Veneers have recently gained popularity, with many celebrities choosing to “swap out” their teeth for newer, whiter, and better ones. If that’s all that you know about veneers, we will take a few steps back. But, first, let’s go through what veneers are, why we use them, and how they can help your smile and oral health. 

Veneers are used to improve the shape and color of your teeth, but they do much more than that. On top of being a cosmetic fix to specific issues, veneers also prevent damage and decay. 

At Cakmes Dental Studio, we offer two types of veneers: porcelain and composite resin. Let’s look at the differences between these two and see what may be a better fit for you. 

Porcelain Veneers

These are thin, tooth-colored shells created in our studio that cover the front-facing side of the tooth. Porcelain veneers, also known as the original veneers, are highly durable and mimic the appearance and feel of natural teeth. 

At Cakmes Dental Studio, we offer DURAthin porcelain veneers. These veneers are thin, custom-made pieces that eliminate the need to drill, shave down, or grind the existing tooth. This stops the “vampire teeth” that many people think of, but it also preserves your natural, healthy teeth by simply adding a layer over them.

Composite Resin Veneers

Composite resin is the newest version of veneers in which resin is applied directly to the teeth in layers to create the desired look. This type of veneer is more durable than in years past, but it must be cared for properly to achieve the continuous desired look. It’s essential to note composite resin veneers wear and stain more quickly than porcelain veneers, but they are easier and quicker to repair if needed. 

Are you the right candidate for veneers?

Veneers can help transform your smile, but they aren’t the right option for everyone, especially if you clench or grind your teeth or have lower levels of enamel. Veneers are commonly used to correct:

• Crooked or misshapen teeth
• Spaces or gaps between teeth
• Stained teeth
• Broken, chipped, or damaged teeth

If you suffer from one or more of these issues, you may be a good candidate for veneers. If you’re interested in learning more about veneers, we encourage you to set up a consultation appointment. We’ll let you know if veneers can help improve your smile and which type would be best for you at your consultation. In some cases, we may recommend a combination of porcelain and composite resin veneers. 

To be a candidate for veneers, you must have healthy teeth and gums. If you don’t, our dentists can help fix the issues before we agree to add veneers. After your veneers are placed, you must continue to brush and floss regularly, as cavities can still form under or around your veneers. Attending your bi-yearly dental appointments is crucial in maintaining your veneers’ aesthetic appearance and functionality. If you have any questions or would like to set up your consultation, call us today.

It sounds a little scary, but a dental implant surgery can be an incredibly effective procedure for people who have lost teeth and want the security and aesthetics of having their smile back after losing a tooth or teeth. Let’s learn about dental implants, how they work, and how to care for them after completing the dental implant process.

What is a dental implant? 

A dental implant is a replacement for the root or roots of a tooth. The implant is secured in your jawbone and utterly invisible to people when you smile. The implants are then used to secure crowns, bridgework, or dentures. Dental implants restore the mouth to optimal function, stabilizing the bone, tissues, and teeth by supporting the tooth’s root structure. At Cakmes Dental Studio, we provide both Implant Crowns and Implant Supported Dentures.

Am I a candidate for dental implants?

If you’ve lost teeth, you might be a candidate for dental implants. Other important considerations are that you have adequate bone to secure the implants, have healthy oral tissue, and don’t have any health conditions that would affect bone healing. 

What is the process for dental implants? 

The first step in the dental implant procedure is preparing the site, where the implant is put in the bone and covered with a healing cap. While it heals, we can put in a temporary tooth to fill in the space and preserve the look of your healthy smile. Then the crown or dentures are secured in place once the bone has healed (osseointegration). Your tooth and your smile are now restored to optimal shape and function. Note that these steps and the procedure in their entirety often require multiple appointments.

How do I care for my dental implant? 

It’s crucial, as it is with all dental procedures, to continue practicing excellent oral hygiene. Keep your implants and natural teeth and gums clean. Also, keep your regular dental appointments, cleanings, and checkups to ensure the proper functioning of your implants. Finally, avoid bad dental habits like chewing on ice or hard candy or staining your teeth with products like tobacco and caffeine. 

The primary benefit of implants is creating excellent support for your new teeth because the bone has healed tightly around the implant. If you have lost teeth and are interested in restoring your smile with dental implants, contact us to learn more about our implant process or call us at (865) 584-6163 to schedule an appointment. 

