What Are the Different Types of Cosmetic Dentistry?

About 32% of people say they’re concerned about the look of their teeth. Cosmetic dentistry is a great way to boost the appearance of your smile while also boosting your confidence.

However, not everyone is fully aware of what all cosmetic dentistry entails. Cosmetic dentistry isn’t just about brightening your smile. It can also mean shaping your teeth, replacing missing teeth with dental implants, and more.

To give you a better idea of what you can expect from cosmetic dentistry, here are some of the most common types of cosmetic dental treatments available.

Dental veneers

Dental veneers are one of the most popular types of cosmetic dentistry. They help treat appearance-related issues with the front of a tooth such as discoloration, jagged edges, or crookedness.

Dental veneers are a type of thin tooth-colored dental covering that’s placed on the front of your tooth. This covering is made from either composite or porcelain, and they’re custom-made to fit your teeth perfectly. They’re also custom-made to match the exact color of the rest of your teeth so the veneer looks natural.

To be a candidate for dental veneers, your enamel needs to be in good shape. This is because the enamel of your tooth will need to be filed down for the veneer to adhere to the surface of the tooth. If you have weak enamel, a veneer may not be a good idea for your dental health. However, if your enamel is in good condition, dental veneers can be a great way to give yourself a straighter, brighter smile.

Teeth whitening

Teeth whitening is another popular choice in cosmetic dentistry. While there are whitening toothpastes and other over-the-counter treatments out there, professional teeth whitening helps to remove stains and yellowing from your teeth. Stains can appear on your teeth from drinking coffee, soda, tea, and other dark beverages. They can also appear after years of smoking.

Just like dental veneers, it’s important to talk to your dentist first before you schedule a teeth whitening appointment. Those who experience chronic sensitivity, periodontal disease, have damaged or worn enamel, or have oral cancer aren’t recommended to have teeth whitening done. If you have any cavities, it’s also recommended to have them treated before teeth whitening.

Dental implants

Dental implants are a great way to replace a missing tooth if you have healthy gums and a strong jawbone. A dental implant involves fitting an artificial dental root into the jaw. Once the implant is healed and secured by the gum tissue, a connector is attached to the root and a false tooth, called a crown, is placed over the connector.

The crown is custom made to fit the desired tooth. When the dental implant is healed, it looks and functions exactly like a normal tooth. These implants can last for decades like real teeth, which makes them a good choice if you don’t want to use dentures.

Dental implants also help to maintain your bite alignment and jaw health. When the gap of a missing tooth is left vacant, your teeth can begin to shift and cause your jaw bone to come under stress. Over time, this stress can cause bone loss in the jaw.

Teeth shaping

Teeth shaping, also known as tooth contouring, is a convenient and cost-effective option for fixing teeth that are poorly aligned, uneven, or chipped. The procedure is pain-free. Teeth shaping gives you a more attractive smile and the results are immediately obvious after your procedure.

In some cases, your dentist might suggest using a treatment called bonding alongside your teeth shaping procedure. Tooth bonding involves applying a tooth-colored composite resin to the front of your teeth. This procedure helps to repair damage and improve the overall appearance of the teeth.

Dental crowns

Dental crowns are made of either composite or porcelain and are made to fit over the entire tooth. They’re used to treat teeth that have large fillings, have had root canal surgery, or are misshapen. The crown is custom-made to fit the tooth they’re bonded to secure bite alignment.

Interested in experiencing the benefits of cosmetic dentistry yourself? Railroad Dental Associates offers both general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry so you can get the dental care you need and the confidence you want. For more information on our cosmetic dentistry services or to schedule a consultation, contact Railroad Dental Associates today.