Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry in Michigan City, Indiana
Dental Care to Restore Your Smile and Your Confidence
Your smile can affect how you feel when you talk, eat, laugh and spend time with other people. If you have a tooth that is damaged, missing, worn or simply does not look the way you would like, there may be several ways we can help.
At Michigan City Family Dentistry, we provide both restorative and cosmetic dental treatments for adults who want to improve the health, function or appearance of their smiles. Sometimes treatment is necessary to repair a dental problem. Other times, you may simply want to feel more confident about your teeth. We will listen to what is important to you, examine your teeth and explain the options that may be appropriate.
There is no one treatment plan that is right for everyone. Our goal is to help you understand your choices so you can decide what makes sense for your dental health, your goals and your budget.
What Is Restorative Dentistry?
estorative dentistry focuses on repairing or replacing teeth when decay, damage or tooth loss has affected their health or function. Treatment may be as straightforward as restoring a damaged tooth or may involve replacing one or more missing teeth.
The right solution depends on your individual situation. The condition of your teeth and gums, where the problem is located, your overall oral health and your goals can all affect which treatment makes the most sense.
Michigan City Family Dentistry offers a range of restorative options, including crowns and bridges, dentures and partials, and dental implants
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry focuses primarily on the appearance of your teeth and smile. You may be interested in changing the color of your teeth, addressing a tooth that stands out from the rest of your smile or simply finding out what could be done about something that has bothered you for years.
We encourage you to start by telling us what you would like to change rather than trying to determine which procedure you need on your own. We can examine your teeth, talk about your goals and explain which options may be appropriate.
Professional Take-Home Teeth Whitening
For patients who would like a brighter smile, Michigan City Family Dentistry offers professional take-home teeth whitening. This is not an in-office whitening treatment. You can whiten your teeth at home according to the instructions provided by our dental team.
Before whitening, we can evaluate your teeth and discuss whether whitening is likely to give you the result you want. Crowns, bridges and other restorations do not respond to whitening in the same way natural teeth do, which is another reason it is helpful to talk with us before beginning treatment.
When Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry Overlap
The line between cosmetic and restorative dentistry is not always clear. A crown, bridge, denture or dental implant may restore the ability to bite and chew while also improving the appearance of your smile. When we plan treatment, both function and appearance can be important considerations.
If you need more than one type of dental treatment, we can also help you understand which concerns should be addressed first and how different procedures may work together. You do not need to arrive knowing exactly what treatment you need. That is what the consultation and examination are for.
Dental Care Built Around Your Priorities
Some patients come to us because something hurts or a tooth has broken. Others have lived with a missing tooth or an aspect of their smile they dislike for years. There is no single reason you need to consider cosmetic or restorative dental care.
We want you to feel comfortable talking with us about what is bothering you and asking questions about your options. We will explain what we recommend, why we recommend it and what you can expect so that you can make an informed decision about your dental care.
Ready to Talk About Your Smile?
If you have a damaged or missing tooth or would like to improve the appearance of your smile, call Michigan City Family Dentistry at (219) 871-7171 to schedule an appointment.
