When someone thinks about dentistry, they think about oral hygiene and the prevention and treatment of common oral diseases. But there’s one branch of dentistry that people overlook: cosmetic dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry focuses on the enhancement of one’s appearance. Commonly, cosmetic dentistry involves solving problems related to crooked teeth, chipped teeth, discoloration or yellow teeth, and missing teeth.
Types of Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures:
• Bite Reclamation
Years of teeth grinding and acid reflux can have an effect one a patient’s vertical dimension. The treatment changes one’s appearance by fixing the vertical dimension, giving patients a shorter and more closed appearance in their face and their smile.
• Dental Bonding
For persons struggling with the appearance of their smile, dental bonding can be a fantastic treatment. It works by improving the look of chipped, broken, stained, and cracked teeth. It also works on teeth which have large gaps between them. The procedure works by using an enamel-like composite resin which is placed over the tooth’s surface. It is then shaped and then hardened using ultraviolet light. The result shows a tooth that blends naturally among the surrounding teeth. Dental bonding is also common when filling cavities and covering exposed root.
• Dental Braces
Braces not only fix crooked teeth; they also solve problems like irregular bite, jaw joint disorders and fix the positioning of the jaw.
It works by applying pressure to the teeth in order to align them gradually. Dentists use either metal, ceramic or porcelain brackets to position them across your teeth. Wires reinforce the brackets and correctly align your teeth into position. Orthodontic braces are worn for around one to three years before they are replaced by retainers.
• Dental Bridges
Also known as fixed partial dentures, dental bridges replace missing teeth or act as fillers that close gaps between teeth. Dental bridges are typically made of gold, porcelain, alloy, or sometimes, a combination of these three. The procedure requires the patient to come back twice, and the dental bridges can last up to three to fifteen years depending on the patient’s dental habits.
• Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are also known as caps and they are placed on top of damaged teeth to bring back their shape, appearance, and size. Materials used for dental crowns include ceramic, metal, resin, and other materials which are used to enhance broken teeth. A dental crown procedure is a bit expensive and it is only suggested by dentists when there is no other solution. Crowns can last up to fifteen years.
• Dentures
Common among older individuals, dentures are artificial teeth which can be removed. They’re placed in order to replace missing teeth and other surrounding tissues. Two types of dentures exist: partial and complete. Partial dentures are used to replace the loss of some natural teeth, while complete dentures are used when all of a person’s teeth, either top or bottom row, are gone.
• Enamel Contouring
This dental procedure can be performed if you have healthy teeth. Enamel contouring or shaping involves removing and contouring the tooth’s natural enamel in order to alter their position, shape, and length, all to improve the appearance. Enamel contouring is usually performed together with bonding and teeth whitening.
• Inlays/Overlays
To fill tooth decay and other damage to teeth, indirect fillings made of porcelain and other composite materials are used to bond them into place. Materials which have been bonded in the center of a tooth are called inlays, while fillings done in more than one points of the tooth are called onlays. Inlays and overlays are common alternatives to dental crowns.
• Gum Grafts
When someone experiences sensitivity due to coldness or hotness, they may be a potential patient to a gum graft procedure. It involves transferring healthy gum tissue to another part of the mouth to prevent gum recession and bone loss.
• Implants
A long-term solution for missing teeth, dental implants are one of the most expensive dental procedures that exists. Dental implants use titanium to produce artificial teeth, which are then placed into bone sockets, replacing the missing teeth. Maxillofacial surgeons surgically insert the implants into the jawbone using titanium metal, an abutment, and a crown.
• Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are colored and very thin that are placed upon the surface of teeth in order to change their color and shape. They are also utilized to correct damaged teeth which have been chipped and cracked.
• Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening has become a popular choice for people who want to reduce or remove stains in order to achieve that perfectly white smile. Also known as bleaching, teeth whitening works by using chemicals to whiten teeth which have been discolored by drinking too many beverages like tea and coffee.
Which Procedure Should You Go For?
Depending on the condition of your teeth and your expected result, the kind of cosmetic dental procedure varies from person to person. Some cosmetic dental procedures require the patient to have a healthy set of gums or teeth before undergoing the procedure, so it’s best to do your research before scheduling an appointment.