Cosmetic Dentistry

Smile and the Whole World Smiles With You

What's in a smile that makes this saying true?

•	The confidence to display those 'pearly whites' in any social situation or professional engagement.
•	The ease to share in a joke without concern for how your teeth look.
•	The assurance that you look your best.

It's easy to take a smile for granted, unless you're self-conscious about yours. In that case, you may spend more time and thought on hiding your smile than enjoying the moment. Natural imperfections, accidental damage, or food stains have always caused embarrassment and social anxiety. Don't dim your smile because of stained, chipped, or crooked teeth. With modern cosmetic dentistry, you can put those days behind you.

Brighten Your Day With a Natural, Healthy, Radiant Smile

Okmulgee Family Dentist has been restoring luster to teeth and confidence to smiles for over 15 years. In that time, we've had patients come to us with the full spectrum of cosmetic dental issues. From whitening to implants, veneers to bridges, every one of our patients has left our office smiling unabashedly.

Invisalign® Clear Aligners Therapy

Aligners are made of clear, strong medical grade plastic that is virtually invisible when worn. Aligners are clear and look similar to tooth-whitening trays, but are custom-made to fit better while moving teeth. Some orthodontists and dentists have referred to them as "contact lenses for teeth."

For years, orthodontists and dentists have used removable appliances for limited treatment. Today, with the application of computer technology and custom manufacturing, Invisalign® treats a broader range of cases with greater precision.

Invisalign® uses 3-D computer imaging technology to depict the complete treatment plan, from the initial position to the final desired position, from which a series of custom-made clear "aligners" are produced. Each "aligner" moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then is replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Clear, Removable, and Comfortable

With Invisalign®, you can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing. Unlike braces, you can eat and drink what you want during treatment, because you can remove the trays. You can also brush and floss normally to maintain good oral hygiene. Because there are no metal brackets or wires to cause mouth irritation, you spend less time in the doctor's chair getting adjustments.

Invisalign® allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan before you start so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

Botox

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you could design the road map of your face as you age? Would you smooth out a wrinkle here of there? Brighten up your complexion? Lift those eyebrows just a smidge? You no longer have to sit back and let genetics and life carve out your face. You and a simple tool called Botox can take charge.

Botox is like a mini face lift minus the invasiveness and cost of plastic surgery. Botox is an injection with an extremely fine needle into the muscle or nerve of the area which is being treated. The most common areas treated are frown or worry lines on the forehead and between the eyes, as well as crows feet at the edges of the eyes. One slight pinch, a possibility of a little redness or localized swelling (disappearing within 1-2 days), and those lines will smooth out or disappear entirely. The effects can last up to 6 months and the procedures takes just minutes out of your day.

Botox is an effective treatment for aging eyes as well. Eyebrows tend to lose their arch as we age and eyes can sag both above and below the eyes. Crows feet appear from squinting. Eye appearance can change the entire look of your face. Botox will lift the eyebrows, smooth out the crows feet and help lift areas that may be sagging, creating a much more youthful appearance.

Botox is a tool used to take control of your face as you age. You do not need to be tied down to genetics or past stresses that took a toll on your face. Botox is not a radical change but a subtle more youthful appearance to your face.

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are very thin pieces of durable tooth shaped porcelain that are custom-made (for shape and color) by a professional dental laboratory. They are bonded onto the front of teeth to create a beautiful and attractive smile.

Veneers can completely reshape your teeth and smile. They can often be alternatives to crowns and the ideal solution in treating many cosmetic dental conditions for the front teeth.

As with most dental restorations, veneers may someday need replacement; however, they are still very durable and will last many years, giving you a long-lasting, beautiful smile.

Teeth Whitening

Whitening the teeth is one of the easiest and most noticeable changes that you can make to improve the appearance of your smile. Whitening, or bleaching, is a non-invasive and simple dental treatment that will alter the color of your tooth enamel to make your smile look whiter and brighter.

For many people, dull or stained teeth are the primary concerns that they have about their smile. At-home teeth whitening systems are the most popular method for correcting this problem. However, if you have older fillings, crowns, and other restorations, you need to be aware that these whitening systems will only work to improve the appearance of the natural tooth enamel, so you won't notice any changes on those restorations. It is recommended that you have those restorations replaced after bleaching your teeth so they match the new and improved color of the rest of your smile.

Reasons to Whiten Your Teeth

There are numerous reasons why you might choose to whiten your teeth:

•	Brown or yellow stains due to smoking or your diet
•	Discoloration due to fluorosis (too much fluoride during the development of the teeth)
•	Stains due to certain medications
•	Normal wear of the enamel

The Teeth Whitening Process

If you choose to whiten your teeth with a home whitening system, you will generally need two dental appointments. At your first visit, Dr. Miranda Ruleford will take molds of your teeth to create customized plastic trays to hold the whitening solution.

After your trays have been fabricated, you'll have a second appointment where we'll make sure they fit properly. You'll receive instructions on how to wear the trays for optimal results. In most cases, this will involve wearing them either overnight or twice per day for several weeks.