People are often more confident with a bright and healthy smile. Whether your teeth are discolored, misshapen, or crooked, cosmetic dentistry can improve your smile.
For example, composite and porcelain veneers can cover up chips, cracks, stains, or misalignment. Dental bonding can repair a broken tooth and even close gaps, space out crowded teeth, or fix an uneven bite in just one office visit.
1. Dental Implants
Dental implants are a popular tooth replacement option for patients missing one or more of their natural teeth. They look, feel and function like real teeth, allowing you to eat, smile, and speak confidently again.
Implants are made of titanium, which bonds with your jaw bone. A connector post, called an abutment, holds a crown that replaces the missing tooth. If you’re thinking about dental implants, it’s important to brush and floss regularly to prevent infection and promote osseointegration. Also, avoid hard, crunchy foods and biting your nails to protect the integrity of your teeth.
Unlike traditional dentures and bridges, which require healthy teeth to support them, implant-supported restorations do not interfere with nearby teeth. This ensures that adjacent teeth stay strong and stable, which is important for your long-term oral health. Dental implants also stimulate the jawbone to prevent atrophy, which is common with missing teeth. Additionally, they don’t require messy adhesives or the removal of surrounding teeth.
2. Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are surprisingly effective for resolving gaps, chips, cracks, discoloration, and other cosmetic flaws that can hold back your smile. These tooth-shaped covers are crafted from porcelain and closely mimic the sheen of natural enamel. When properly bonded, they should also remain undetectable.
To apply them, your dentist will remove a thin layer of enamel from the front of each tooth that is to receive a veneer. Then, they will bond the new cover to each tooth using a special resin.
The result is a beautiful smile that may last for years or even decades, depending on your lifestyle. To maintain the health and longevity of your veneers, you should practice responsible dental hygiene, including brushing twice a day with non-abrasive toothpaste and flossing, as well as seeing your dentist for regular cleanings and checkups. You should also avoid chewing on hard objects like ice or pencils, and avoid clenching or grinding your teeth at night.
3. Teeth Whitening
If you’re tired of yellowed and stained teeth, a dentist can help you achieve your dream smile. A professional whitening treatment will remove surface stains from food, drinks and smoking and leave your smile brighter. A popular cosmetic procedure, teeth whitening can be done in your dentist’s office or at home using a bleaching solution.
However, it’s important to note that not all types of discoloration respond well to whitening treatments. Also, the ADA warns that whitening products can cause gum irritation and sensitivity. Tooth whitening isn’t a permanent fix, and you may need to touch up your smile occasionally.
Another easy way to improve your smile is with enamel shaping, which helps correct small imperfections in the shape of a tooth. Unlike braces, this procedure is minimally invasive and doesn’t require a long recovery period. Often combined with whitening, veneers or bonding, it’s an affordable option for a brighter, more confident smile.
4. Dental Bonding
This cosmetic treatment repairs chipped or broken teeth by cementing a tooth-colored resin material directly to your natural enamel. The dentist chooses a resin color that closely matches the shine and original color of your smile to ensure the most attractive result. This versatile treatment can also whiten discolored teeth, fill in gaps between teeth, lengthen short teeth, and protect exposed tooth roots to help reduce sensitivity.
Minimal preparation is necessary for dental bonding, and the resin is molded, sculpted, and set by our dentist all during a single appointment. We may use a mild etching solution or a blue conditioning liquid to prepare the tooth’s surface, but this does not hurt.
Once your dentist has finished the procedure, they will cure it with a special light to harden the composite resin. You can extend the life of your dental bonding by brushing twice daily, flossing between each tooth once per day, and visiting the dentist regularly.
5. Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that protect a weak, damaged or decayed tooth. They look and feel like a natural tooth and can help improve the appearance of your smile, as well as restore function to a broken or severely decayed tooth.
In addition, dental crowns can be used to support a bridge or hold a dental implant. They can also restore a discolored or stained tooth and improve the appearance of a misshapen or worn tooth.
A full-coverage dental insurance plan generally covers 50% of the cost for major restorative care, including crowns. Depending on your specific dental insurance policy, you may have to pay a deductible before this amount is covered.
The crown is custom-designed for your teeth and can be made out of porcelain, ceramic, zirconia or other materials. Porcelain crowns are most popular, and they offer the most natural-looking appearance. They can be color-matched to your teeth to match their shade and translucency.
6. Dental Bridges
If you are missing one or more of your teeth, dental bridges are a natural-looking and effective way to fill in the gap and improve your smile. They also restore your ability to eat and speak properly, preventing the bone loss that can occur when teeth are missing.
A traditional dental bridge consists of a series of crowns and artificial teeth known as pontic, which are secured to healthy anchor teeth on either side. These abutment teeth will usually need to be recontoured to reduce their size to accommodate the crowns. The abutment and pontic teeth will then be fabricated by a dental laboratory.
When the bridge is ready, you will return to have it fixed in place using dental cement. This procedure can be performed under local anesthesia to make it as comfortable as possible. Regular hygiene appointments will ensure that the gum tissue surrounding the bridge remains healthy and free of decay.
7. Dentures
Dentures are removable appliances that replace missing teeth. They are fabricated from a plastic base that supports artificial teeth, and they fit snugly over your gums. They can be complete (that is, they cover the whole upper or lower jaw) or partial.
Modern-day dentures are made of lightweight material that looks very natural. They are also more stable than their older counterparts. Plus, they can be easily removed for cleaning if you prefer. If you need expert help near your place, you can check out the best Marion Indiana dentist info for their advice.
Although many patients feel self-conscious about getting dentures, they are actually a great way to boost your confidence and appearance. They also help preserve the shape of your face and decrease facial sagging, which can knock years off of your look! Plus, they are a cost-effective option compared to dental implants. Most supplemental Medicare Advantage plans cover at least part of the cost. And, some HSAs and FSAs will reimburse for them as well!
8. Root Canals
A root canal, or endodontic treatment, is a tooth saving procedure. It involves removing the infected pulp tissue that is inside the tooth. This material consists of blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. It resides in the center of your tooth and extends through a series of canals which run down to the root of the tooth.
Before you undergo a root canal, the dentist will first administer numbing medication to numb the area around the bad tooth. An access hole is then drilled into the tooth to remove the damaged or infected tissue, bacteria and debris from the area. The area is then cleaned with a series of files that are placed into the access hole and used to scrape and scrub the sides of the tooth’s canals. Sodium hypochlorite or water is periodically sprayed on the area to flush away any remaining debris.
After the root canal is completed, a filling material is placed in the tooth to seal it from infection. The treated tooth may feel slightly sensitive for a short period after the procedure, but this can be managed by avoiding foods and drinks that are hard or very hot.
9. Extractions
Although no one wants to lose a tooth, sometimes it is the best way to eliminate infection and improve your smile. If a tooth is severely damaged and can’t be saved with a root canal or crown, extraction may be necessary to prevent infection from spreading to other teeth or affecting your overall health. Tooth extraction can also alleviate tooth pain and help you chew more easily.
Your dentist will place a piece of gauze over the extraction site and ask you to hold firm, steady pressure. This helps slow the bleeding and allows a blood clot to form. This is an important step because a clot promotes healing and reduces the risk of dry socket. While it may be tempting to pop your own blackheads or whiteheads, you should only let professionals do them as they have the right tools and know how to avoid damaging skin.