Cosmetic Dentistry – Common Procedures

You are never fully dressed without your smile, right? What about people who are not so proud of their smile? Is there anything we can do to improve our smile? Luckily, dentists can do a lot to make your smile more beautiful. Many techniques and treatments are used to   help patients with teeth that are misshapen, discolored, missing or chipped. Common cosmetic dentistry procedures include crowns, bonding, veneers, bleaching, contouring and reshaping. Even though this is called “cosmetic dentistry”, usually it’s more than just cosmetic: in general these treatments are used to solve patient’s oral problems. Which of these procedures is for you? Ask your dentist about possible techniques for improving your smile. Depending on the desired results and condition of your oral health, your cosmetic dentistry specialist will suggest you the best procedure. Before undergoing any of procedures, you should inform yourself about all the risks and benefits, what to expect during procedure, whether special maintenance is needed afterward etc. Also, talk to your dentist about the overall costs and be sure to get the best for your money and your smile.

One of the most common and popular processes used for teeth whitening is bleaching. If you want whiter shade or you have the stains you would like to disappear, getting your teeth bleached will surely help you. What causes discoloration in the enamel? Cigarettes, tea, coffee, medication, some foods, but it can be an aging symptom or hereditary. This procedure can be performed under dental supervision at patient’s home or at the dentist’s. For some patients it is more convenient to bleach the teeth at home, while others feel more comfortable when it’s done by their dentist.

For changing the color of teeth, another material can be used: bonding. It is a tooth-colored material that can also be used to fill in existing gaps. This procedure requires one visit to the dentist’s and it can last several years. Bonding is more recommended to chippng or staining than to other restoration forms. If your tooth is slightly decayed or chipped, this might be the material of your choice. Also, bonding can be used for small cavities, to close spaces between patient’s teeth or to evenly cover the surface of teeth in order to change their shape and color.

Caps or crowns are used to restore the normal appearance and the shape of teeth. Crowns are more costly and therefore used only in cases where other cosmetic dentistry procedures would not be as effective. The procedure is the most time-consuming, but they also have the longest life expectancy.

Alternative to crowns, there are also veneers: thin pieces of plastic or porcelain placed over the front tooth to change its shape and color. Usually, they can be used on a tooth that is chipped, oddly shaped, discolored, crooked or unevenly spaced. Veneers require little or no anesthesia at all and they can treat similar problems as bonding, but their life expectancy and color stability is longer.

So, if you are, for example, from Oakland, CA, look for the best dentist in Oakland, CA to help you improve your smile and get the most out of the cosmetic dentistry. Smile proudly!