DENTAL
PROCEDURES Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic Dentistry
Trends
Technological
advancements in natural-looking, tooth-colored dental materials make today’s cosmetic
dental treatments more durable and predictable than in years past.
Additionally, dentists are now using more conservative cosmetic dentistry
techniques to preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible,
depending upon your specific clinical situation.
Cosmetic dentists may also use such technologies as lasers in order to perform
some procedures necessary for cosmetic treatments in their own offices —
without the need for referrals to specialists. This makes cosmetic dental
procedures such as smile makeovers more comfortable and convenient for
patients, as well as helps to reduce recovery time.
Cosmetic dentistry may also provide restorative benefits. For example, dental
fillings are a common procedure used to treat decayed teeth. Previously, most
dental fillings were composed primarily of gold, amalgam and other materials
that left visible dark spots on the teeth. Today, dental fillings may fall into
the category of cosmetic dentistry, because you can select fillings made of
porcelain or composite materials that closely match the color of your teeth,
thus maintaining the natural appearance of your teeth and smile. Many people
may choose to have their older fillings replaced with newer, tooth-colored
fillings to enhance their oral appearance.
Cosmetic
dentistry procedures currently in use include:
Inlays/Onlays: Also
known as indirect fillings, inlays and onlays made from porcelain or composite
materials are a long-lasting yet cosmetic way to provide a “filling” to teeth
with tooth decay or similar structural damage. Whereas dental fillings are
molded into place
within the mouth during a dental visit, inlays and onlays are created in a
dental laboratory before being fitted and adhesively bonded into place by your
dentist.
Composite Bonding:
Chipped, broken, discolored or decayed teeth may be repaired or
have their appearance corrected using a procedure called composite bonding. A
dental composite material with the look of enamel and dentin is applied into
the cavity or onto the surface of a tooth, where it is then sculpted into
shape, contoured and hardened with a high-intensity light. The result is a
restoration that blends invisibly with the remainder of the surrounding tooth
structure and the rest of your natural teeth to create a healthy, bright smile.
Teeth Whitening:
Teeth whitening is perhaps the most commonly recommended cosmetic dentistry
procedure. Teeth are often stained from smoking, food, drink (coffee, tea or
red wine) or poor oral hygiene. Bleaching the teeth can enhance the appearance
of your smile.
Dental Veneers: Composite or porcelain laminates that are adhesively bonded to
the surface of a tooth to correct and repair chips and cracks will improve a
worn appearance or severe tooth discoloration. Veneers may also be recommended
if you have gaps in your teeth or if you have not had success with teeth
whitening.
Dental Implants:
Dental implants are artificial tooth root replacements that are used as a
part of prosthetic (artificial replacement) dentistry in order to compensate
for tooth loss. Often the result is not only an enhanced smile, but also a more
youthful appearance, since missing teeth cause the face to collapse, making you
look older.
Smile Makeovers:
Smile makeovers involve a comprehensive assessment of your smile esthetics in
order to improve its overall appearance. Typically one or more cosmetic
dentistry procedures, such as dental veneers, dental implants, gingival
sculpting and teeth whitening, will be required for several teeth in both the
upper and lower arches in order to achieve the look you want.
Full mouth
reconstruction: While consulting with you about a smile
makeover to primarily improve the esthetic appearance of your smile, your
dentist may discover that there is a need to provide necessary treatment to
correct functional problems with your bite, muscles, teeth and bone structure.
If you need full mouth reconstruction, the materials available today make it
possible for your dentist to provide you with durable, functional and
clinically sound treatments that also look natural.
Cosmetic dentistry offers many options for people who are unhappy with their
smile. If you
are one of these people, we encourage you to read our comprehensive cosmetic
procedure articles to learn about the various treatments available to beautify
your smile.
For more
information visit our FAQ
page.