The phrase “cosmetic dentistry” covers a whole host of procedures you may be interested in discussing with your dentist. Tooth bleaching and whitening are commonly performed and are successful in a few easy treatments. Bleaching is fairly inexpensive, too, making it a good choice for almost everybody.
Tooth straightening, especially of the front incisors, is another procedure patients will often ask about. Bonding is a good alternative if the underlying structure warrants the procedure; fillings are cosmetically glued in place with little or no drilling, filling in small spaces and irregularities with little pain or recovery time.
Ceramic crowns are a great alternative to the heavy-metal laden fillings and crowns of the past, and can improve teeth almost immediately with little or no invasive surgery. More complex procedures involve ceramic bridges or partial dentures to replace lost or removed teeth. If tooth decay has run rampant in your mouth, or an accident has caused you to lose teeth, crowns, bridges or dentures could be the answer to your difficulties.
What kinds of materials do cosmetic dentists commonly use?
Formerly, tooth replacements were made of porcelain or even metal, which often contained heavy metals that can be damaging to the patient’s long-term health. To withstand the biting forces and last for a significant amount of time, even porcelain replacements used a metal framework and thus would show a dark blue line around the edge of the replacement.
Modern ceramic materials allow the dentist to do his work without destroying what’s good about your existing teeth. The new crowns are made of strong materials, which don’t wear or discolour easily. In the past, dentists had to drill away significant amounts of an existing tooth, leaving ugly bumps and causing the patient undue pain and suffering. By not drilling away most of the foundation of the tooth, the dentist leaves room for replacement crowns if they should ever be necessary.
Why consider cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is about more than a beautiful smile. Tooth decay and bad gums are serious health issues. A good cosmetic dentist preserves what’s good about your teeth, uses your own teeth as foundations whenever possible, and designs and installs the implants so they look absolutely real even on closer examination. This attention to detail certainly improves the look of your smile, but more importantly preserves your health at the same time.
Cosmetic dentistry is an excellent way to improve your outlook on social situations and life itself. When you no longer have to hide your embarrassing smile, you can open yourself to new people, new ideas, and a new lifestyle of interacting with people. Your smile is the second thing people notice about you after your eyes; make that impression count with a genuine grin that shows off your new look to the fullest.
As you are discussing cosmetic dentistry with your cosmetic surgery dentist, no matter the procedure, try to go for a natural look rather than the unnaturally regular and blinding white look. You want a beautiful smile, yes, but not one that calls attention because it is too perfect!
Cosmetic Surgery Guru
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