SERVICES

Veneers

Dental veneers or laminates are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length. Dental veneers are typically made from porcelain materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than the resin composite material often used in tooth colored fillings and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth. Veneers are routinely used to fix teeth that are discolored because of root canal treatment, stains from tetracycline or other drugs or other causes, or from the presence of large resin fillings that have discolored the tooth. They are also used to repair teeth that are worn down or chipped/broken or to fix teeth that are misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped. They can also be used to close the space between teeth.

To prepare a tooth for a veneer, Dr. Copeland will remove about 1/2 millimeter of enamel from the tooth surface, which is an amount nearly equal to the thickness of the veneer to be added to the tooth surface. Next, we will make a model or impression of your tooth. This model is sent out to a dental laboratory, which in turn constructs your veneer. It usually takes up to 4 weeks for us to receive the veneers back from the laboratory. With porcelain veneers, a beautiful, straight, white smile can be yours in as little as two visits.

Tooth Whitening

One of our goals is to help our patients have the whitest, brightest smiles in Virginia. We have 3 great whitening options. We can do whitening here in our office which includes our “Lifetime Whitening” program (as long as you keep your recommended hygiene appointments, we will provide you with touch up gel during your hygiene appointments so you can keep up a beautiful, white smile), we can make custom trays that you can wear at home, and we also have an over-the-counter product that we like as well. We have a whitening solution for every budget.

Everyone wants a bright, sparkling smile. Unfortunately, bad habits, aging and trauma can cause our teeth to lose their natural brightness. Factors that contribute to the discoloration or dullness of your teeth include drinking red wine or coffee, cigarette smoking, old/worn fillings, genetic predisposition to early yellowing or graying, onset of gum or tooth disease, dental trauma, and certain types of medication. Bright, white and sparkling teeth can make you look healthier, younger and more attractive. Luckily, these days there are many available methods for whitening your teeth and achieving the smile you desire.

Gum Contouring Surgery with Laser

If your gums rest too low or too high on your teeth and you are unhappy with your smile, you may be a candidate for gum contouring surgery. Also called gum reshaping or tissue sculpting, this cosmetic dental procedure can even out an uneven gum line and give you a smile you can be proud of. Gums that are too high and make your teeth appear long are often caused by gum recession, a condition in which gum tissue pulls back from a tooth and exposes the tooth’s root. Not only can gum recession make your teeth look long, it can lead to serious dental problems, such as decay and tooth loss. Gum recession may also be a sign of the deterioration of the supporting structures of the teeth (gums and bone) known as periodontal disease. Most people have their gums reshaped to improve the appearance of their smile. However, some people undergo gum contouring surgery as part of other necessary periodontal procedures, such as crown lengthening, pocket reduction, and regenerative procedures. Dr. Ken performs this service with a laser instead of conventional surgical techniques (including use of a scalpel).

Cosmetic Bonding

Cosmetic or composite bonding is a procedure that will repair or correct the appearance of chipped, broken, discolored or decayed teeth. The composite material is applied into a prepared area of the tooth where a cavity has been removed or to the surface of the tooth sculpted into shape, contoured and hardened with a high-density light. The dental bond blends with the surrounding tooth creating a natural appearance that will improve your smile. It provides much of the same function of a veneer; however, it is not as strong or stable in color.

Invisalign Clear Braces

As an alternative to traditional braces, Dr. Copeland is pleased to offer the more modern option of Invisalign braces. Invisalign braces, like traditional braces, not only can dramatically improve the appearance of your smile, but also improve the function of your teeth and jaw.

Invisalign braces are customized, nearly invisible aligners that straighten your teeth millimeter by millimeter to achieve a straighter, more dazzling smile. Invisalign braces are an easy and comfortable way to straighten crooked teeth or teeth that have shifted over the years. See our smile makeover section on the homepage for examples of the amazing results you can achieve with Invisalign.

Using a combination of advanced technology and skills acquired through years of experience, Dr. Copeland will create a course of Invisalign treatment that is perfect for you. These braces are designed to be worn all day and only taken out when eating, brushing and flossing. You will receive a new set of Invisalign aligners about every two weeks with a total treatment time averaging between approximately 9 to 15 months depending on your particular needs. During this time, Dr. Copeland will monitor your progress regularly to ensure that your treatment is proceeding as planned. As an added bonus, we provide free tooth whitening when your treatment is completed and 4 sets of Vivera retainers for optimal retention.

If your teeth have shifted over time or if you just want a straighter, healthier smile, Dr. Copeland can design an Invisalign treatment plan to begin straightening your teeth today. With Invisalign braces, no one will be able to tell you are straightening your teeth, so you can begin showing off your new smile during, as well as after, treatment. We offer free Invisalign consultations to help you determine if Invisalign is right for you. Payment options are available through Care Credit.

Want more information? Check out their website to see how Invisalign works.

Smile Makeovers

A smile makeover is achieved through the use of one or more cosmetic dentistry procedures to greatly improve the overall appearance of your teeth and your smile. Because your smile is often the first thing people notice about you, misaligned, stained or chipped teeth can create a negative impression. A beautiful smile is not only aesthetically pleasing, but an important part of creating a positive first impression and feeling good about yourself.

In a smile makeover, Dr. Copeland uses one or more common cosmetic procedures to correct the problems with your teeth that affect the beauty of your smile. These procedures can include one or more of the following porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns, tooth whitening, tooth-colored fillings, inlays/onlays, bridges, and composite bonding. A comprehensive treatment plan will be designed to meet your exact needs and budget. To see what Dr. Ken can do for you, check out the smile makeovers section on our home page for examples and testimonials.