Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic Dentistry at
Lanham Family Dentistry
Even the smallest enhancements to your smile can boost your confidence and elevate your self-esteem. We combine science and artistry to deliver stunning, natural-looking results tailored just for you.
Schedule Your Makeover →Cosmetic Tooth Bonding
Cosmetic bonding is a versatile procedure where tooth-colored resin is applied to achieve beautiful, immediate aesthetic improvements. It is completely reversible and minimally invasive.
What does it fix?
Bonding is highly effective for fixing chipped teeth, closing minor gaps, and improving the appearance of slightly crooked or misaligned teeth without the need for orthodontics.
How long does it last?
Lifespan depends heavily on lifestyle. Avoid smoking, chewing ice, biting nails, or using your teeth to open bottles. With good oral hygiene and a low-acid diet, bonding provides excellent longevity.
Does it work with retainers?
Yes. However, because some retainers are made to precisely fit your natural tooth shape, altering that shape via bonding might require a simple adjustment to your retainer or a new one entirely.
Is it reversible?
Unlike veneers or crowns that require reshaping of your natural tooth enamel, cosmetic bonding can be easily and safely removed if you ever choose to reverse the procedure.
Custom Veneers
Veneers are custom-crafted facings bonded to the front of your teeth. Unlike crowns that cover the entire tooth, veneers provide a conservative way to completely mask stains, close gaps, and perfect your tooth shape.
Porcelain Veneers
The premium choice. They are highly durable, highly stain-resistant, biocompatible, and generally last 5–15 years. They require subtle reshaping of the natural tooth.
Composite Veneers
A faster, more economical alternative to porcelain. While beautiful, they are slightly more prone to staining and generally last 4–8 years before needing replacement.
Safe for Enamel
Veneers are not bad for your teeth! They actually strengthen the front surface. However, impeccable oral hygiene is required to ensure decay does not develop around the margins.
Diet & Care
You can eat normally with veneers. Just exercise caution with extremely hard foods (like apples or hard candy), tobacco, and dark staining liquids (like red wine or coffee).
Professional Teeth Whitening
Lift stains up to 8 shades lighter! Hydrogen peroxide diffuses into the tooth to break down discoloration molecules safely. Note: Whitening will not change the color of existing crowns, veneers, or bonding.
Takes about 2 hours in the chair using an LED activating light. Delivers the highest level of shade improvement. Results can last 1–2 years. May cause temporary "zingers" (sensitivity) managed with Relief ACP gel.
Daily applications over a 1–2 week period. Lower concentration formula makes it a gentler option for sensitive teeth. More economical. Results generally last 3–6 months without touch-ups.
Trendy products like charcoal toothpaste lack scientific backing for whitening and can physically scratch and damage your enamel due to high abrasiveness.
| Treatment Option | Speed & Effectiveness | Sensitivity & Cost |
|---|---|---|
| In-Office Zoom Whitening | Takes ~2 hours. Up to 8 shades lighter. Results last 1–2 years. | Higher likelihood of temporary sensitivity. Premium cost. Includes protective Relief ACP gel. |
| At-Home Custom Kits | Takes 1–2 weeks of daily use. Results last 3–6 months without maintenance. | Lower peroxide concentration means less sensitivity. Highly economical. |
| Over-the-Counter | Unpredictable. Charcoal pastes physically scratch stains away rather than bleaching. | Can permanently damage and thin enamel over time. We advise consulting a dentist first. |
Clear Aligner Therapy
Straighten your teeth comfortably over an average of 12 to 18 months utilizing clear, removable trays instead of traditional metal brackets.
Effective Alignment
Highly effective for closing gaps and fixing minor to moderate crookedness. (Severe misalignments may require traditional orthodontics).
Daily Comfort
Aligners create subtle micro-movements. You may feel mild, temporary discomfort when switching to a new tray, but they are generally pain-free.
Implant Friendly
Have a dental implant? No problem. The natural teeth around the implant can respond well to aligner treatment while the implant stays firmly in place.
Easy Care
Remove them whenever eating or drinking anything besides water. Rinse them upon removal and clean them daily with a toothbrush and mild soap (no hot water).