Cosmetic Dentistry

People look for cosmetic dentistry treatments for a variety of reasons. Some people simply want to look younger, and cosmetic dentistry is like a dental face lift that can quickly "reverse" the natural aging process of the teeth. Others have had unattractive teeth their whole lives and have always felt self-conscious because of them. They will rarely smile, which can often hide a side of their personality. Modern dentistry offers a wide variety of treatment options for people seeking to enhance their smile. The options range from porcelain veneers to braces to teeth whitening. In many cases, a combination of these techniques is required to deliver the best results.

There are a wide range of techniques used in cosmetic dentistry. Dental crowns are tooth-colored caps that permanently bond to your tooth, becoming the new outer surface. They fully cover a tooth above the gum line to strengthen teeth, rebuild broken or decayed teeth and improve their appearance. Veneers are an ultra-thin, custom-made porcelain cover that is glued directly on to the front of your tooth. They are used to correct chipped teeth, narrow gaps between teeth, or cover discolored teeth that do not respond well to whitening procedures. Veneers are resistant to staining, will not decay, and may be a simpler and more cost-effective alternative to crowns.

The most common cosmetic dental procedure involves the use of specially formulated bleach to whiten stained, discolored or dull teeth. Significant results can be achieved within two weeks, although bleaching may not be appropriate in people who have oral symptoms of some diseases. Bonding is a treatment for chipped, cracked, gapped, discolored or oddly shaped teeth. A hard resin that matches your tooth color is applied, and is then sculpted, hardened and polished. In addition, if you have the old silver amalgam fillings that require replacement, they can be replaced with composite resin. Your old unsightly fillings are removed, and replaced with the tooth colored resin, making your fillings virtually invisible.

Depending on your needs, your dentist will advise you on the treatments that will give you the results you desire. This will not only improve your smile, but can give you a sense of self-empowerment and self-confidence to go about both your personal and professional tasks.