Cosmetic Dentistry
Modern cosmetic dentistry is designed to help improve your smile if your teeth are discolored, stained, chipped, worn, cracked, misaligned, malformed, or have gaps. Cosmetic dentistry is typically a smile makeover operation that enhances the look of your smile.
Even though most cosmetic dentistry operations aren't necessary, they can have a variety of advantages. These include making routine cleaning easier, boosting a person's confidence, and minimizing bruxism or grinding.
Types of Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
There are several types of cosmetic dentistry. However, not every procedure is effective for every person. Your dentist will assist you in determining the method that will best enhance your overall smile. These procedures include;
- Cosmetic Teeth Whitening
This procedure is also referred to as "teeth bleaching," a process that helps whiten and brighten discolored or stained teeth. It can be performed at the dentist's office, center for cosmetic dentistry, or even at home. Since not every person’s teeth can be whitened, it's crucial to consult your dentist beforehand.
- Cosmetic Dental Implants
A dental implant refers to a metal device that replaces a missing or lost tooth. The implant is typically made from titanium and is implanted surgically into the jawbone, a part where the missing tooth is located. This dental implant can secure artificial teeth, including a denture, crown, or bridge, by acting as the tooth root.
- Cosmetic Dental Veneers
Veneers refer to a tiny shell made from porcelain or composite material and used to improve the appearance of teeth. They are conventional and affixed to the front of the tooth. Also, a veneer can be useful in correcting dental issues, including discolored teeth, slightly crooked teeth, chipped teeth, and the gaps between the teeth.
- Cosmetic Dental Crowns
Crowns, also known as caps, are specially designed to fit over the entire tooth once a cosmetic dentist has prepped it. To endure biting pressure, they are mostly made from porcelain or acrylic that is joined to the metal. Generally, crowns are used in cosmetic dentistry to fix teeth that are misshapen, damaged, chipped, cracked, or have big fillings, as well as to close gaps between teeth.
- Cosmetic Tooth Bonding
Bonding is the procedure of adhering (bonding) tooth-colored objects to the tooth. It is a technique designed for repairing or improving the look of a tooth that is discolored, chipped, or broken.
- Cosmetic teeth shaping
This is also known as enamel shaping and involves filing or taking out some of the enamel to contour the tooth. Usually, this procedure is painless and has immediate results.
- Cosmetic Orthodontic Treatment
Generally, orthodontics is not only designed for children. Adults are increasingly looking for orthodontic treatment for cosmetic reasons. Always consult your dentist to know if orthodontics can be helpful to you in case you have crooked teeth or buck teeth.
- Inlays and Onlays
Indirect fillings, which are usually made in a dental lab, are a form of cosmetic dentistry practice. When a tooth has mild to severe decay, or there is insufficient tooth structure to sustain a filling, the dentist recommends this approach. It involves placing the inlay directly onto the surface of the tooth if the cusps are not damaged. If the cusp or a larger section of the tooth is damaged, the dentist may opt for Onlays to seal the whole surface of the tooth.
Inlays and Onlays are typically made from ceramic material or a composite of porcelain and connected to the teeth using dental cement adhesive. They give support to the teeth by strengthening them and restoring their natural shape.
Why Should You Choose Cosmetic Dentistry?
The goal of cosmetic dentistry procedures is to fix teeth that are chipped, misshaped, discolored, or lost. Based on the patient's intended objective, there are easy and sophisticated ways for correcting a grin.
Dental experts state that there are a variety of reasons why someone is not contented with their own smile. Tooth discoloration, crowding, and gaps, for instance, are the most typical causes. Dental veneers are generally the most popular procedure since they can address all of the cosmetic concerns.
It's essential to look for a professional dentist who is highly trained in the exact area of treatment you want. Traditional dental schools, for example, educate all dentists about cosmetic treatments. On the other hand, some dentists devote more time and money to cosmetic dentistry and continuing their education. This makes them more suitable than others.
