Schenectady Cosmetic Dentistry

Dr. Stephen P. Dautel is a dentist and has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Cosmetic Dentistry.


Q. What are my options to replace missing teeth?

A. Modern dentistry has enabled many people to maintain their dental health for their entire lives, and also to repair and restore comfortable and attractive dental health to damaged teeth and periodontal tissues.  Of the greatest value is preventive dental care to help preserve your good natural dental health.  Our office places great energy into our preventive care and educational services.  For the patient who needs corrective and restorative treatment, our modern dental sciences have developed very effective reconstructive procedures to restore natural teeth, excellent cosmetic treatment to enhance a beautiful smile, and dental implant techniques to replace missing teeth.  I am a continual student of the best and most effective dental care and continue to study the very best that dental science develops.

Q. How quickly will a person be able to complete cosmetic dentistry treatment?

A. Esthetic design is best accomplished after careful study of the conditions that are a factor in your existing smile and of your goals for your "ideal smile." We will discuss the esthetic design that you desire to have and I will establish a model to guide us in creating that "ideal smile.".Esthetic treatment is best accomplished as a complete correction of all the teeth that are visible in your smile. 

Most cosmetic bonding treatment is completed in one visit.  Porcelain veneers require two visits.  We will use interim veneers for a short period to confirm our design and stability of the teeth with their new form while the final veneers are completed in the dental laboratory.  At the second visit, the final veneers are confirmed for accurate fit, perfect esthetics and correct color match and are then placed on you teeth.

Long lasting success and beauty of your smile is important to us both. A consistent schedule of examinations and dental hygiene appointments, use of our protective night guard and careful attention to your home hygiene practices will help assure a long lasting success with a beautiful smile

Q. What kind of questions should a person ask when looking for a cosmetic dentist?

A. In my initial interviews with patients one of my first questions is always; "What are your goals and how can I help you to have the very best smile?"  When your goals and my scientific and artistic skills are combined, an excellent esthetic result can be obtained.  I can also show you many photographs of completed treatment and restored smiles as well as photographs of how your new smile can look with computer imaging.  Your questions are encouraged so that we can obtain the very best results that match your desires.

Q. What are porcelain veneers and how can they improve a person’s smile?

A. Porcelain veneers restore the natural beauty of your smile in as few as two visits to our office.

Veneers are thin custom-made ceramic shells that are placed in front of your teeth using very strong cement. They can be used to correct a variety of dental conditions such as discolored teeth, misaligned teeth, chips, cracks and wear, and spaces between teeth.  Porcelain veneers are a perfect fit because they are made specifically for each patient. Veneers feel and look natural, working in harmony with the geometry of your face.

Q. What are Dental Implants Used For?

A. Dental implants are small titanium posts that are able to replace the roots of missing teeth. They can provide firm and lasting support for single tooth restorations (crowns), multiple teeth restorations (bridges) or entire dentures. If you have lost a tooth or several teeth, nothing performs better than a successful dental implant.  Once fully integrated into your dental arch, a dental implant has none of the problems associated with bridges (wear of the neighboring teeth, pain and unnatural appearance) or dentures (tilting and shifting, pain, discomfort, periodic re-fittings and difficulty in chewing). Implants look and feel almost identical to natural teeth! 

Dental implants, while relatively straightforward in concept, involve sophisticated aspects of the biology and physics of the mouth. Your chances of a successful implant increase dramatically if your caretaker has the necessary knowledge and experience to deal effectively with the complexities of the human mouth. 

Q. How to contact Dr. Dautel if we have further questions?

A. Stephen P. Dautel, D.D.S., L.L.C.
1631 Crescent Road
Clifton Park, NY  12065
518-371-1275
518-371-1806  (fax)