5 Treatments Recommended by Your Cosmetic Dentist

The way they do this is through using cosmetic dental procedures to restore the function of your teeth, while also improving their visual appearance. Depending on your cosmetic concerns and treatment goals, there are several different cosmetic dental treatments to choose from. Although, certain cosmetic procedures tend to be more commonly performed than others. Here are five popular treatments recommended by your cosmetic dentist: 

Dental Crowns & Bridges

If your teeth are severely damaged, decayed, or missing then your cosmetic dentist may recommend the use of a dental crown or bridge. Dental crowns are caps that fit over the top of your tooth in order to restore the look and function while also protecting the remaining tooth structure. Dental bridges are composed of multiple crowns, as well as a fake tooth and are used to fill in the gaps left by missing teeth. 

Veneers

If you are looking for a way to address multiple cosmetic issues in a single dental treatment and have all of your natural teeth, then your cosmetic dentist may recommend dental veneers. Veneers are thin shells made from porcelain or composite that are bonded to the front side of visible teeth. By having veneers placed, you can easily correct damaged, crooked, unevenly spaced, irregularly shaped, and discolored teeth. 

Dental Implants

If you have a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth, your cosmetic dentist may recommend dental implants. Dental implants are placed in the jawbone and act as artificial tooth roots. For a single missing tooth, a dental crown will be placed over the implant, while multiple missing teeth may require the placement of an implant-supported bridge or implant-supported denture. Dental bridges are usually supported by about two dental implants, while implant-supported dentures may require a minimum of four. 

Dental Bonding

If you have minor tooth damage, such as a chipped or cracked tooth, or a small gap between two teeth, then your cosmetic dentist may recommend dental bonding. Dental bonding uses composite resin to repair or rebuild the natural tooth structure. Composite resin is also commonly used for composite fillings, as well as dental veneers. 

Teeth Whitening

If you are satisfied with everything but the color of your teeth, then your cosmetic dentist may recommend whitening treatment. During professional teeth whitening treatment, your teeth are cleaned and then whitening trays are placed over your teeth. The trays will usually need to remain in place for 30-60 minutes, depending on the whitener and the treatment goals. The whitener will be absorbed by the enamel and dentin layers, where it will remove years of stains. 

Overall, your cosmetic dentist may recommend crowns & bridges, veneers, dental implants, dental bonding, or teeth whitening to makeover your smile. In some cases, a mix of these treatments may also be used to obtain the desired results. Ultimately, only a consultation with your local cosmetic dentist can help you to determine which cosmetic dental treatment or treatments will work best for your smile.