Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures For Improving Your Smile

The great thing about cosmetic dentistry is that it can help correct a wide range of problems, from stains to missing teeth. Your dentist will be able to recommend the right procedure based on your individual needs. Cosmetic dentistry typically includes procedures such as teeth whitening, veneers, crowns, and other restorative care.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are custom-made shells that fit over the front of your teeth. They can be used to mask a wide variety of imperfections like cracks, chips, or gaps between teeth. Veneers are one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures because they make your smile look instantly better and give you a more attractive appearance overall. The porcelain material used to create the veneers is stain-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about coffee stains or wine staining your new smile. Although they’re not as resistant to damage as your natural teeth are, they last longer than most other cosmetic treatments available in dentistry today. They also require less maintenance than many other cosmetic dentistry solutions. And because they’re made of porcelain, they look completely natural in your smile.

Dental Bonding

Tooth bonding is a cosmetic dentistry procedure in which a tooth-colored resin material is applied to the teeth to improve the aesthetics of your smile. It can be used for a variety of treatments, including filling cavities and repairing chips or cracks in your teeth. It can also be used to improve the appearance of crooked or misshapen teeth. The dentist will apply the bonding material and harden it with a special light. In most cases, tooth bonding is a quick and painless process. However, your dentist may administer local anesthesia prior to the procedure to ensure no discomfort is experienced during treatment.

Teeth Whitening

Some patients choose whitening treatments for subtle or moderate improvement of their smile appearance. Professional teeth whitening can whiten teeth several shades brighter in a very short amount of time. Take-home kits use stronger bleaching agents than over-the-counter products; however, these will be customized to fit your mouth for maximum comfort. You’ll wear the trays for a set period of time each day until you achieve your desired results. While the results won’t be as dramatic as a professional treatment, you can still get a brighter smile with at-home whitening treatments. During the consultation process, our dentist will evaluate your dental health to determine if whitening is right for you. 

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are simply “caps” for your teeth. They cover the surface of a tooth to restore its shape, size, and strength while adding protection and improving your appearance at the same time! The crown will be custom-made to fit your tooth perfectly, then bonded in place. There’s a variety of materials from which to choose when creating your crown, including metal, porcelain, and ceramic/porcelain fused to metal. Your dentist will help you decide which material is best for you based on the location of the tooth being treated, your budget, your durability needs, and more.

Dental crowns are commonly used to treat broken teeth or teeth with substantial decay, but they can also be used to protect a weak tooth from breaking further, anchor a dental bridge, cover misshapen or severely discolored teeth, support a large filling when there isn’t enough of the natural tooth remaining to hold it, or even to hold a dental implant securely in place.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are a permanent way to replace missing teeth, either one tooth or many teeth at a time. They are a great solution for restoring your smile and your self-confidence. While dentures can slip out of place, dental implants are held in place by an artificial root that fuses to your jawbone. The implant itself requires surgery to insert into the bone and then needs time to fuse to the bone before a crown can be placed on top. But it offers a long-term solution that allows you to chew and speak normally without worrying about your teeth slipping away. Ask your cosmetic dentist about implants for replacing one or more teeth.

With good oral hygiene and regular checkups with your dentist, dental implants can be a lifelong way to improve your smile. In fact, they can even improve your overall oral health by preventing bone loss in the jaw. 

To learn more about good oral care, you can schedule your appointment with our dentist by calling us at (512) 358-1215 or visiting our dental office. We will be happy to guide you further.