Cosmetic Dentistry at Cape Fear Smiles

At Cape Fear Smiles, our integrative approach to cosmetic dentistry allows us to enhance your smile while also improving your overall oral health. Whether you’re looking for subtle changes or major repairs, our skilled dentist, Dr. Norma Cortez, offers a variety of procedures to address teeth that are discolored, chipped, misshapen, or missing. We work closely with you to achieve your desired results, using techniques that can reshape your teeth, close spaces, restore worn or short teeth, or alter the length of your teeth. Common procedures include dental bonding, veneers, teeth whitening, and tooth contouring and reshaping. Many of these treatments not only improve the aesthetics of your smile but also address underlying oral health issues, such as your bite.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a versatile and minimally invasive procedure that can improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, cracked, discolored, or have gaps. During the bonding process, a tooth-colored resin is applied and sculpted to the tooth, then hardened with a special light to create a strong bond. This treatment can be completed in a single visit and is an affordable way to enhance your smile. Bonding is particularly effective for small cosmetic changes and is a great option for patients looking to improve their smile without extensive procedures.

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Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures, and for a good reason. At Cape Fear Smiles, we offer professional teeth whitening treatments that can significantly brighten your smile in just one visit. Our whitening treatments are safe, effective, and tailored to your needs, removing deep-set stains and discoloration caused by foods, beverages, or aging. Whether you’re preparing for a special event or simply want to refresh your smile, teeth whitening can provide a noticeable enhancement with minimal effort.

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Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells that are designed to cover the front surface of your teeth, providing a dramatic improvement in appearance. Veneers are ideal for addressing a range of cosmetic concerns, including teeth that are stained, chipped, or slightly misaligned. Made from high-quality porcelain or composite resin, veneers are durable and stain-resistant, offering a long-lasting solution for a brighter, more uniform smile. This treatment is especially popular for patients looking for a comprehensive smile makeover.

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Dental Bonding

Want Cape Fear Smiles to quickly improve your smile? Our dental bonding procedures may be right for you. Bonding is tooth-colored material used to fill in gaps or change the color of teeth. Requiring a single office visit, bonding lasts several years. Bonding is more susceptible to staining or chipping than other forms of restoration. When teeth are chipped or slightly decayed, bonded composite resins may be the material of choice.


Bonding also is used as a tooth-colored filling for small cavities. Additionally, it can be used to close spaces between teeth or cover the entire outside surface of a tooth to change its color and shape. To learn more about integrative dentistry and our dental bonding in Wilmington, North Carolina, call 910-763-0931 and schedule an appointment with our holistic dentists, Dr. Norma Cortez.

Transform Your Smile Quickly and Comfortably with Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a simple, conservative way to improve the appearance of your smile. During the bonding process, our skilled dentists and team place a composite resin material directly onto the tooth structure. Because the resin is malleable and puttylike when first applied, we can shape and sculpt it to fit your tooth and correct flaws in the tooth’s appearance. The composite resin is then hardened, trimmed and polished to provide a lasting, aesthetic restoration for your smile. Dental bonding typically requires just one visit to our welcoming dental office, and because this treatment usually necessitates little to no tooth preparation, you can rest assured that your visit will be quick and comfortable.


Our dentists may recommend dental bonding in order to close gaps and spaces between teeth, improve misshapen teeth, lighten stained or discolored teeth, or restore chipped or cracked teeth. We will use a shade of composite resin that matches the original color of your teeth for a natural-looking effect. If you would prefer, we can use a slightly lighter shade to whiten the color of your teeth.

Teeth Whitening

Dr. Norma Cortez provide professional teeth whitening to improve your smile. Here at Cape Fear Smiles we offer laser teeth whitening, which decreases sensitivity following treatment as well as giving you a more beautiful smile. To schedule an appointment with our holistic dentists and learn more about integrative dentistry and teeth whitening in Wilmington, North Carolina, call Cape Fear Smiles today at 910-763-0931.

Why brighten your teeth?

  • Bright teeth look great, and the only way to get them their whitest is with professionally supervised bleaching from a dentist.
  • Whitening your teeth is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to dramatically change your smile.
  • We offer at-home whitening and will make you customized trays and provide you with all the supplies and instructions to complete the whitening process in the privacy of your own home. The procedure is safe and effective with dramatic results in only days or weeks.

All About Teeth Whitening (Bleaching)

  • Should I bleach my teeth?

    Many patients want to remove stains caused by coffee, tea or smoking or lighten teeth that have darkened with age. Around 90% of patients who whiten their teeth are successful. Most people feel that whiter teeth appear more youthful.

  • Is bleaching teeth safe?

    Yes, although some people report sensitive gums and teeth.The sensitivity is a normal side effect, is not harmful and will subside a few days after treatment is stopped. The active ingredient in most whitening agents is carbamide peroxide and this is converted to hydrogen peroxide which lightens the teeth.

  • Can I have my teeth whitened at the dental office?

    Yes, in-office bleaching usually takes between 30 to 90 minutes to complete and might require a few visits. Our dentists will use an in-office bleach system. In-office whitening is usually more expensive than at-home whitening.

  • What is at-home whitening?

    The dentists will take an impression of your teeth and then make custom mouthpieces (trays) to fit your teeth. The dentists will give you a supply of bleaching gel. The gel is applied to the tray and tray is worn anywhere from 30 minutes up to several hours—the time spent wearing the tray depends on the strength of the whitening gel you are using. Care should be taken to use only the prescribed amount of gel, as excess material can contact your gums and cause irritation. At-home bleaching typically requires a few weeks to complete.

  • What about over-the-counter bleaching systems?

