The first thing that people notice about you will most likely be your smile so this is why it’s not a surprise that people are always searching for new ways and treatments to improve their teeth. Nowadays there are a lot of cosmetic dental procedures that can fix missing, decayed, and damaged teeth to make them look as good as your natural ones.
Numerous cosmetic dentistry procedures are available to address issues with teeth that are discolored, irregularly shaped, unevenly spaced, or misaligned. In the end, the dental procedure that will take care of your aesthetic issues is the one that is best for you.
However, considering that there are a lot of cosmetic dental treatments available it may be hard to understand which one is the best one for you and what fits your needs the best. In this blog post, we would like to discuss the top 5 cosmetic dental treatments, how they work and who are the suitable patients.
Composite Fillings
A dental filling composed of composite resin is called a composite filling. In order to make the filling fit in with your natural teeth as much as possible, composite resin can be color-matched to your natural tooth’s tint. The decaying tissue must be removed before a composite filling can be inserted, and the tooth structure that remains may need to be modified.
After that, layers of composite resin will be applied until the cavity is filled. To make the final coating suit with the teeth, it will need to be polished and sculpted. This type of treatment will last about 5 to 7 years.
How Long Do Composite Fillings Last?
As we mentioned before composite fillings will last about 7 years but some people will manage to keep them longer if they take good care of them. In fact, there are cases when patients have kept them even longer. Even though some factors are not entirely in our hands, maintaining proper hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day will prevent a lot of issues.
Teeth Whitening
A common cosmetic procedure performed to get rid of stains from stained or discolored teeth is professional teeth whitening. In only one session, it may extend teeth by five to ten shades and remove both surface and interior stains.
A professional dental cleaning’s first step is to get rid of any dirt or plaque. After that, your dentist will brush your teeth with a whitening solution. This solution will be activated by a light or whitening tray and will be left for about 30-60 minutes. After that, you will need to rinse your teeth. During the first few days, your teeth may feel a little sensitive to cold and hot foods, beverages, or air. Some people may need one or more appointments but this depends on your specific needs.
The effects will last for a long time if you take good care of your teeth and avoid colored foods and beverages. This treatment will be the right choice if you are looking to whiten your teeth and can even be combined with other dental treatments.
Whitening At The Dentist’s Office
Higher doses of active chemicals are used in teeth whitening procedures at dental offices in order to produce more noticeable and faster results.
According to several studies study, getting the whitest teeth possible with in-office teeth whitening can take many sessions. Because these appointments are not a part of a regular dental cleaning, they can be costly and are frequently not reimbursed by insurance.
9 Pros Of Laser Teeth Whitening
As we said before professional teeth whitening treatment will use laser lights to activate the bleaching gel put on your teeth. This bleach will target the stains left in your teeth and will break down the molecules that are causing them. In the end, you will be left with a whiter and brighter smile. Besides this, there are other benefits of teeth whitening including:
- Professional teeth whitening provides faster results when compared to other whitening methods.
- The bleaching gel and laser will cause the molecules to break down faster.
- It is a very safe procedure and it will not harm your gums.
- You have the possibility to choose the shade of white that you would like for your teeth, however, we recommend a natural color to make it look better.
- The results will last for a very long time if you maintain them properly.
- It is not a very expensive procedure meaning that it can be accessible by a lot of people.
Dental Crown
Dental crowns are also one of the most common procedures used in cosmetic dentistry. Their purpose is to change the whole shape, size, and color of the damaged or decayed tooth. They can be composed of different materials but the most popular is porcelain. This is because porcelain is more similar to the look and color of your teeth making them look very natural.
The procedure consists of shaving down the tooth in size before the crown is placed on top. It will be secured with dental adhesive and will last for a very long time. You should treat them just like your natural teeth by brushing and flossing twice daily. With this maintenance, they can last for more than 15 years. However, they are very stable and offer a secure base. Also, the taste and feeling will not be altered. For more information on dental crowns, we recommend you to contact our clinic and set an appointment.
Who Needs A Crown?
Usually, dentists recommend delta crowns when a cavity is too big for a composite filling. However, there are other reasons why they might be needed including:
- Cracked tooth because of an injury or accident
- Weakened teeth
- Teeth that are severely worn down.
Because the tooth is more delicate and needs protection after a root canal, crowns are also advised. If a tooth is missing and the dentist has to place a dental bridge or an implant, you can be a candidate for a crown.
Dental Crown Care
The aftercare after dental crowns is very important. You should keep your teeth as healthy as possible and try to clean them at least twice a day. If you take good care of your artificial teeth they will last longer and be more stable. Furthermore, we have written some important tips you should consider:
- Floss your teeth as much as you can. This will help remove food particles and bacteria stuck between them.