Have you always wanted a better and brighter smile but found that whitening and braces or aligners weren’t enough or were too hard to keep up with? Veneers could be the answer you’ve been looking for. Dental veneers can protect your teeth while improving your overall appearance. There are many reasons someone may want veneers: crooked teeth, gaps between the teeth, stained teeth, and broken or damaged teeth. Veneers are a natural-looking and healthy option for anyone experiencing issues with their smile due to these common areas of concern. 

Porcelain Veneers

There are two types of veneers that we specialize in: porcelain and composite resin. Porcelain veneers are tooth-colored shells that fit over the front-facing side of each of your teeth. These shells are made in-house and have long been known for their durability and their striking similarities to natural teeth.

At Cakmes Dental Studio, we offer DURAthin porcelain veneers – an extremely thin, custom-made shell piece. Our patients’ favorite part of the DURAthin veneers is that these shells eliminate the need to drill, grind, or shave down the existing tooth. Many people have heard horror stories or seen images of veneers before the shell is replaced, oftentimes resembling sharp, chipped baby teeth, and are turned off by the idea of veneers. Utilizing our advanced technology eliminates any of the fear of shaved teeth, resulting in an improved and enhanced smile while keeping the healthy structure of the teeth. 

Composite Resin Veneers

Composite resin veneers have gained popularity due to their advancements in recent years. When going this route, the resin (a tooth-colored restorative material used to replace decayed portions of a tooth and its overall structure) is applied directly to each tooth in layers, in order to give the look and feel of natural teeth. While composite resin veneers have come a long way, they must be taken care of with extreme care and detail, more so than even natural teeth. If not properly maintained, these veneers will stain or wear at a much faster rate than porcelain veneers. 

How Cakmes Dental Studio Can Help

If you’re looking for a way to get the smile you’ve always dreamed of, veneers could be your answer. Our team is extremely skilled in both porcelain and composite resin veneers – sometimes, even a combination of the two is what a patient needs. We’ll determine the best approach for your specific wants and needs through a consultation at Cakmes Dental Studio. Keep in mind that while veneers may be able to improve the function of your teeth, their main purpose is to improve your appearance. If you think veneers could be what you’ve been missing, reach out to our team for a consultation and more information. We would love to transform your smile into a happy and healthy one. 

Anyone with chipped, cracked, or generally uneven teeth knows that smiling can be a source of insecurity. Aesthetic contouring, also known as enameloplasty or tooth reshaping, is a popular procedure that effectively improves the appearance of your smile. During this procedure, small amounts of tooth enamel are removed, smoothed, or altered in length to achieve a more desirable look. 

What Happens During Aesthetic Contouring?

Aesthetic contouring generally does not require any anesthetics when working on one or multiple teeth. For gum contouring to correct unbalanced gum lines, a strong topical anesthetic will be needed. The process will involve your dentist using a series of lasers and drills to reshape your teeth and correct any minor irregularities. These procedures typically last around 30 minutes but can vary depending on the amount of reshaping being done. Once complete, you’ll want to be extra careful about protecting the enamel on your teeth. Your dentist can recommend products and ways to prevent any tooth sensitivity and to protect your new smile. 

Benefits of Cosmetic Dental Contouring

One of the biggest benefits of aesthetic contouring is the fact that the results are instant! You’ll be able to walk out of the office on the same day as your appointment with an improved smile that you can be proud to show off. Tooth reshaping also creates permanent results so you don’t have to worry about any follow-up procedures. For this reason, aesthetic dental contouring may be a more cost-friendly option compared to braces or veneers. 

Is This Procedure Right for Me?

Aesthetic contouring is a good option for anyone with minor cosmetic dental concerns. These could include crowded teeth, small chips or fractures, uneven enamel textures, and more. This procedure will not be effective for patients with more serious cosmetic problems, which will require more extensive treatments. 

Aesthetic contouring is just one of the many cosmetic and general services we offer at Cakmes Dental Studio. If you believe that you are a good candidate for aesthetic contouring, contact our Knoxville office location at (865) 584-6163 or schedule an appointment online so that we can determine if this procedure is right for you. Let us help you achieve your healthiest and happiest smile!