Cosmetic dentistry refers to any dental work that improves the appearance of a person’s teeth and gums. Put simply, it is a dental facelift. It corrects any imperfections on a person’s dental features. Cosmetic dentistry procedures have grown in popularity as it restores a sense of self-esteem to people who have had to deal with crooked teeth or ‘gummy’ smiles throughout their lives.
The procedures vary in length according to the different type of dental work done. Some can be completed in under an hour while others may take weeks and several visits to the dentist. Cosmetic dentistry usually involves adding or removing materials from the teeth or gums. Sometimes, dental work is performed on the tooth or gums without adding or removing anything.
The most common cosmetic dental procedure is whitening, where dentists use peroxide-based materials or a specially-formulated bleach to whiten stained and discolored teeth. It cannot be performed on just any set of teeth. Dentists must fill any cavities and ensure the patient’s gums are healthy before proceeding or an infection could occur. The results take about two weeks to show.
Another common cosmetic dental procedure is crowning. Crowns are tooth-colored caps that bond permanently to the tooth to create a new outer surface. They provide full coverage to the tooth from above the gum line to strengthen and rebuild broken and decayed teeth. Crowns are also used to hold false teeth, known as dental bridges, in place. A false tooth is held into place between two porcelain crowns by the resin or metal wings on both of its sides. Dental bridges can lower the risk of gum disease and even correct biting issues and speech problems.
Porcelain Laminate Veneers, simply known as veneers, are specially-made porcelain wafers that are placed over the front of the teeth for whitening purposes. They are also used to repair chips and close gaps between teeth. They are highly durable in that they do not decay and are stain-resistant. An alternative method to using veneers is using resin fillings that are also known as composite and white fillings. This method is also sometimes referred to as bonding. Teeth-colored resin are applied to the teeth and sculpted. They are then left to harden before being polished. They are normally used on chipped, cracked, gapped, discolored and misshapen teeth. However, they are not as strong as veneers and do require repairs once every few years. They also experience discoloration over time.
