Unlike general dentistry that primarily focuses on the prevention and treatment of oral complications, the aim of cosmetic dentistry procedure is to restore the appearance of your teeth and improving your smile.
Most of the time, cosmetic procedures are performed for aesthetic reasons, but they sometimes provide restorative functions.
Also called orthodontics, cosmetic procedures mostly are used to treat broken teeth, worn-out teeth, and gapped teeth for a better smile. The cosmetic dentists at Carrollwood Dental Studio work closely with you to come up with a good treatment plan.
Below are some common cosmetic dentistry options that will allow you to learn more about orthodontic treatments.
Cosmetic Dentistry Types
Teeth Whitening
Tooth whitening is among the simplest and least costly procedures to improve your smile. Teeth bleaching can be done in the office by your dentist, or at home using whitening products. Keep in mind that while whitening products are available to buy for your local drug store over-the-counter, they can be harmful to your dental health.
You should buy whitening products from your dentist r a professional practitioner. It’s also important to check with the dentist if your teeth are fit for whitening, as not all teeth can be whitened
Dental Veneers
Veneers refer to thin custom-made shells placed on the front side of the teeth to improve your smile. Veneers are usually made of ceramics/porcelain or composite materials. They are custom made in a dental lab and fixed at the front surface of the tooth.
Veneers are basically used to fix dental problems like crooked teeth, fractured teeth, discolored teeth, and teeth with gaps in-between.
Cosmetic Dental Implants
Implants are a worthwhile option for tooth restoration. During a tooth implant procedure, Dr. Allan Fallah inserts a titanium post inside the gums and on the jawbone in the area of the missing tooth. A dental implant is designed to act like a missing tooth root, whereby an artificial crown, abridge or denture is later attached to the top.
Cosmetic Dental Crowns
These are caps custom made to fit your whole tooth top after the required preparation by an orthodontist specialist. Dental crowns are usually made from acrylic or porcelain, to improve their tooth matching properties. Crowns are used in dentistry to deal with crooked teeth, severely decayed teeth, chipped teeth, or if you have lost a larger filling from a tooth.
Dentists also use them to cover missing teeth gaps.
Dental Bonding
During a dental bonding process, a strong UV light is used to bond a tooth-colored putty-like plastic material to the ailing tooth. The resin tooth bonding material is then trimmed and polished to make it look real. Bonding is used when one has decayed, chipped, or misshapen teeth. Tooth bonding is a good alternative to amalgam fillings, and the process takes about 30 – 60 minutes.
Inlays and Onlays
These are among the most popular cosmetic dental procedures. The dentist in Tampa, FL, also calls them indirect fillings. They serve the same purpose ad tooth fillings but are used when there is not enough tooth structure to support a normal full tooth filling, especially due to adverse effects of decay.
“Inlay” refers to when the filling is placed at the center of the decayed tooth, and an “onlay” when placed on one or more points n the biting surface. Inlays and onlays are known to preserve much of a healthy tooth and are great alternatives to dental crowns.
Cosmetic Tooth Shaping
This treatment is also called enamel shaping and the dentist uses it to reshape the shape of a crooked tooth. Part of the enamel is usually removed to achieve the desired shape. The process is not painful, and results are realized immediately.
Other Options
Additionally, you are likely to get a dental bridge with crowns on each side of the gap containing false abutment teeth in it. Dentures are also treatment options to consider when replacing missing teeth and covering for imperfections.
Dental braces are used to straighten crooked and misshapen teeth by applying a certain amount of pressure o the teeth over a particular tie period. Invisible aligners are also tooth correction options to improve your smile and tooth appearance
In conclusion
Cosmetic procedures are as important as they sound. There might not be a real problem with your teeth in terms of function, but having a good smile is essential. Besides, some of the cosmetic options are good treatments serving preventative and restorative functions spontaneously.