Therefore, looking for a dentist who specializes in cosmetic procedures means that you will get the best care possible. Also, you can consider the best cosmetic dentistry nearby.
Ideal Candidates for Cosmetic Dentistry
It's vital to keep in mind that cosmetic dentistry is intended to fix flaws in your teeth. However, it is not a viable treatment alternative for more severe dental problems. Instead of tooth contouring, your dentist may recommend dental braces, crowns, or a different procedure if your teeth overlap or are excessively crooked and misaligned.
You should have healthy teeth and gums to be a suitable candidate for cosmetic dentistry. A portion of the tooth enamel is removed during this process. If you have severely decayed teeth, poor gums, or infected pulp, the dentist might recommend a suitable alternative treatment.
Mild cosmetic concerns like tooth length, slight chipping, and minor misalignment can be addressed with an odontoplasty. Based on the state of your teeth as well as enamel, the dentist may recommend veneers or braces as a way to improve your general smile.
What to Expect During Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is, for the most part, a straightforward and quick procedure. The first step involves having the dentist conduct a dental examination and x-rays to assess the health state of your teeth as well as your gums.
Your enamel will also be examined. If it is thin or weak, the dentist will most likely suggest dental veneers as an alternative. Veneers are porcelain covers that are placed over the teeth' front surface. This could as well help a broken, chipped, or crooked tooth looks better.
If your gums, teeth, and enamel are in good shape, the dentist will start by taking out some of the tooth enamel with a fine diamond bur or sanding disc. This method of operation aims to reduce a tooth's flaws.
After that, your dentist will shape and smooth all uneven teeth while trimming or lessening the size of long teeth. This can help with your bite and teeth alignment. The dentist can combine teeth contouring and bonding if you have gaps between your teeth or a chipped tooth.
Bonding is a technique that involves molding and shaping a tooth using a tooth-colored resin that looks like putty. When the bonding content is put on the teeth, it hardens and takes on the appearance of your real teeth. The practitioner will apply the bond, shape and let it harden. The entire operation can take another 30 minutes to one hour if bonding is required.
After Care Tips Following Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is a great technique to enhance the appearance and shape of your teeth. Proper aftercare, on the other hand, is critical for ensuring that you retain your results. After the procedure, the dentist will give you the necessary aftercare guidelines.
Although the bonding material will harden throughout the treatment, there is a danger of the resin cracking or chipping if your dentist applies it. Refrain from eating hard foods, biting your nails, or chewing gum to reduce such risk.
Bonding has the potential to stain your teeth; therefore, make sure that you wash your teeth twice a day to prevent teeth stains. In addition, limit your intake of stain-causing foods and beverages, including red wine and coffee. Although tooth repair has no downtime, you may experience moderate sensitivity for one day after the treatment.
Disadvantages of Cosmetic Dentistry
Because there is no healing period, no anesthetic or sedatives, and typically no numbing medication, cosmetic dentistry is an excellent procedure. In most circumstances, the dentist will be able to complete the treatment in one visit.
Tooth repair involves little adjustments to the teeth and may save the need for expensive braces. On the other hand, it can cost anywhere from $50 to $300 for each tooth, based on the extent of work required.
Nonetheless, remember that with cosmetic dentistry, it's more likely that your insurance won't cover it. In most cases, they can only cover the operation where dentistry is used to repair damage caused by accident.
Lastly, there is the possibility that your dentist will take out too much enamel. If that's the case, you can be susceptible to heat or cold.
Conclusion
A broken, chipped, or misaligned tooth might make you feel self-conscious. Hence, you may want to conceal your smile from other people as a result. Most dental disorders can be resolved through cosmetic dentistry, although such operations could be pricey.
The good thing is that tooth contouring is a low-cost option for enhancing your smile's appearance. However, this technique is not suitable for every person. Therefore, you should make sure that you are aware of the benefits and drawbacks associated with the treatment.