A cosmetic dentist will recommend different treatments to improve the appearance and health of your teeth. Cosmetic treatments are usually elective and do not restore function. However, they can help patients achieve a beautiful smile and confidence.
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is a way to improve the appearance of a patient’s smile.
- Color
- Shape
- Alignment
- Size
- Spacing
Each mouth is unique and has its own dental challenges. All aesthetic dental procedures are only possible because of the creativity and experience of the cosmetic dentistry.
What are the most common cosmetic dental procedures?
The advancements in dental technology over the last decades have made many cosmetic treatments more affordable for the general public. The routine administration of treatments that were once considered luxury are now a common practice.
Whitening
A cosmetic dentist can treat discoloration and stains caused by tobacco, food, drink, or tobacco. The gel contains a bleaching agent. This substance contains oxygen molecules that penetrate the enamel and dentin layers and deactivate and remove stain-causing molecules. To prevent the gel from irritating your gums, a protective shield is required.
Local Rancho Cucamonga Dentists may use heat or light to penetrate the dentin layer. Teeth whitening is a great way to restore the natural color of a patient’s teeth, but it’s not recommended for brightening or repairing sensitive, thin, damaged, or artificial teeth.
Veneers
Veneers or thin porcelain laminates made of thin porcelain veneers or veneers can improve the appearance and color of teeth that are not responding to whitening. This can be used to fill in gaps between teeth. To ensure that the veneer matches the surrounding teeth, the cosmetic dentist removes some tooth enamel.
Careful consideration is required when choosing the right size, shape, and color of the veneer to match the patient’s smile. After determining the shape, color and size of the veneer, the dentist attaches it to the tooth’s surface. Veneers are a great way to improve your smile. They can be used to cover a single tooth or an entire set of teeth.
Bonding
Bonding can be a great option for individuals with minor cosmetic changes. This quick treatment can be completed in less than an hour.
The dentist removes a little enamel and covers the surface with an adhesive substance. This helps to create a resin tooth-shaped bond with the natural teeth. The resin is malleable and soft, so the dentist can adjust the shape and size of the cover to fit the surrounding teeth. Bonding requires a skilled hand and artistic eye to give the tooth cover a realistic appearance.
Contouring
Simple contouring can be beneficial for natural teeth that have minor imperfections in size or shape. This can improve the appearance of minor chips or overlapped teeth.
Before reshaping or polishing natural teeth, a dentist will sand off some enamel. Because the procedure is irreversible, the dentist must be careful when figuring out the desired shape of the teeth and removing any excess. Sometimes, this treatment will eliminate the need to have braces for cosmetic reasons.