Cosmetic Dentistry
SmileLift™ - Restore a Youthful Appearance without a Facelift!
While there are many choices in cosmetic surgery, a revolutionary dental procedure may make the biggest difference in how you look without the risk or intrusion of plastic surgery. The remarkable SmileLift™ procedure, developed by Dr. Ritchie Beougher, offers truly age-defying results to give a more youthful appearance. After a SmileLift™ from Dr. Beougher, even your closest friends will wonder how you've managed to take ten years off your face with no downtime. Your lips appear fuller and wrinkles around the mouth often magically disappear, simply by correcting worn down, thin, or missing teeth. Willow Bend Dental's SmileLift™ can create the smile you've always wanted.
Dr. Beougher explains, "As we age, the lower half of the face tends to sag. The lower half of the face muscles lose their muscle tone and we develop wrinkles, which makes the face look aged." The anti-aging SmileLift™ is Dr. Beougher's technique of rebuilding smiles by bonding individual porcelain veneers to each tooth. With his artistic background, Dr. Beougher suggests the color, length, size, and fullness of each new veneer. Then, you decide your best look for the final desired outcome.
Patients begin their smile enhancement with temporary smiles - "Trial Smile" - that can be altered to get the exact look they desire. After patient's approval, Dr. Beougher then duplicates their one-of-a-kind smile in exquisitely translucent porcelain according to the patient's wishes. This way the patient is receives with their dream smile!
Dr. Beougher is one of an elite group of cosmetic dentists capable of sculpting a patient's new smile. His SmileLift™ technique is recognized around the country, and he has lectured and taught other cosmetic dentists at New York University and Palm Beach College.
To accommodate hectic schedules, SmileLift™ patients can choose to have procedures done during the week at the flagship Willow Bend Dental castle building in Plano, or over a weekend min-vacation at Moon River Ranch, the nation's first ranch resort dental spa located near Waco, Texas. Instead of scheduling numerous office visits, Moon River Ranch guests can receive a smile makeover in as little as four hours, leaving ample time to enjoy all of the other amenities at Moon River Ranch.
For more information about our SmileLift™ procedure please contact our office .
TOPPorcelain Veneers - Perfectly Natural
Porcelain Veneers are the flagship procedure in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. The developmental success of porcelain veneers can be contributed to NASA and the space shuttle program in the late 1970's. When NASA had trouble with missing tiles upon re-entry, they developed this method of bonding the porcelain tiles to the undercarriage of the space shuttle. This bonding technology was adapted to dentistry and has allowed us to bond porcelain veneers directly to the tooth surface without an underlying metal substructure. This mechanical chemical bond creates an amazingly sturdy restoration, which is as strong as natural tooth structure and one that will not stain. Dr. Beougher has specialized training in this advanced porcelain veneer bonding technology that has allowed him to successfully produce thousands of these restorations in Plano, Texas since 1986.
Porcelain veneers are very thin (as thin as a contact lens), allowing for minimal or no tooth reduction, and in some cases requires no anesthesia. Preservation of the strong enamel tooth structure provides for a longer-lasting restoration and is minimally invasive. The semi-translucent veneer can be made to match the light transmitting properties of natural teeth and, being metal free, eliminates the any 'black' marginal line found around many old-style traditional porcelain fused to metal crowns.
Exquisite natural esthetics are achieved with this restoration, and is most often used to close spaces, replace worn enamel, repair broken or chipped teeth, re-shape crooked or misaligned teeth, and to cover permanently stained or discolored teeth. Porcelain veneers or onlays are also used on back teeth, and is our preferred conservative method to restore broken molar teeth or to replace large mercury silver fillings. Our porcelain veneers and onlays appear as a natural tooth, in other words...they are totally invisible.
Visit our photo gallery to see our unbelievable results. If you have questions about porcelain veneers, please contact our office in Plano, Texas for more information.
TOPLumineers - Ultra-thin Veneers
Lumineers
Get a healthy, natural, permanently white smile in just two easy dentist visits with Lumineers. Unlike traditional veneers, with ultra-thin Lumineers there are no shots, no drilling of sensitive tooth structure, and no pain. They're even reversible, so you have nothing to lose and a beautiful smile to gain. There is no substitute for a Lumineers smile!
Dr. Beougher is affectionately known by his patients and staff as the "Smile Architect". With his vast knowledge of smile design, he is able to determine in a short visit if you are a candidate for Lumineers. It then takes only two easy visits to bring out your beautiful smile. During your first visit a precision mold will be taken, and you and Dr. Beougher choose the right shade for your new, permanently white smile. On your second visit, your custom designed Lumineers are checked for fit and shade, and then they're painlessly attached.
TOPCosmetic Bonding
Cosmetic bonding refers to restorations made from composite plastic material, similar to porcelain veneers and onlays. The cosmetic bonding requires no outside lab procedure and is built directly onto the tooth structure.
