Understanding Cosmetic Dentistry

Posted on: 21 April 2017

Cosmetic dentistry refers to an area of professional dental care that improves the appearance of the teeth, gums and rectifies incorrect bite.  Any trained dentist can carry out a basic cosmetic procedure such as teeth whitening, but most dentists specialising in cosmetic dental work have completed specialised additional training in the field of cosmetic dentistry.

Trained cosmetic dentists utilise the latest techniques in providing treatment for people that require more complex cosmetic procedures such as dental veneers, dental crowns, dental implants, bridges, smile makeovers etc.

When the teeth become stained due to wear or from food, medications and smoking, teeth whitening can be performed to restore the natural appearance of the teeth. Teeth whitening is one of the most basic procedures in cosmetic dentistry, and it can be done in a dentist's office. Modern teeth whitening procedures involve the use of laser beams to activate a whitening agent pasted on the surface of the tooth enamel. The resulting reaction removes the stain from the enamel.

Dental veneers are used to resolve a wide range of cosmetic problems. Cracked or damaged enamel, crooked or crowded teeth and noticeable gaps between two teeth can be corrected by applying dental veneers. These are made from medical-grade ceramic which are cemented to the front of each tooth using a chemical bonding agent. The work is completed by rounding off the contours of the veneer by minimal drilling.

Dental crowns are used to restore or replace chipped or broken tooth. A metal or porcelain material fashioned from an impression of the tooth is cemented onto the tooth after a thin layer of the old tooth is chipped off to make room for the implant.

A gap from missing a tooth can also be closed with a bridge. This is made of a metal unit of three crowns made out of porcelain. The crown at the centre of the bridge is solid and is designed to mimic a natural tooth. The crowns on either side of the solid one are hollow, and they are fashioned to fit over the teeth on either side of the gap.

Incorrect bite can occur if the teeth do not meet together properly. This may cause the smile to droop or the face to sag. This condition can be remedied by various procedures depending on the assessment of the dentist. Specific treatment plans would include procedures for braces, crowns or veneers.

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