Cosmetic dentistry Louisville KY is dental care that improves the appearance of your teeth and smile. A cosmetic dentist can whiten your teeth, straighten them, or improve their shape. They can also replace missing teeth and repair chips. Not all of the available cosmetic dental procedures will work for everyone. Your dentist can help you determine which method will work the best for enhancing your smile.
Types of Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic Teeth Whitening
Also called “teeth bleaching,” teeth whitening treatments can be done in your dentist’s office or at home using whitening products. Not everyone’s teeth can be bleached, so it is very important to check with your dentist before trying at-home whitening products.
Teeth whitening treatments typically contain carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. Whitening products manufactured for use at home usually contain a smaller amount of these ingredients.
Cosmetic Dental Veneers
A veneer is a thin shell made out of porcelain or composite material. Veneers are custom-made and cemented to the front side of the tooth. They can be used to treat dental conditions such as a slightly crooked tooth, discolored teeth, or chipped teeth. They can even cover spaces in between the teeth. The lifespan of a veneer varies from person to person, but most will last around 20 years.
Cosmetic Dental Implants
A dental implant is a metal device used to permanently replace a missing tooth. The device is usually made out of titanium and is surgically implanted into the jawbone where the tooth is missing. A dental implant is designed to act as the tooth root and can anchor artificial teeth such as a bridge or dentures.
Cosmetic Dental Crowns
Crowns, also called caps, are custom-made to fit over your whole tooth. They are usually made out of acrylic or porcelain that has been fused to metal to withstand biting pressure.
Crowns can be used in cosmetic dentistry Louisville KY to treat teeth that are poorly shaped, badly decayed, broken, chipped, or have had large fillings. They can also be used to cover spaces in between teeth.
Cosmetic Tooth Contouring
Also known as tooth shaping or “enamel shaping,” cosmetic tooth contouring can be done to correct small problems like chipping. It can also fix teeth that are slightly overlapping.
The dentist reshapes the tooth by filing or removing some of the enamel. After shaping the tooth, the dentist will polish it to smooth out any rough or uneven spots and to give it a more natural appearance. This process is usually not painful and produces immediate results.
Cosmetic Tooth Bonding
Bonding is a process in which tooth-colored materials are adhered (bonded) to the tooth. This is a procedure that can be used to conceal imperfections like chips and cracks or improve the appearance of a tooth that has been badly stained.
Bonding requires very little tooth preparation, so it can be a fast and inexpensive way to repair minor tooth flaws.
Cosmetic Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontists can help straighten teeth and correct a bad bite. They see adults as well as children. If you have buck teeth, crowded teeth, widely spaced teeth, or crooked teeth, ask your Louisville Kentucky dentist if an orthodontist can help you.
Orthodontists use aligners or braces to move your teeth into the correct position over time. A retainer may be required temporarily after the initial treatment to help keep your teeth in place.
Cosmetic dentistry Louisville KY is the branch of dentistry concerned with the appearance of your teeth and smile. Cosmetic dentists perform several different procedures, including teeth whitening, dental veneers, dental implants, and dental crowns. They can also fix minor imperfections with cosmetic tooth contouring and tooth bonding. Orthodontists can correct your bite or straighten your teeth regardless of your age.
