How Cosmetic Dentistry Can Improve Your Smile
Whether your teeth are crooked, chipped, or stained, modern cosmetic dentistry offers many treatments to help you get a healthy, beautiful smile. This method of professional oral care focuses on dental aesthetics in terms of color, shape, size, and alignment. Learn more by clicking here.
Cosmetic procedures alongside regular visits and good oral hygiene will also improve your overall dental health, such as with inlays or onlays that strengthen weakened teeth.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a type of tooth replacement that can be used in cosmetic dentistry. They are often combined with other teeth restorations to improve a patient’s smile. They look and feel like natural teeth, and they can also help to restore bite function.
Implants replace the tooth root and serve as a base for restorations like bridges or dentures. They are typically made from titanium, and they fuse to the bone on a molecular level. This ensures that they remain stable and secure in the mouth.
While many people believe that implants and other teeth replacement options are considered cosmetic, they are actually restorative procedures. This is because they improve the structure of the mouth, preventing sagging and making it easier to chew and speak. In addition, they preserve the jawbone and prevent bone deterioration, which can lead to additional tooth loss. This makes them a more effective option than traditional tooth replacement treatments.
Dental Bonding
Teeth bonding is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures. The procedure is relatively inexpensive and can be completed in one appointment. It is also less invasive than porcelain veneers and dental crowns since it doesn’t require any enamel removal.
Bonding uses tooth-colored resin material to repair minor cosmetic flaws in teeth such as chips, cracks, or discoloration. It can be used to change the shape of a tooth, close gaps in your smile, or replace old silver dental fillings.
The process of tooth bonding begins with the dentist roughening the surface of your affected tooth and applying a conditioning liquid that allows the composite to adhere to it. Then, the dentist applies the composite resin and molds it to your existing tooth. They then cure it with a high-intensity light, and then trim and polish it for a natural-looking finish.
Although tooth bonding is fairly durable, it’s not as strong as your natural teeth. It is also more susceptible to staining than other types of cosmetic dentistry treatments. You should avoid consuming stain-causing foods and drinks, like coffee, red wine, and cigarette smoke, to protect your bonding.
Gum Contouring
Gum contouring is a cosmetic treatment that alters the shape of a patient’s gum tissue. The procedure is also known as gum shaping or tissue sculpting, and it involves removing excess tissue to show more of the smile’s natural beauty. The procedure can be performed with scalpels or with laser technology.
The treatment can be used to correct a number of cosmetic dental concerns, including a “gummy smile” or uneven gum tissue that creates an unbalanced appearance. It can also be used to address periodontal problems such as receding gums, which can expose the roots of the teeth and cause them to deteriorate over time.
The best candidates for gum contouring are in good oral health with no cavities or signs of periodontal disease. They should also have realistic expectations about the results of their treatment. Because the procedure is considered an elective treatment, it is not typically covered by dental insurance. However, it can be combined with other treatments to improve a patient’s smile, such as teeth whitening or porcelain veneers.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are a very versatile dental prosthetic that can address a number of issues. Cosmetically, they can cover a misshapen tooth and improve the overall appearance of the smile. Crowns also work well for addressing discoloration and fractured teeth.
Crowns are one of the most used restoration procedures in both general and cosmetic dentistry. They are known to last a long time and completely cover a tooth, which ensures durability and discreteness.
In general dentistry, a dentist will use crowns to restore a damaged or decayed tooth and can also complete the root canal or dental implant process. A cosmetic dentist will more often use crowns on the front teeth to change their shape or color. This can include addressing small gaps or crowding between teeth and making them appear longer or shorter. Crowns can be made from a variety of materials but porcelain and ceramic options tend to look the most natural. They are also less prone to chips and cracks than metal alloy crowns. Read on to find out!