Cosmetic Dentistry in Milpitas, CA

Cosmetic dentistry is all about enhancing the appearance of your teeth, gums, and smile. Whereas general dentistry (oral health and function) is different from cosmetic dentistry (aesthetics and confidence-enhancing). Our dental staff at Signature Smiles Dental Group in Milpitas, CA, offers a complete array of treatments to enhance discoloration, chips, gaps, and other conditions. Cosmetic treatment is often adjunctive to restorative treatment. I.e., restoring a damaged tooth with a porcelain crown also improves its appearance. Achieving an improved smile look can have positive social and psychological impacts, allowing you to feel more confident in social and business relationships.

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Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments

Professional Teeth Whitening

Professional tooth whitening is one of the simplest, most powerful ways to make your smile sparkle. With a reliable bleaching agent under professional supervision, our in-office whitening sessions can reduce stains and discoloration by several shades in one visit. For convenience, we also offer take-home whitening systems with custom trays and professional-strength gel. The main benefits of our whitening systems are:

• High-strength bleaching formulas for eradicating coffee, tea, and tobacco stains.
• Options for immediate in-office results or customizable at-home treatment.
• Non-invasive procedure with minimal discomfort.

We ensure your mouth is healthy before whitening, addressing any decay or gum inflammation before treatment. During the procedure, gums and lips are protected with a barrier before applying the bleaching gel under our supervision. Most patients notice an immediate brightening of several shades. With take-home whitening, you whiten teeth safely in a week or two with custom trays and professional gel. Results vary by case, but professional whitening is many times more effective than over-the-counter products. We can also recommend follow-up treatments or touch-up gel to maintain your brighter smile for months or years.

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are fragile, tooth-colored shells of porcelain that are placed on the front of your teeth. They are custom-made to blend in with the color and shape of your natural teeth, making them ideal for covering up chips, cracks, gaps, or severe discoloration. Our veneers are very durable and stain-resistant, providing long-lasting improvements to the look of your smile.

The advantages of veneers are:

• A natural-looking improvement that harmonizes with your adjacent teeth.
• Solution to a range of cosmetic issues (chipped, stained, or crooked teeth).
• Minimal cutting of the tooth, which preserves much of the original tooth structure.

For porcelain veneers, treatment usually takes two visits. During the first visit, we gently remove a small amount of enamel (typically less than 0.5 mm) so that the veneer will not add extra thickness. Finally, we take an impression or computer scan of your teeth and send it to a dental lab, where your veneers are fabricated.

You'll be fitted with temporary veneers until your permanent ones are ready. We cement the finished veneers onto your teeth with a durable resin cement in the second visit. Porcelain veneers, if well-maintained (oral hygiene and check-ups), will remain in excellent condition for 10-15 years or longer. Porcelain's enamel-like, translucent luster produces a highly natural-looking finished product.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding uses a tooth-colored resin to correct minor cosmetic flaws in a single office visit. The resin is molded and hardened with a special curing light, leaving an undetectable repair that will match your tooth. Bonding is a quick, painless way to repair small chips, cracks, or singular discoloration. It has several benefits:

• No anesthetic is generally required, making the procedure fast and painless.
• Less expensive than veneers or crowns for minor imperfections.
• Represents a natural, pleasing look that harmonizes with surrounding teeth.

One-visit bonding process. We start by gently etching the enamel surface and applying a conditioning gel, which helps the resin to stick. The dentist constructs the composite resin on the tooth, shapes it to the desired shape, and bonds it using a light.

We trim and hone the bonded area after it has hardened so that it is smooth alongside other teeth. Bonding is robust but not quite as durable as porcelain: it can wear or stain over time. At your regular exams, we'll check for bonded teeth and do touch-ups or repairs if needed. Bonding is ideal for small touch-ups and typically can last five years or more under typical conditions.

