Cosmetic dentistry procedures are meant to improve your smile, and the good thing is that there are many that you can take advantage of. The most common ones are:

Cosmetic teeth whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures. It successfully removes stains and discolorations, resulting in a brighter smile. Aside from the obvious aesthetic benefits, teeth whitening can promote better dental hygiene.

People who undertake teeth whitening are frequently more determined to keep their teeth whiter. This drive can lead to better brushing and flossing habits, as they want to keep their newly whitened teeth looking good.

As you can tell, improved oral hygiene reduces the incidence of gum disease and cavities, which benefits oral health.

With whitening solutions, you can whiten teeth in the dentist’s office or at home. You should note that not everyone’s teeth can be bleached, so consult your local Carmichael dentist to determine if your teeth can be whitened.  

Teeth whitening procedures commonly use carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. Whitening treatments intended for home use typically contain less of these components.

Cosmetic tooth bonding

Dental bonding is repairing damaged, chipped, or discolored teeth using a tooth-colored resin. This process is not only quick and inexpensive but also good for your oral health.

Your dentist can use bonding to repair a broken tooth and prevent further decay or injury of the teeth. This significantly shields the affected tooth from bacteria and plaque, which lowers the likelihood of future dental problems.

As mentioned above, this procedure requires minimum dental preparation, and this makes it a quick and economical solution to fix minor dental problems.

During the bonding treatment, your dentist will prepare a composite resin that matches the color of your teeth. They will then mold the material to hide the flaw on the tooth’s surface. They then polish the resin, giving it a more natural look.

Cosmetic orthodontic treatment

Orthodontic treatments, including traditional braces and clear aligners like Invisalign, are popular for their many esthetic benefits. While this is the case, in most cases, properly aligned teeth are essential for overall dental health.

Misaligned teeth can generate difficult-to-reach places where plaque and germs build, resulting in gum disease and cavities.

Orthodontic treatments help to align your teeth, making it easier to maintain good dental hygiene. Properly aligned teeth can also decrease irregular wear on tooth enamel, which can help with chewing and speech.

If your teeth are buck, crowded, widely spaced, or crooked, ask your dentist if an orthodontist can help.

Orthodontists use aligners or braces to gradually reposition your teeth properly. Following initial treatment, a retainer may be necessary to keep your teeth in place.

Cosmetic tooth contouring

Cosmetic tooth contouring, also known as tooth shaping or “enamel shaping,” is used to repair minor issues such as chipping. It’s commonly applied in teeth that are slightly overlapping.

The dentist reshapes the tooth by filing or removing portions of the enamel. After shaping the tooth, the dentist will polish it to remove any rough or uneven surfaces and give it a more natural appearance.

The beauty is that this method is usually painless and yields instant results.

Cosmetic dental veneers

Veneers are thin layers of porcelain or composite resin covering your teeth’ front surface. They are ideal for treating various dental disorders, including chips, cracks, gaps, and extreme discoloration.

While veneers are primarily cosmetic, they provide additional support to broken teeth. Veneers can protect and cover the tooth’s surface, preventing further wear and tear.

This is especially good for teeth compromised by decay or trauma, lowering the likelihood of future dental issues.

The lifespan of a veneer varies from person to person, although in most cases, they will last about 20 years.

Veneers are produced from thin porcelain or a resin-based composite material. The technique for each is slightly different. The most common types of veneers include:

Porcelain veneers

You need two distinct appointments to fit and apply porcelain veneers. Your dentist will initially remove a portion of the enamel from the front of your tooth to prevent the veneer from being overly large.

Afterward, a dental laboratory will receive an impression of your teeth and use it to create a custom-fit veneer. Your dentist will then clean your teeth and use dental cement to attach the veneers to them in the next appointment.

Resin-based composite veneers

In most cases, one visit is sufficient for the dentist to place these veneers. Before putting them, your dentist doesn’t need to remove much, if any, enamel.

After cleaning and preparing the teeth, the dentist applies a composite material the same color as the rest of your teeth. They polish and light-harden the material to match the appearance of your other teeth.

You might receive a local anesthetic during the treatment, depending on the size of the veneer and your level of sensitivity.

Cosmetic dental crowns

Crowns are meant to cover your whole tooth. To endure biting pressure, they are typically composed of porcelain or acrylic fused to metal.

In cosmetic dentistry, the dentist can use crowns to fix teeth that are chipped, cracked, significantly decaying, poorly shaped or have big fillings. Additionally, the dentist uses them to fill up the gaps between teeth.

There are several varieties of crowns, and each has unique benefits and drawbacks. These days, ceramic and composite crowns are among the more widely used crown materials.

Crown placement often takes place over two appointments. The dentist will remove a layer of enamel from the tooth at the initial appointment. Typically, the dentist will apply a local anesthetic to you.

To match the crown to the rest of your teeth and guarantee a proper fit, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth.

While your bespoke crown is manufactured, you will wear a temporary one. Your dentist will apply a strong glue to the crown at the second appointment and make any required changes to its shape and color.

To have a great experience and peace of mind that the procedure is done correctly, ensure that you work with an experienced dentist with a wealth of knowledge on the different cosmetic dentistry procedures.

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