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What is Cosmetic Dentistry
If you’ve been finding that your smile lacks the kind of
brightness and quality that you really want, you’ve probably come across the
field of cosmetic dentistry in your search for perfection. Well what is cosmetic dentistry? The answer is pretty simple. It’s a discreet mix of cosmetic surgery and
dentistry, specifically developed to address the concerns of people with
stained or damaged teeth.
Cosmetic dentistry is popular now because of increased
public awareness. More and more
celebrities and TV personalities are sporting those perfect pearly whites. As people just like you begin having their
teeth done, the idea of perfect teeth is quickly becoming the norm. There’s a whole slew of whitening kits
available for private use in the home, but they’re not as effective as getting
cosmetic dentistry. Furthermore,
there’s nothing you can buy over the counter that can fix a chipped or widely
spaced tooth. Cosmetic dentistry is
safe, effective, and painless. For
people who want results, it’s the only real answer.
There are three main types of cosmetic dentistry. Whitening focuses on improving the color of
your teeth. Dental implants and bonding
involves replacing teeth or portions of missing teeth. Veneers focus on changing the appearance of
your front teeth.
Whitening
As we age our teeth naturally lose their white color. Habits like drinking coffee and smoking
cigarettes can make things worse by adding stains to the mix. White teeth can be regained through a
process known as whitening.
When it comes to whitening there are several different
levels of the procedure. Surface
whiteners focus on eliminating the stains accumulated from coffee and tobacco
products. They are commonly found in
chewing gums and toothpastes. More
intensive bleaching agents can be used in your cosmetic dentist’s office. These are many times more powerful than
surface whiteners and actually penetrate the tooth to give it a wholesome new
look.
Implants and Bonding
Missing or chipped teeth can be fixed with a variety of
bonding treatments. A missing tooth is
usually not bonded, but actually replaced with a dental implant. These are prosthetics that are anchored to
the jawbone. They look just like the
real thing, and your friends would be hard pressed to notice the change. A chipped tooth can be fixed with a bonding
compound. These are composite resins
that can be molded to replace missing portions of teeth. They are then hardened with a curing laser
or light source.
Veneers
A porcelain veneer effectively hides the tooth defects of
your front teeth with a thin shell of porcelain glued to the surface. They can be used to cover up stains and
chips, along with hiding gaps that may be present between your teeth.
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