All thanks to technology, there are now many branches of dentistry, like general medicine. One of these is cosmetic dentistry—a branch that focuses on improving the aesthetics and appearance of one’s smile. It’s a more specialized form of dentistry beyond preventative care and restorative treatments.
Generally, cosmetic dentistry isn’t considered a necessity. But, say you have concerns about your teeth—whether chipped, cracked, or misaligned, have gaps and spaces, or are discolored. In this case, a Cary dentist, for example, may discuss your options for a cosmetic dentistry procedure. Furthermore, the positive effects that you could enjoy with these procedures go beyond vanity. You can regain and increase the confidence and self-esteem you’ve lost because of your teeth.
If you’re interested to learn more, below are different types of cosmetic dentistry procedures you may want to try.
Table of Contents
Orthodontic Treatments
Dentists usually do orthodontic treatments for those who suffer from tooth alignment problems. After diagnosing the cause of misalignment, your dentist will identify which type of orthodontic treatment is best. Your options may include the following:
- Retainers
- Braces
- Jaw splints
- Mouthguard
- Expanders
- Oral splints
Nowadays, a popular choice is invisible braces. It’s different from the usual braces where you’d have visible brackets attached to the teeth. Invisible braces are clear aligners that shift your teeth’s position, similar to metal braces.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding uses tooth-colored resin, applied and hardened using a special light. Bonding repairs the following issues:
- Chipped or broken teeth
- To close gaps
- Change the shape of teeth
Many patients highly prefer dental bonding as it’s not just one of the least invasive and easiest to maintain but also one of the cheapest cosmetic dentistry procedures.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are the secret to perfectly shaped teeth and having the best smile. These are manufactured using medical-grade ceramic and are custom-made gaps to go over your natural teeth. The dentist then uses a dental adhesive to apply the veneer to the front of each tooth. Not only do they drastically change the look of one’s smile, but they also look exceptionally realistic.
Cosmetic dentists offer dental veneers to solve problems like stained or discolored teeth, crooked teeth, chips, damaged enamel, or noticeable gaps between the teeth.
Teeth Whitening
Cosmetic teeth whitening is also referred to as teeth bleaching. As its name suggests, this procedure is perfect for those who suffer from yellowish, dark, stained, or discolored teeth due to aging, smoking, mouth injury, or drinks like coffee and tea.
While there are many do-it-yourself (DIY) whitening kits you can easily do at home, it’s important to note that only some are good candidates for teeth whitening. Therefore, it’s still best to consult your dentist or have the treatment done in their clinic. This way, you can be assured that the treatment is safer, better, and lasts longer.
Tooth Contouring
Tooth contouring is a good option if you want to change the shape of your teeth. Moreover, this is done to correct imperfections like uneven or overcrowded teeth.
To do this, the dentist removes tiny amounts of enamel. How far your dentist can go depends on your tooth’s shape, size, and condition, as each tooth has very limited natural enamel. This means you’ll have to be very realistic with the desired results from a tooth contouring procedure.
With tooth contouring, you will see results on the same day as your procedure. If needed and depending on your dentist’s recommendations, this can also be done with bonding, whitening, or veneer installation.
Enamel Abrasion
Enamel abrasion is another procedure to address discoloration issues besides tooth whitening. The dentist uses fine pumice in a micro-abrasion machine to remove any surface or superficial stains in this procedure.
Enamel abrasion works well on stains caused by smoking, wine, coffee, and soda but not intrinsic stains or those inside the tooth.
Dental Caps
Dentists use dental caps to address badly damaged or severely stained teeth. If the chipped tooth has already cracked or worn down due to cavities, you may opt for a dental crown.
Because of its ability to restore teeth while also improving their appearance, dental cap installation is identified as both a restorative and cosmetic procedure. Should multiple teeth be addressed, dentists combine dental caps with bridges or dentures for the best results.
Make The Smile Of Your Dreams A Reality
With the list of procedures above, you can now choose which one is the most ideal for your smile-related concerns. Only some people are good candidates for each procedure, so always discuss the options with your dentist first so you know what you need and the specifics of each option. The right cosmetic dentistry treatment can make that smile of your dreams a reality.
