Cosmetic dentistry has been around for ages, but the materials used today are more durable and natural looking. A wide variety cosmetic dentistry options treat teeth that are discoloured, chipped, misshapen, or missing. These treatments not only improve a smile, they also improve bone health, the shape of your jaw, and prevent cavities and infection.
Some helpful cosmetic dentistry procedures include:
Teeth Whitening
This procedure addresses discoloured or stained teeth. The dentist applies a bleaching solution to teeth and then either a protective gel and/or a rubber shield to protect teeth and gums.
Bonding
To improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, broken, cracked, stained, or have spaces in between them, tooth-coloured filling materials are applied permanently to the tooth surface. This helps keep out food particles and bacteria, which can cause cavities.
Tooth Reshaping
This procedure (also called dental contouring) is a cosmetic dental technique that involves removing small amounts of tooth enamel (or the outer covering of the tooth) to change the shape, length or surface. This can help with chewing and prevent some people from unwittingly grinding their teeth.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is a surgical fixture that is placed into the jawbone and allowed to fuse with the bone over the span of a few months. The dental implant acts as a replacement for the root of a missing tooth. Later, a permanent a replacement tooth — or bridge — is placed on top, improving a patient’s ability to eat, protecting the root and gum area, and maintaining the integrity of the mouth and jawbone.
Crown Lengthening
This procedure involves reshaping excess gum and bone tissue to expose more of a natural tooth. This can be done to one tooth or several to expose a natural, broad smile. Crown lengthening gives an appearance of longer teeth.
Dental Veneers
Veneers are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-matching materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance. These shells can be bonded to the front of the teeth, changing their colour, shape, size or length. Two main types of material are used to fabricate a veneer: dental porcelain and composite. Many dentists recommend using porcelain veneers to strengthen worn teeth. This treatment can address crooked teeth (plus worn, short or broken teeth), and fill gaps caused by gum recession.
Dental Crown
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” placed over a tooth to restore its shape, alignment, and improve its appearance. When cemented into place, the dental crown encases the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.
In addition to strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can placed on top of an implant to restore the tooth’s function.
Dental Inlays and Onlays
A dental inlay is (usually) an indirect restoration or filling, consisting of a solid substance (like gold, porcelain, or composite resin). Its purpose is to fill a hole left by a cavity. An inlay fills the space in between the cusps, or rounded edges, at the center of the tooth’s surface. Dental onlays are sometimes referred to as “partial crowns.” They are beneficial when a tooth has mild to moderate decay, or there is not enough tooth structure to support a filling.
Cosmetic dentistry can improve appearance — as well as functionality and health of your teeth and gums. The skill and experience of your family dentist will influence how you feel about your end result(s).
Each individual is unique and requires specific care for their teeth and overall health. At Springdale Dental Centre, we provide complete oral care, including cosmetic dentistry. Give us a call at (905) 458-1212.
