Cosmetic dentistry refers to dental procedures designed to improve the appearance of your teeth and gums. This includes whitening, veneers, dental implants, and crowns.
Many people are self-conscious about gaps, chips, crooked teeth, or discolored/stained teeth. Cosmetic dental procedures can fix these problems to boost your confidence and give you a healthy mouth.
Veneers
Getting veneers is one of the most effective cosmetic dental procedures for correcting flaws in teeth. These thin shells of porcelain or composite can conceal a number of aesthetic issues, including crookedness, chipped teeth, and discoloration.
During the first visit, your dentist will take an impression of the tooth or teeth that you would like to treat using veneers. They may also trim the tooth down slightly in order to make sure that the veneers will fit perfectly on the tooth. They will then send the impression to a lab where they will construct your new veneers. While this typically takes a few weeks, your dentist will often place temporary veneers on the tooth while waiting for the final product.
Veneers can be crafted from either a porcelain or a resin composite material. Both have their own unique qualities and advantages. Porcelain tends to be more durable, and it is less susceptible to staining than the composite alternative. However, it is more fragile and can chip or crack if not properly cared for.
While veneers can mask a variety of cosmetic concerns, they do not stop decay in the surrounding teeth. Therefore, it is important to brush and floss regularly and schedule regular visits with your dentist to remove tartar buildup. It is also a good idea to avoid chewing on hard objects, biting your nails, and using your teeth as tools.
Crowns
Although crowns are often used for structural purposes, such as repairing a broken tooth or replacing a missing one, they can also be employed in cosmetic dentistry. These synthetic replacement teeth can correct the shape, size and color of a tooth and help to make the smile look more uniform and natural. They are sometimes paired with other treatments, such as dental implants or dental bridges, for additional support.
A crown can be made from porcelain or other materials, including metal alloys like silver and gold. The resulting cap can be color matched to your natural teeth for a completely seamless appearance. It is less invasive than placing a veneer, as it covers only the front of a tooth, and it allows the dentist to keep more of the original tooth intact.
Cosmetic crowns can help to conceal crooked teeth, wide gaps or unresponsive dental stains. They can also be used to repair a chipped or worn tooth and hide discolored fillings. In addition, they can be a useful tool for replacing missing teeth, as they can support a dental bridge or even an implant.
A cosmetic dentist can improve your appearance with a wide range of techniques, from the subtle application of porcelain veneers to major treatment plans that address a number of aesthetic concerns. The team at the Cosmetic Dentists of Staten Island has extensive training and years of experience with a wide range of cosmetic dentistry procedures, and we work closely with each patient to realize their vision for their smile.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is a replacement tooth that looks and feels very much like a natural tooth. It’s made of a synthetic but biocompatible material, such as titanium, and it’s placed into the jaw bone to act as an artificial tooth root. Implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth or multiple teeth. Implants help prevent bone loss and improve the appearance of the smile, while restoring function to the bite.
Dental implants have the look and feel of a natural tooth, making them one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments. They are also highly durable and long-lasting, making them a great choice for those who have missing teeth or teeth that need to be replaced. Dental implants can last for 25 years or more before needing to be replaced, which is significantly longer than the lifespan of other tooth replacement solutions.
Like veneers, implants can be used to address minor cosmetic concerns such as chipped, crooked, misshapen or stained teeth. However, since they require surgery to place the implant, they’re typically considered non-essential, meaning they aren’t covered by dental insurance. Those who are interested in having their implants covered should consider applying for CDG funding. Those who are not eligible for CDG funding can contact Central Periodontics to learn about other financing options.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding, also known as composite bonding, is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that uses a tooth-colored resin material to repair minor imperfections in teeth. It can be used to change the size or shape of a tooth, fix chips or cracks, close gaps between teeth, and even replace old silver dental fillings.
The bonding procedure is quick and painless. The dentist will apply a pliable putty-like resin to the surface of your tooth and sculpt it to match the shape of your natural teeth. After it is cured with a special light, the dentist will polish and smooth the bonding to prevent it from chipping or staining.
Because dental bonding is a less invasive cosmetic procedure than other treatment options, it may be used to close small gaps between teeth that are not serious enough to warrant orthodontics or other more extensive treatments. It is also sometimes used to repair chipped or cracked teeth that are not severely damaged, since the resin can restore the look and function of a tooth.
Although dental bonding is durable, it is not as strong as a natural tooth and can break or discolor over time. It is not a good solution for patients who bite their nails, chew on ice, or grind their teeth, since these activities can damage the bonding material. Those who receive dental bonding should also brush and floss their teeth daily and visit the dentist for regular cleanings to maintain their appearance and health.