Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is the art to enhance appearance and increase self-esteem for those who are concerned with the way they smile. Recent advances in technology and materials, offer Cosmetic Dentists the tools to transform the not so radiant in to radiant smiles.
A great approach that cosmetic dentists take to correct smile deformities, is to apply some very successful techniques such as the use of dental implants, contouring of the teeth and surgery to repair injuries to the teeth to achieve a more desirable smile. For many people that are not born with a perfect smile but have the desire to have one, cosmetic dentistry is the answer. It will improve their appearance and gives them a confident smile.
A good cosmetic dentist will sit down with you and carefully identify what work needs to be done to cover up any imperfections that your smile may have. If any imperfections of your smile are caused by bad habits, the doctor should be able to give you advice on how to prevent them. For example, if staining on your teeth is heavily apparent, your dentist will explain to you what caused it and how to avoid it.
Procedures to a perfect smile can be from a simple whitening of the teeth, to a more complex one, such as reconstructive surgery. Keep in mid the severeness of the deformity you have in your mouth and what goals you want to achieve with your smile. This will dictate how much work needs to be done . You and your cosmetic dentist need to work together to develop the treatment that will be needed to achieve the desired smile.
Teeth whitening
Since Teeth whitening is a very simple and fast procedure to a white smile, it has become a very popular cosmetic dentistry procedure, it is very effective and will last 2 or more years, depending how well you maintain your teeth. There are different reason why we have discolored teeth. As we age our teeth loose it pearly white enamel that we have from birth. Also due to some bad habits that a lot of adult develop such as smoking cigarettes. Also drinking dark drinks such as cola, coffee, etc.
Teeth whitening can be done by bleaching. The dentist will make a mold of your teeth and make a tray that fits your unique mouth shape. Bleaching is usually done at the convenience and comfort of your own home. You will wear the tray once or twice a day until you have achieved optimal whitening results.
A faster and more convenient option is Laser teeth whitening. This procedure provides instant results, unlike other teeth whitening procedures that can take up to three weeks to complete. This is done at the office and can be done in about an hour. The procedures is performed by applying a coat of whitening gel on the surface of the teeth, then the laser light will penetrate the enamel of the teeth in about 45 minutes to an hour the process is done.
Veneers
One of the most affordable cosmetic dentistry procedures is the use of Veneers. These are basically plastic or porcelain plates that are used to change the appearance of the teeth. Veneers work great to make teeth look even, cover chipped teeth and can also make crooked teeth look straight and even.
This procedure involves very minimum amount or no discomfort at all. It is done by simply applying the veneer to the tooth or teeth with a permanent adhesive, and an ultraviolet light cements the veneer to the tooth or teeth.
Before gluing on a permanent plate, many people opt for a temporary one, and wear it for a few days to see if they have made the right choice as far as the shade of white is concerned. Once the patient and the cosmetic dentist are satisfied with the shade of white chosen, it time to put it on permanently.
Contouring
Contouring is a technique used by cosmetic dentist to treat teeth that are crooked, chipped or cracked. This procedure involves the reshaping or teeth that have grown incorrectly inside the mouth. Sometimes this method of cosmetic dentistry may save people from wearing those uncomfortable metal braces, that every body is reluctant to use.
As mostly all dental procedure begin, by taking an X-ray of the mouth. After detailed examination the dentist will decide where the contouring has to be done. This is a delicate procedure that requires precision and should only be done by a qualified and experienced cosmetic dentist. The dentist will sculpt the tooth or teeth with a drill or laser. In conjunction with this procedure veneers may be needed to achieve the optimal result of a smile.
Bonding
Dental Bonding is a cosmetic procedure which is commonly used to treat tooth wear, change tooth color, even shape and tooth size. It a resin filling that is applied to the front and back of the teeth. This procedure improves your smile by reducing gaps or making all your teeth look even.
Dental bonding is not only used for cosmetic treatment but it can also be used to treat cavities.
Dental Implants
Dental implants involves surgery of the mouth, the cosmetic dentist place a permanent titanium fixturte by screwing it down into the jaw bone. It will be the support for your future new tooth or teeth.
Although this type of cosmetic dentistry is more costly as compare to others, the rewards are far greater. Dental implants are as close as having your own teeth as it can be, they will last for the rest of your life if installed properly. Talk to your dentist to see if your have good jaw bone structure for this procedure. H
Even with limited jaw bone, there is some hope for dental implants, your dentist can install a special type of implant called subperiosteal implant.
Accelerated Orthodontics
This cosmetic dental procedure is mostly for adults with busy lives that would like to improve their teeth appearance, but hate to have to wear uncomfortable metal braces in their mouth for a period of two years or in some cases even longer. Accelerated Orthodontics is new procedure that many dentist used to speed up the movement of teeth and straightening out crooked teeth much faster than traditional braces.
The way this method works is, the dentist uses a combination of both traditional braces and oral surgery. It focuses all the work on the front teeth for a period of three to eight moths, depending on how much the teeth need to move.
Due to the nature of this procedure that requires much more involvement from the dentist as compared to traditional braces, the cost is much more expensive. But many people find this procedure is worth every single penny, considering the short amount of time it takes to a better smile.
Paying for Cosmetic Dentistry.
Depending on how much work you need done, that is how much you have to pay, and cosmetic dentistry is not cheap. It is wise to keep in mind what type of cosmetic dentistry you need to have done. If you have dental insurance investigate what type of cosmetic dentistry is covered by your policy, as most insurance companies will not have coverage for procedures that are not considered medically necessary but are purely cosmetic. However there are some procedures such as dental implants that are considered necessary.
If you are in a budget and your dental insurance does not have coverage for the type of procedure that you need done, many dental offices will consider working out a payment plan with you.
Choosing a Cosmetic Dentist
If your regular dentist will not perform the type cosmetic dentistry you need done, or don’t have a dentist at all. One good way to find one is by asking friends or family members for recommendations.
After getting some referrals, the next step is to choose your cosmetic dentist, the best way to accomplish this is by start call the dentists off the list. Ask whether they offer free consultation as this will save you some money if you have to visit a few.
On the consultation process you will get a feel how the cosmetic dentist operates, philosophy and honesty. This is a very critical step toward getting cosmetic surgery done. The dentist has to project to you realistic expectations about your procedure. For example if he/she promises to give you a movie star smile but you know you have serious damage on your smile, it is wise to ask for a second opinion. Your dentist has to be honest with you about what you can expect to achieve with surgery or treatment. When you find a dentist who gives you this courtesy, you have found a good cosmetic dentist. Make your appointment ASAP, and begin your journey toward a better smile.
