Improving your smile with cosmetic dentistry goes way beyond a new smile, and can dramatically change a person’s appearance. A variety of techniques are beneficial in restoring not only a pretty smile, but overall function, facial structure, and oral health. A number of techniques are utilized under the umbrella of cosmetic dentistry.
Techniques for improving your smile with cosmetic dentistry
The field of cosmetic dentistry employs a number of techniques and options to achieve not only that prettier smile, but to aid in the prevention of tooth or bone loss as well as restore jaw and chewing function. Several such techniques are typically employed with cosmetic dentistry procedures.
Bonding – Bonding is a cosmetic dentistry technique that involves the application of tooth colored fillings to chips and cracks in your natural teeth with a minimal amount of preparation to the tooth. Bonding is a good way to restore chipped or fractured teeth as well as to close up spaces between teeth. Bonding materials are closely matched to the tooth’s original color. Prior to application, a mild acid solution is used to clean the tooth and slightly roughen up its enamel surface prior to adhering resin known as a composite. Bonding can improve the appearance of teeth without removing them.
Porcelain veneers – Porcelain veneers are shells or caps made of porcelain that are customized to match the color of your natural teeth, rather than a composite such as that used in bonding. Porcelain veneers are also a common technique to change the shape of teeth as well as to cover discolorations. After teeth are prepared, and impression is made. That impression is then sent to a dental prostatic laboratory where the porcelain veneers are constructed. Veneers are then permanently bonded to the teeth with a type of thin resin cement.
Bleaching – Perhaps one of the most common methods used by many when it comes to cosmetic dentistry is bleaching. Bleaching is simply a process used by dentists to whiten the teeth. Results differ depending on the original color of a person’s teeth as well as staining. A variety of home bleaching products today contain peroxide gels that provide varying degrees of success. However, bleaching done in a dentist’s office is much quicker than wearing trays for hours every day, sometimes for weeks. However, the downside to bleaching frequently is the potential for development of tooth sensitivity. In addition, the technique is not particularly effective for individuals with teeth that have been discolored due to certain drug side effects or diseases, cavities, or a dead tooth.
Tooth contouring – Tooth contouring involves the removal of very small amounts of enamel to change the shape of your teeth, but more than one visit is required and the dentist may only be able to remove a specific amount of enamel.
Improving your smile with cosmetic dentistry is common practice today, but it’s important to talk to your dental provider about your personal expectations, potential results, as well as costs. Los Gatos Dentist in the Bay area named Dr. Prawat DDS is excellent with cosmetic dentistry.
