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What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is the arena of dentistry that deals with improving the appearance of your teeth, gums, and/or bite. Since it is heavily involved with aesthetics, cosmetic dentistry is also popular as aesthetic dentistry.
Cosmetic dentistry doesn’t necessarily alter the functionality of the oral cavity. However, it does focus on changing their color, shape, size, position, alignment, and overall aspect.
Who Is A Cosmetic Dentist?
Dentists who provide cosmetic treatments label themselves as cosmetic dentists. Cosmetic dentistry isn’t recognized as a specific specialty by The American Dental Association. However, dentists offering cosmetic procedures advertise themselves as cosmetic dentists.
What Kind Of Treatments Are Provided By A Cosmetic Dentist?
Cosmetic dentistry focuses on a wide array of treatments catering to improving aesthetics. These include –
- Addition of dental material to teeth and gums
- Removal of gums and tooth structure
- Improving the color of teeth
- Straightening of teeth, thereby improving facial structure and tone
- Conservative treatments
- Removal of plaque and calculus
How Can Cosmetic Dentistry Improve My Smile?
Different procedures in cosmetic dentistry help enhance a patient’s smile. They are as follows –
Teeth Whitening
Perhaps the most common and most requested procedures in a dentist’s office. Whitening or bleaching your teeth is the easiest way to enhance your smile. Additionally, it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
Patients can opt for either in-office treatments or get take-home kits provided by their dentist. Dentists use bleaching agents to lighten the patient’s teeth. These usually consist of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These are applied onto the surface of the teeth and a special light is used to activate the chemical component.
In-office whitening treatments offer desirable results and last much longer than over-the-counter whitening options.
Dental Veneers
Veneers are popularly known as “Hollywood teeth”. This is because veneers increase the aesthetic of the front teeth, helping people achieve their perfect smiles.
These are custom wafer-thin shells made of porcelain and are attached to the surfaces of only the front teeth. This helps cover up severely discolored, misshapen, chipped, or cracked teeth. The concealment of these issues makes the teeth appear healthier and more attractive.
Tooth Bonding
Tooth bonding is a fantastic option for broken, chipped, and cracked teeth. Additionally, they’re great for closing the gaps present between teeth. Bonding material can also be used by your dentist to fill in small cavities or covering up any exposed root surface.
Dentists will roughen the surface of the tooth in question by using an etchant. They will then proceed to place the tooth-colored bonding material on the surface. The material is then hardened or set using a special light.
When taken care of properly, tooth bonding can last for several years without any issues. However, when compared with other restorative options, bonding is more susceptible to chipping or wearing down.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are popular restorative options for damaged, broken, or weak teeth. They are particularly recommended to patients who have undergone a root canal treatment or an extensive restoration.
Dental crowns comprise of either metal, porcelain, or porcelain-fused-to-metal. PFM crowns are the most popular ones due to their resilience and appearance. The metallic base provides strength to the tooth and the tooth-colored porcelain makes it appear natural.
The tooth that requires the crown is shaved down to create space for the prosthesis to fit. Impressions of the oral cavity are taken and sent to a dental lab where the dental crown is made. In the next appointment, the dentist checks the structure and fit of the crown. And if everything is up to standard, they attach it to the tooth with the help of dental cement.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is an appliance which helps to replace a missing tooth or multiple teeth in the oral cavity. It consists of false teeth supported by dental crowns on both ends. The crown-supporting teeth are shaved down to fit the crowns while the false teeth fill the gap left behind the lost tooth.
Dental bridges are pretty successful tooth replacements. However, the longevity of the appliance depends on the patient’s oral health and hygiene.
Dental Implants
When it comes to replacing a tooth, implants take the gold medal. This is because not only do they maintain the structural and functional integrity of the oral cavity as a whole, but are also impressively aesthetic.
Made of a titanium base topped with a false tooth (usually a crown), implants are surgically embedded into the patient’s jaw bone. The base, known as the post, fuses with the jaw bone through the process of osseointegration. This fusion provides the implant with the stability it requires. Furthermore, the fusion also stimulates the jaw bone enough, preventing atrophy and subsequent bone loss due to missing teeth.
Implants are fantastic alternatives to dental bridges, although much costlier. However, you must note that the positive effects of an implant severely outweigh the con of how expensive it is. Patients who opt for implants live a much healthier and more confident life.
How Do I Find A Cosmetic Dentist In My Area?
There are numerous ways how you can find a dentist practicing aesthetic dentistry in your locality.
- You can ask people you know or live in the same area as you do – family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, etc. Their experiences will help you gain some insight into the dental offices in your area.
- Get a recommendation from your general practitioner or the local pharmacist. Healthcare workers usually have all the scoop on the surrounding dental establishments.
- Surf the internet for a “cosmetic dentist near me”. Make a list of the offices that catch your eye and take a small trip to them. Always visit a dental establishment and get an idea of their services and functioning before you decide if it’s right for you.
- The ADA’s “find-a-dentist” tool is also a great option for finding highly experienced dental team of dentists in your area.
Brooklyn Blvd Dental is a great place for all your cosmetic dentistry needs. Not only do we provide an array of services catering to the perfect smile, but we also have a highly experienced dental team.
To schedule an appointment with our experts, give us a call at (763) 533-8669.