Invisalign Clear Aligners

Invisalign clear aligners are an inconspicuous way to straighten teeth without metal braces. Customized plastic trays slowly push your teeth over time, adjusting for minor and moderate crowding, spacing, and bite issues. Because the aligners are removable, you can eat as you usually would and maintain your regular oral hygiene routine during treatment. Some of the key aspects of Invisalign treatment are:

• Near-invisible aligners, which are smooth and clear.
• Ergonomic, individually molded trays without metal wires and brackets.
• Option to see a digital picture of what your estimated results and treatment plan would be.
• Average treatment duration will typically range from a few months to a year, depending on your case.

Before we start the Invisalign process, we do a thorough orthodontic examination. We may take X-rays or digital impressions to ensure it is in your best interest. Each series of aligners is typically worn for a week or two before switching to the next one in the sequence. Since teeth are moved gradually, patients usually return every 6-8 weeks so we can evaluate progress.

Small tooth-colored lumps (attachments) are sometimes placed on specific teeth to give the aligners a little extra traction. Because the aligners are removable, you will need to wear them at least 20-22 hours per day and brush your teeth afterwards before replacing the trays. With this method, you can have straight teeth with a look and feel that is different from traditional braces.

Smile Makeovers

Smile makeover is an individualized treatment that involves two or more cosmetic procedures to achieve the best overall outcome. During a smile makeover consultation, our dentists review all your smile concerns - including discoloration, crookedness, tooth shape, or loss of teeth - and recommend a tailored blend of treatments (e.g., whitening, veneers, crowns, or orthodontics). With this combined treatment plan, there can be balanced aesthetics and function. Benefits of a personalized smile makeover include:

• Complete redesign addressing all your aesthetic needs at once.
• Thoughtful planning in advance, both for appearance and dental health.
• A treatment plan that suits your lifestyle, needs, and budget.

In smile makeover, we often use digital photographs and image programs to give a preview of expected changes, so you can see a mock-up of your new smile before you have treatment. Depending on how much you need it, we might start treatment with procedures like gum contouring or whitening to give your teeth a laxative. Then, we coordinate sequencing of additional steps - for example, veneering or crowning, or straightening your teeth with Invisalign - so that every step will reinforce the last one. Multiple visits are usually needed, and we plan each step to fit your schedule.

Gum Contouring

Gum reshaping is also known as gum contouring. It reshapes excessive or irregular gums to improve the harmony of your smile. If your smile looks too "gummy" or has uneven gum lines, gum contouring can expose more of your teeth for a harmonious smile. Gum contouring is typically done using a laser or delicate surgical tools. Gum contouring advantages:

• Quick and least invasive procedure.
• Creates an equalized ratio of teeth and gums to create a more aesthetically pleasing smile.
• Fast recovery time, thanks to most patients being able to get back to normal in days.

Gum reshaping is typically performed while seated in the dental chair under local anesthesia. We gently remove or reshape excess gum tissue to even up the gum line. The procedure normally takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how much trimming is needed. After treatment, we can use a protective dressing or prescribe a special mouthwash to aid healing.

Expect some discomfort or mild swelling for a day or two; taking over-the-counter painkillers and an ice pack will ease discomfort. We book follow-up visits to check on healing, and most patients can resume their normal activity almost immediately.

Cosmetic Crowns and Bridges

When teeth are lost or damaged, cosmetic crowns and bridges repair both appearance and function. A crown is a personalized cap that covers a decaying or weakened tooth. In contrast, a bridge replaces one or several missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth to the neighboring crowns. Our ceramic crowns and bridges are crafted to emulate your natural teeth in color, shape, and translucency. Some of the benefits include:

• Full restoration of cracked, chipped, or decayed teeth back to their proper size and strength.
• Replacement of missing teeth to prevent shifting and restore chewing ability.
• Long-lasting, strong materials that appear natural and mix in with your smile.

