A visit to the dentist is not only about medical treatments, filling cavities, and pulling out teeth. Cosmetic treatments or aesthetic treatments are fast gaining popularity, as a means of improving physical appearance. Dental cosmetic treatments can be used to straighten, lighten, whiten, reshape, and repair broken teeth or mend gaps between teeth. Cosmetic treatments include bridges, crowns, implants, veneers, tooth-coloured fillings and tooth whitening.
Before undergoing any cosmetic treatment, it is important to understand what that treatment entails and the benefits and risks associated with the same. You should also find out the complete costs involved in any treatment and also the maintenance that will be required for your specific treatment.
Various Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
- Dental Bonding: Bonding can help improve the appearance of your teeth if they have space between them, they are broken, chipped, stained, or cracked. In this procedure, the dentist will use a composite material to fill cavities and to protect the exposed root of the tooth. This procedure generally does not take long and can be completed in one sitting. It is done by applying an etching solution followed by a coating of tooth-coloured materials. This is an inexpensive procedure that can help to get rid of tooth decay, chipped, and crooked teeth.
- Teeth Whitening: Teeth whitening is perhaps the most common cosmetic dental procedure. Over a period of time, teeth can become stained or discoloured, especially for people who consume a lot of tea and coffee and for smokers. After cleaning your teeth and removing all the plaque etc. the dentist will bleach your teeth. This process gives a shiny look to your teeth. However, you need to remember that is not a cleaning procedure and is just a superficial procedure to whiten your teeth. You need to maintain regular oral hygiene by brushing and flossing. Also, if you continue with the same habits, your teeth will become stained again.
- Dental Veneers: Veneers are another way of fixing unsightly teeth that are stained, broken chipped, or have gaps between them. Veneers are custom-made shells made mostly of porcelain and sometimes plastic. They cover the front sides of the teeth and last longer than dental bonding and also provide a superior finish. The doctor will take an impression of your tooth, then buff it and then finally cement the veneer in place. The entire procedure will take around 2 visits to the dentist.
- Dental Crown: A dental crown or cap is used to cover a tooth which may be broken or cracked or crooked. These dental crowns can help restore normal shape and appearance. Crowns can be made from resin, metal, metal fused to porcelain, or ceramic. However, getting a crown put is an expensive procedure and doctors only recommend these if they are sure that other options won’t give a result that is as good. Getting a dental crown takes around 2 sittings. These crowns can last for a long time if you take good care of them, as suggested by your dentist.
These are just some of the many cosmetic procedures you can get done to improve the overall appearance of your teeth. Some other Cosmetic dentistry treatments are dentures, Invisalign, braces, inlays and onlays, bridges, etc. Choose a cosmetic dentist who comes recommended and is experienced in this field. Make sure he is updated with all the latest techniques.
