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[C1075]Cosmetic Dentistry Before After

by Mary Logden, Mar

The art and science of dentistry has made advances such that one need not remain resigned to stained or chipped teeth. There are several cosmetic techniques available that allow one to correct dental anomalies that can impair appearance. These include:

Bleaching

The process of bleaching or tooth whitening helps to brighten teeth that become dark with age or get stained due to smoking, tea/coffee drinking, etc. Bleaching removes extrinsic as well as intrinsic stains. The process, which can be carried out once every three years, is carried out largely by using hydrogen peroxide solution. Bleaching can whiten teeth by up to 5 times the original shade. A bleaching tooth tray that carries the peroxide solution can cost between $ 200 - $ 500.

Bonding

The appearance of teeth that have spaces in between or are cracked and chipped can be improved by the bonding process in which a hard, sterile, and inert tooth-colored plastic is affixed to the teeth. The manner in which bonding is done affects the shape, size, and appearance of teeth. The composite fillings wear more quickly than the traditional silver fillings and patients are usually advised to refrain from hard foods that may result in the chipping of the bonding material. The bonding process takes 10-15 minutes for a tooth and can cost around $ 300 to $ 700 for a tooth. The bonded restoration stains similar to natural teeth.

Porcelain Veneers

These are extremely thin shells used to cover the front side of the teeth. Porcelain veneers are more resistant to stains and chipping as compared to bonding. They are bonded to the teeth using a special bonding material and can be used to alter the appearance of teeth, provide fullness to the upper lips, and fill gaps between teeth. Porcelain veneers enable a more consistent appearance as compared to bonding, they do not stain and a veneer treatment can last for up to 15 years. Veneer application on a single tooth can cost up to $ 2,000. As compared to the application of crowns or caps, teeth are ground to a lesser extent during veneer treatment.

Orthodontics and periodontics

Orthodontics deals with the prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Braces are used in orthodontics for the treatment of crooked teeth, protruding teeth, widely spaced teeth, an underbite, etc. Metal braces made from titanium are expensive and need to be worn for 2-3 years. Non-invasive straightening braces cost less and require to be worn for a lesser period of time. Lingual braces are placed behind the teeth and are ideal for those who lay emphasis on cosmetic appeal. Periodontics helps individuals to enhance their smile by altering the contours of the gums, it is a simple surgical process accomplished using laser and can cost up to $ 2,000.

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns are used for broken teeth, teeth with silver filling or those with excessive decay, and also teeth that have undergone root canal treatment. Crowns can be matched to tooth color.

There are many people who are unhappy with their appearance in the world today. Some peoples' teeth may have been unattractive for their entire lives, whereas others' teeth may have aged and slowly become unattractive. For these reasons, many people decide to look into cosmetic dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry could be considered a dental facelift, changing someone's appearance so that they look better and feel better about themselves. There are many techniques in cosmetic dentistry, from braces to porcelain veneers. More often than not, dentists use a combination of these techniques in order to achieve the best results.

The first method widely used in cosmetic dentistry is Porcelain Laminate Veneers (also known as veneers). These veneers are specially made porcelain wafers that can be places over teeth in order to enhance their appearance. Veneers can correct unappealing smiles, reverse the effects of aging, and whiten teeth. Many popular movie stars use veneers today in order to have that perfect smile. There are temporary and permanent veneers. People usually ware the temporary veneers while the permanent ones are being made. In terms of cost, veneers usually cost several thousand dollars, depending on the amount of teeth needing modification.

Teeth whitening is another very popular way to change the appearance of teeth. There are two types of whitening, in-office or at-home whitening. In-office whitening uses a high intensity light along with 35% hydrogen peroxide. The patient's gums are protected, and the whitening process takes about an hour. The results are usually teeth that are four to six shades lighter than before. The at-home systems generally use between 10 and 20% carbamine peroxide. Impressions of the person's mouth are made in order to make trays. The trays are then fitted and the patient is told to place a little bit of the carbamine peroxide gel in the tray and ware it while sleeping. The time of wearing this varies greatly from one week to six. Some people use a combination of in-office and at-home systems. This usually has a result of 12 to 15 shades of whitening.

There are three popular procedures to fix only a few unappealing teeth. The procedures for fixing select teeth are: tooth shaping, bonded-bridge, and resin or tooth colored fillings. Tooth shaping is when a doctor removes a very small amount of enamel from a tooth in order to shape it and make it more appealing. This is usually used for shortening long teeth, rounding off pointed teeth, or to simply make a smile follow the contour of the lower lip (which is more appealing). This procedure costs only $25 to $75 per tooth. The bonded-bridge procedure is used to replace missing teeth. The procedure usually involves taking out a small amount from teeth on either side of the missing tooth and then taking an impression or mold. From this, a bonded-bridge that can attach to the backs of the teeth on either side is made. There are resin-bonded bridges that do not fall out as easily, and there are metal bonded-bridges that are more expensive. Finally, people can get resin or tooth colored fillings. Resin is used to fill small cavities or a chipped front tooth. Resin instead of porcelain veneers saves money as well as time, but resin needs to be replaced every so often.

The final two things people can do in cosmetic dentistry are gum-lifts and braces. Gum-lifts remove gums in order to make teeth appear longer and eliminate a “gummy” smile. Uneven gum lines can make the teeth seem as though they are of different lengths that makes for an unattractive smile. The procedure is relatively quick and painless. Braces are the last, and most common, way to get cosmetic dentistry. Braces are placed on the teeth and can straighten crooked teeth, help fix over-bites, and generally create a more appealing smile. Braces are very time consuming, and costly, but are a great option for children. Some adults do get braces, but most opt for faster, cheaper methods. Braces run from $3,500 to $4,500, and require multiple visits to the orthodontist.

Cosmetic dentistry has been described as not a science but rather an art. Cosmetic dentists use many different procedures in order to improve their patients' smiles and overall confidence. Some cosmetic dentistry procedures can be very costly, but yield great results. So, if someone has been unhappy with their smile for years, and does not know what to do, cosmetic dentistry may be the perfect option.

Article Source : The Importance Of Practice

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