ServicesCosmetic Dentistry in San Tan Valley, AZ

Cosmetic Dentistry in San Tan Valley, AZ

Dr. D. Ray Gifford DMD - Cosmetic Dentistry in San Tan Valley, AZ

Cosmetic dentistry covers the treatments aimed at how your smile looks — from a single chipped edge repaired in an afternoon through to a fuller change in shape, shade and alignment.

To schedule your appointment, contact our office at (480) 581-7681 or visit us at our San Tan Valley office.

About Cosmetic Dentistry

A beautiful smile is one of the most sought after cosmetic features in the world. People from all backgrounds and professions want a bright, straight smile, and we are here to help turn that desire into reality. Whether through minor adjustments or major treatment plans, our cosmetic dentistry practice aims to improve your smile and help you build confidence in the way your teeth look.

Choosing the Right Treatment

The most useful thing in a cosmetic consultation is specificity. "I don't like my smile" is a starting point; "my front tooth is chipped", "my teeth have gone yellow", or "there's a gap that bothers me in photos" leads directly to the right treatment. Broadly: whitening addresses shade when the teeth themselves are fine. Bonding handles small chips, gaps and uneven edges conservatively and quickly. Veneers change the whole front surface when shape and color both need work. Crowns are for when the tooth needs structural strength as well as improvement. Aligners move teeth that are in the wrong position. Dr. Gifford's approach is to start with the least invasive option that will actually achieve what you want. If whitening will get you there, there is no reason to discuss veneers.

Health Comes First

Cosmetic work sits on top of dental health, not instead of it. Active decay, gum inflammation and unaddressed grinding all need dealing with before cosmetic treatment, because otherwise the result is built on an unstable foundation and will not last. That also means a cosmetic consultation includes a proper look at the health of your teeth and gums. Sometimes what a patient assumed was a cosmetic issue turns out to have a functional cause worth treating — heavy grinding wearing front teeth short, for instance. Call (480) 581-7681 to arrange a consultation. Financing is available through Cherry and CareCredit if you would prefer to spread treatment costs.

Our Cosmetic Dentistry in San Tan Valley, AZ Services

Veneers

Veneers

Thin custom shells bonded to the front of your teeth to change their color, shape, size or length.

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Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain Crowns

Full-coverage restorations that rebuild and protect a damaged tooth while looking and functioning like a natural one.

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Bonding

Bonding

Tooth-colored material applied and hardened directly onto the tooth to repair chips, close small gaps, and reshape uneven teeth.

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Teeth Whitening

Teeth Whitening

Professional whitening that lifts staining from food, drink and time, brightening the shade of your natural teeth.

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Invisalign

Invisalign

Clear removable aligners that gradually straighten teeth without metal brackets or wires.

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FAQs About Cosmetic Dentistry in San Tan Valley, AZ

Q. How long do porcelain veneers last?

With good care, many years — though the exact lifespan depends on your bite, whether you grind, and how you look after them. Grinding is the main thing that shortens it, which is why a night guard is often recommended alongside.

Q. Is enamel removed to place veneers?

Usually a small amount is, so the veneer sits flush with the surrounding teeth rather than looking thick. This is not reversible, which is why it is worth discussing whether a more conservative option such as bonding or whitening would get you what you want first.

Q. Will veneers look obviously fake?

Not if they are planned well. The shade, shape and proportions are chosen to suit your face and your other teeth. If you want a noticeably brighter result, that is achievable too — the point is that it should be your decision rather than a default.

Important Terms

  • VeneerA thin custom-made shell, usually porcelain, bonded to the front surface of a tooth to change its appearance.
  • EnamelThe hard outer layer of the tooth. A small amount is typically reduced to accommodate a veneer, and it does not regenerate.
  • Shade MatchingSelecting the color of a restoration against a reference guide so it blends with your surrounding teeth, or achieves the brightness you want.
  • CrownA restoration that covers the entire visible portion of a tooth, restoring its shape, size and strength.

Schedule Your Appointment with Dr. D. Ray Gifford DMD

Not sure which treatment fits what you want to change? Call (480) 581-7681 — a consultation costs you nothing but a conversation.

Visit us at: 1735 W. Hunt Hwy., Ste. C-103, San Tan Valley, AZ 85143