For patients with chipped, stained, crooked, or misshapen teeth, cosmetic dentistry offers procedures that will enhance their smile. These procedures may also be combined with restorative treatments such as dental implants or composite fillings, which improve both the health and appearance of a smile.
Cosmetic procedures work best when the underlying problem has been treated first. Consider orthodontic treatment to straighten misaligned teeth, for example, before applying veneers to perfect your smile.
Teeth Whitening
A cosmetic dentistry patient often wants to change the look of their smile. For example, a person with gaps or an uneven smile may visit a cosmetic dentist to find out how they can improve their appearance by fixing the alignment of their teeth and mouth. This type of dental work is different from restorative dental services, which are designed to repair or preserve the health and function of the teeth and bite.
Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the dental industry. It involves a specialized gel that penetrates the porous surface of your teeth to break apart stain compounds. This process is usually done in the office, and it can lighten your tooth color by several shades. However, this is not a permanent solution, so you should expect to return for future treatment sessions.
Dental veneers are another common cosmetic procedure that can hide imperfections on your teeth, such as chips, cracks, stains, and misalignment. These thin shells are custom-designed to match the color and texture of your natural teeth, so they can blend in seamlessly with the surrounding teeth. Additionally, veneers are extremely durable and can last for decades with proper care.
Many people feel self-conscious about their crooked or discolored teeth, and they are looking for ways to enhance their smile. A cosmetic dentist is able to provide them with a wide range of treatments that are designed to make their smiles more attractive and boost their confidence in social situations.
Dental Veneers
The veneer procedure is a less invasive cosmetic dentistry option than crowns (a replacement for the whole tooth) or dental implants (an artificial tooth attached to the jawbone). Porcelain veneers are thin shells that sit over the front of a tooth and are designed to replicate natural tooth structure, shape, and color. Resin-based composite veneers are also bonded directly to the front of a tooth but do not require as much reshaping of the original teeth.
When getting veneers, the dentist will usually apply some local anesthetic so that it is as comfortable as possible during the procedure. However, it is important to keep in mind that the mouth may feel sore and sensitive for a few days after the procedure due to the bonding cement.
Before a veneer is applied the dentist will prepare the tooth by removing 0.3 to 0.5 millimetres of enamel. This is done to ensure that the veneers will stick to the original tooth and not cause any issues with the bite.
A person with new dental veneers should avoid eating or drinking staining substances like red wine, coffee, and tobacco as these can discolor the veneers. It is also a good idea to get regular dental check-ups and wear a splint or mouthguard if you grind your teeth at night (bruxism). This will protect the veneers from physical impact and damage.
Dental Implants
If you’re missing one or more teeth, dental implants can replace them with artificial replacements that look and feel like your natural teeth. Dental implant surgery is performed in a dentist’s office, typically with local anesthesia. You should avoid eating solid foods or chewing on the area for a few days after the procedure. You should also have a few ice packs available to reduce swelling.
The first step in the process involves cutting a small part of your gum tissue to expose the tooth socket that will become home to the dental implant. Next, the surgeon will add the implant into the socket using a screw-like stud. If your jawbone isn’t strong enough to support the implant, it will need to be strengthened with a bone graft before the implant can be added.
During the healing period, the implant and your jawbone grow, or fuse, together, a process called osseointegration. This can take several months to complete.
To ensure that your implant and the restorations connected to it are healthy, you should brush and floss daily and have routine visits to the dentist for dental cleanings and exams. These visits can help detect and treat problems before they become serious. Generally, implants last a long time with proper care and maintenance. However, they can fail to bond with your jawbone or become loose and fall out if you don’t follow your doctor’s instructions for caring for them.
Invisalign®
Invisalign® is a modern, discreet, and efficient teeth straightening treatment that uses clear aligners to move your smile into its desired position. It can treat a variety of bite and jaw misalignment issues such as an overbite (where your upper teeth sit over your lower teeth), underbite (where your lower teeth are in front of your upper teeth), and crossbites (where some of your upper teeth sit behind your lower teeth).
Your dentist will evaluate your mouth to see if Invisalign is right for you. We use a digital scan of your teeth to create a 3D image of them and plan out a custom treatment strategy that will best meet your goals. We may also recommend another teeth alignment option such as braces or Byte if your teeth are severely misaligned.
Once your treatment plan is finalized, your new clear aligners will be fabricated. This process can take up to a month. During this time, you will wear your aligners for at least 22 hours each day but can remove them to brush and floss, eat food, and for special occasions. You will also need to schedule regular appointments with us to make sure that your teeth are moving as they should be, and that you’re on track to reach your smile goals.
While you’re wearing your Invisalign trays, you will experience a bit of discomfort that may last a few days or weeks. This is due to the pressure that the trays put on your teeth. As your teeth begin to shift, your periodontal ligament will remodel them by removing bone in the direction that the trays are pushing them and adding bone where it’s needed.