Unlike traditional dentistry which focuses on oral hygiene, diagnosing and preventing oral disease, cosmetic dentistry helps improve the appearance of your smile. Specific cosmetic procedures provide restorative benefits including porcelain fillings that closely match the color of your teeth. Your dentist will work with you to come up with a treatment plan. Here are the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures, treatments, or services. You can see all of our cosmetic dental procedures here.
Cosmetic Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening also is known as bleaching, helps whiten and brighten the teeth from discoloration or staining. Teeth whitening is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to improve your smile. Your teeth can be bleached in your dentist’s office, or you can take home a mold of your teeth for at-home treatment. There are over the counter whitening kits or toothpaste. However, their gels aren’t as effective as what your dentist can provide.
Dental Veneers
Cosmetic veneers are a thin shell made out of composite or porcelain material. They are customized to fit each tooth and are cemented to the front. A dental veneer will change the shape, size, length, and color of your tooth. They are used to treat crooked, discolored, chipped, or gaps in between teeth. To prepare a tooth for a veneer, your dentist removes 1/2 millimeter of your tooth enamel. A model is then made of your tooth and sent to a lab to create the veneer.
Cosmetic Dental Implants
Dental implants are designed to replace missing teeth. It is a metal device made of titanium that acts as the tooth root. A dental implant is surgically placed into the jawbone at the location of the missing tooth. They are permanent and can anchor a denture, bridge, or crown. Besides the aesthetic benefits, dental implants make it easier to speak and eat.
Dental Crowns
Crowns or caps are custom made to cover your whole tooth restoring or replacing a decayed or damaged tooth. They will hold a cracked tooth together or prevent a weak tooth from breaking. They are made of ceramic, resin, or metal and are also used to cover severely discolored teeth cosmetically.
Cosmetic Teeth Shaping
Dentists can reshape chipped, poorly aligned, or uneven teeth by removing some of the enamel for a more attractive smile. First, your dentist will take X-rays of the teeth to determine the location and amount of pulp. Your dentist will then use a drill or laser to remove tooth enamel gently. Typically, it is combined with a bonding treatment that involves adhering tooth-colored materials to the teeth. The procedure is not painful and produces immediate results. You can also learn more about the costs of cosmetic dental procedures.
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