The Most Popular Cosmetic Procedures: Explained

Thinking about improving your smile in Philadelphia? Investing in cosmetic dentistry from Mestichelli Barnes Dental Associates is a great idea. But with so many different procedures available, how can you know what’s right for you? To help you out, we’ve put together some basic information about the most popular cosmetic procedures at our office. Read on to learn more.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening uses chemicals like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide to whiten your teeth. These peroxides react violently to stains on enamel, breaking the bonds holding them in place and “bleaching” your enamel.

We offer in-office teeth whitening at our office, which is done by our dentists in South Philadelphia and provides fast results, as well as take-home professional whitening kits. Take-home whitening treatment is convenient and provides more gradual results. It’s a good option if you have a busy schedule or just want to feel more comfortable while whitening your smile.
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Dental Bonding, Shaping & Contouring

Dental bonding is used to restore chipped, misshapen, stained, or uneven teeth. In this procedure, tooth-colored dental resin is applied directly to your tooth, and then Dr. Barnes or Dr. Mestichelli shapes and sculpts the tooth to improve its appearance.

Shaping and contouring (also called enameloplasty) is often used with dental bonding to enhance your smile. In this treatment, a special buffing tool is used to gently remove a small amount of enamel from pointed teeth, uneven teeth, teeth with chips, and other teeth that are imperfect. This provides you with a more even, pleasing smile. 
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Dental Veneers

Veneers are very thin shells of porcelain that are designed to look just like a natural tooth. They are similar to dental crowns, but while dental crowns cover up the whole tooth, veneers only cover up the fronts of your teeth. 

Veneers are one of the most popular cosmetic treatments at our office because they are stain-resistant, strong, last 15+ years, and can cover up almost any cosmetic imperfection. 

However, they do require your teeth to be trimmed, so the treatment is not reversible. You will need to commit to wearing veneers for the rest of your life. 
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Invisalign 

Technically, Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment, but it also has a lot of cosmetic benefits, so it’s definitely worth mentioning here. Invisalign uses clear, plastic “trays” or “aligners” to move your teeth as an alternative to braces.

By switching through a series of different aligners, you can straighten your teeth and improve both your smile and your oral health. Invisalign is a particularly good alternative to braces because the aligners are completely transparent and invisible when worn. 

There are also no dietary restrictions and you can remove your aligners to brush and floss, unlike braces, which makes it a lot more convenient. 
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Ready To Get Started? Contact Our Office Today

At Mestichelli Barnes Dental Associates, Dr. Bill Mestichelli and Dr. Michael Barnes can help you improve your smile in Philadelphia with cosmetic dentistry. To learn more about all of the above procedures, just give us a call at (215) 334-2000 or contact us online. We’re always accepting new patients, so get started today.