A confident smile makes a strong first impression and supports daily interactions—socially and professionally. When people feel good about the way their teeth look, they tend to smile more often, which can boost self-assurance and leave a lasting, positive impression.
Many adults notice imperfections—stains, chips, gaps, or worn teeth—that make them hesitant to smile. Modern cosmetic dentistry offers a broad toolkit for addressing those concerns, allowing patients to achieve natural-looking improvements without sacrificing oral health or function.
Every smile has its own story, and effective cosmetic dentistry begins with attentive listening and a clear plan. At the office of Edward J. Sharkey, DMD, we focus on understanding each patient’s priorities—whether the goal is subtle refinement or a more dramatic transformation—and design treatments that respect facial features, bite function, and long-term oral health.
Our approach combines a diagnostic-first mindset with practical treatment sequencing. That means assessing tooth color, shape, alignment, and how your lips and smile line interact, then recommending conservative options whenever possible. Patients are encouraged to ask questions so the final outcome matches their expectations.
From simple touch-ups to multi-step smile makeovers, personalized care helps avoid unnecessary procedures while delivering results that look and feel natural. We aim to create enduring improvements that support confident smiles for years to come.
Cosmetic dentistry sits at the intersection of aesthetics and function. Advances in materials, imaging, and minimally invasive techniques allow us to refine shapes and shades while preserving healthy tooth structure. The result is a balance between an attractive appearance and long-term durability.
Digital tools and high-quality ceramics have elevated what’s possible in a single visit and over staged treatment plans alike. Using precise digital impressions and contemporary restorative materials, clinicians can predictably match tooth color and translucency, producing restorations that integrate seamlessly with natural teeth.
Equally important is attention to occlusion—the way teeth meet—and facial proportions. A successful cosmetic outcome blends visual harmony with chewing efficiency so the smile not only looks right, but continues to function comfortably.
Cosmetic options range from minimally invasive surface treatments to restorative procedures that rebuild damaged teeth. Choosing the right solution depends on the specific issue—discoloration, minor chips, spacing, wear, or missing teeth—and on the patient’s long-term goals.
For example, professional whitening addresses intrinsic and extrinsic staining and is a straightforward way to refresh a smile. Bonding uses tooth-colored composite to conceal small chips or close minor gaps. Porcelain veneers offer a conservative path to reshape and brighten multiple front teeth with excellent aesthetic control.
When teeth require restoration because of decay or fracture, tooth-colored fillings and ceramic crowns restore strength while maintaining a natural look. Each procedure serves a distinct purpose, and we take care to recommend the one that best preserves healthy structure while achieving the desired cosmetic outcome.
A balanced smile often depends on having all functional teeth in place. Missing teeth can affect appearance, chewing, and the long-term stability of surrounding teeth. Fortunately, modern restorative options allow patients to rebuild a complete, natural-looking smile.
Traditional options like bridges and well-fitted dentures remain reliable choices for many situations. Dental implants, meanwhile, provide a tooth-root level solution that supports crowns or bridges and helps preserve bone and neighboring tooth alignment. Implant-based restorations can be designed to match adjacent teeth in color, shape, and contour.
Combining restorative principles with cosmetic planning ensures replacement teeth not only fill gaps but also contribute to an aesthetically balanced smile. Careful material selection and precise laboratory work help create results that both look and function like natural teeth.
Composite bonding is a conservative and versatile option for repairing small chips, masking discolorations, or closing tiny gaps. The procedure uses tooth-colored resin shaped directly onto the tooth and shaded to blend with neighboring teeth. Bonding preserves most of the original tooth and can often be completed in a single visit.
Modern tooth-colored filling materials restore decayed or damaged teeth discreetly. These restorative composites adhere to tooth structure and can be contoured to mimic natural anatomy, helping teeth look whole again without visible metal.
Professional whitening systems provide controlled, dentist-supervised whitening that can achieve predictable lightening with safety measures in place. Supervision ensures gum protection and optimal concentration of whitening agents, which typically delivers more consistent results than over-the-counter options.
Veneers are ultra-thin porcelain shells bonded to the front of teeth to change their color, shape, or alignment. They are prized for their lifelike appearance and ability to address multiple concerns at once, from discoloration to minor irregularities in tooth form.
When a tooth has extensive damage or has undergone root canal therapy, a full-coverage ceramic crown restores strength and appearance. Today’s ceramic crowns can be precisely shaded and contoured to blend with surrounding teeth while protecting the restored tooth beneath.
Successful cosmetic treatments begin with thoughtful planning. During a consultation we evaluate clinical needs, review treatment options, and discuss expected outcomes so patients can make informed decisions. This collaborative process helps align aesthetic preferences with functional considerations.
