COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the function) of a person's teeth, gums and/or bite. It primarily focuses on improvement dental aesthetics in color, position, shape, size, alignment and overall smile appearance.

Tooth whitening lightens teeth and helps to remove stains and discoloration. Whitening is among the most popular cosmetic dental procedures because it can greatly improve how your teeth look.

Tooth colored fillings, also called white fillings, are dentalfillings that restore and mimic the natural appearance of toothstructure. In addition to restoring teeth that have fractured or decayed, tooth colored fillings may also be used cosmetically to change the size, color and shape of teeth.

c) VENEERS

Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain used to recreate the natural look of teeth, while also providing strength and resilience comparable to natural tooth enamel. It is often the material of choice for those looking to make slight position alterations, or to change tooth shape, size, and/or color.

Smile Design Techniques

Here's a brief description of some of the more common techniques used by cosmetic dentists to correct or enhance a person's smile:

Whitening — a chemical application with a peroxide base is applied directly to the teeth to remove minor staining and discoloration.

Bonding — An acrylic material is applied to a tooth that can be shaped and colored to match the natural look of the patient's other teeth. Primarily used for chipped, broken or decayed teeth, as well as to alter tooth shape with minimum tooth removal.

Enamel Shaping — the removal of minute amounts of enamel, the tooth's outer layer, to improve the look of the shape of a tooth.

Veneers — a thin shell of tooth-colored material, usually porcelain, custom-designed to be affixed to the front surface of the teeth.

Crowns and Bridgework — a technique that covers heavily damaged teeth or replaces missing teeth. They usually have an inner core for strength and an outer porcelain shell for the feel and appearance of real teeth.

Dental Implants — as an alternative solution for replacing missing teeth, titanium posts are surgically implanted in the patient's jaw. Artificial tooth replacements are connected to the posts to restore missing tooth above the gum.

Gum Contouring — a minor surgical procedure altering the position of the gum tissue and sometimes the underlining bone, to improve the look and regularity of the gingival line around the teeth