Over the last several decades, cosmetic dental surgery has evolved greatly, becoming more than simply straightening teeth and evolving into a variety of specialized procedures that improve patients smiles and their looks. If you're looking for a dentist to provide cosmetic dental surgery, be sure to do an internet search and ask around to friends and family for recommendations.
According to Highland Park dentist, there are five common cosmetic procedures that will improve your dental health and have you looking your best.
Inlays and Onlays
These are used for teeth that have mild to moderate decay and replace traditional fillings but may not have enough remaining booth structure to support traditional fillings. Most are the same color as your tooth, so no one knows except you that you have had restorative work done on your teeth. Inlays are often used to replace defective or ugly fillings and then are bonded to the tooth. Onlays are similar, but the material used covers the chewing surface of the tooth and replaces one or more of the cusps. The bonding process used to attach an inlay or only onto the tooth actually helps its overall structure and can prevent further decay.
Composite Bonding
Composite bonding is another technique that uses material that is the same color as your teeth to correct the overall appearance of teeth that are cracked, decayed or discolored. The material used for this procedure, usually made of resin, is also ideal to improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped or gapped. The resin is applied to the surface of the affected teeth, sculpted into the desired shape and then hardened with a special light. Compositive bonding is ideal for patients who have teeth that look less than optimal but are otherwise healthy. It is one of the less expensive cosmetic procedures and is often completed in one visit.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers, sometimes called porcelain veneers, are another popular types of cosmetic dental surgery. These custom-made, wafer-thin pieces of medical grade ceramic or composite resin are made to resemble your natural teeth and are incredibly realistic. Similar to bonding, veneers are bonded to the front side of teeth to correct problems such as color, shape, size or length. Porcelain veneers look more natural as they reflect light better than resin while also resisting stains. Your dentist will tell you which type is better for your situation.
Veneers are used in the following common situations:
- To improve the look of teeth that have become discolored through root canal treatment, use of tetracycline or other medications or excessive fluoride, among other causes.
- Teeth that are worn, chipped or broken.
- Misaligned, uneven or irregularly shaped teeth.
- Teeth that are gapped.
Veneers are more labor-intensive than other cosmetic procedures and take several visits to achieve full results. About 1/2 millimeter of enamel is removed from the tooth surface, roughly equal to the thickness of the veneer in preparation for its placement. Veneers are custom made in dental labs and then secured to affected teeth with a dental adhesive. Gum tissue generally tolerates veneers well. Additionally, veneers don't require extensive shaping. With proper care, veneers can last over a decade.
Teeth Whitening
As one of the most popular cosmetic dental surgery procedure, teeth whitening done in a providers office is much more effective than over-the-counter whitening procedures. Whitening is most effective when plaque, tartar and other debris have been removed from the surface of teeth. All teeth stain over time, but some people have enamel that is more prone to discoloration. In-office whitening uses hydrogen peroxide in concentrations from nine to 40 percent, which is much more powerful than whitening kits used at home. In addition to whitening, your dentist may deem you a candidate for bleaching, which is possible for some patients who want to lighten their teeth beyond their natural color.
Implants
Tooth implants, which replace missing teeth, have become an increasingly popular cosmetic dental surgery procedure. Dental implants are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. The procedure's surgical component involves placing a metal post into the jawbone to replace a natural root. Tissue grows into place around the artificial root. Once it cures, a natural looking crown is affixed to the top of the root, providing a permanent cosmetic solution. Dental implants not only improve the look of broken or missing teeth, but they also improve overall dental health through a lesser risk of gum disease.
**