Bridges and crowns normally take two visits. On the first visit, we prepare the supporting tooth (or teeth) by removing decay and reshaping it to hold the restoration. Impressions or digital scans are taken to create your custom crown or bridge, and a temporary prosthesis can be placed. On the second visit, we remove the temporary restoration and cement the permanent restoration with precision. These ceramic restorations are durable but natural. (For root canal-treated teeth, we usually crown them to protect them from fracture.)

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Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is very much capable of transforming your overall oral status and well-being. By correcting cosmetic issues, the treatments will reveal and address underlying issues (like decay or alignment flaws) that could otherwise go unnoticed. In addition, patients will experience a boost in confidence and self-esteem after the smile enhancement.

Other advantages are:

• Boosted Confidence: A whiter, more uniform smile has the potential to make you feel more at ease in social and professional contexts. The majority of patients say they smile more naturally and feel more confident after treatment.
• Younger Look: Whiter teeth and straighter contours often lead to a younger look. Cosmetic improvements can reduce noticeable signs of aging (e.g., discolored or worn teeth).
• Improved Oral Function: Many of the cosmetic treatments (veneers, crowns, orthodontics) also address the correct relationship of upper and lower teeth, simplifying eating and speaking and minimizing opportunities for unbalanced stress to jaw joints and teeth.
• Long-Term Results: With proper care, veneers and crowns can last several years. Investing now in superior cosmetic restorations can save you more complex work later.

For example, smile improvement can increase personal confidence and enjoyment of daily life. Restored and aligned teeth function better and distribute bite forces equally, and this benefits overall oral health. Straightening and whitening of teeth can also improve gum health since straight teeth are easier to clean and less prone to plaque buildup.

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Advanced Technology and Comfort

Signature Smiles Dental Group utilizes advanced technology to give precise, efficient cosmetic treatments. We also perform digital X-rays, intraoral photography, and 3D scans during your appointment to accurately diagnose and treatment plan. These digital technologies enable us to design restorations (veneers, crowns) and orthodontic treatments (Invisalign) with high accuracy, often reducing the number of visits you'll require. We also use an intraoral camera to capture close-up photographs of your teeth and gums in real time, so you can view and better know any issues yourself.

We utilize computer-aided design/manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and state-of-the-art lasers in select procedures. Soft-tissue lasers, for example, can precisely shape gums for contouring, and milling machines with CAD/CAM can fabricate a crown or veneer in a single day. Advances such as these translate into faster results and less discomfort for patients.

Our dentists receive training and licensure in sedation techniques and monitor vital signs carefully during any sedation to maximize safety.

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Meet Our Experts

Signature Smiles Dental Group cosmetic dentistry services are provided by two experienced general dentists:

Dr. Gaganjot Khera, DDS
Dr. Khera is a dedicated and compassionate general dentist who earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and continues to further her education through continuing education in preventive as well as cosmetic techniques.

Dr. Ami Desai, DDS
With more than two decades of experience in general and family dentistry, Dr. Desai combines clinical precision with a warm, patient‐focused style. She is an evidence-based dentist who emphasizes patient education and prevention as well as her restorative and cosmetic talents. She is a member of the American and California Dental Associations.

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Insurance & Payment Options

Insurance

Signature Smiles Dental Group accepts most major dental insurance companies (especially PPO plans) and will help you maximize your benefits. The most frequent providers include Delta Dental, Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, United Concordia, and more.

Payment

If you have no insurance or cosmetic procedures are only partially reimbursed, we offer flexible payment plans. We accept Cherry (monthly flexible payment plans) and CareCredit (dental-specific credit) for various budgets. Furthermore, we accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards.

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Schedule Your Cosmetic Dentistry Consultation

Call Smiles Dental Group to schedule a cosmetic dentistry appointment in Milpitas. We will discuss your cosmetic needs, review all treatment options, and develop a customized plan tailored to you during your visit. We offer Saturday appointments, and new patients can pre-register online before their visit.