With Cosmetic dentistry your smile can be whiter than white

Tooth whitening, or bleaching, is a treatment you are probably already familiar with. Here your dentist will brighten any teeth which are stained or discolored. This problem is common amongst smokers, but might also be caused by medication or by regular consumption of certain foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, and red wine. Depending on the method you choose, treatment can be completed in a single appointment lasting less than an hour, up to a typical maximum of around two weeks. Your Cosmetic dentist will offer chair side treatments such as laser whitening, or alternatively, you might prefer to complete the course of treatment in the comfort of your own home using a professional home whitening kit.

Get the Hollywood smile

Veneers are thin laminates or shells, typically porcelain, of approximately the same thickness as a contact lens. They are fitted to the front surface of your existing teeth, creating a uniform look by disguising stained, damaged, or crooked teeth, or by closing small gaps between them. This is a popular treatment for people seeking the so-called “Hollywood smile”, as it can be completed quickly, and because the veneers themselves are both aesthetically and physically durable, maintaining their look and feel for a very long period of time. Veneers are one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures.

If the crown fits… wear it

Dental crowns – also known as caps – are artificial coverings used to reconstruct damaged teeth, restoring them to their original size, shape, and color. This treatment requires two visits. Firstly, your dentist will prepare the affected tooth by removing a significant part of it, leaving only its hard inner core in the form of a stump. A dental technician will then construct your permanent crown according to an impression of the affected tooth. During this time, you will be provided with a temporary crown. On your second visit, your permanent crown will be ‘cemented’ onto your original tooth. Crowns can be manufactured using a variety of different materials. The most popular of these materials is porcelain, as its color is virtually indistinguishable from the natural color of your own teeth. It is also possible to manufacture gold crowns, but ceramic restoration is considered much more beneficial due to its aesthetic qualities.

Cosmetic dentistry bridges the gap

Dental bridges are very similar to dental crowns in terms of preparation, and in the materials and methods used to construct them. The primary difference is that, where dental crowns are used to reconstruct damaged teeth, dental bridges are used to replace missing teeth. The teeth either side of the gap are prepared in much the same way as for a crown. The bridge is then fixed onto these two teeth, a hollow crown between them bridging the gap left by the missing tooth.

Take permanent measures

Dental implants are considered the most durable, functional, and natural solution for replacing missing teeth. Whereas a bridge will affect adjacent teeth, dental implants involve introducing a titanium post into the jaw, providing a stable root over which a crown can be placed. The results are permanent, leaving you with a natural-looking smile, and the confidence to eat the foods you love without worrying about sustaining damage to your reconstructed teeth.