Cosmetic and Aesthetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry refers to a host of dental treatments designed to enhance the smile and correct chipped, cracked, discolored, and unevenly spaced teeth. From porcelain veneers to tooth-colored fillings, patients can choose from a variety of cosmetic dentistry solutions to restore the health and vitality of their smile.
Aesthetic Dentistry Procedures
Cosmetic dentistry treatments can be performed to correct everything from minor flaws in the smile to severe tooth discoloration, missing teeth, and uneven spacing between teeth. The following is a list of common aesthetic dentistry options:
Teeth Whitening - there are two methods for whitening teeth: laser teeth whitening (performed in the cosmetic dentist's office) and at-home teeth bleaching (involving the use of take-home bleaching kits).
Porcelain Veneers - ceramic shells applied to the front of the teeth to conceal cracks and chips, overlay gaps, and create a whiter appearance to a person's smile.
Dental Implants - artificial roots that are embedded in the jaw and are each topped with a prosthetic tooth. Dental implants are a restorative and cosmetic dentistry solution for missing teeth.
Dental Bonding - the application of tooth-colored composite to the teeth. The bonding material can then be polished and shaped to look like the rest of the teeth.
Tooth-Colored Fillings – a composite resin material matched to the natural shade of your teeth.
Tooth-colored "white" fillings are an attractive alternative to silver amalgam fillings.
Porcelain Inlays/Onlays – durable and attractive restorations used to repair cracked or otherwise damaged teeth. Inlays and onlays require less tooth reduction than fillings or crowns.
Dental Crowns - a cap used to repair badly decayed or damaged teeth. The crown is created from a mold of the original tooth, and then applied after the decay is removed and the tooth is prepared.
Dental Bridges - a sturdy structure composed of two crowns and a prosthetic tooth. Dental bridges are used to "bridge" the gaps where teeth are missing.
Invisalign® - a cosmetic dentistry solution for unevenly spaced, overlapping, or gapped teeth. Invisalign® is a popular teeth-straightening solution for adults who want to avoid orthodontic braces. |
