A Complete Guide to Cosmetic Dentistry

Looking for a dazzling healthy smile? Cosmetic dentistry may be the answer to your dreams. Cosmetic dentistry is geared to beautifying the appearance of your smile. Some cosmetic procedures are deemed elective, while others can also provide restorative advantages that will improve your teeth’s function.

These procedures are often recommended to address dental issues like chipped or fractured teeth, stained teeth, small spaces between teeth, misshaped teeth, and small misalignments. Prior to having cosmetic procedures done, your teeth and gums need to be healthy.

Here are some common cosmetic dental procedures:

Inlays and Onlays

In some cases, your dental professionals may recommend inlays or onlays, which are also known as indirect fillings. These are typically indicated for teeth with either a lack of tooth structure or those with a small amount of tooth decay. These restorations give the tooth additional support and are made by a dental laboratory using a gold, ceramic, or porcelain material. An inlay represents the filling material being bonded within the middle of the tooth, whereas an onlay refers to when the material covers more of the chewing surface of the tooth.

Composite Bonding

Composite bonding is a tooth-colored filling material that helps repair decayed, damaged, or stained teeth. Your dental professional will first remove the tooth decay and staining, followed by adding the composite and sculpting it to the natural shape of your teeth. Composite material comes in a wide range of shades, which will be matched to the shade of your adjacent teeth.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are a popular cosmetic technique that help fix rotated, chipped, stained, damaged, or spaced-out teeth. They are thin custom-made caps that cover the teeth. These restorations are often made of porcelain and are designed to resemble your natural teeth. Veneers require removal of your tooth enamel prior to bonding.

Teeth Whitening

Most people desire a dazzling white smile, which is why teeth whitening is one of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures. It is a safe and relatively simple procedure that often does not take long to do. Professional teeth whitening can be performed in a dental office by your dental professional or at home after purchasing bleaching products over-the-counter.

Implants

Dental implants are a great cosmetic and restorative option to replace lost or damaged teeth. The dental implant involves a small titanium screw that is anchored into the jaw where the missing tooth is, and a dental crown that inserts into the screw and resembles your natural tooth.

Gum and Tooth Contouring

Individuals who have excess gum tissue may benefit from gum contouring, in which the dentist will remove and contour the gums to make them appear more balanced. In addition, teeth with minor shape abnormalities can be reshaped to give a more harmonious look.

Cosmetic dentistry aims to create a more balanced smile that will boost your confidence. Speak with your dental professionals about your smile goals and they will help guide you to the best treatment plan to improve your smile.

References:
https://crest.com/en-us/oral-care-tips/adult/what-is-cosmetic-dentistry-costs-types
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23914-cosmetic-dentistry
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/dental-visits/five-types-of-cosmetic-dentistry-procedures#