Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry has been around for many years. In the past, gleaming metal orthodontic braces have been a common sight on children. Dentures and crowns have both been a fixture of dentistry for many years. But only recently have there been the technological advances that create many new possibilities for improving the appearance of your smile.

Current cosmetic dentistry includes many procedures to increase your smile’s appearance. These techniques can include porcelain veneers, dental implants and tooth whitening to return teeth to their original white color.

Whitening or bleaching teeth is the most common cosmetic procedure for teeth. Although it is best to have the procedure done by a licensed dentist, it can be done at home with over the counter whitening strips.

Enamel Shaping and tooth contouring are two methods used to reshape teeth that are not ascetically pleasing. Enamel shaping removes a small part of the tooth enamel. Tooth contouring is similar, but in addition to removing small bits of the tooth, tooth laminate is used to build up other parts for a more extensive reshaping. An even more involved procedure is dental bonding in which dental composite material is painted over the tooth surface and then sculpted into the desired form.

Another major advance in cosmetic dentistry is the development of tooth colored composite materials that are used in the above cosmetic dental procedures and also for filling cavities and other standard dental procedures. In the past gold or other metal mixtures were used, which were easily visible against natural teeth and also often contained mercury, a toxic metal.