Nothing can compare to a confident smile, and with cosmetic dentistry, you can get the perfect smile you have always dreamed of. Today, there are more options than ever for fixing the little imperfections that prevent you from smiling with confidence.
Whether your teeth have discoloration, noticeable improportions or positions, chips, cracks, or need restoration of previous dental work, there are a variety of approaches encompassed in cosmetic dentistry to correct these issues.
A beautiful smile is comprised of more than just pretty teeth. Your lips, gums, and jaw all have a part in creating your smile and should be part of your dentist’s comprehensive treatment plan for improving your smile and keeping your mouth healthy.
Cosmetic dentistry is often seen as focused only on aesthetics, but there are plenty of cosmetic dental practices and procedures that also benefit your health. Here are five examples of cosmetic dentistry and the benefits each can provide.
Veneers
Veneers are a popular choice to resolve issues from teeth that are chipped, cracked, discolored, uneven, not ideally proportioned, or not uniformly shaped. The actual veneer is a thin layer of porcelain or composite materials that are adhered to the surface of your teeth to create a more uniform appearance.
It is possible to get a single veneer to cover issues with just one tooth, but most often, veneers are applied in sets of 6-8 to ensure a more uniform appearance. For the most natural look, dentists will first take a mold of your teeth that is used both for creating the veneers and making sure they will fit correctly.
There are two different materials used for veneers. The first and most traditional is porcelain. Using the molds of your teeth, the thin shell-like covers are made to fit over your existing teeth and bonded using dental cement.
The second material used for veneers is a composite resin. With direct composite veneers, the dentist will apply and shape the composite resin directly onto your teeth and then cure the composite resin using ultraviolet light. There are also indirect composite veneers that are applied more like porcelain veneers, but are made from the same materials as the direct composite veneers.
The process of getting veneers permanently bonded is minimally invasive but can depend on the condition of your teeth, the type of veneers that are being applied, and the number of veneers desired.
Traditional veneers require some preparation of your teeth beforehand. To allow the veneers to bond correctly to the teeth, the surface of the teeth is ground down about half a millimeter. Then dental cement is applied, the veneers are placed properly, and ultraviolet light is used to harden the cement quickly.
Most veneers last about ten years with proper care and maintenance. If you are looking for a way to even out your tooth color, shape, or general appearance, veneers are a great choice.
Implants
Dental Implants are permanent replacements for missing teeth. There are many reasons for tooth loss, such as decay, gum disease, trauma, or other biological issues. While implants are more invasive than veneers, they look, feel, and function like your natural teeth.
Implants actually refer to the foundation piece that is implanted under your gums and into your jawbone to replace the root of a tooth that is lost. Having an implant creates a solid structure for replacement teeth to be attached to, and these replacement teeth can be bonded permanently or be removable.
The process of getting an implant will require a few visits to your dentist to prepare the site of the implant, place the implant into the jawbone, fit the replacement tooth, and make sure everything heals properly. One of the biggest appeals of dental implants is that they do not attach to any of your existing teeth, so whether or not the surrounding teeth are healthy or need other dental work, the implant won’t be affected.
Implants are different than traditional crowns that replace a damaged tooth but sit above the gumline on top of the existing root. However, it is possible to have an implanted crown. Similarly, implant dentures are an option to replace several missing teeth. Implants tend to give you better chewing force and restore as much function as possible to your teeth that have been lost or damaged.
Gum Balance
Even if you have beautiful teeth, there can still be other issues surrounding your teeth that can benefit from cosmetic dentistry, such as prominent gums, recessed gums that expose roots, or uneven gums that can make your smile appear crooked or unbalanced.
In most cases, this is actually a sign of possible underlying issues with the support structures of your teeth. If you are concerned with the appearance of your gums, talk with your dentist about possible solutions. With the use of lasers and specialized oral surgery techniques, it is possible to reduce or eliminate these issues.
Teeth Whitening
Tooth discoloration occurs from a variety of sources, including trauma, the food and drinks we consume, using tobacco or other street drugs, prescription medications, or simply the natural result of aging.
Options for teeth whitening include lasers, bleaching trays, and bleach strips. Lasers are often the most effective, quickest, and most comfortable option. Your dentist can whiten your teeth as much as possible in as little as 20 minutes.
You may have heard that teeth can be sensitive while whitening, which is true. However, there are many advanced materials to help you minimize or prevent sensitivity. This will ensure you are comfortable while achieving the results you want.
Once you have achieved the tooth color you want, it is important to stick with a maintenance schedule to help you keep your smile bright. You may need to repeat parts of the whitening treatment over time, but there are many products you can use at home to maintain the whiteness of your smile.
Redesigns
Cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dentistry devoted to redesigning smiles. Smile design takes into account your entire face (teeth, gums, bones, jaws, and muscles). A dentist who pursues advanced credentialing in cosmetic dentistry devotes significant time and resources to acquire the knowledge and abilities to redesign someone’s smile into something ideal.
Oak Hills Dentistry
The teams of dentists, hygienists, and technicians at Oak Hills Dentistry are committed to providing beautiful smiles by incorporating cosmetic dentistry with a friendly and gentle touch. Dr. Zeh and Dr. Flint emphasize the importance of delivering exceptional cosmetic enhancement and family dental care in a comfortable, modern, clean, and safe environment.
To schedule an appointment, call 801-544-2256 or contact us here today!