The Cosmetic Dentistry
is a field in dentistry, where in you learn about
each cosmetic dentistry procedure. In many cases,
a cosmetic dentist will implement a combination of
several of the following procedures to give you that
perfect smile.
Teeth
Whitening (Bleaching)
Whitening of the teeth is performed for patients
who desire a brighter smile. Tooth whitening
can be performed to reduce discoloration and
staining, or simply to provide the patient with
whiter, brighter teeth.
Discoloration of a Tooth
Tooth enamel discoloration
can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical
damage to teeth. Some of the more common causes
of tooth discoloration are medications, coffee,
tea or cigarettes. People who drink significant
amounts of cola soft drinks can experience similar
staining. Damage to the root may also contribute
to discoloration.
Dental
Implants
Dental
implants are fixtures of titanium which are
surgically screwed into your jaw bone. The
implant is an anchor for a naturally-appearing
false tooth or a set of false teeth. The success
rate of dental implants depends on where the
implants are placed and their purpose. They
are typically best placed in the front portion
of your lower jaw. Implants are great for
replacing missing teeth. It is important that
you have enough bone in the area of the missing
teeth for the implants to be attached to.
Implants are not only used to replace one
tooth, but rather people missing most, if
not all, of their teeth benefit greatly as
well. Implants are increasingly being used
to replace certain types of bridges and removable
partial dentures.
Bonding
Bonding
is a composite resin filling placed in the back
teeth as well as the front teeth. Composites
are the solution for restoring decayed teeth,
making cosmetic improvements and even changing
the color of your teeth or the reshaping of
teeth. Bonding will lighten any stains you may
have, close up minor gaps and can be used to
correct crooked teeth. Basically, bonding will
cover any natural flaws applying a thin coating
of a plastic material on the front surface of
your teeth. After this, your cosmetic dentist
will apply a bonding material and sculpt, color
and shape it to provide a pleasing result. A
high-intensity light then hardens the plastic,
and the surface is finely polished.
Dental
Bridge
A
dental bridge is a false tooth, known as a pontic,
which is fused between two porcelain crowns
to fill in the area left by a missing tooth.
The two crowns holding it in place that are
attached onto your teeth on each side of the
false tooth. This is known as a fixed bridge.
This procedure is used to replace one or more
missing teeth. Fixed bridges cannot be taken
out of your mouth as you might do with removable
partial dentures.
Reshaping
& contouring
Tooth
reshaping, or contouring, is one of few instant
treatments now available in cosmetic dentistry.
Dental reshaping and contouring is a procedure
to correct crooked teeth, chipped teeth, cracked
teeth or even overlapping teeth in just one
session.
Cosmetic
Gum Surgery
The
"Gummy Smile" - This is a problem
where your teeth appear to be too short. Gum
sculpting is often the solution. To solve this,
a dentist uses a laser to remove the excess
tissue of your "gummy" smile, which
then exposes more of your tooth.
