What Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures are Available?
Dr. Andre Eliasian is a Dentist practicing in Glendale, CA. Dr. Eliasian specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures,... more
Cosmetic dentistry uses various professional methods that focus on improving the physical appearance of teeth and deliver a good looking smile. Having a smile that you don't like can hold you back in social situations and affect your confidence. By seeing a dental professional, you can have them treat problems with your teeth and gums which will provide a better smile ultimately. If someone is interested in cosmetic dentistry, but isn't aware of all the available procedures, we will go through the options for them to consider.
1. Veneers
Veneers give a person the look of straight and symmetrical teeth. The process of veneers is when a tiny part of the enamel is removed to deliver a proper fit. After that, thin pieces of strong and permanent materials like porcelain or composite resin will be placed over the front portion of the teeth which will provide a beautiful and natural-looking smile. However, veneers are something you need to speak to your dentist about. That’s why you should tell your dentist about your dental history to know whether it is a good choice for you or not.
2. Dental Bonding
Dental bonding refers to a procedure where a tooth-colored resin is applied and solidified with a special light to the tooth. This will be bonding the material with the patient’s teeth to improve their smile. This method is said to be one of the easiest and least expensive cosmetic dental procedures. It can correct spacing gaps, cracked or chipped teeth, and change the shape of the teeth, etc.
3. Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are permanent and tooth-shaped prosthetics that can completely cover an implant or a tooth that has been damaged. The materials used in crowns can restore an unhealthy looking smile to a healthy looking one. They also make the teeth stronger and protect them from further decay. Dental crowns are mainly used to replace a filling where his or her teeth are lacking, to cover a misshapen or discolored tooth, and to protect weak teeth.
4. Inlays and Onlays
Also known as indirect fillings, inlays and onlays are used in situations of mild to moderate decay. Inlays and onlays can also be used when a person doesn’t have enough tooth structure to support a filling. The difference between inlays and onlays is that an inlay gets placed directly onto the surface of a patient’s tooth whereas an onlay will be used to cover up the whole surface. Both of which are created in a dental laboratory and deliver support to reinforce the teeth. This helps avoid any further worsening or decay and restores the shape of the teeth. A composite resin material is used for the procedure and will be attached to the teeth with the help of adhesive dental cement.
5. Teeth Whitening
A bright and white smile is always aesthetically pleasing to people. Due to aging and tooth staining, the white color can fade from a person's teeth leading them to look unhealthy. With various dental treatments, a person is able to restore the color of their teeth to white with the help of teeth-whitening systems. This includes over-the-counter gels, toothpaste, and rinses, trays, and strips, whitening agents, etc. Speaking with your dentist can help you decide which whitening treatment is right for you.
6. Dentures
Dentures are considered a removable replacement for missing teeth and the surrounding tissue. The two types of dentures available for patients are called complete dentures and partial dentures. Partial dentures are chosen for a person when there are some natural teeth in his or her mouth. Complete dentures will be used when all the teeth are missing in the mouth and they need complete dentures.
7. Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is another great option in cosmetic dentistry. It replaces one or more teeth by putting crowns on the teeth of the patient, on either side of the gap and connecting artificial teeth to them. After that, a permanent bridge is cemented into place. A cantilever bridge may be used when there are teeth present on only one side.
8. Gum Grafts
The roots of the tooth may be exposed from problems like gum recession. This can lead to tooth sensitivity and can make the teeth appear long. Due to gum recession, the risk of a cavity on the tooth roots can increase and also may lead to bone loss. With the help of soft tissue grafts, bone loss and gum recession can be prevented from worsening. This will help in improving the aesthetics of the gum line. Read More.
