Not everyone is born with perfect teeth. That’s why cosmetic dentistry exists! It’s a branch of dentistry that focuses on improving the appearance of your teeth. This can be done through various procedures, from simple teeth whitening to more complex procedures like dental veneers.
If you’re considering getting some cosmetic dental work done, you must know your options and what to expect during the procedure. Here’s a quick overview of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures.
Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening forms a key part of many cosmetic dentistry procedures. It is the process of lightening teeth’ natural color and can help reduce discoloration caused by age, smoking, or food and drink consumption. Teeth whitening often occurs either in-office, using specialist products and equipment, or at home using customizable trays designed to fit your mouth shape and pre-mixed products. Aside from teeth brightening treatments, cosmetic dentistry can also involve veneers and straightening solutions designed to make patients’ smiles more aesthetically pleasing.
Veneers
When seeking to makeover your smile, one of the most popular treatments to consider is dental veneers. Porcelain veneers are crafted from thin shells of ceramic and designed to be placed over the front surfaces of teeth, giving them a polished, uniform look. For the procedure to be completed, cosmetic dentists must prepare the tooth’s surface by removing a small portion of the enamel. An impression is then taken and sent to a lab where custom-made veneers will be crafted. When they arrive at the dental practice, they’ll adhere directly to your teeth with a strong adhesive bond. Several follow-up visits may be necessary to ensure proper fit and color match. After placement, patients typically report that their veneers feel just like their real teeth do!
Bonding
Cosmetic dentistry has many procedures available to help improve the appearance of your smile. Bonding is one of the most common procedures and involves attaching a tooth-colored material to the teeth to repair minor damages, such as chips, cracks, and stains. During this process, a composite resin material is applied to the tooth’s surface and cut into shape, then cured with a curing light. Bonding provides quick results with minimal discomfort for most patients. It can also be relatively inexpensive compared to other cosmetic dental procedures. Severe cases might require additional treatments, such as veneers or crowns, but bonding can still be used in combination with these treatments to achieve the desired aesthetic result.
Contouring and reshaping
Cosmetic dentistry offers a variety of procedures that can help make your smile brighter and more attractive. Contouring and reshaping are two popular techniques in cosmetic dentistry that involve sculpting the shape of tooth surfaces with specialized dental equipment. It is a commonly used procedure for treating chipped, cracked, or overlapping teeth and can even improve the overall shape and symmetry of your smile by removing minor amounts of enamel from the surface of your teeth. The contouring and reshaping process is relatively quick, minimally invasive, and does not usually require anesthesia. In addition to providing aesthetic improvements, it can also help improve functionality and oral health by reducing sharp edges that can contribute to gum tissue irritation or infection.
Braces
Cosmetic dentistry is a great way to preserve our smiles, and the many options available can range from simple fixes like whitening treatments to more in-depth work such as braces. Braces are one of the most common ways used by cosmetic dentists to correct misaligned teeth, helping patients achieve a straighter smile. During the procedure, brackets cemented onto the patient’s teeth are connected with wires or bands, allowing adjustments to be made continuously until perfect alignment is achieved. Once finished, the patient will benefit from improved function and comfort alongside an aesthetically pleasing result.
These are only a few cosmetic dental procedures that can give you the smile makeover of your dreams. Talk to your dentist about which ones may be right for you, and get started on improving your smile today!