Cosmetic dentistry aims to improve the appearance of your teeth and gums. Cosmetic dentistry has significantly increased in popularity over the years as a result of social media and reality TV shows.
According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 99.7% of adults regard an appealing smile as a valuable asset, while 74% believe that an unpleasant smile can impede their career success.
If you’re thinking about getting dental treatment, here are some of the world’s most popular cosmetic dental procedures and how to get the best results from them:
1) Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening (or bleaching) is a standard cosmetic dentistry treatment. The simplicity of access and low cost make it an appealing alternative for anyone wishing to improve their smile aesthetics without enduring any invasive procedures.
The best results are usually obtained through in-office professional whitening treatment. However, there are a few dentist-dispensed take-home whiteners that allow you to do it yourself.
Depending on the type of teeth whitening treatment you choose, you can lighten your tooth’s color by two to nine shades. The results are transient, lasting many months (depending on how well you care for your teeth).
If you suffer from dental anxiety, you don’t have to worry when having this procedure because teeth whitening is absolutely painless and can be completed in a single appointment that usually lasts a few hours.
Your dental office may even make the experience more enjoyable by allowing you to listen to music or watch TV as you wait.
In most cases, a cosmetic dentist or dental hygienist will undertake teeth whitening therapy. Before getting your teeth whitened, they will adequately clean the teeth to eliminate plaque and tartar. This will help to achieve the best results.
For the best outcome, my dentist recommends that you ensure that you have a thorough dental care program that will help your results stay longer.
2) Dental bonding
Dental bonding, often known as tooth bonding, is a cosmetic dentistry process for repairing broken, chipped, or fractured teeth. The therapy also corrects tiny gaps and stained teeth.
Dental bonding is commonly used to fill gaps between two teeth, mainly in the front.
The operation is carried out in a dentist’s office, where a strong tooth-colored composite resin is placed.
This procedure is ideal when the tooth requires minor repairs. A dental practitioner will advise you on whether dental bonding is appropriate or whether another technique is more suited to your needs.
If a tooth is severely damaged, dental implants, crowns, bridges, or veneers may be a better option. Discussing your dental needs with your dentist will help you in determining the most effective treatment strategy.
3) Dental veneers
Dental veneers are among the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures. When done right, they can quickly transform your smile.
Veneers are tooth-colored, wafer-thin custom-made shells composed of ceramic or resin composite materials that are bonded to the front surface of the teeth to improve the patient’s smile.
Dental veneers are frequently used to repair chipped, broken, or weak teeth, small/short teeth, gaps, and a low gum line and to create a pleasing, symmetrical smile.
The substance used in veneers is quite durable, although it is not as robust as genuine tooth enamel. A possible dental emergency with veneers is chipping caused by biting down on a hard surface.
There are many types of veneers to choose from. The most common ones are:
Porcelain veneers: The most expensive form of veneer due to its durability, natural appearance, and stain resistance.
Composite veneers: These veneers, made from composite resin, have a natural appearance but are less durable and stain-resistant than porcelain.
No-prep veneers: These ultra-thin porcelain veneers can be installed without removing enamel or disrupting the natural tooth structure.
Temporary veneers: They are instant ‘snap-on’ veneers, and they are less expensive and of lower quality than permanent veneers and are not intended for long-term use.
Depending on how well you take care of your teeth, veneers often last 10 to 20 years. This implies that every ten to twenty years, you will have to update your dental veneers.
You should note that veneers are one of the most expensive cosmetic dentistry operations, and their lifetime cost can be high.
4) Tooth bonding
Tooth bonding, sometimes referred to as dental bonding, is a cosmetic dentistry technique used to repair cracked, chipped, or fractured teeth.
The therapy also addresses small gaps and stained teeth. Dental bonding is frequently performed on individuals who have a space between two teeth, typically in the front.
A robust composite resin substance that is tooth-colored is placed during the process, which is carried out in a dental clinic.
Tooth bonding is often used when a tooth requires minor repairs. A dental practitioner can advise you on whether dental bonding is appropriate or whether another technique is more suited to your needs.
If a tooth is severely damaged, dental implants, crowns, bridges, or veneers may be a better option. Discussing your dental needs with your dentist will assist you in determining the most effective treatment strategy.
5) Implants
Dental implants are the pinnacle of restorative and cosmetic dentistry, offering unparalleled strength and longevity while also resembling real teeth.
Implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss. They are made up of an artificial tooth root (usually titanium) that is surgically inserted in the jaw and bonds to the bone through osseointegration.
This is what gives implants their unmatched durability. A crown is placed on top of the implant to act as the actual tooth replacement. The operation is invasive, necessitating a six-month recuperation period before the crown can be implanted and the procedure completed.
When having the procedure, you should note that the cost of the procedure varies significantly from one case to the next.
The lifespan of dental implants makes them highly attractive. If you get a dental implant in your 30s or 40s, it should typically last you the remainder of your life. But after ten to fifteen years, you might have to change the crown on top of the implant.
Parting shot
These are some of the popular dental procedures that you can undertake. Regardless of the procedure you need, ensure that a professional does it in a professional dental clinic.