You may have heard about cosmetic dentistry but may not understand fully what it is all about. Cosmetic dentistry comprises numerous procedures, all geared towards ensuring that the person being treated achieves a great smile. The process focuses on the aesthetics of your smile, as opposed to regular dentistry whose focus is on your oral health. Depending on what needs to be corrected, cosmetic dentistry procedures vary from patient to patient. Here are some of the different procedures explained to you.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is important as it helps to correct any color anomalies in our teeth. Healthy teeth have a protective layer called dentin, which in turn is covered by another layer called enamel. Due to a variety of factors, these surfaces can become stained and teeth can acquire darker hues. In extreme cases, teeth may even have dark colors such as brown due to stains from the food or drinks that we take. As part of improving the aesthetics of your smile, teeth whitening helps to change the color of your teeth, making them whiter and more attractive.
Dental Veneers
This process involves placing veneers or shells to cover a specific tooth and thus correct color or other anomalies on the tooth. Veneers can be made from different materials such as porcelain or composite materials. The veneer is made to cover the tooth perfectly, making it impossible to distinguish it from the natural teeth. Placing dental veneers is a relatively simple process and is used to correct minor aesthetical problems.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are used to replace natural teeth that may have been knocked out or lost through bacterial infection. When a tooth is lost, there may be negative consequences on the health of the remaining teeth. For example, they may shift to compensate for the lost tooth, leading to problems such as TMJ or bite misalignment. Implants comprise a titanium rod that is surgically inserted onto the jaw mass. When the rod fuses with the bone, a crown, which acts as the surface of the tooth, is placed on the rod. Implants are designed to fit in the space where the lost tooth was and are indistinguishable from the rest of the teeth.
Orthodontics
This refers to the process of straightening crooked teeth. Due to genetics and other factors, some people develop crooked teeth. Such a problem can create issues such as breathing complications, breathing problems, and so on. To fix this cosmetic dentists use processes such as Invisalign treatment to get the teeth aligned. Invisalign involves clear plastic trays that are molded on the desired alignment and are fitted on the teeth. Over time, these trays gently push the teeth in place. The process typically involves different sets of trays over time in order to shape the teeth into the correct alignment.
Dental Bonding
In this process, a film-like material is applied over the tooth in order to correct minor problems such as a chipped tooth, gaps between teeth, and so on. The composite material is typically matched to the color of the rest of the teeth, making the bonded tooth indistinguishable from the other teeth.