The field of cosmetic dentistry covers a variety of procedures. Although many primarily intend to restore dental health, some also guarantee an enhanced appearance after the treatment. Even though a visit to the dentist will best determine your options, here are some of the cosmetic dental procedures you should consider the next time you look in the mirror and see room for improvement in your smile.
When you visit your dentist’s office, you’ll have your choice of one or more of these five dental procedures. Here’s a breakdown of cosmetic dental procedures and why they might be necessary.
Tooth whitening
Tooth whitening is one of the more popular dental treatments available; the benefits are immediate and noticeable. You can compare the results to a month’s worth of whitening strip applications. The main difference between teeth whitening products and one-hour professional whitening is the bleaching agent used.
The substance used in whitening strips and trays (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) is diluted for safety and prolonged, repeated use. In comparison, in-office whitening uses bleaching agents in the highest possible concentrations, up to thirty-three percent for best results. Your teeth’s hue will improve by up to seven shades, depending on the number of applications you’ll go through.
Tooth bleaching
Tooth bleaching is most useful for superficial stains. Some are internal and difficult, even impossible to remove. However, if bleaching does not suffice, then veneers are your next best option. Instead of dissolving the stains’ cause, these wafer-thin attachments cover the problem in shades that match adjacent teeth.
Dental veneer
Dental bridges and crowns restore or replace severely damaged teeth. Although many dentists try to avoid these options as much as possible, they ensure to maintain your teeth’s form and proper alignment. It’s a shame to lose a tooth because of decay or damage, especially if half of it is still intact and healthy.
Dental crowns
Dental crowns cap and replace diseased or damaged enamel, and dental bridges fill in the gaps left by an extracted tooth. In many cases, these come as paired restorative solutions; a bridge may mount a dental crown for support. Dental crowns are usually made of porcelain, metal, or a combination of both materials, while bridges are sometimes made of resins for flexibility and durability.
When all is lost, and extraction is the only resort, you can still opt to replace a missing tooth with an implant. This implant serves as a substitute, a permanent replacement. A socket is placed on the extraction area, treaded on the inside to accommodate an abutment. The post serves as a support for a replacement, porcelain tooth.
Your dentist should brief you about the prospects of these options and the costs of each treatment. You can check this site for cosmetic dentist Brisbane if you’re looking for clinics within the area. Note that dental insurance excludes most cosmetic dental treatments; therefore, you will need to be sure that you have sufficient funds to cover the procedure’s cost.