Tuesday, December 20, 2011

An Overview of Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

By Richard Greene


Your smile says a lot about who you are. If your teeth are straight and your smile is pearly white, it will not only make you feel more confident, it also makes your first impression on other people more favorable.

Your smile can be changed tremendously with a cosmetic dentistry procedure, which may include bonding, teeth bleaching, or a porcelain tooth implant. Over time, teeth may chip, crack, blemish, or yellow. The American Dental Association does not recognize the field of cosmetic dentistry as a true specialty.

Here is an overview of the various types of procedures utilized to improve one's smile and aesthetics.

1. Orthodontics - these are braces used for correction of teeth and jaws that are mal-positioned. This can assist teeth with fitting together better, making them easier to clean. Teeth that are severely malpositioned may cause extra chewing stress leading to headaches, neck pain, and shoulder pain. Braces can help improve alignment and decrease these pains.

2. Dental Implants - Now more than ever, new dental implants are designed to look like natural teeth, and are typically made of titanium which is implanted to grow into one's jaw. They are a great alternative for people with a non-major dental problem or partial dentures.

3. Porcelain Veneers - These surgeries are designed to make the front teeth look fantastic. Veneers enhance the smile and color of the front teeth. Veneers are thin and bonded to the front of the teeth. They tend to be favored over caps since no dark line can be seen when they are placed.

4. Dental Crowns - These are also referred to as caps, which preserve the function and beauty of decayed, broken, or damaged teeth. These crowns are made of porcelain, metal, or ceramic specifically for your mouth. Temporary crowns may be initially needed, with permanent ones being placed at a later time.

5. Teeth Whitening - Sparkling teeth look cleaner and healthier. Many dentists offer whitening which includes pastes, toothbrushes, or gels. These procedures may be done in the clinic as a singular event, or as a kit to take home which necessitates a lot of patient responsibility. There are 2 versions of take home kits. One of those involves custom teeth kits, which means more teeth are able to be whitened.

6. Prosthodontics and orthodontics, even though considered their own fields, are still somehow involved with cosmetic dentistry. Prosthodontics involves dentures and bridges for replacing missing teeth. Orthodontics, on the other hand, deals with braces and retainers.

Procedures for cosmetic dentistry may instill pride and confidence along with decreasing patient insecurity.




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