We use current materials and techniques to achieve durable and visually pleasing results. Maintaining oral health is central to every cosmetic plan, so preventive care and proper maintenance are emphasized to protect your investment and extend the life of restorations.
Whether the objective is a modest enhancement or a comprehensive smile makeover, a clear plan and staged treatment approach reduce surprises and create reliable results. Our team works to ensure patients leave with a smile that meets their goals and supports day-to-day comfort.
If you are considering cosmetic improvements, the first step is a conversation. We’ll review your concerns, evaluate your oral health, and outline options that are appropriate for your situation. Treatment recommendations are always tailored to preserve tooth structure and achieve a natural appearance.
At the office of Edward J. Sharkey, DMD, we aim to combine clinical expertise with an eye for proportion and color so each restoration fits the whole face—not just the teeth. Patients are encouraged to bring photos or examples of smiles they like to help communicate their aesthetic preferences.
When you’re ready to explore cosmetic dentistry, our team will guide you through the available options and create a plan that aligns with your goals. Contact us to learn more about how cosmetic dentistry can enhance your smile.
Cosmetic dentistry offers solutions to improve the look of teeth that are stained, discolored, chipped, worn down, misshapen, a little gapped, or misaligned. It combines the art and science of dentistry to transform a less-than-perfect smile into one that looks naturally beautiful while at the same time enhancing overall facial aesthetics.
The great thing about cosmetic dentistry is that it offers multiple solutions to quickly improve the look of one’s smile. It all depends on your specific dental needs and cosmetic smile goals. While procedures such as teeth-whitening, tooth-colored fillings, and dental bonding typically provide dramatic improvements in just a single visit, others such as dental veneers only take a couple of visits.
A teeth whitening procedure as provided by our office is often the simplest, quickest, and most effective way to significantly lighten and brighten your smile.
Porcelain veneers are capable of concealing a range of imperfections, dramatically improving the look of teeth that are misshapen, have minor chips, enamel defects, or stains. They also provide an excellent solution for closing small gaps as well as addressing other minor alignment issues. While teeth whitening procedures can effectively treat many cases of dental stains or discolorations to produce cosmetically pleasing results, darker stains, as well as specific issues involving the size, shape, and alignment of the teeth, are better addressed with porcelain veneers.
How a back tooth is repaired and restored depends on the extent of the cavity or damage it has sustained. In many cases, a tooth-colored filling is often sufficient to restore the form and function of a back tooth. However, when a significant amount of tooth structure is damaged, or the tooth has had a root canal, it’s often necessary to fabricate a full coverage crown. In this way, the remaining tooth structure is protected from further damage while full function and a natural- looking smile is restored.
Whether or not a chipped or fractured tooth requires a dental crown depends on the extent of the damage. Some minor chips can be addressed with a dental bonding procedure or a veneer. When a significant amount of tooth structure is lost, rebuilding the form and function of the involved tooth may require a full coverage crown.
While conventional dental bridges and dentures offer effective and satisfying ways to rebuild a complete and attractive smile, dental implants represent the most advanced solutions for replacing missing teeth. With dental implants, our office can replace a single tooth or multiple ones to give you a smile that feels, looks, and functions like a natural one. Dental implants behave in much the same way as the root of an actual tooth, providing stable, secure, and long-lasting results of care.
How long your teeth whitening lasts depends on your lifestyle. Eating, drinking, and smoking habits can have a big impact on maintaining your result. Our office will inform you which food, beverages, or habits can stain your newly whitened smile. As needed, we’ll also help you maintain a white and vibrant smile with a periodic, safe, and effective touch-up whitening procedure.
At the office of Edward J. Sharkey, DMD, we want every patient to enjoy the benefits of a beautiful and healthy smile. We strive to make dental care affordable and accessible. Improving the look of your smile is a worthwhile investment, and we always try to optimize any dental insurance benefits to cover your work. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that cosmetic dental procedures may not be covered by your plan. You can count on our office to explain every cosmetic option available to address your needs and the fees involved. To help you begin care without any additional stress or day, we can discuss different payment options and financing plans.
Although achieving aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting results of care requires knowledge, experience, and technical proficiency, it also calls for a professional with an artistic eye and awareness of facial aesthetics. At the office of Edward J. Sharkey, DMD, we successfully combine the art and science of dentistry to create smiles that are as beautiful as they are healthy. From performing professional teeth whitening procedures, fabricating custom dental veneers or crowns to rebuilding complete and beautiful smiles with dental implants and much more, we’re well equipped to transform less-than-perfect smiles into ones that look good and feel great.
