A bright, healthy smile is a defining part of the appearance, often the first feature noticed and the one most remembered. With time and age, teeth yellow naturally as the underlying dentin grows darker. Foods and other substances can also result in discoloration. Dark colored foods and beverages such as coffee, red wine, tea, and the like will stain over time. Acidic foods and substances like vinegar and acidic fruits will erode the enamel to increasingly reveal the yellow dentin lying underneath. Smoking causes staining and discoloration. Some of these things can be avoided. Unfortunately, aging cannot.
One does not have to be resigned to losing that beautiful smile and lovely white teeth, however. The advances in cosmetic dentistry offer a number of treatment alternatives that restore the original whiteness to teeth and correct any number of cosmetic issues, such as uneven teeth or gaps between teeth, to give you the smile of your dreams. Following are a few of the most popular procedures that cosmetic dentistry offers.
Teeth Whitening
Dental bleaching is one of the most common methods of whitening teeth. A highly concentrated oxidizing agent is applied to the teeth via plastic trays for 15 to 20 minutes to produce quick results. It can be repeated two or three times if needed. Laser bleaching uses light energy to augment and accelerate the bleaching process for even faster results. Home teeth whitening products can show some results over a long period of time, but they are not comparable to the whitening obtainable by a dentist.
Cosmetic Bonding
Cosmetic bonding uses a malleable composite resin that is applied to the tooth's surface where it can then be molded and sculpted into a desired shape before being hardened with ultraviolet light. It can be used to repair chipped, cracked, broken, or decayed teeth, as well as whiten and fill in gaps between teeth. It can also be used for new fillings or to replace old gold or amalgam fillings for a completely natural look. It results in tooth restoration that is indistinguishable from a natural, perfect tooth.
Porcelain Veneers
If the color, shape, or size of teeth cannot be repaired or improved by the above methods, many cosmetic dentists recommend porcelain or composite laminate veneers. This ultra-thin, custom-fit veneer is bonded directly onto the existing tooth's surface to offer the appearance of perfect teeth.
Other procedures such as crowns, implants, complete smile make-overs, and full mouth reconstruction are available to make it possible for anyone to enjoy a spectacular smile. Talk to your dentist about the cosmetic dentistry options that are best for you.
Author Resource:-
Gateway Dental is home of Ahsburn dentist that have extensive experience in oral sadation and all fields of General Dentistry, including Endodontics Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry, and Periodontal.
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