Cosmetic Dental Procedures
With all of the cosmetic dental procedures available today, there is no excuse to put up with problems like stained teeth, unwanted gaps in teeth, crooked teeth, and more. Let’s have a look at seven of the most common procedures performed by cosmetic dentists and how they can help you achieve a more beautiful, confident smile.
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Teeth Whitening
Drinking dark-colored beverages, smoking, and the aging process can take a toll on your once-bright smile. A professional teeth whitening treatment can whiten your teeth several shades to your desired level of brightness with just one dental appointment.
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Dental Crowns
A good way to think of a crown is as a type of “cap” fitted over the surface of a tooth. In addition to being commonly used to strengthen a tooth following a root canal procedure, dental crowns can also help improve the appearance of a tooth that has been damaged. Crowns are also commonly used to top off dental implants.
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Dental Implants
An implant is a dental device that replaces an original tooth, offering a very close match in both appearance and function. Your dentist implants a metal screw directly into your jawbone, which fuses around it after a few months. You would then return to have a dental crown fitted over a connecting piece called an abutment.
Implants have many benefits over other types of restorations, including their sturdiness and durability. If you care for your new dental implant properly, it should last for a lifetime.
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Invisalign
Do you want to have your teeth straightened but dread the idea of metal braces? You may qualify for Invisalign – a teeth straightening system that involves the use of clear plastic aligners that straighten your teeth over time, like braces. The difference is that Invisalign:
- Involves no food restrictions
- Is conveniently removable
- Virtually invisible
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Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure using a composite resin material that is colored like natural teeth. Bonding can be used to enhance your smile by repairing chips, closing gaps, or changing the color and shape of the tooth. Bonding also has the advantage of being completely reversible.
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Composite Veneers
Composite veneers are created using a special composite resin that your dentist applies in layers, hardening each layer as they go. Once enough composite is applied, they will carefully sculpt and polish it for a smooth finish.
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Porcelain Veneers
Although porcelain is somewhat more expensive than composite, this is a nice choice for anyone dealing with problems like gaps between teeth, misshapen teeth, or stains. Unlike composite, porcelain is applied in one piece as a wafer-thin shell bonded onto the surface of the teeth.
In addition, porcelain is far more durable than composite. Its color also closely resembles that of natural teeth, and will not become stained over time.
One caution is in order with porcelain veneers, however; this is a permanent treatment that requires some removal of tooth enamel from treated teeth.
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