    These systems are usually safe and cost-effective. The concentrations of the bleaching agents are usually not very strong, so it takes longer to get results.

  • How long does bleaching last?

    Bleaching typically lasts from 1 to 5 years, depending on oral hygiene and personal habits that can stain the teeth (coffee, tea, smoking, etc.). A “touch up” is recommended and will often only require getting more bleaching gel from the dental office, assuming the trays still fit the teeth.

  • Final Thoughts

    Results vary, and each person is different. Yellow, orange and brown stains respond better to bleaching. Teeth with gray stains caused by tetracycline, fluorosis or smoking can be lightened, but the results can vary. Veneers should be considered for teeth with severe tetracycline or fluorosis staining. Any tooth restorations, such as composite fillings (bonding), porcelain veneers or crowns will not change shades.

Dental Veneers

Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain or plastic placed over the front teeth to change the color or shape of your teeth. They are usually used on teeth with uneven surfaces or that are chipped, discolored, oddly shaped, unevenly spaced or crooked. With Cape Fear Smiles’s procedures, little or no anesthesia is needed. Veneers at Cape Fear Smiles are used to treat some of the same problems as bonding. Dr. Norma Cortez also offer veneers as a viable alternative to dental crowns. While the dental crowns are very durable and long-lasting, they are also more expensive. Dr. Norma Cortez provides a cheaper, yet still well-functioning, option with dental veneers in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Achieve a Lasting, Beautiful Smile

The veneer procedure requires your dentist to take an impression of your tooth. Before the custom-made veneer is cemented directly onto the tooth, your integrative dentists will lightly buff the tooth to compensate for the added thickness of the veneer. Once the cement is between the veneer and your tooth, a light beam is used to harden it. Porcelain veneers require more than one visit because they are fabricated in a laboratory. Veneers have both a longer life expectancy and greater color stability than bonding. Schedule an appointment at 910-763-0931 to receive your own veneers and finally restore your smile.

Tooth Contouring & Reshaping

Tooth reshaping and contouring is a procedure to correct crooked teeth, chipped or irregularly shaped teeth or even overlapping teeth in a single session. Tooth reshaping and contouring is commonly used by our integrative dentists to alter the length, shape or position of your teeth. Contouring teeth may also help correct small problems with bite. At Cape Fear Smiles, bonding can be combined with tooth reshaping to create a greater effect.


This procedure is ideal for candidates with normal, healthy teeth but who want subtle changes to their smile. Dr. Norma Cortez will take X-rays to evaluate the size and location of the pulp of each tooth; this scan will ensure that there’s enough bone between the teeth to support them. Learn more about holistic dentistry and tooth contouring in Wilmington, North Carolina, and speak with our dental team at 910-763-0931.

Enhance Your Smile’s Shape and Beauty

Cosmetic contouring is a service designed to improve the shape of your teeth and enhance the overall appearance of your smile. In the cosmetic tooth contouring procedure, our dentists and team remove small amounts of tooth enamel, which is the protective outer layer of the tooth. By making careful changes to the shape of the enamel, we correct cosmetic dental flaws and give your smile a more attractive appearance. In certain cases, we may recommend combining cosmetic contouring with dental bonding to achieve optimal results. Our team is typically able to complete cosmetic contouring in just one visit to our office, so you can achieve a more beautiful smile after a single appointment!


We may suggest cosmetic tooth contouring in order to make minor aesthetic changes to the size, length, surface or shape of your teeth. Tooth contouring can be used to correct:

  • Slight tooth overlapping
  • Irregularly shaped teeth
  • Teeth that appear too long or too large
  • Dips, bumps or other imperfections on the tooth surface
  • Chipped or cracked teeth
  • Adjacent teeth of unequal length
  • Teeth that look too pointed

Tooth contouring is a great choice for patients who are interested in making subtle changes to their smile to achieve a more inviting aesthetic. If you think cosmetic contouring may be the solution you need to enhance your smile, we welcome you to call or visit our office today. We are eager to help you reach all of your goals for your smile!

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Where Beauty Meets Wellness

Biological Cosmetic Dentistry

Biological cosmetic dentistry combines the artistry of cosmetic dental work with a holistic approach to overall health. This field goes beyond traditional cosmetic treatments by focusing on the use of biocompatible materials, minimally invasive techniques, and an understanding of the connection between oral health and the body’s systemic well-being.


At the heart of biological cosmetic dentistry is the belief that dental treatments should support the body's natural healing processes. By carefully selecting safe, non-toxic materials—like ceramic restorations instead of metal or mercury amalgam fillings—we aim to enhance the beauty of your smile without compromising your health. This approach minimizes the risk of adverse reactions and promotes long-term balance in your oral ecosystem.

Holistic Cosmetic Dentistry

Biological cosmetic dentistry also emphasizes preserving your natural tooth structure through advanced technologies such as laser dentistry. These techniques ensure precision and respect for surrounding tissues, delivering results that are as functional as they are beautiful.


The holistic philosophy extends beyond aesthetics. We view the mouth as the gateway to the body, which means that any cosmetic treatment must consider its impact on your overall health. Whether you’re receiving veneers, crowns, or teeth whitening, we ensure that every material used is free from harmful chemicals like BPA and mercury, protecting your body from potential toxic exposures.

Achieve a Radiant, Health-Focused Smile Today!

Ready to achieve a radiant smile that’s aligned with your overall health? At Cape Fear Smiles, we combine cutting-edge biological cosmetic dentistry techniques with a commitment to your well-being. Schedule a consultation today and discover how we can enhance your smile while prioritizing your holistic health!

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