Create the Smile of Your Dreams with Cosmetic Dentistry

Dr. Paul Rickard and the staff at Meadow Lake Dental Care believe that each of our patients should be proud of their smiles. We offer a variety of esthetic and cosmetic dentistry solutions to correct such common flaws as teeth, broken teeth, or teeth that are chipped, cracked, misshapen, or crooked. We invite you to learn more about the cosmetic dentistry procedures offered by Dr. Rickard and contact us at 630-851-5130 to schedule your consultation.

Dr. Rickard work extends beyond dentistry that is just cosmetic. The dictionary defines "cosmetic" as meaning, "Something superficial that is used to cover a deficiency or defect."  Dr. Rickard wants you to have a smile that is both healthy and beautiful. Dr. Rickard focuses on fixing any deficiencies and defects in your smile using esthetic dentistry which means we strive to make smiles both beautiful and functional.

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Tooth Whitening

Tooth whitening is perhaps the most commonly sought cosmetic dentistry procedure. We recommend several different ways to whiten your teeth from effective store bought remedies to procedures that whiten your teeth in one hour in the dentist chair.

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Invisalign®

Many patients with crooked or misaligned teeth are hesitant to deal with the hassle or appearance of traditional metal braces.  Fortunately, Aurora Naperville dentist  Paul Rickard, DDS can fit most patients with a series of clear plastic, invisible Invisalign® aligners that gradually cause teeth to move into the positions where they most beautiful, functional and cleansable.  Orthodontic treatment with Invisalign® takes roughly the same amount of time as traditional braces, but is much more convenient, comfortable, and discreet.

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Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of tooth-colored porcelain that Dr. Rickard, DDS can be used to cover stains or mask flaws such as cracked, broken, or misshapen teeth. 

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Cosmetic Dental Bonding

By applying a thin coating of a tooth-colored resin composite material to teeth, Dr. Paul Rickard, DDS can improve the appearance of a number of cosmetic flaws.  In many cases, cosmetic bonding is more affordable than and just as effective as porcelain veneers, though results will not last as long.

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Dental Crowns

When a tooth has been damaged to the point that it can't be predictably restored with a filling, a dental crown is advised be placed over the entire tooth surface. All ceramic crowns are the most beautiful alternative but also the most likely to break so they are the best choice for front teeth where esthetics are most important and the biting forces are the smallest. . All gold crowns have the best physical properties but usually only done when teeth are so far back that they cannot be seen. Porcelain to metal crowns are the most popular because they provide high levels of strength and esthetics.

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Dental Bridges

If a patient is missing one or more teeth but is not necessarily a good candidate for dentures or dental implants, he or she may be fitted with a dental bridge.  A bridge is an artificial tooth that is held in place by a dental crown on either side of the gap created by the missing tooth.

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Dentures

At Meadow Lake Dental Care, we offer both full and partial dentures to our patients in the Aurora Naperville area.  Unlike dental bridges or dental implants, dentures are removable replacement teeth.  Dr. Rickard, DDS uses the most modern materials and methods to create our patients’ dentures, so they can always be assured of a comfortable fit and the most realistic appearance.

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Dental Implants

Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically inserted into a patient’s jawbone to support permanent replacement teeth. A crown is then placed over an abutment that is attached to the implant. Implants can be the most esthetic way to replace missing teeth.  Unlike dentures, dental implants never need to be removed for cleaning, and they allow for more comfortable eating and speaking.

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Tooth-Colored Fillings

Tooth colored composite fillings are an excellent alternative to silver amalgam fillings and they sometimes superior to amalgam fillings when they place less stress on a natural tooth or require less natural tooth to be removed. Insurance companies may require to you pay more out of pocket expenses for tooth colored restorations.

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Smile Makeover or Smile Design

Many of Dr. Rickard’s patients combine a number of cosmetic dentistry procedures to achieve the ultimate in smile design. For example, a patient may choose to eliminate the “gummy” appearance of his or her smile with gum recontouring, and then enhance the results with a tooth whitening session.  To learn more about the smile makeover or smile design opportunities available to our patients, we encourage you to make an appointment to consult with a member of the Meadow Lake Dental Care team at our Aurora Naperville office. Call us today at 630-851-5130 for more information.