Cosmetic dentistry
Fixing the one tooth you've stopped smiling around
Crowns, veneers and whitening, planned slowly against your own bite, in Bakersfield.
Chapter 01
What cosmetic work can fix, and what it can't
Cosmetic dentistry usually starts with one tooth you've stopped smiling around. A chip from an old accident. Front teeth worn flat. One that's a shade darker than its neighbours, or a gap that has always bothered you.
Crowns and veneers are the two treatments people hear about most, and they do different jobs. Dr. Kaur will tell you which fits your teeth, or whether something simpler would do. The practice has published a before and after of its own crown and veneer work on front teeth, and it's worth a look below.
Cosmetic work still has to function. A tooth that looks right but meets its partner wrongly will chip again, so the bite gets as much attention as the colour.
Before and after smile showing crown and veneer work on front teeth, published by Superior Smiles Dentistry
Why we plan it on stone models first
Look at the tray in our photo: two stone models, upper and lower, cast from a patient's own teeth. They're a three-dimensional record of how that mouth actually closes.
Planning against your own bite is the difference between a tooth that looks good in a mirror and one that lasts through steak and ice. You can hold the model, point at the tooth that bothers you, and Dr. Kaur can show you what the change would look like before anything is done.
It's a slow step by design. We'd rather spend an unhurried appointment on the plan at Suite 660 than rush toward the chair.
Chapter 03
Choosing between whitening, veneers and crowns
If colour is the only complaint, whitening is commonly the first thing to try. We do in-office Philips Zoom whitening right here, and it's the gentlest way to change a shade, since it works on natural enamel without altering the tooth.
If the shape or size is the problem, or a tooth is cracked or heavily filled, a veneer or crown starts to make sense. Dr. Kaur will tell you whether your teeth are good candidates and which option protects the most of what you already have.
We don't quote prices on this page because every mouth is different, and an honest figure needs a look first. Most insurances are accepted, though cosmetic work is often treated differently from repairs, so bring your card and we'll go through it together. Financing is available through Cherry. Call (661) 454-7600 to book a consultation in Bakersfield.
The before and after above is the practice's own published crown and veneer work, shared by Dr. Kaur's office.
Next steps in cosmetic care