Improving your smile

Did you know that your general dentist can perform a wide variety of cosmetic procedures to help you improve the look of your smile?

What is cosmetic dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry refers to any dental work that improves the appearance of person’s teeth, gums, or bite.

What are some common cosmetic procedures?

Common cosmetic procedures include bleaching, bonding, contouring and reshaping , crowns, and veneers.

Bleaching:

Bleaching is a chemical procedure used to whiten teeth, which often become discolored over time. Some people have their teeth bleached to remove stains, while others simply want a brighter smile. Your dentist may perform bleaching in the office or provide you with an at-home bleaching kit to be used under his or her supervision.

Bonding:

Bonding is the process of using a composite resin to fill in gaps between teeth or to whiten them. Bonding also may be used to correct chipped teeth or minor decay. The bonding procedure can be complete in a single office visit and the results often last several years.

Contouring and Reshaping:

Often combined with bonding, contouring and reshaping procedures are used to correct crooked, chipped, irregularly shaped, or overlapping teeth. Contouring and reshaping procedures can alter the teeth’s length, shape, or position; contouring also can be used to improve bite. This procedure may be completed in a single visit and are ideal for patients with normal, healthy teeth who want subtle changes to their smile.

Crowns:

Also know as Caps, crowns are placed over a tooth to create a normal appearance. Crowns can be used to restore fractured, misshapen, or discolored teeth or those with significant structure loss. Crowns have a longer life expectancy than other cosmetic restorations, but they also are more expensive and time-consuming to place, requiring more than one office visit. Crowns are generally used in cases in which other cosmetic procedures would not be effective.

Veneers:

Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain or plastic placed over the front of teeth to change their color or shape. In addition to improving teeth with uneven surfaces, veneers can be used to correct chipped, discolored, oddly shaped, unevenly spaced, or crooked teeth. Placement of veneers often requires more than one office visit, but they are less expensive than crowns and have better color stability and a longer life expectancy than bonding restorations.

Want to know which procedure is right for you? Contact us and we will gladly set up a consultation and discuss all your options. 

***Article taken directly from ADG Impact /Dec. 2013 issue***