Cosmetic dentistry provides patients with a wide array of treatment options for enhancing their smile. These elective procedures can provide restorative benefits as well.
Unlike restorative dentistry, which covers necessary treatments such as fillings and crowns, cosmetic dentistry deals with appearance-based changes like teeth whitening and veneers. Most cosmetic dentistry Raleigh NC procedures can be performed in one appointment.
Teeth Whitening
The cosmetic procedures that are a part of this category mainly focus on how your smile looks, but they also can be used to replace missing teeth and fix misaligned ones. However, before you go in for any cosmetic treatment, your dentist should make sure that the teeth are healthy and free of disease.
Teeth whitening is a common procedure that uses different formulas to lighten your teeth and remove stains. It can be done at home or at the clinic. Your dentist will advise you on the type of product and the duration that you need to use it for achieving the best results.
Another popular cosmetic dental procedure is veneers. These are ultra-thin shells made of porcelain that can hide imperfections like crowded or chipped teeth. However, if you are looking for a full smile makeover, then it would be better to undergo orthodontics first to correct the alignment of your teeth before proceeding with veneers.
Dental Veneers
Using porcelain or resin composite veneers, your cosmetic dentist can hide stains, chips and a host of other smile stealers. The wafer-thin shells are bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth and offer a less invasive approach to changing a tooth’s color or shape than crowns. Veneers are also semipermanent, meaning they can be easily removed if you change your mind about them or your smile.
A veneer treatment involves two to three visits and a few weeks of healing time. The first visit includes a consultation and checkup to determine whether you’re a good candidate. The dentist will take X-rays and may recommend other treatments before proceeding with the veneers.
During the second visit, your dentist will test the fit and appearance of the veneers and make adjustments as needed. They will bond the veneers to your teeth and use a special light to harden the composite resin. They will then smooth and polish the veneers to match the surrounding teeth.
Dental Implants
Cosmetic dental procedures can change a patient’s appearance in many ways. They can whiten teeth, straighten them and even replace missing ones. However, the most important thing is that patients first treat any problems like tooth decay or gum disease.
After numbing the area, your dentist will make an opening in the gum and insert the implant post into the jawbone. It will then be screwed into place or cemented. The dentist will also add a connecting piece called an abutment.
The abutment will connect the implant to a replacement tooth. This will either be a bridge or a removable dental crown.
Unlike traditional dentistry, which focuses on the treatment of oral health conditions, cosmetic dental procedures focus more on aesthetics. This is why some general dentists refer to themselves as cosmetic dentistry Raleigh NC specialists. Cosmetic dentistry can also improve a person’s self-esteem and confidence in social situations. This can lead to improved relationships. In addition, it can make it easier to maintain good oral hygiene practices.
Dental Bonding
Cosmetic dental bonding is a fast, affordable and simple treatment that can fix a variety of minor flaws in the appearance of your smile. The dentist uses a composite resin material that can be colored to match your natural teeth and cover up the damaged area.
The process of applying the bonding material is relatively quick and painless. First, the tooth is roughened and conditioned to allow the bonding material to adhere. Once the bonding material is in place, it is molded and shaped to the desired appearance and hardened with an ultraviolet light.
Tooth bonding can help repair chipped or cracked teeth, fill in gaps, reshape uneven or worn-down teeth, and even cover stains. It is important to practice good oral hygiene, including daily brushing and flossing, to keep the bonded tooth looking its best. With proper care, the bonding should last for a number of years before it needs a touch-up or replacement.
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