Your smile says a lot about you. Fortunately, there are several ways to improve a less-than-perfect smile. The field of cosmetic dentistry is booming; providing people of all ages with the ability to feel confident when they speak, smile and laugh. Cosmetic dentistry is different than traditional dentistry in that this field focuses on improving the appearance of a person’s smile. While some cosmetic dentistry treatments may fall under restorative care; most are elective treatments that bring a smile to its full potential.
Restorative and Cosmetic
Some of the restorative treatments that are also cosmetic are; fillings, crowns and inlays or onlays. In the past, filling material was either gold or amalgam. Advances in technology now allow for fillings to match the color of natural teeth. The same is true of inlays and onlays, which are made of porcelain and adhered to a structurally damaged tooth. Crowns are used in situations when a good deal of tooth structure has been lost due to damage or decay. A crown will restore function while protecting the root of the damaged tooth. Today, crowns are made of a wide range of materials that mimic the shade of a patient’s natural tooth color.
Teeth Whitening
One of the most common cosmetic dentistry treatments today is that of teeth whitening. There are several ways you can go about reaching a greater level of brightness; but not all are equal. With the availability of over-the-counter strips, more people are going that route without even considering the alternatives. When it comes to getting the white smile you really want, it pays to work with your dentist. Obtaining whitening treatment from your dentist instead of the local drug store means that you are following a safer, more effective system from the very beginning.
Although over-the-counter strips do whiten teeth, the concentration of bleach used limits results. With this method, only surface stains are removed; and may return rather quickly. The concentration of bleach used by your dentist is greater and able to reach deeper stains. In this way, you get whiter teeth for a longer period of time; making it a more cost effective treatment.
Your smile is the way you greet the world around you. You deserve to feel good about showing it off! Cosmetic dentistry has many solutions to give you a smile you can be proud of.
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