I have always been an avid hockey player, and my love took a bad turn one day when I got struck in the mouth with the puck. It was a painful moment that left me with two teeth knocked out of my mouth. Had I taken the right steps after the accident, I could have possibly saved the teeth, but I did not know I had that option at the time. Thankfully, I worked up the courage to visit a dentist and ask what my options for teeth-replacement were. I was worried I would would have to live the rest of my life without smiling, but I was ecstatic to learn that I was the perfect candidate for dental implants. I created this blog to help others realize that there are so many options to replace missing teeth today that no one has to "just live with" an imperfect smile!
In the not too distant past, people were happy just to keep their own teeth or get a good set of dentures to last through old age. But today, the demand for a beautiful smile with straight, white teeth is on the rise. Cosmetic dentistry is no longer considered a luxury. But even when improving your appearance, you should be educated about the options available and choose what will work best for you.
What does cosmetic dentistry treat?
What cosmetic dentistry options are available?
1.Teeth whitening – The entire process can be completed at the dentist office, or your dentist can prepare mouth trays molded to the shapes of your upper and lower bites and then give you a gel to apply to your teeth using the trays at home.
2.Teeth reshaping – Tooth enamel is removed or altered to change the shape of the tooth. This treatment, also known as dental contouring, is often combined with bonding.
3.Bonding – Tooth colored materials are bonded to the surface of teeth that are cracked, chipped, or stained.
4.Veneers – Very thin shells made of porcelain are cemented to the front of the teeth to hide discolorations or other tooth imperfections.
5.Crown lengthening – When the gums are so high that your teeth appear tiny, minor oral surgery is performed to remove some of the gum tissue and expose more of the teeth crowns.
6.Smile Makeovers – In certain situations, a dentist may use a combination of cosmetic procedures to make your entire smile uniform and attractive looking. An expert in cosmetic dentistry will choose for each tooth the method that will achieve the best results.
What should you ask when interviewing a cosmetic dentist?
Almost every dentist nowadays does some sort of cosmetic dentistry. The materials used today are more natural looking and durable than what was available even ten years ago. Find out what your dentist can offer, and if you need to go to a cosmetic dentist specialist, it may be worth the time and money needed to get the most professional results.
For more information, contact a professional such as Ann L Ortega DDS.
Share3 March 2015
