Many people agree that the most important feature on a face is the smile. Often, crooked, discolored, or chipped teeth can lead to poor self-esteem. Luckily, there is cosmetic dentistry to not only improve the functionality of your teeth but also to improve the aesthetics of your smile.
Cosmetic dentistry is typically no different than your standard dental procedure, making the costs similar and the procedures as safe as any other. You may even visit an award-winning cosmetic dentist to ensure the safety and quality of your procedure. But before doing so, you may find it helpful to check out this guide to the types of cosmetic dentistry services available. The following treatments and procedures can help to enhance the beauty of your natural smile.
Teeth Whitening
Dental whitening is an easy, minimally invasive procedure that simply makes your teeth whiter. This procedure may be appealing to anyone who may have any amount of teeth discoloration.
For a whitening treatment, your dentist will apply a protective gel to your teeth and gums, and then apply bleach to make the color whiter. Your dentist can also create a custom tray to fit your teeth specifically for convenient and safe at-home whitening.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a procedure where tooth-colored resin or other materials are adhered to the tooth itself. This procedure is often used for people with chipped, discolored, broken, or badly shaped teeth, as well as teeth that may be shorter than the others.
For one tooth that needs bonding, only one appointment is usually necessary. Multiple visits may be needed for multiple teeth.
Dental Crowns
Tooth crowns are made from an acrylic or porcelain material that is then shaped to fit over the tooth. They are strong enough to withstand the pressure of biting or chewing. Like dental bonding, this procedure is popular for a chipped, broken, or poorly shaped tooth. They may also fill in gaps between teeth.
Teeth Shaping
Cosmetic dentists can also shape the enamel in the teeth by filling in or removing the enamel. This process is not painful and often garners immediate results. This procedure is easy and cost-effective, and it can fix chipping, poor alignment, or overlapping. Shaping may also be done in conjunction with teeth bonding procedures.
Braces
Braces are a popular option, especially for those in their adolescent years. Braces are used to straighten the teeth and realign the jaw in case of an underbite or overbite. As technology has progressed, braces have gotten smaller and less noticeable without sacrificing the effectiveness. Permanent braces in the back of the teeth may even be installed in the mouth to keep them from being seen.
Braces are not always necessary for dental health, but they are an effective option for those who want to keep their smile straight and don’t mind that braces are usually worn in the long term.
Dental Implants
In the case of a missing tooth, cosmetic dentists can use implants to fill in the missing tooth gap. A small titanium screw is placed in the jaw around the missing tooth, so the new tooth can be inserted. The implant is then permanently put into place. It is meant to look identical to the other natural teeth around it.
In Conclusion
With any of these cosmetic dentistry procedures, it is important to note that proper cleaning, care, and regular dentist appointments are crucial to maintaining the appearance of your teeth. Brushing and flossing after a procedure is necessary and may even prevent you from needing any other cosmetic dental procedures in the future.
