Over the past 10 or 15 years, there has been a significant increase in demand for cosmetic dentistry. A bright, healthy smile not only promotes confidence, but allows that confidence to be perceived by others as well. Fortunately, in the last decade, there have been considerable advances in cosmetic dentistry techniques making it possible for each of us to achieve our ideal teeth and smile. Some of the services generally provided by cosmetic dentists include tooth whitening, porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns, dental implants, and porcelain inlays and onlays.
Tooth whitening is one of the most basic services provided by cosmetic dentists. It’s a very simple, non-invasive treatment that serves to remove stains and discolouration from your teeth. The colour of teeth is one of the first things we notice about a smile, and while there are many different home whitening products, nothing is quite as effective as the procedures provided by cosmetic dentists. Moreover, your cosmetic dentist will be able to ensure your whiter teeth also match the colour of any dental fixtures you may have including fillings and crowns.
Porcelain veneers are very thin, custom coverings made in a professional dental laboratory that are bonded to the front of your teeth. Ultimately, veneers are utilized to improve imperfections in your smile, and they are often an alternative to crowns. In fact, as a dental restoration, porcelain veneers are useful to solve a wide variety of dental problems including correcting crooked or misshapen teeth, severely discoloured teeth, uneven spaces between teeth, and worn and chipped teeth.
Porcelain crowns are a cosmetic dental procedure meant to correct broken or fractured teeth, decayed teeth, fractured fillings, or as a cosmetic enhancement. There are actually many types of crowns, but porcelain crowns are among the most popular because they closely resemble natural teeth.
Dental implants represent the most permanent solution to missing or severely damaged teeth. Unlike dentures, dental implants are a fixed solution that provides more natural support and stability. Implants include an artificial root that is placed into the jaw bone, and artificial teeth that look and feel like natural teeth.
Porcelain inlays and onlays are a restoration for broken or fractured teeth, cosmetic enhancement, decayed teeth, and fractured or large fillings. Made by professionals in a dental laboratory, inlays and onlays serve similar purposes but they are slightly different. Inlays are permanently cemented to your teeth, and they are a more natural alternative to conventional fillings. On the other hand, onlays are sometimes known as partial crowns and are an alternative to crowns because they affect less of the tooth structure.
These are just a few of the services provided by a cosmetic dentist, and as you can see there are many restorations your cosmetic dentist can provide. Ultimately, the goal of cosmetic dentistry is to help you restore your smile and your confidence.
