Cosmetic Dentistry is a dental specialty that improves the appearance of your smile. It addresses insecurities that may be caused by discoloration, missing, chipped, or misaligned teeth. Unlike general and restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry is elective. Nevertheless, it can boost your self-confidence and improve your overall well-being. Our dentists offer several cosmetic procedures including: teeth whitening, dental bonding, and porcelain veneers.
Teeth Whitening
If a lack of confidence due to discolored teeth is holding you back, cosmetic dentistry trussville al offers a number of ways to restore a bright, healthy smile. Teeth whitening, dental bonding, and porcelain veneers can correct tooth size, shape, color, or alignment to improve your smile’s appearance.
Professional in-office teeth whitening is a quick, safe, and effective way to lift stubborn stains and discoloration from enamel. In a matter of an hour or less, we can dramatically lighten your smile by several shades or more. Our office also provides take-home whitening kits that provide more gradual, yet sustained whitening.
With dental bonding, we apply a tooth-colored resin to damaged teeth, which is then hardened with ultraviolet or laser light. This restoration can repair chips, cracks, discolored or misshapen teeth, and is sometimes used as an alternative to silver fillings. Porcelain veneers, meanwhile, are thin, durable porcelain coverings that can be custom-designed to address your specific tooth aesthetic concerns. They can be a great alternative to crowns, which involve more extensive treatment. Both types of veneers offer an aesthetic, permanent solution to damaged or misaligned teeth.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a minimally invasive cosmetic treatment for teeth that are damaged, chipped, discolored or misshapen. Unlike porcelain veneers, which require the removal of a small portion of a tooth’s enamel, tooth bonding involves applying a tooth-colored resin directly to the teeth. The resin is then hardened and polished to match the rest of your smile. Bonding can also be used to fill in gaps between teeth, correct crooked teeth, repair chipped or broken teeth and protect them against decay.
The procedure is quick and painless. First, your dentist will numb the area to prevent any discomfort. They will then apply an etching solution to roughen your tooth surface for improved adhesion. They will then apply a shade guide to ensure that the bonding material matches your natural teeth. After that, they will apply a tooth-colored resin and build up layers until the correct thickness is achieved. Finally, they will trim, shape and polish the bonded area for a smooth, natural appearance.
After the procedure is complete, your dentist will recommend proper oral hygiene to ensure that the bonded areas remain healthy and strong. This includes brushing twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist for regular cleanings and checkups. To reduce the risk of staining, avoid drinking coffee, tea and red wine and smoking, as these substances can discolor your teeth.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin shells that cover the front surface of your teeth to change their appearance. They are custom-made for each patient and can be made to look like natural tooth enamel. They also reflect light like real teeth, so they will blend in perfectly with your smile.
If you have discolored, chipped or broken teeth, porcelain veneers can fix them. They can also close gaps between your teeth and make your smile look more symmetrical.
They are highly durable, but you will still need to take care of them and brush your teeth regularly. It is important to visit your dentist for regular dental checkups and cleanings. The lifespan of porcelain veneers is 10-15 years, but they can be damaged or need to be replaced earlier than that.
There are two main types of veneers, porcelain and composite resin. Porcelain veneers are more expensive, but they are very durable and look more like your natural teeth. They are also stain-resistant.
To prepare for porcelain veneers, your cosmetic dentist will remove a thin layer of enamel from the front of your teeth. This can cause sensitivity, but it usually only lasts a few days. Some patients opt for ‘prepless’ veneers, which require less enamel to be removed. However, this can cause sensitivity to hot and cold foods for a few weeks.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a permanent replacement for missing teeth that help restore your smile and confidence. These titanium posts are surgically placed into the jawbone where they provide a strong base for crowns or bridges that look and feel like natural teeth. Implants can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even all of them, depending on your needs. Before placing a dental implant, our dentists and hygienists carefully evaluate your general oral health to ensure that you are a good candidate for this treatment. Infections or other dental issues that affect the gum tissues or bones of your mouth can negatively impact the success of the implant.
A medical evaluation is also performed to make sure that you don’t have any medical conditions that could prevent you from healing properly after the procedure. If you have a soft or thin jawbone, your doctor may recommend a bone graft to strengthen the area before inserting an implant. This process involves using either natural or synthetic bone-substitute material to add density to the jaw. If you need a tooth replaced in the upper back of your mouth, you might need a sinus augmentation instead, which raises the floor of your sinus to give the implant a solid foundation.
With proper care and regular visits to the cosmetic dentistry trussville al, your implants should last for a lifetime. If you have any problems with your dental implants, call your dentist right away to get them fixed as soon as possible.
