Although cosmetic dentistry has grown in popularity in recent years, cosmetic dental procedures have been used to restore smiles for decades. Your smile significantly contributes to your overall appearance, which can impact your self-esteem. If you have teeth that are discolored, misaligned, gapped, broken, chipped or worn, there’s a cosmetic procedure that’s the perfect solution.
Let’s review some of the most common procedures in cosmetic dentistry that can improve your overall appearance.
Teeth Whitening
A cost-effective and easy way to improve your smile is with teeth whitening. Teeth whitening sometimes involves the use of a mold and whitening gel. There are also whitestrips, rinses and toothpastes that brighten your teeth. While there are over-the-counter teeth whitening products, it’s best to consult a dentist that can examine the condition of your teeth and recommend the best product.
Some over-the-counter teeth whitening products can create teeth sensitivity and other issues that cannot be reversed. Your dentist will check to make sure the cause of any discoloration can actually be resolved with a whitening procedure.
Dental Bridge
A bridge is a replacement tooth or teeth that’s custom-made to fill in the space where a tooth or teeth are missing. A bridge will help to restore the natural shape of your face and your bite. Since teeth are designed to work together, losing a tooth or several teeth can cause your jaw to shift, which affects your bite and can cause additional stress on your jaw. This can cause further damage and pain.
Dental Bonding
True to its name, dental bonding is when a durable bonding material is applied to your tooth, often with a laser or ultraviolet light, which causes the material to harden. Dental bonding is a quick procedure that can resolve a wide range of dental problems, such as teeth that are cracked, chipped, decayed and misshapen. Dental bonding has also been used for certain fillings.
Dental Crown
A dental crown, which is often referred to as a dental “cap,” is designed to replace a damaged or decayed tooth to restore its appearance, shape and strength. Dental crowns are typically made from resin, ceramic or metal. If you have a tooth that’s been damaged, a dental crown can prevent further damage.
Dental Braces
The purpose of braces is to straighten out teeth that are misaligned or crooked. Braces are effective because they slowly shift your teeth over a period of time until the desired appearance is achieved.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are a tooth colored resin or porcelain material that’s custom made to cover the front surface of your teeth. They are bonded to the front of your teeth in order to achieve the desired shape, length, size and color. Before the bonding material is added, a small amount of enamel is removed from the surface of your tooth.
Inlays and Onlays (Indirect Fillings)
Inlays and Onlays, also known as indirect fillings, are developed in a dental lab, and they’re used to restore a tooth that’s decayed. Inlays and onlays are also used when your tooth doesn’t have enough structure to support a filling. As long as there isn’t any damage to the cusps of the tooth, the inlay will be placed onto the surface. In the event that the cusp of your tooth is damaged, an onlay is used to cover the entire surface of the tooth.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are replacement teeth that are inserted into the socket of your missing tooth. Usually made of titanium, dental implants are considered one of the best methods of tooth replacement because they fully restore the function of your tooth and provide a long-lasting solution.
We can develop a treatment plan that aligns with your specific needs.