A Comprehensive Insight on Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is day-by-day becoming popular. People choose cosmetic dentistry for various reasons – teeth whitening, teeth shaping, replacing teeth, closing gaps between teeth, and so on. In short, they choose such dentistry to beautify their smiles. Cosmetic dentists too, on the other hand, now have amazing tools and techniques at their disposal for beautifying the look of your smile.

It is crucial to know the pros and cons, and things like the costs and what to expect during the process before jumping to the conclusion to get any cosmetic treatment. Be sure you are clear about how much experience you dentist has, what is the cost of treatment, and whether any further maintenance required later. Below is a deep insight on various cosmetic dental procedures.

 

Teeth Whitening

Teeth often become stained or discolored over time, particularly if you are in a habit of consuming foods and beverages like tea and coffee, cigarettes, and/or certain medications. With a cosmetic dental treatment, known as teeth whitening, your dentist or cosmetic dentist can whiten your teeth in one of two ways. Your dentist will either give an in-office treatment (which is quick) or give you a take-home system that you can use at home.

For teeth whitening, your dentist will first take an impression of your teeth and then create a custom mouth tray through which the right amount of whitening solution can reach your teeth. As said in the previous paragraph, you also have an option to avail home teeth whitening system, which is certainly convenient and less expensive. The problem, however, is that, the results are slow – it will take around two to four weeks. In contrast to a take-home system, in-office teeth whitening provide quick results – normally one or two 45-60 minute visits.

Keep in mind, your teeth can be discolored again if you still consume items that originally stained them. Another thing to keep in mind is that whitening products do not kill germs. Therefore, even after teeth whitening, it is essential to continue practicing your routine oral hygiene of brushing twice and flossing at least once a day.

 

Veneers

Veneers are custom-made thin wafers (often of porcelain or plastic) that cover and protect the front portion of the teeth. Dental veneers help change the color, as well as the shape of teeth. Application of dental veneers will help improve teeth that:

• Are shaped poorly
• Are stained permanently
• Are crooked slightly
• Have worn or chipped out
• Have gaps or spaces between them

As far as the price is concerned, veneers are fairly less expensive than dental crowns. They are durable and have good color stability than bonding.

When you go for dental veneers, your dentist will first take an impression of each of your teeth. Then they will prepare your tooth for better adhering the veneer in place. Your dentist may sometimes use a beam of light on veneers to harden the glue and secure them on your teeth.

If you choose porcelain veneers, you will need to make a second visit to your dentist. Porcelain veneers are custom-made as per your unique tooth pattern. Therefore, in the first visit, your dentist will take your teeth impression, and in the second visit, they will apply the custom-made veneers.

 

Bonding

Dental bonding is the right cosmetic treatment if you have excessive gap between your teeth, or if your teeth are cracked, chipped, broken, or stained. Utilizing bonding material, cosmetic dentists even help protect the exposed roots of your tooth or fill small cavities.

Often, only a single office visit is necessary to carry out the bonding treatment. During the procedure, the dentist will apply an engraving solution. Once the dentist applies such solution, they will then apply tooth-colored materials over the entire surface of your tooth. Dentists will sometimes apply composite resins to the tooth’s surface if you have cavities.

Dental bonding is long-lasting, but it is likely to stained and chipped than other types of dental restorations.

 

Crowns

A dental crown or cap is nothing but a tooth cover that completely encircles a tooth. The purpose of a dental crown is to help reinstate the tooth’s normal shape and appearance. There are many reasons why you may need a dental crown. A dental crown helps:

• Cover a crooked or discolored tooth
• Protect a weak tooth
• Reinstate a broken or worn tooth
• Cover a tooth with a large filling
• Protect a dental implant
• Hold a dental bridge in place

Crowns can be of ceramic materials, gold, or porcelain fused to a metal. Crowns are expensive and, therefore, dentists often suggest them when other cosmetic treatments cannot produce a good result.

To get a permanent crown, more than one visit to dentist’s office is necessary; however, there are some expert dentists who can make it possible in a single visit. Crowns can be permanent or temporary as per your requirement or choice. Temporary crowns will not last long, but permanent crowns can last very long only if you take good care of them.

 

Enamel Shaping & Contouring

The purpose of this treatment, enamel shaping, is to enhance the look of the teeth by removing some tooth enamel. Contouring deals with shaping your gums and making them look even. Both Enamel shaping and contouring involve adjusting the shape, length, and position of teeth and gums. By adjusting this, it can correct:

• Chipped or irregular teeth
• Overlapping or crooked teeth
• Minor bite problems

A word of advice – go for enamel shaping and contouring treatments only if you have healthy, normal teeth with enough bone between your teeth to support them.

 

Braces

Today, dental braces aid people of all ages. They help improve the appearance of teeth that crooked or crowded, as well as correct jaw positioning, jaw joint disorders, and irregular bite issues.

Your dentist or orthodontist, in order to place braces, bonds brackets of ceramic, plastic, or metal to your teeth. Then they will place arch wires thorough the brackets that later help adjust teeth into correct positions. These days, lingual braces are also available, which your dentist can bond to the back side of the teeth, hiding them from view.

Once you have the braces, you will need to visit your dentist on a regular basis so that they can tighten them. You can expect, of course, some discomfort for several days after your dentist tightens the braces.

Normally, braces have minimal risks; however, people who have gum disease are at greater risk for problems during the procedure. With braces, root shortening is also a problem for some people.

These days, to correct minor teeth spacing problems, a good alternative to braces is also available. This alternative is transparent, custom-fit trays known as progressive aligners. To align your teeth gradually, your dentist will reshape and replace these trays every two weeks or so. The significant advantage of these aligners is that, unlike the old wire braces, they are virtually invisible. Further, you can remove them while eating, flossing, and brushing.

 

Bridges

Dental bridges, also referred as a fixed partial denture, help fill-in the gap of a missing tooth with an artificial tooth. Dental bridges can be of alloy, gold, porcelain, or a combination. When you choose dental bridges, your dentist will first prepare them for crowns. Then they will hook them onto adjacent teeth. Later, your dentist will join an artificial tooth to the crowns, and cement the bridge over the prepared teeth. Only your dentist can now remove this fixed bridge.

The foundation i.e. the adjacent teeth, is the key for the success of dental bridge. Therefore, it is vital to keep the remaining teeth strong and healthy.

 

Implants

Dental implants are complex and considerably expensive cosmetic dental treatment. It is, however, a durable solution for replacing missing tooth or teeth. Dental implants are a substitute to dental bridges (which make use of surrounding teeth as anchors) and removable dentures (which rest on gums). There are three parts in dental implants namely:

• Titanium metal post that binds with the jawbone
• A brace or support, which fits over the part of the implant that jut out from the gums
• A dental crown that the dentist makes for a natural, tooth-like look

To replace a missing tooth, you can get a dental implant. With this procedure, dentists can even fill the gaps (with artificial teeth) created by many missing teeth. In case if the patient has bone loss due to gum disease or lost teeth, the dentist will likely have to graft bone, so the implant has some support where it can secure firmly.

There are several steps involved in dental implants. They are:

• A complete dental exam, including X-rays and consultation
• Imbedding of a titanium post, surgically
• Taking impression of the lower and upper jaws
• Making a model for the design of the crowns or dentures
• Regular check-ups with the dentist

About the Author:               

Katherine Morgan is a professional content writer and passionate guest author.  She enjoys to write article on different topic such as provide information about cosmetic dentist, Sedation Dentistry, Dentures, TMJ Treatment, and other dental care treatments.