What is a Cosmetic Dentist and what do they do?
Cosmetic Dentistry is comprised of numerous practices and procedures, but in general the term refers to any dental work that improves the appearance of a patient’s overall oral health (including bite). Frequently however, there are different procedures that can be classified as being a part of cosmetic dental work. Below are just a few procedures frequently requested and used by cosmetic dentists across the country.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain Veneers are used for both shape and color correction and are sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics.” These thin pieces of porcelain are carefully shaped specifically for your teeth. A mold is taken of your teeth from which the veneers are modeled after and are then glued over the front of your teeth. Then your dentist will place the veneers with water or glycerin to verify their fit & shade. To ensure a durable bond, the tooth is cleansed with chemicals and a small beam is used to harden or solidify the glue/cement.
Dental Bonding
Bonding is the best solution for restoring decayed teeth or even the reshaping & coloring of teeth. This cosmetic dental procedure is prescribed for patients that have chipped, cracked, discolored or uneven teeth, gum recession or tooth decay. Bonding is comprised of a resin filling that is placed in the front and back teeth. In terms of the actual procedure, a mild etching solution is applied to the teeth in order to produce small crevices in the tooth’s enamel structure. These crevices create a rough surface that allows a durable resin to bond substances to your teeth. This resin is then placed on the tooth and a high-strength light cures the resins onto your tooth’s surface that hardens within minutes. This procedure will cover any natural flaws on your teeth by applying that thin coating of resin or plastic onto the front of the teeth. In terms of lasting results, most patients receive silver fillings that last about 7-11 years.
Dental Bridge
Candidates that may fall into this category would be those who have missing teeth, but still have good oral hygiene. Spaces that are the result of missing teeth can cause the other teeth around the area to be at an increased risk of falling victim to tooth decay and gum disease. Therefore a dental bridge is the name given to a false tooth that is fused between 2 porcelain crowns in order to replace that missing tooth. Dental bridges are able to reduce your risk of gum disease (since that space is now filled), assist in correcting bite issues & has helped in improving speech.
Contact your Neighborhood Dental Office
The aforementioned procedures are just a few of the practices used by cosmetic dentists for their patients. When thinking about any cosmetic procedure be sure to do your own homework first so that you have a better understanding of the various procedures that can be done. It is also best to consult with your family dentist for further advice as to which procedure related to cosmetic dentistry is best for you. Every patient is different so what you think you may need your dentist may differ based on your oral and overall health history.
Source by Liz L May
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