Cosmetic Dentistry - Teeth Whitening, Porcelain Dental Veneers, Dental Crowns, and More

Even though you may have perfectly healthy teeth, there’s a good chance that you’d still like to change something about them. Perhaps they’re crooked, chipped, or discolored. No matter what the problem, there is a solution in cosmetic dentistry. Springfield dentist Dr. Elfman can consult with you and find the best way to bring back your beautiful smile. A wide array of procedures are available, from quick and simple teeth whitening, to more involved procedures such as dental crowns and porcelain dental veneers. Our Springfield staff is devoted to giving you the look you’ve always dreamed of.

Teeth Whitening | Porcelain Dental Veneers | Dental Crowns | Bridges
Bonding | Tooth-Colored Fillings

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Teeth Whitening

Almost everyone would agree that the best way to make a good first impression is to have a beautiful, white smile. Unfortunately, after years of using such products as coffee, tea, soft drinks, or tobacco, most people have teeth that are yellow and stained to some degree. To help you restore your smile to its rightful dazzling state, our practice offers teeth whitening. Springfield dentist Dr. Richard Elfman prefers the innovative Sapphire™ system, which is a less sensitive, more effective alternative to other options like Zoom!™ and BriteSmile®.

Sapphire™ system is a teeth whitening system that works to brighten teeth by several shades in about an hour. Dr. Elfman will apply a gel containing hydrogen peroxide to the teeth. Then, when a special LED white light is trained on the teeth, the hydrogen peroxide breaks down and penetrates the tooth enamel to bleach it. Few patients report side affects other than temporarily increased sensitivity. If you would like more information about teeth whitening, the Springfield office of Richard G. Elfman, D.D.S. would be happy to answer your questions today.

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Porcelain Dental Veneers

Porcelain veneers are the ideal solution for people who want to fix teeth that are chipped, crooked, or stained. Veneers are made of thin “shells” of porcelain, then bonded to the teeth; to get the perfect fit and look for your teeth, this process usually requires three office visits.

Your first visit will be a consultation with Dr. Elfman. He will give you a complete dental examination and assess your candidacy for dental veneers. The next trip to our Springfield office, we will prepare your teeth to accept the veneers; during this process, about ½ millimeter of enamel will be removed from the surface of each tooth. Even though most patients report minimal discomfort, you will be offered local anesthetic if you need it. We will then take a mold of your teeth, so the lab can custom-craft your dental veneers. We can sometimes use the CEREC 3D machine to make your porcelain veneers in the Springfield office while you wait.

One or two weeks later you will come back to the office to have the finished veneers put in. Dr. Elfman will bond the veneers to the surface of your teeth with dental cement, and cure them with a special light. If you would like more information on how you can improve your smile with porcelain veneers, contact Springfield dentist Richard G. Elfman, D.D.S. today!

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Dental Crowns

Teeth that are too badly cracked, discolored, or injured to be fixed by veneers will benefit from being covered with dental crowns. The Springfield office of Richard G. Elfman D.D.S. is proud to create tooth-colored porcelain crowns using cutting-edge CEREC 3D technology, which allows realistic restorations to be made in only one office visit. Because they completely cover a tooth, crowns not only conceal damaged teeth and improve the appearance of your smile, but they also make your teeth more resistant to further decay or injury. For more information about dental crowns, Springfield-area residents are encouraged to contact us today.

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Bridges

If you are missing a tooth due to an accident or periodontal disease, a bridge can help restore your smile. Sometimes referred to as fixed partial dentures, bridges consist of an artificial tooth held into place by crowns attached to the remaining teeth on either side of the gap. Once it is bonded into place, patients can expect their bridge to last seven or more years. If you would like to replace a missing tooth, or find out if you are an ideal candidate for dental bridges, contact our office today.

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Bonding

To easily and painlessly restore a dazzling smile in just one visit, many patients choose to have their teeth bonded. In addition to repairing chips, cracks, and stains, bonding can help to fill in gaps between teeth. The procedure is simple; after preparing the teeth, Dr. Elfman will apply the bonding resin and smooth it into shape. The teeth will then be cured with a strong light and your beautiful new smile will be ready to enjoy! To get more information on the bonding process, please contact the office of Richard G. Elfman, D.D.S. today.

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Tooth-colored Fillings

In the past, cavities could only be repaired with ugly and distracting metal fillings. Today, Dr. Elfman can create fillings from tooth-colored resin and porcelain. These new materials are long-lasting, strong, and virtually undetectable. Patients no longer have to be self-conscious about laughing and talking - they can open their mouth with confidence! For more information on replacing your current fillings, or any other kind of cosmetic dentistry, the friendly Springfield staff of Dr. Richard Elfman is waiting to speak with you today!