The field of cosmetic dentistry covers a variety of procedures. Although many primarily intend to restore dental health, some also guarantee an enhanced appearance after the treatment. Even though a visit to the dentist will best determine your options, here are some of the cosmetic dental procedures you should consider the next time you look in the mirror and see room for improvement in your smile.
When you visit your dentist’s office, you’ll have your choice of one or more of these five dental procedures. Here’s a breakdown of cosmetic dental procedures and why they might be necessary.
Tooth Whitening
Tooth whitening is one of the more popular dental treatments available; the benefits are immediate and noticeable. You can compare the results to a month’s worth of whitening strip applications. The main difference between teeth whitening products and one-hour professional whitening is the bleaching agent used.
The substance used in whitening strips and trays (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) is diluted for safety and prolonged, repeated use. In comparison, in-office whitening uses bleaching agents in the highest possible concentrations, up to thirty-three percent for best results. Your teeth’s hue will improve by up to seven shades, depending on the number of applications you’ll go through.
Tooth Bleaching
Tooth bleaching is most useful for superficial stains. Some are internal and difficult, even impossible to remove. However, if bleaching does not suffice, then veneers are your next best option. Instead of dissolving the stains’ cause, these wafer-thin attachments cover the problem in shades that match adjacent teeth.
Porcelain Dental Veneers
Dental bridges and crowns restore or replace severely damaged teeth. Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, are placed on the surface teeth helping to correct chipped, broken, or discoloured teeth. Veneers aim to mimic the natural look of teeth and restores the same structure and texture you’re already used to.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns cap and replace diseased or damaged enamel, and dental bridges fill in the gaps left by an extracted tooth. In many cases, these come as paired restorative solutions; a bridge may mount a dental crown for support. Dental crowns are usually made of porcelain, metal, or a combination of both materials, while bridges are sometimes made of resins for flexibility and durability.
When all is lost, and extraction is the only resort, you can still opt to replace a missing tooth with an implant. This implant serves as a substitute, a permanent replacement. A socket is placed on the extraction area, treaded on the inside to accommodate an abutment. The post serves as a support for a replacement, porcelain tooth.
Do You Feel the Need for Cosmetic Dentistry?
Having a smile that you’re not proud to share can have lasting effects on your confidence. Today, cosmetic dentistry is more popular than ever. With advancements that have made procedures affordable and less invasive, you too can have a healthy-looking smile and get back to sharing the true you.
Give Portrait Dental a call today and start your journey to a set of teeth that matches your beauty, inside and out.