Cosmetic dentistry refers to dental procedures intended to enhance the appearance of your teeth. While most of these procedures are nonessential, they can offer a variety of health benefits as well. The field, once primarily reserved for celebrities and wealthy individuals, has become much more mainstream, offering a number of desirable and accessible procedures.
The word cosmetic implies that these dental procedures are superficial, but cosmetic dentistry has several other benefits:
While the following cosmetic procedures focus primarily on improving the appearance of your smile, they can also provide numerous dental health benefits.
This procedure bonds a white material to the surface of the tooth to improve the look of broken, cracked, chipped, stained, or badly spaced teeth. Bonding is a very cost-effective choice for correcting dental issues, as it is one of the least expensive cosmetic dental restoration options. Dental bonding is not only a corrective procedure, but it is also preventive, creating a barrier between the mouth and invasive, destructive bacteria.
Bridges are a minimally invasive cosmetic dentistry procedure that improves the smile's appearance by filling spaces between teeth. This is an affordable option that changes the look of the teeth without actually straightening or replacing them. Bridges may be anchored with implants or adjacent natural teeth, and may include an entire row of replacement teeth to fix a damaged smile.
Crowns are used to restore cracked or chipped teeth to their natural shape by repairing and capping them. Porcelain crowns can often be completed in a single dental visit and can provide health benefits by protecting vulnerable or damaged teeth from further decay and loss.
In certain instances, such as severe decay, advanced age, or injury, a tooth (or several) may need to be replaced. The cosmetic dentistry technology surrounding implants has improved in recent years, allowing false teeth to seamlessly blend in with the remaining teeth for a natural look.
Procedures for straightening teeth have advanced beyond traditional braces to include aligners that are virtually invisible. At your cosmetic dentistry appointment, the dental professional can recommend a course of treatment based on your individual needs.
These custom-made, thin porcelain shells are bonded to the teeth as a method of disguising imperfections such as discoloration or misalignment. Veneers can be matched to existing teeth so they blend well with your natural smile. They can help to straighten teeth if they are only a bit misaligned. For minor issues with teeth that are slightly turned or a little crooked, veneers are highly customizable and can be very effective.
Tooth whitening is a popular cosmetic dentistry treatment. The risk of damage to the natural tooth enamel depends on the whitening method and the frequency of whitening treatments. Drugstore whitening kits usually contain harsh ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide, which can damage tooth enamel and cause gum sensitivity if used too often. Professional whitening treatments performed in the dentist's office are specially designed to lighten the tooth's inner and outer layers and are incredibly safe and effective. Professional tooth whitening can be accomplished through options such as bleaching or laser treatments with the ability to lighten the color of the teeth by up to 16 shades.
This cosmetic dentistry technique modifies or removes tooth enamel to improve the overall appearance of the tooth. Tooth reshaping is frequently combined with dental bonding to comprehensively enhance the smile.
Cosmetic dentistry has come a long way over the years due to advances in technology and an improved understanding of dental conditions, causes, and treatments. While most cosmetic dentistry treatments are primarily aesthetic, you should not discount the restorative and preventative benefits. Cosmetic dental procedures should be viewed as an integral part of your comprehensive dental treatment plan.
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