One day, while you were still a teenager, a classmate accidentally threw a volleyball in your face and chipped your front teeth slightly. Since then, you have been avoiding smiling because you are very embarrassed about the appearance of your teeth. You recently learned that there is a method, cosmetic dentistry, that can help you regain the look of a glowing smile, but that’s all you know. Don’t worry! We’re here to help. We have listed below the most common types of cosmetic dentistry available and how they can help you to get back the confidence you’ve always longed for.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are delicate tooth-coloured shells made of ceramic. They are generally permanently bonded to the front part of the teeth to enhance their natural look. Veneers can be applied to address a wide variety of aesthetic problems, including broken, chipped, discoloured or smaller-than-average teeth.
Ceramic veneers can be added from to as many as they want to create a perfectly symmetrical smile. The eight upper front teeth are where the shells are most commonly placed.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a tooth-like case that is placed on a tooth – to cover the tooth to improve its shape, strength, size, and appearance. Crowns, once fixed in place, entirely surround the visible part of a tooth situated at and above the gum line.
They can be used in several situations including when there is a need to protect a decayed tooth from breaking or to cover a severely discoloured tooth.
Teeth Whitening
Over time, teeth become stained and worn from food, drink, medication and personal habits like smoking. This can be addressed by teeth whitening. Also known as “teeth whitening”, this basic cosmetic technique is used to lighten and whiten discoloured or stained teeth. It is usually performed after plaque, tartar and other debris have been removed from the surface of each tooth, restoring them to their natural state.
Not everyone can have their teeth whitened, so it is imperative to see your dentist first.
Composite Bonding
Composite bonding is a contemporary way of restoring teeth, either for aesthetic purposes or to restore lost tooth structure. Your dentist will drill out the tooth decay and glue a tooth-coloured resin material onto existing teeth to remodel them or improve their colour.
Composite bonding is one of the cheapest cosmetic dentistry methods used for patients suffering from cavities, chipped or broken teeth and worn edges.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is basically a metal (usually titanium) screw that replaces a missing tooth. A fake tooth is attached to the top of the implant to replace the tooth that was previously there.
Implants are meant to be permanent. They work in place of the root of the tooth. If you lack a tooth, the bone underneath can gradually break down over time, and it is best to have an implant placed before it is too late.
Inlays and Onlays
An inlay is like a filling which is typically made of resin, porcelain or gold that is used to treat a cavity. An inlay is bigger than a regular filling but smaller than a crown used when a tooth has a mild decay or when there is no tooth structure to support a standard filling. It will be placed directly on the tooth surface when there is no damage to the tooth cusps.
However, when the tooth cusps are affected, an onlay will then be used. Inlays and onlays offer support to reinforce the teeth, re-establish their shape and prevent further decay or damage.
If you are thinking of having cosmetic dentistry, it is essential to find a cosmetic dentist who works with a specialist in dental products like Sho Dental Laboratory. This way, you’ll benefit from the latest technology and be fully satisfied.