5 Types Of Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures to Ask Your Dentist About

If you’ve got a smile that you’re just not proud of, you don’t have to fret. There are many cosmetic dentistry procedures, but some of the most common are pretty simple. There are even some that tend to be more complicated. However, we will look at types that are often seen and how they can help you get the most out of your smile and your teeth.

5 Types Of Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

Whitening the Teeth

This is perhaps the most common cosmetic dental procedure out there, and many people choose to have this particular procedure done often. It is a simple procedure that your regular dentist can do for you. The teeth whitening process can begin after the teeth have been thoroughly cleaned from tartar, plaque, and debris. The teeth can be bleached as well to get a lighter shade of your original tooth color.

Dulling of the teeth happens when the surfaces become stained from medications and from personal habits like smoking, drinking, and certain foods. The whitening process will coat the teeth, which can be done at home or at the dentist’s office. Even certain people can use whitening toothpaste to help achieve brighter teeth overtime, though it is always advised to see your dentist before starting any kind of whitening routine since some can ruin your enamel, which cannot be restored.

Getting Onlays and Inlays

Better known as indirect fillings, these inlays and onlays are created a dental laboratory before being used on a patient with either moderate or mild tooth decay. Some even are used when a patient lacks enough tooth structure to support a filling. If there is found to be no damage to the cusps of the tooth, the inlay is placed right on the surface of the tooth and bonded. If there is quite a bit of damage to the cusps, the onlays will be used to cover the entire surface of the tooth.

Even though the inlays and onlays are made within the dental laboratories, they are attached to the teeth with a dental cement adhesive. These are great for supporting the teeth, avoiding any future decay to the teeth, reducing deterioration, and restoring the teeth back to their natural shapes.

Adding Veneers

Dental veneers are typically made from a type of medical-grade ceramic material that is made to individually fit each patient that comes in. The veneers are made to resemble the natural teeth of the patient as well. One of the most exciting things about veneers is the ability to help fix major issues with the teeth like damaged enamel, crooked teeth, gaps in the teeth, and more. The veneers are realistic even though they are made from ceramic, and they are applied to the front of the tooth using the same adhesive cement mentioned with the onlays and inlays.

Using Composite Bonding

If you didn’t know composite bonding is a certain type of repair done to the teeth that will help with damaged, decayed, or discolored teeth. The process uses a certain material that looks similar to the color of the natural tooth enamel. The dentist will start the procedure by drilling out any part of the tooth decay before applying the composite bonding to the surface of the tooth.

Once the dentist has completed this part, they will then sculpt the bonding into the right shape by using a high-intensity light source. This procedure has often been called bonding to cover up damage to any of the teeth. It gives off the appearance of a naturally healthy tooth. This is also one of the most inexpensive cosmetic dental procedures that can be done with those with chipped, decayed, or cracked teeth. Composite bonding can also be used to help with worn down tooth edges.

Trying Implants

Often, if you have a tooth that has been lost due to the incident or other reasons, dental implants are the best option for fixing the issue. The procedure starts with a titanium screw, small in size, that the dentist will put into the jaw right at the missing tooth site. This will be the support for the crown. The implants are typically similar to the natural teeth that surround it. In fact, many people cannot tell the difference between the implant and the natural teeth.

Once the bone and other supporting tissues fuse to the implant, it is forever in place much like a natural tooth. The patients that get implants should be sure to practice the good oral hygiene habits that the dentists recommend during the placement period like keeping it clean and keeping debris from the area.

What to Do Now

Part of having a great smile is taking care of your teeth with good dental hygiene habits. However, some people have issues that cause their smile to be less than nice. If you have read the various information about cosmetic dentistry and you are interested in learning more about the procedures, there is much you can do to prepare. First, talk with your dentist about your options and the things they offer in the office.

If you would like to try something like teeth whitening, they can help set you up with an appointment. If you have other dental issues that might require more extensive procedures, your next step will be appointed by your dentist as you start to take the next steps forward.

Conclusion

Cosmetic dentistry is not a new thing, but many people do not realize how many options are available to them through their dentist. From getting your teeth whitened to getting a dental implant where a tooth might be missing, aesthetic dentistry has all of the available tools and options to help your smile look amazing. Remember that good dental hygiene is the key to helping take care of your new smile, and you should practice the hygienic habits that your dentists suggest after going through with your cosmetic procedure.

No longer will you be missing your confidence due to teeth and a smile that simply disappoint you. You can finally brighten your dull teeth, replace any missing teeth, or even repair the broken tooth that you’ve been so embarrassed about. With cosmetic dentistry options, you can get your smile back, and it isn’t as hard as you might think.