Bonding is durable, tissue compatible, kind to the opposing teeth, and stain resistant. We are able to make absolutely the thinnest restoration possible using this material. Cosmetic bonding allows us to preserve the greatest amount of natural tooth structure, with minimal or no numbing required. Exquisite natural esthetics are achieved, as well as the light transmitting qualities found in natural teeth. Cosmetic bonding is most often used to close spaces, replace worn enamel, repair broken or chipped teeth, re-shape crooked or misaligned teeth, and to cover permanently stained or discolored teeth. Composite bonding is also used to fill cavities and to replace existing mercury silver fillings.
Dr. Beougher and Dr. Simon are able to create beautiful long-lasting restorations with composite bonding. Visit our photo gallery for examples of this amazing restoration or contact our office in Plano, Texas for more information.
TOPComposite (Tooth Colored) Fillings
Our office does not offer mercury silver fillings. Dr. Beougher and Dr. Simon believe that tooth colored composite fillings are a stronger and healthier choice for our patients. The tooth colored material is metal free and made from plastic resin. They are very durable, tissue compatible, kind to the opposing teeth, and stain resistant. Tooth colored fillings allow us to preserve the greatest amount of natural tooth enamel, and perhaps more importantly, they are made from inert non-toxic ingredients.
For questions about tooth colored fillings, please contact our office for more information.
TOPCrowns (caps)
Crowns or "caps" are traditional and commonly used restorations in dentistry today. Because the enamel has to be completely removed for a crown or "cap", the stronger and more conservative onlay or porcelain veneer restoration is generally the treatment of choice whenever possible. However, when teeth are badly broken, extensively decayed, or simply in need of replacing existing caps, crowns are the treatment of choice. Crowns can be made of all porcelain, porcelain fused to gold, porcelain fused to zirconium, or all gold. The best crown material is often determined by an individual's bite and esthetic considerations.
Dr. Beougher and Dr. Simon have extensive training and experience in crown placement and have successfully placed thousands of these restorations since 1986. Like our porcelain veneers, these restorations are very durable and resistant to stain. To view examples of our work, please visit our photo gallery. For questions about crowns, please contact our Plano, Texas office for more information.
TOPTooth Replacement
A missing tooth is the most obvious dental malformation, and often presents the dentist's biggest technical challenge. Missing teeth can also undermine a person's self-confidence and quality of life. Not only can missing teeth compromise eating habits, speech and appearance, the condition can also lead to bone loss in the jaw and the abnormal shifting of the other teeth as well as bite problems. Missing teeth often causes the look of premature aging.
Dr. Beougher and Dr. Simon have had great success in replacing missing teeth with dental implants, bridges, dentures, or partial dentures. Using the latest advanced materials and tissue management techniques, we are able to provide the service that is most appropriate for you.
Dental implants have become our favored way to replace missing teeth whenever possible. Acting as a substitute tooth root, implants bond with the bone to form a stable foundation for permanent replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The dental implant actually helps preserve the bone by providing the stimulation that was previously provided by natural tooth roots. This helps maintain the integrity of facial structures.
There are numerous advantages of dental implant treatment over other traditional treatment options. For instance, it is not necessary to grind down the adjacent teeth for a bridge, or secure a partial denture to them with clasps that can eventually loosen the natural teeth. By utilizing dental implants, patients may be spared the many problems associated with traditional false teeth.
Bridges are another treatment option when replacing missing teeth. Choosing the best treatment option depends upon the condition of the teeth adjacent to the space, bone condition, gum appearance, esthetic concerns, prognosis of the restoration, age of the patient, and budget considerations.
Dentures & Partial Dentures are another common and less expensive method to replace missing teeth. One of our passions is creating customized dentures and partials that are comfortable, functional, and esthetically pleasing. Our special training in new denture technology and smile design has made it possible for our patients to experience the best of both worlds - comfort and cosmetics. We also offer implant-supported dentures.
If you have questions about tooth replacement, dental implants, or dentures please contact our Plano, Texas office for more information.
TOPGum Lift
Healthy pink gum tissue compliments and frames the teeth. Gum tissue that is red, swollen, or uneven detracts from teeth that are otherwise healthy. Our first order of business is to get the gums into a healthy state. Dr. Beougher and Dr. Simon's trained hygiene team will restore the gums to a perfectly healthy state.
Once the gum tissue is healthy and pink, we will cosmetically evaluate the gum line for the proper contours of tissue. A common problem is unsymmetrical gum tissue, which makes the teeth appear to be of different lengths. Dr. Beougher and Dr. Simon are often able to perform minimal contouring of the gum tissue to a more esthetically balanced appearance. This procedure is called a gum lift. Generally, gum tissue heals quickly with little discomfort.
The cosmetic gum lift is a remarkably simple cosmetic procedure that can make a tremendous difference to one's smile. contact our Plano, Texas office to determine if you are a candidate for this procedure.
Am I a candidate?
