Do you dream of a brighter, more beautiful smile? Have you wondered exactly what options are available to you?

There have been many advances in cosmetic dentistry in recent years, and the latest materials and techniques allow dentists many options to give patients the smiles of their dreams. Under the umbrella of cosmetic dentistry, there are numerous procedures that can beautify your smile while also improving your overall oral health. Dr. Philip Pike of Dental Health Associates offers a wide range of transformative procedures, from very simple teeth-whitening procedures or single-tooth repairs to full-mouth restorations using porcelain veneers, crowns and even dental implants. 

Teeth whitening

Simple, painless and affordable, teeth whitening can offer dramatic results. Many things can influence an individual’s tooth color; genetics, eating and drinking habits, and smoking are among the most common causes of staining and yellowing. Daily brushing and flossing help remove the superficial staining of tooth enamel, but everyone’s teeth yellow with age. 

A take-home whitening kit is an easy and very affordable option for treating stained, yellowed teeth. This involves making custom trays for both your upper and lower arches, giving you complete instructions and a supply of whitening gel, and monitoring your progress until your desired results are achieved.

Porcelain crowns

Also referred to as “caps,” porcelain crowns provide long-term restoration of broken, cracked, decayed or heavily filled teeth. Each crown is custom-made, covers an entire tooth and can be used to fix a single tooth or multiple teeth. Crowns are strong, long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing, and can even be combined with bridges to remedy gaps between missing teeth.

Porcelain veneers

Veneers offer incredible transformations without taking away a significant amount of your tooth structure. Veneers are a wonderful option if your teeth are healthy and your goal is to enhance the beauty of your smile. Porcelain veneers are a strong and extremely natural-looking cosmetic option, involving only a couple of office visits. 

Once you have decided on the look you want to achieve, your teeth are prepared to make room for the veneers. Only a thin layer of enamel is removed, and the surface of the teeth is etched slightly to better receive and adhere to the veneers. Photographs and measurements are taken, and a temporary veneer is placed while your new “teeth” are created in a laboratory. Your permanent veneers are placed on a second office visit, giving you a beautiful new smile that requires only regular flossing and brushing—just like natural teeth.

Dental implants 

Dental implants act as a root where a tooth is missing, and placing the implant can prevent bone deterioration. Implants ultimately support artificial teeth or serve as an anchor for a bridge or denture.

After an oral surgeon or periodontist places an implant, your dentist can create the restoration that fits over the implant and replaces the missing tooth or teeth. Whether you’re missing teeth due to periodontitis, decay or injury, your smile can be beautifully restored with implants that look and function just like real teeth.

Dr. Philip Pike

Dr. Philip L. Pike at Dental Health Associates would be pleased to meet with you to discuss the cosmetic dentistry options available to you. Dr. Pike’s goal is for every patient to have a healthy, comfortable and beautiful smile. Whether you choose teeth whitening, crowns, veneers or implants, Dr. Pike and his team will dedicate themselves to achieving your desired results.

Dr. Pike graduated from Ohio State University’s School of Dental Medicine cum laude, and has received numerous awards for excellence in dentistry and patient care. He completed the general practice residency at Christiana Care in Wilmington, and started his dental practice in 1986. He is always broadening his knowledge of all aspects of dentistry through continuing education.

To make an appointment or learn more, call 302-239-0303 or visit www.pikedentalhealth.com.

Dental Health Associates
4901 Limestone Road, Suite C
Wilmington, Del., 19808