Cosmetic dentistry has come a long way over the years. It is much more than just attaching veneers over normal teeth for a glamorous, Hollywood smile.
There are several techniques to choose from to improve your smile while at the same time helping you gain better oral hygiene, but it’s important to get a professional consultation if you are considering cosmetic dentistry to see which procedure is right for you.
Teeth Whitening
Coffee, tea, chocolate and dark fruit can all lead to teeth becoming stained and discolored. Smoking and certain medications can also cause teeth to discolour.
According to the Australian Dental Association, a chemical process can be used to bleach your teeth in one of two ways. There is a procedure that can be done in the office and you can also follow-up at home to keep your smile bright.
Bonding
Bonding is a way to close excess space between your teeth or if you have stained, cracked, chipped or broken teeth.
Veneers
Veneers are actually shells made of porcelain or plastic. They cover the front sides of the teeth to change their color and/or shape.
Crowns
Crowns completely cover a tooth and restore its normal shape and appearance. Crowns cover misshapen teeth, protect a weak tooth and restore broken and worn teeth.
Enamel Shaping and Contouring
In some cases, teeth can use a “face lift.” This is where enamel shaping and contouring will remove or contour the dental enamel to improve its appearance. Dentists may combine this process with bonding.
Braces
It’s no longer odd to see people of all ages wearing braces. Braces are not just to straighten teeth. They improve an irregular bite and correct jaw positioning and jaw joint disorders.
Bridges
Bridges are just what they sound like. It is a bridge to replace a missing tooth with an artificial tooth. Dentists anchor them onto surrounding teeth after preparing them for crowns, putting in a false tooth to join the crowns, and the bridge is cemented onto the prepared teeth.
Implants
Implants require a much more involved process but are permanent. An implant is done when a tooth is missing or one has become so damaged no other procedure will repair the situation. Basically a fixture is embedded into the jawbone and a false tooth is attached.
If you would like to learn more about cosmetic dentistry or know more about these options, please contact us and we will be happy to set up an appointment for you right away.