Cosmetic Dentistry – Smile with Confidence

At Noelridge Dental, Dr. Jeannie Collins employs the latest techniques and technologies in order to create stunning smiles for her patients. From orthodontics to Zoom!® teeth whitening, Dr. Collins offers a broad range of cosmetic dental treatments to children, adults, and seniors. Many of these treatments are performed with the dual purpose of improving the beauty and functionality of a patient’s teeth. For information on other dental procedures that offer both cosmetic and oral health benefits, such as dental implants, dental crowns, and dental bridges, visit our restorative dentistry page.

Smile Makeover

A smile makeover is not so much a procedure as a process. It is the process by which you and Dr. Jeannie Collins closely examine your teeth and gums to determine which cosmetic procedures would make them more aesthetically appealing. The overall goal of a smile makeover is to increase smile confidence. This is the confidence that comes from knowing that, when you smile, you are enhancing the beauty of your entire face.

Ultimately, a smile makeover can change the way you perceive yourself and the way you are perceived. Any of the treatments listed below may be included in your smile makeover, along with other procedures tailored to your specific cosmetic needs. Contact our practice to make an appointment to discuss your smile makeover today.

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Porcelain Veneers

Wafer-thin and virtually impossible to detect, porcelain veneers are currently the preferred method for treating teeth that are chipped, worn, or stained. To make room for the veneer, Dr. Collins must first remove a tiny amount of tooth enamel, usually about the width of an egg shell. Following this, she makes an impression of the tooth, which will be sent to a dental laboratory for fabrication of the veneer. Once the veneer has returned from the lab, and both you and Dr. Collins agree that it is a good match for your smile, she will permanently bond it to the front surface of your tooth. The porcelain used in the veneer is strong, durable, and highly stain resistant, so you can count on your vibrant new smile lasting for years with proper maintenance.

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Zoom!® Teeth Whitening

The color of your teeth can have an even greater effect than their shape or alignment on the appearance of your smile. While regular cleanings and daily brushing and flossing help teeth and gums stay free of infection, they do little to combat the cumulative effect of stains that have set into the enamel itself. Beverages such as coffee, red wine, soda, and tea, as well as tobacco and certain medications, tend to discolor teeth over time. Fortunately, the revolutionary Zoom!® teeth whitening system allows Dr. Collins to restore teeth to their natural, healthy whiteness.

Zoom!® teeth whitening is a bleaching process that enables you to lighten the color of your teeth, often by several shades. At Noelridge Dental, we offer both in-office and at-home teeth whitening treatments. The in-office procedure is safe and fast, usually requiring no more than an hour. The most commonly reported side effect is temporary tooth sensitivity. At-home teeth whitening procedures involve wearing custom-fitted trays filled with teeth whitening solution for several hours at a time for at least three days. There are pros and cons to both systems. Dr. Jeannie Collins will discuss these with you in more detail during your Zoom!® teeth whitening consultation.

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Orthodontics

Orthodontics is the term for the treatment of tooth misalignment. Dental braces have been used for centuries as an effective and reliable method of correcting tooth misalignment, and they remain the most popular form of orthodontic treatment today. Straighter teeth flatter the gum line and appear more proportionate to the mouth, contributing to a more aesthetically pleasing smile.

Straightening teeth through the use of braces can have many health benefits as well. Teeth that have slipped out of alignment may become compacted. Compacted teeth are difficult to clean, and this can threaten the health of a patient’s gums. Straightening your teeth with dental braces allows for more comfortable dental exams and more thorough dental cleanings. Contact our practice to schedule an appointment for a comprehensive orthodontics consultation.

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Tooth-Colored Fillings

Tooth-colored fillings offer several advantages over traditional metal fillings. Unlike metal fillings, the material used to create tooth-colored fillings is initially soft and malleable. This makes it possible for Dr. Collins to mold the filling to accommodate the shape and size of the dental cavity. Other dentists, who favor metal fillings, often must remove a significant amount of tooth enamel to allow the filling to be properly fitted. With the use of tooth-colored fillings, more of the healthy tooth enamel can be left intact.

Many patients receiving a tooth-colored filling are good candidates for an anesthesia-free, laser dentistry procedure. A laser dentistry filling installation is performed using either the Er:YAG or the VersaWave® laser depending upon the depth and position of the cavity. Many dentists cite laser dentistry techniques as a useful tool for decreasing the severity of a patient's dental phobia. Patients suffering from dental anxiety tend to prefer dental lasers over dental drills. For many patients the sound of the dental drill is itself a source of terror. By comparison the sound of a dental laser is much quieter, partially because there is no motor vibration. With the use of a dental laser, cavity treatment is also less invasive. In most cases when a dental laser is used to remove the cavity-affected tooth enamel there is no pain and no need for anesthesia.

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Cosmetic Bonding

Cosmetic bonding is a process used to repair chips or cracks in a tooth or to fill in gaps between teeth. With cosmetic bonding, Dr. Jeannie Collins can also reshape a tooth, conceal discolored tooth enamel, or construct a nearly undetectable filling. During the cosmetic bonding procedure, Dr. Collins applies a putty-like paste to the teeth and molds it into the proper shape based on the aesthetic effect she is trying to achieve. A curing light is then used to harden the material. The resulting cosmetic enhancements look completely natural in both color and texture.

Please contact our dental office to schedule a complete patient consultation.

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Jeannie Collins, D.D.S.
1201 42nd St. NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

Map & Directions
Ph: 866-492-0323
Fax: 319-378-9478

Office Hours:
Monday: 7:00am - 3:00pm
Tuesday: 7:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am - 1:00pm 2:000pm - 5:00pm
Thursday: 7:00am - 3:00pm
Friday: Appointments ONLY