December 31, 2021
Cosmetic Dentistry: An Overview
Teeth are a vital part of a person’s personality and overall appearance but they can be easily stained with food and drinks or can also be chipped or cracked and become decayed.
Sometimes Genetics may give a person crooked or misshapen teeth or gaps that one is self-conscious about. Cosmetic dentistry can fix all this, serving as a type of makeover.
Cosmetic dentistry involves elective procedures to improve the look of the teeth that are stained, discoloured, worn, chipped, broken, misaligned, or having gaps between them, helping to give you a better smile through one or more cosmetic dentistry procedures.
A treatment plan is developed by the cosmetic dentist after a discussion with the patient.
It can consist of restoring, reshaping, or restructuring teeth as well as enhancing their colour to cover any discolouration or stains.
Helping the way one feels about their teeth and smile, can enhance a person’s mental health.
Types of Cosmetic Dentistry
There are various procedures involved in cosmetic dentistry but all will not work for everyone.
A dentist can best help you decide which method will work the best for improving your smile.
Teeth Whitening
One of the simplest and least expensive ways to improve the smile involves bleaching the teeth with in-office products in the dentist’s office to brighten and whiten the discoloured or stained teeth.
Whitening products are also available over the counter at retail stores for convenient at-home whitening for example whitening toothpaste, rinses, and Whitestrips.
Dental Veneers
Wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-coloured porcelain or composite material that cover the front surface of the teeth are called Dental Veneers.
About half-millimetre of enamel is removed from the tooth surface and then these thin shells are cemented to the front of the teeth and are used to treat dental conditions such as slightly crooked, discoloured, and chipped teeth, or even to cover spaces between the teeth.
Dental Bonding
One of the least expensive and easiest methods used in cosmetic dentistry to fix chipped teeth, close gaps, and reshape teeth is Dental Bonding.
A tooth-coloured resin is applied and then bonded or adhered to the tooth using ultraviolet or laser light. The dentist then trims, shapes, and polishes the tooth.
Dental Crown
A dental crown or a cap fits over and replaces the whole decayed, broken or damaged tooth above the gum line, restoring its shape, size, strength, and appearance.
Usually made out of acrylic or porcelain fused to metal to withstand biting pressure, crowns help to keep a weak tooth from breaking or hold a cracked tooth together.
Cosmetically they can be used to cover misshapen or badly discoloured teeth.
Inlays and Onlays
Also known as indirect fillings, inlays and outlays are made from gold, porcelain, or composite materials and they fit inside the tooth and are used in place of a traditional filling or crown.
Whereas Dental fillings are moulded into place during an office visit, inlays and onlays are created in a dental laboratory and bonded into place by your dentist.
When the material is bonded within the centre of a tooth, it is called an Inlay whereas it is called an onlay when it includes one or more points of the tooth or coats the biting surface.
These help to protect as many healthy teeth as possible and are an alternative to crowns.
Dental Implants
The titanium replacement tooth roots inserted into the bone socket of the missing tooth are called dental implants.
As the jawbone heals after the implant surgery, it grows around the implanted metal post, fixing it securely in the jaw, acting as a tooth root, and providing a foundation for a replacement tooth such as a crown, bridge, or denture.
Cosmetic Teeth Shaping
Also known as “enamel shaping” in this process, the dentist reshapes the tooth by filing or reducing some of the enamel. Usually a painless process, it can produce immediate effects.
Dental Bridge
Another way to replace one or more missing teeth is the dental bridge is made of crowns for the teeth on either side of a gap with false teeth in between.
A dental bridge can fix a gap where several teeth are missing, helping improve your smile and also helping the person to talk, eat, and smile more naturally.
Cosmetic Orthodontic Treatment
Contrary to the general perception, Orthodontics are not just for kids. Many adults are now exploring treatment opportunities from orthodontists for cosmetic purposes.
Buck teeth or crooked teeth, can be straightened with the help of an orthodontist.
Also See: Dental Bridges: Types, Benefits, Care and Cost
Cost of Cosmetic Dentistry
Since these procedures are not generally deemed medically necessary, they are generally not covered by insurance.
But some dental plans may cover a portion of the cost of particular cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as crowns, primarily when repairing a structural problem that could potentially disrupt the mouth’s overall health.
Costs are also going to partially be determined by where one lives, the type of procedure one wants, and how difficult or extensive it will be.
But the type of boost these procedures give to your self-esteem can be well worth the cost.
To know the best options of cosmetic dentistry procedures, suited for you and their costs, you may book an appointment with Dr Gaurav Sharma at Kirkland Premier Dentistry.
Conclusion
Cosmetic dentistry is gaining popularity by the day and a dentist can transform almost anyone’s teeth to give them the smile they desire.
Cosmetic dentistry these days is much more than just teeth whitening and veneers and includes restoring missing teeth and teeth function.
If you feel the shape of teeth aishampering your personality, consult your dentist to discuss which procedure is best suited for your needs.
When it comes to improving your smile, you have several options for cosmetic dental work.
For any kind of dental emergency, feel free to contact us online or call the office.
