used for a specific length and time (usually one to two weeks) until the desired shade is achieved.
In-Office Whitening
This procedure is done in-office and takes one to two hours. Unlike at-home systems that incorporate low-dose bleaching agents, in-office whitening allows Dr. Lockhart to safely use a relatively high concentration of bleaching gel. Results are visible almost immediately. During the process, a barrier is placed over your gums and a high-strength whitening solution is placed on the teeth for 30 minutes. To enhance and extend the effects, we give you custom whitening trays which you should use 24 hours after your in-office whitening visit.
Bonding
Improve the appearance of chips, cracks, misalignments, and discoloration in your smile.
The bonding procedure can often be completed in a single office visit, is simpler than other procedures, and can improve the appearance of a tooth significantly. Since the resin used is not as strong as your natural tooth enamel, it’s more likely to stain, chip, or break than a natural tooth. Bonding typically lasts three to five years before any repairs are needed. It’s a good alternative to veneers, is significantly cheaper, and can be reversed if desired.
Porcelain Veneers
A custom solution for a healthy smile.
At Lockhart Dental, we place custom porcelain veneers, as there are many benefits and they are the longest lasting of the two. Porcelain veneers are created from thin layers of lab-fabricated porcelain. They are bonded directly to the front surfaces of the teeth. When bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers are virtually undetectable. Porcelain veneers are unmatched in their strength and resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel, which explains why they are priced higher than some other restorative options. Well-maintained porcelain veneers can last 10 to 15 years, compared to a five to seven-year average for composites. Additionally, porcelain veneers are more highly resistant to staining and chipping than the more porous composite option.
Placing veneers typically requires two appointments to complete. When getting porcelain veneers, your natural teeth must be reshaped in order to fit the veneer properly. Placing custom veneers requires a high degree of technical skill, as well as attention to cosmetic detail. Dr. Lockhart routinely applies porcelain veneers and designs each case individually in order to match and enhance the characteristics of each patient’s smile. We invite you to visit our office to discuss the options and process so we can decide on the best procedure for you.
Teeth Whitening
Get Your Glow On
Looking to improve the appearance of your smile? Whitening is the perfect solution for minimizing discoloration caused by yellowing, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Dr. Lockhart and her staff use the latest whitening technology and offer various safe methods for creating a brighter smile.
Whitening corrects brown, yellow, and spotted tooth staining, as well as smoking stains. Whitening technology is effective on both teenage and adult teeth. Furthermore, it eliminates intrinsic staining that can’t be removed during dental cleanings.
At Lockhart Dental, we use the following whitening methods. Visit our office to discuss which option might be best for your smile.
Opalescence TresWhite
This technology simplifies the tooth-whitening process through the use of pre-filled, disposable trays. Unlike other whitening methods, the Opalescence TresWhite trays don’t require dental impressions, molding, or lab time. The thin membrane trays adhere directly to the teeth, whitening both front and back. Worn for just 15 to 60 minutes per day (depending on the formula used), results can be seen within a week.
Custom Whitening Trays
Custom trays are another take-home whitening solution. In the office, we take an impression of your teeth to make the custom trays. Trays are filled with whitening gel and used for a specific length and time (usually one to two weeks) until the desired shade is achieved.
In-Office Whitening
This procedure is done in-office and takes one to two hours. Unlike at-home systems that incorporate low-dose bleaching agents, in-office whitening allows Dr. Lockhart to safely use a relatively high concentration of bleaching gel. Results are visible almost immediately. During the process, a barrier is placed over your gums and a high-strength whitening solution is placed on the teeth for 30 minutes. To enhance and extend the effects, we give you custom whitening trays which you should use 24 hours after your in-office whitening visit.
Bonding
The bonding procedure can often be completed in a single office visit, is simpler than other procedures, and can improve the appearance of a tooth significantly. Since the resin used is not as strong as your natural tooth enamel, it’s more likely to stain, chip, or break than a natural tooth. Bonding typically lasts three to five years before any repairs are needed. It’s a good alternative to veneers, is significantly cheaper, and can be reversed if desired.
Porcelain Veneers
At Lockhart Dental, we place custom porcelain veneers, as there are many benefits and they are the longest lasting of the two. Porcelain veneers are created from thin layers of lab-fabricated porcelain. They are bonded directly to the front surfaces of the teeth. When bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers are virtually undetectable. Porcelain veneers are unmatched in their strength and resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel, which explains why they are priced higher than some other restorative options. Well-maintained porcelain veneers can last 10 to 15 years, compared to a five to seven-year average for composites. Additionally, porcelain veneers are more highly resistant to staining and chipping than the more porous composite option.
Placing veneers typically requires two appointments to complete. When getting porcelain veneers, your natural teeth must be reshaped in order to fit the veneer properly. Placing custom veneers requires a high degree of technical skill, as well as attention to cosmetic detail. Dr. Lockhart routinely applies porcelain veneers and designs each case individually in order to match and enhance the characteristics of each patient’s smile. We invite you to visit our office to discuss the options and process so we can decide on the best procedure for you.