A gum lift is typically performed when:
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Aesthetic Tooth Contouring
One of the most common aesthetic dental concerns is also one of the easiest and simplest treatments available. A chip in a front tooth, worn uneven edges, shallow pits or grooves in the tooth enamel are all minor issues, and easily resolved with aesthetic tooth contouring.
Using a polishing instrument, Dr. Beougher and Dr. Simon are able to shape small amounts of tooth enamel to improve the shape and aesthetics of your teeth. This quick and painless procedure can make a big difference in your smile. Because it is relatively inexpensive and noninvasive, it is a good place to start changing your smile to the one that you have always wanted. Minor bite problems can also be resolved with contouring and reshaping.
An ideal candidate for aesthetic tooth contouring would have minor imperfections in their teeth such as small chips, slight unevenness, slight overlaps, shallowly pitted surfaces, or worn biting areas in their teeth. Other indications for the procedure are one or more teeth out of proportion in size to the rest of the set, such as large, pointy canine teeth. Reshaping can only occur on healthy teeth, so x-rays are often taken before the procedure is done to check for problems.
To find out if you are a candidate for aesthetic tooth contouring, please contact our Plano, Texas office for more information.
TOPHome Whitening (Bleaching)
Nothing freshens up your appearance like a whiter, brighter smile. The whitening toothpastes at the grocery store just can't give you the whitest possible smile. In fact, they can actually wear enamel away from abrasiveness. Willow Bend Dental uses the latest technology from Discus Dental called Nite White Excel 3. Nite White is a liquid gel that safely and effectively whitens your teeth while wearing customized bleaching trays for 5 days, for only 1-hour for a day. The FDA has recognized the active ingredient in Nite White, carbamide peroxide, for many years as an oral antiseptic. This technology is especially helpful for removing stains caused by food, coffee, wine, tobacco, aging, and other sources. Today's bleaching methods are safe for the teeth and surrounding soft tissues, and you can have overnight results! It is fast and simple to use. Maximum results may require bleaching the teeth daily for thirty to sixty days. The bleaching gel comes in a variety of carbamide peroxide concentrations ranging from 9.5% to 30% strengths. View our dazzling whitening results in the photo gallery.
For sensitive teeth, we offer Day White Excel 3 from Discus Dental. Day White Excel 3 is a low sensitivity daytime tooth whitener that is used for only thirty minutes twice a day. The delicious cool mint flavor comes in a 9.5% hydrogen peroxide concentration.
All Night White and Day White products use an advanced dual barrel syringe, which allows the Peroxide chamber to remain separate from the activator chamber until the moment of use. This allows the freshest blend of gel to be dispensed every time. The shelf life of these products is two years. Learn more about tooth whitening from www.discusdental.com .
If you have questions about tooth whitening and bleaching, please contact our Plano, Texas office for more information.
TOPLaser Two Hour Whitening
LaserSmile by Biolase
The LaserSmileTM teeth whitening system is manufactured by Biolase Technology, Inc. Willow Bend Dental was the first office in Dallas Ft. Worth to offer the Laser Whitening, in 1996. If you want your teeth whiter instantly, The LaserSmile by Biolase is the technology for you. LaserSmile teeth whitening treatments usually take 2 hours from start to finish. Each whitening session is broken down into two individual applications with the duration of the first application being 16 minutes and the second 8 minutes. This means that the cumulative exposure of the patient's teeth to the LaserSmile teeth whitening gel is 24 minutes. Teeth can lighten up to six shades whiter!
If you have questions about our tooth whitening systems, please contact our Plano, Texas office for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of tooth whitener is used with the LaserSmile™ teeth whitening system?
The LaserSmile teeth whitening system uses a hydrogen peroxide-based whitening gel which a 37% hydrogen peroxide concentration and a pH of around 7. In comparison, at home teeth whitening kits usually contain 3 to 10% hydrogen peroxide. This difference in peroxide concentration is why professional teeth whitening treatment can achieve whiter results more rapidly.
How long will it take to whiten my teeth?
Most people only need their teeth bleached once, as Laser Teeth Whitening can whiten up to six shades in one session. Each teeth whitening session is broken down into four individual applications of the teeth whitener: two applications on the top teeth and two applications on the bottom teeth. The duration of the first application is 16 minutes and the second application is 8 minutes. This means that the total exposure of the patient's teeth to the LaserSmile teeth whitening gel is a total of 24 minutes on the top teeth and 24 minutes on the bottom teeth, a total of 48 minutes. Pre and post treatment preparations and activities that surround the treatment usually cause the treatment to last about two hours.
How should I prepare for teeth whitening?
Before your appointment you should have a professional dental cleaning to remove surface stain and tartar.
TOPWillow Bend Dental
972-964-5686
Willow Bend Dental's innovative and sophisticated technology, beautiful world-class facility, and compassionate and caring staff, combine to deliver state-of-the-art dentistry to the fine residents of North Texas, including Dallas and Plano.