Good Oral Heath Is Important for People of All Ages

« Back to Home

4 Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures To Consider

Posted on

Everyone wants a beautiful smile, but poor oral hygiene and genetics can affect your smile. Luckily, even if you've had severe issues like tooth loss, there are many cosmetic dentistry procedures that can restore your smile. If you would like to know more, keep reading.

1. Veneers

Veneers are thin shells usually made from porcelain. They are produced in a lab, and the dentist bonds them to the front of your front teeth. As a result, they fix many cosmetic issues, such as minor gaps, minor overlapping, minor crookedness, discoloration, short crowns, chips, cracks, and much more.

They are better for teeth that are relatively healthy, and they should not be used on back teeth as they are not durable enough to withstand chewing. If you only need one veneer to fix a problematic tooth, the lab can match the veneer to the rest of your teeth.

2. Dental Crown

While veneers only cover the front surface of teeth, dental crowns cover the entire tooth's crown. Crowns fix many of the same issues as veneers, but dental crowns work on all teeth. Metal is the most durable dental crown material, but it is unsightly (especially on front teeth) and it can irritate gums, leading to gum recession.

Gum recession is particularly problematic with dental crowns because the gumline is the only vulnerable spot. The more the gums recede, the bigger that vulnerability becomes. Most patients, however, choose porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. Both look great, but porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are more durable, making them great for back teeth and all-porcelain great for front teeth.

3. Dental Bridge

A dental bridge is an affordable way to replace a missing tooth. Some bridges may replace more than one tooth in a row, but your dentist will determine if that is a good choice. Bridges require healthy teeth to support them, so a big bridge puts more wear and tear on those healthy anchor teeth vs. a small bridge.

Most dental bridges require the removal of the outer surface of the anchor teeth, permanently altering them, but a Maryland bonded bridge uses metal wings to bond the fake tooth to the natural teeth. This is less durable but is less invasive. If you have any gum disease, your dentist will recommend treating the infection first.

4. Dental Implant

A dental implant is a more durable option to replace missing teeth, and it doesn't affect any healthy teeth. Instead, the implant uses the jawbone directly for support. Overtime, the implant actually fuses to the jawbone to create a strong hold that can last the rest of your life. Dental implants need healthy gums and a healthy jawbone.

Cosmetic dentistry is a great way to restore your smile. There are many treatments that can fix a wide variety of issues. If you would like to know more, contact a dentist in your area today.


Share