What Types Of Cosmetic Dentistry Are Available?

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Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, and broken, chipped, or missing teeth can lead to bite problems and self-esteem issues if you aren't happy with your appearance. Several different cosmetic dentistry procedures can help you improve your teeth's appearance and function.

Teeth Whitening

Most people experience yellowing or other discoloration of their teeth during their lives.

Professional teeth whitening is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to improve the appearance of your teeth. Dentists have access to powerful bleaching agents that you can't buy yourself for better and faster results than many over-the-counter whitening kits. 

Dental Implants

Dental implants can drastically change the look of not only your smile but your whole face. Missing teeth can change your jawline and give your face a sunken appearance. Dental implants consist of a metal post your dentist inserts into your jawbone to act as a base for a replacement tooth. Implants often appear more natural than removable dentures.

Dental Bonding

If you have chipped or cracked teeth, dental bonding can help give your teeth a more natural and uniform look. Bonding offers a less expensive way to repair teeth than replacing them completely or getting a crown, and it's more aesthetically pleasing than silver fillings. 

During the bonding process, your dentist will use a pliable resin to shape around your tooth. The material is then bonded to your natural tooth with a UV light or laser. 

Veneers

Veneers can help completely remake your smile. Veneers are extremely thin shells made from porcelain or resin that cover the entire front of the tooth. Some people opt for only one or two veneers to alter the shape and size of a couple problem teeth, while others go for a whole mouth of veneers to get a uniform, bright white smile.

Crowns

Crowns go over a damaged tooth, covering the entire thing. A crown can help save a natural tooth and prevent it from breaking further while covering the misshapen appearance. Crowns are also sometimes used for severely discolored teeth that don't improve with whitening.

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays are a type of porcelain or composite filling that provides an alternative to crowns to fill in decayed or damaged teeth. These fillings are called inlays when the filling material is bonded in the middle of the tooth. They're called onlays when the filling covers the biting surface.

Inlays and onlays help keep as much of the tooth as possible and can be colored to match your surrounding teeth. They provide an alternative to crowns.

Talk to your dentist about what cosmetic dentistry procedures can help you achieve the smile of your dreams.

Reach out to a cosmetic dentist to learn more.


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