- You should keep in mind to brush your teeth at least twice a day. If you have crowns we also recommend using sensitive toothpaste to protect your new teeth.
- If you have the tendency to clench or grind your teeth at night you should tell your dentist. He will recommend a night guard to help you protect them.
- Avoid eating or chewing hard foods because this may increase the chances that the crown will crack especially if they are made from porcelain.
Dental Implants
We are pretty sure that once in your lifetime you may have heard of dental implants. This type of procedure will serve as the best treatment if you have a missing tooth. Unlike other treatments, dental implants will function the same as your natural teeth including the root of it. This offers many advantages since they are durable and provide a natural appearance.
One downside of the procedure is that it can take some time to be done and several appointments. This is due to the fact that your jawbone can take some time to integrate the implant. Even if you suffer from bone loss we have the right solution for you: zygomatic and pterygoid implants. This will be a permanent solution so you won’t have to worry about a thing. However, even if the implant itself can last your whole life the artificial tooth placed above can be damaged and needs to be changed
Why It’s Done
The main purpose of the dental implant procedure is to replace the whole structure of your missing tooth, especially the root. During the procedure, the titanium in the implants integrates with your jawbone, so unlike dentures or permanent bridgework, they won’t slip, creak, or break a bone. Furthermore, unlike your own teeth, which support conventional bridgework, the materials are unaffected by decay. Generally speaking, you might be a suitable candidate for dental implants if you:
- You want to replace one or more missing teeth
- Your jawbone is fully grown.
- Your oral soft tissues are in good health.
- You are in good condition to have a bone graft or you have adequate bone to support the process.
- Your health is in a good condition to support the implant.
- You do not want to wear dentures.
- You have enough time to commit to the whole process which can take 3 to 6 months.
- You don’t smoke or are willing to quit.
- You want to improve your ability to speak.
Types
Dental implants are classified into two types: endosteal and subperiosteal. The first types of dental implants are endosteal ones and they are the most common ones. They are surgically placed into the jawbone and are able to hold one or more artificial teeth. On the other hand, subperiosteal implants are surgically implemented on the top of the jawbone. This is more suitable for patients who do not have the proper height on their jawbone.
Results
Almost every dental implant procedure is successful. However, you should be careful to avoid certain activities like smoking because it can contribute to their failure and inability to fuse to the metal implant. If this happens the dentist will remove the implant, clean the area, and try the procedure again after three months. To avoid any issues and for the results to last as long as possible try to:
- You should maintain proper oral hygiene by cleaning your teeth just like your natural ones. Use dental floss and brush your teeth at least twice a day. You may also use interdental brushes because they can reach spaces between teeth and clean them better.
- Do not chew on hard objects like ice and hard candy. These habits can even break your natural teeth let alone your artificial ones. If you grind your teeth unconsciously, have your dentist create a mouthguard to protect them. Also, we know it’s hard to avoid smoking and coffee but we try to minimize it as much as possible, in order to keep them healthy and white.
- After dental implants, the dentist will recommend you schedule regular dental checkups to make sure your implants are healing and functioning the way they should. Also, they may recommend professional cleanings.
Veneers
A popular cosmetic dentistry procedure for fixing discolored, irregularly shaped, misaligned, or incorrectly spaced teeth is dental veneers. Porcelain is used to make them, however, dental composite resin can also be used. Although they endure for ten to fifteen years, porcelain veneers require a tiny bit of enamel to be removed in order to be placed. Although enamel may normally be left in place when placing composite veneers, their lifespan is limited to five to seven years. For more information about dental veneers, set an appointment at Dr. Roland Zhuka’s clinic.
What Are The Benefits Of Dental Veneers?
The purpose of veneers is to improve the overall appearance of your teeth and to give you a brighter and perfect smile. Usually, you are a suitable candidate for dental veneers if you:
- Have a broken or chipped tooth.
- You want to fill gaps between your teeth.
- You want to make your teeth look bigger.
- You want to improve the appearance of your pointed or strangely shaped teeth.
This dental treatment will last for a very long time if you take good care of your oral health and the type of material you choose.
How To Prepare For Your Appointment
You will have a consultation with your dentist to determine which alternatives are best for you and how many veneers you would want to have installed before you receive your veneers. In certain situations, your dentist may need to apply braces before placing veneers on your crooked or uneven teeth.
At this point, your dentist will frequently take X-rays to assess the condition of your teeth. Symptoms of gum disease, tooth decay, or the need for root canal therapy will be checked for. You might not be a good candidate for veneers if you have any of these problems.
At your next session, your dentist will take an imprint of your teeth and cut off approximately half a millimeter of your tooth (removing the enamel with a grinding tool) in order to obtain an appropriate fit for your veneers. After that, the lab receives this mold and uses it to make your veneers.