Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
Cosmetic dentistry is fast becoming one of the most popular niches in dentistry today. Everybody wants a beautiful smile, and with the many procedures available through the field of cosmetic dentistry, that beautiful smile is within reach for nearly everyone. For many folks, routine dental care is enough to keep their smiles white, vibrant, and healthy. But not everyone is so fortunate. For some, traumatic injuries have left their teeth and surrounding structures in need of repair. Still others perhaps have come to regret their lifelong poor oral hygiene habits. For all of these and more, including you, the many procedures offered in cosmetic dentistry have made attractive and properly functioning teeth a potential reality. And there are so many procedures available today that one is right for just about everyone who seeks to restore to their lives the lovely smile they once enjoyed.
History of cosmetic dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry isn't as young as you may think. In fact, humans have been seeking to restore function and beauty to their teeth for thousands of years... a testament to the fact that we all want more attractive smiles. As far back as 200 AD, people have been restoring missing teeth by constructing them from materials such as ivory and even bone. And, if you think those gold teeth you have or want are a new concept, think again. Gold has been used not only for fillings, but also as teeth coverings for centuries. And, though teeth whitening became more popular circa 1700s, many folks in ancient times whitened their teeth with anything they could find. In fact, many of them used (are you ready for this?)... Urine!
Cosmetic dentistry procedures
Today, cosmetic dentistry is more popular than ever before, and the number of procedures that have grown out of that popularity are many.
In-office teeth whitening
Teeth whitening, whether it's done at home or in your dentist's office, is wildly popular now. You can't go into a grocery store or drug store without running into a dozen or more teeth whitening products. However, what many people are realizing is that those over-the-counter products that may seem like a great deal on the surface, just end up costing them more in the long run compared to in-office whitening procedures. In-office procedures are more popular today than ever because the results last longer than over-the-counter whiteners and the procedures are more effective. Sometimes they can even be performed in just a single visit to a cosmetic dentist. There are a few different types of in-office teeth whitening procedures, with the most popular being deep bleaching, lasers, and gel-and-lasers.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is great because it can save a chipped or broken tooth from poor appearance. Cosmetic dentists use bonded composite resin that's matched to your specific tooth color. This is utilized to fill any gaps, and cavities can even be filled with this resin. Additionally, an entire tooth can be covered in dental bonding material in order to repair and reshape color and appearance.
Dental veneers and crowns
Dental veneers typically are constructed of porcelain or even plastic in order to cover the front sides of a tooth. Dental veneers and crowns are used for many of the same purposes, but veneers tend to be more popular because they're less expensive than crowns. Dental crowns, also referred to as caps, typically are constructed from ceramic, resin, porcelain, metal, or a combination of these. Dental crowns are an attractive way to replace and repair teeth that are discolored, chipped, cracked, misshapen, or broken. They also can be used to cover teeth that have had root canals done on them.
It goes without saying that we all want a beautiful, healthy smile. But for some of us, that beautiful smile is a thing of the past, and it's not always the lack of routine dental care that gets us to that point. Whatever the reason for dental problems, thankfully, there's cosmetic dentistry... a field of dentistry that offers myriad procedures that help to restore appearance and function to teeth and gums. If you're someone who has struggled with missing teeth, cracked or broken teeth, gaps in between teeth, yellow teeth, or any other dental flaw that leaves your smile lacking, contact a cosmetic dentist in your area for more information on the many procedures available that can help you get back your teeth's beauty and function.
History of cosmetic dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry isn't as young as you may think. In fact, humans have been seeking to restore function and beauty to their teeth for thousands of years... a testament to the fact that we all want more attractive smiles. As far back as 200 AD, people have been restoring missing teeth by constructing them from materials such as ivory and even bone. And, if you think those gold teeth you have or want are a new concept, think again. Gold has been used not only for fillings, but also as teeth coverings for centuries. And, though teeth whitening became more popular circa 1700s, many folks in ancient times whitened their teeth with anything they could find. In fact, many of them used (are you ready for this?)... Urine!
Cosmetic dentistry procedures
Today, cosmetic dentistry is more popular than ever before, and the number of procedures that have grown out of that popularity are many.
In-office teeth whitening
Teeth whitening, whether it's done at home or in your dentist's office, is wildly popular now. You can't go into a grocery store or drug store without running into a dozen or more teeth whitening products. However, what many people are realizing is that those over-the-counter products that may seem like a great deal on the surface, just end up costing them more in the long run compared to in-office whitening procedures. In-office procedures are more popular today than ever because the results last longer than over-the-counter whiteners and the procedures are more effective. Sometimes they can even be performed in just a single visit to a cosmetic dentist. There are a few different types of in-office teeth whitening procedures, with the most popular being deep bleaching, lasers, and gel-and-lasers.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is great because it can save a chipped or broken tooth from poor appearance. Cosmetic dentists use bonded composite resin that's matched to your specific tooth color. This is utilized to fill any gaps, and cavities can even be filled with this resin. Additionally, an entire tooth can be covered in dental bonding material in order to repair and reshape color and appearance.
Dental veneers and crowns
Dental veneers typically are constructed of porcelain or even plastic in order to cover the front sides of a tooth. Dental veneers and crowns are used for many of the same purposes, but veneers tend to be more popular because they're less expensive than crowns. Dental crowns, also referred to as caps, typically are constructed from ceramic, resin, porcelain, metal, or a combination of these. Dental crowns are an attractive way to replace and repair teeth that are discolored, chipped, cracked, misshapen, or broken. They also can be used to cover teeth that have had root canals done on them.
It goes without saying that we all want a beautiful, healthy smile. But for some of us, that beautiful smile is a thing of the past, and it's not always the lack of routine dental care that gets us to that point. Whatever the reason for dental problems, thankfully, there's cosmetic dentistry... a field of dentistry that offers myriad procedures that help to restore appearance and function to teeth and gums. If you're someone who has struggled with missing teeth, cracked or broken teeth, gaps in between teeth, yellow teeth, or any other dental flaw that leaves your smile lacking, contact a cosmetic dentist in your area for more information on the many procedures available that can help you get back your teeth's beauty and function.