Unlike most general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry deals with improving the appearance of teeth. In recent years, cosmetic dental procedures have seen a surge similar to that of other cosmetic procedures. Most of these types of dental treatments can be completed in very little time. Treatments often sought include teeth whitening, cosmetic shaping, gum treatments and dental veneers.
Any dental work that corrects or enhances a person's smile falls under the umbrella of this type of dentistry. The primary goal of this area of dentistry is aesthetics. Improvements can include adding material to the gums or teeth, gum grafts, teeth straightening, bonding, tooth removal amongst other things.
There are several types of cosmetic procedures, teeth whitening is one of the most popular. Teeth whitening involve bleaching the teeth and can make the teeth five to seven shades brighter. In office treatments involve a concentration of either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Light-activated tooth whitening is one of the newest forms of tooth whitening. The results are seen instantly and teeth look vividly whiter. Light-activated sessions are also a bit more costly.
People with cracked, chipped or teeth that are irregularly shaped may choose to undergo a tooth reshaping procedure. Reshaping in certain cases can eliminate the need for braces and fix a bite that might be slightly off. It is one of the very few treatments where patients leave the office and can see the immediate results. This procedure involved using a sanding drill or laser to remove slowly surface enamel. The surface is then reshaped using abrasive strips. Reshaping is completed in one session with no discomfort to the patient.
Dental veneers are another type of treatment. Veneers are thin, custom-made coverings that improve the tooth's appearance. They are bonded to the front of the teeth to give them a new appearance. Veneers are made from porcelain or resin. Preparation for veneers involves making a mold of the teeth to make the veneers. Next, the enamel is removed from the tooth's surface. The amount of enamel removed is the exact thickness of the veneer. The veneers are then checked for proper fit before they are permanently bonded to the teeth. It takes about three dentist visits to complete the process.
Sometimes a visit to a cosmetic dentist serves both aesthetic and health purposes as is the case with gum treatments. Ridge augmentation is one type of gum treatment. Most patients who seek ridge augmentation do so after a tooth loss causes a defect in the gums and jawbone. Because there is a tooth that is not present, the bone of the jaw will start to erode. Ridge augmentation fixes the gum line and jaw. A new tooth is then created to put in the lost tooth's place.
Gum lengthening procedures can help fix a gummy smile. This procedure removes excess gum tissue to expose more the tooth. The gums are then shaped to create a nice looking smile. The surgery involves making small incisions to move the gums away from the teeth. The excess gum is them removed.
Cosmetic dentistry deals with mainly fixing aesthetic issues people have with their smiles. The treatments can vary from teeth whitening to teeth reshaping. These treatments do not take much time to complete and leave people feeling more confident in their smile.
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