Cosmetic Dentistry

Share Your Best Smile

Do you like your smile? Are you happy with the appearance of your teeth, or are you self-conscious about smiling? If the condition of your teeth is stopping you from smiling as much as you’d like to, it’s time to consider cosmetic dentistry.

General dentistry refers to diagnosing, treating, and managing oral health needs such as tooth and gum care, oral hygiene, and preventative care. Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving tooth appearance, bite, or gums. Procedures improve a smile’s appearance with respect to things like tooth color, size, shape, and alignment.

Improving one’s smile is a benefit of cosmetic dentistry, but some procedures also provide oral health benefits. Missing or damaged teeth can make it difficult to speak clearly or chew food properly. Missing teeth can also lead to bone loss, shifting of remaining teeth, and sagging around the mouth. Popular cosmetic dental procedures include teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and dental bonding. Other procedures include crowns, dentures, bridges, and implants.

Teeth whitening is one of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures. It improves the look of teeth that have become discolored or stained from dark-colored foods and beverages, smoking, genetics, antibiotics, and aging. A dentist offers in-office or at-home whitening treatments. In-office whitening generally takes one or more office visits. If you prefer the at-home alternative, the dentist creates a custom tray to fit your teeth and provides a whitening gel for home use. Although over-the-counter teeth whitening products are available, the trays are not fitted to individual users. A poor fit means the gel may leak, resulting in irritated gums and making the treatment less effective.

Porcelain veneers can repair chips and cracks, hide uneven and oddly shaped teeth, and hide small gaps between teeth. Veneers are also an option for those who are not satisfied with the results of whitening. A small amount of tooth enamel is removed and several thin ceramic layers are applied with adhesive. Because of their material, veneers resist coffee, tea, and cigarette stains. Veneers are nearly indistinguishable from natural teeth because they are individually sculpted for patients.

Dental bonding can repair broken or chipped teeth, improve the appearance of oddly shaped teeth, and eliminate gaps between teeth. Bonding materials made of composite resin are molded and color-matched to provide natural-looking results. Less tooth enamel is removed with bonding as compared to veneers.

Dentures are removable appliances that replace missing teeth. Dentures are made using materials such as resin, acrylic, nylon, porcelain, and metal. Full dentures sit directly on the gums and are used when all teeth are missing. A denture

By Angella Arndt

adhesive may be needed to hold the denture in place. Partial dentures are used for those with several teeth missing in one or both jaws. Partial dentures use clasps that hook to remaining natural teeth for stability.

Dental crowns restore decayed, broken, or weak teeth. A tooth-shaped cap made of materials such as resin, porcelain, or metal is placed over the tooth and held in place with dental adhesive or cement. Crowns also hold dental bridges in place and cover dental implants and root canal-treated teeth.

Dental bridges replace one or several teeth missing in a row. A traditional dental bridge has dental crowns on each end with artificial teeth between them. This option works for those with healthy natural teeth on both sides of the tooth gap. An implant-supported bridge sits on top of dental implants.

Dental implants are used to replace diseased or injured teeth and for some dental bridges. A metal, screwlike post is surgically implanted into the jawbone, acting as the tooth’s root and bonding over time, preventing bone loss. When the implant heals, after approximately two to three months, a metal connector or abutment screws into the implant to hold the restoration in place. Dental implants can be used for crowns, bridges, or dentures.

When selecting a cosmetic dentist, several criteria should be considered. First, ask family and friends for referrals. Check to see if each dentist is accredited in cosmetic dentistry. Ask how much experience the dentist has in cosmetic dentistry and how much time they devote to this type of dentistry. Ask to see before and after photos so you can see their work. When you schedule a consultation, see if the dentist takes time to explain things and answer questions. Make sure you are comfortable with how the dentist and staff treat you. This will help you select the right cosmetic dentist to ensure you get the proper treatment and the results you desire.

Cosmetic dentistry offers so much more than an improved appearance! An enhanced smile boosts self-confidence and helps you look and feel your best.

Sources for this article included: my.clevelandclinic.org, dentalhealthsociety.com, fda.gov, jada.ada.org, and yoursmilebecomesyou.com.