subject: Cosmetic And Restorative Dentistry Specializes In Improving Smiles [print this page] Cosmetic and restorative dentistry is that branch of dentistry that uses a variety of procedures to improve the functionality and appearance of an individual's teeth in order to give them a winning smile. There are a number of cosmetic dentistry procedures that can benefit individuals of all ages whose current smile might be marred by crooked teeth, stained or yellowed teeth, chipped and cracked teeth or teeth that are uneven.
One of the most common and popular cosmetic dentistry procedures is tooth whitening, also known as tooth bleaching. Years of drinking coffee, red wine or tea, tobacco usage and smoking, as well as consuming foods that stain such as blueberries and tomato sauce can leave teeth looking discolored or yellowed. Tooth bleaching is the restorative procedure that can remove staining and help return most teeth to some degree of natural whiteness.
Another cosmetic dentistry treatment to improve a person's smile is inlays or onlays, an indirect tooth filling created using porcelain or other composite material, fashioned in a dental laboratory and then applied with bonding to help a decayed or damaged tooth look whole again.
Composite bonding is the technique that cosmetic dentists use to correct chipped, broken, decayed or discolored teeth by the individual application of a composite material that looks like tooth enamel. Once applied to the defective tooth, the dentist shapes and forms it to look like a natural tooth using a high-intensity lamp for hardening the composite material. This cosmetic application helps a deformed tooth blend in with adjoining healthy teeth for an unblemished smile. Such contouring or bonding makes the teeth look uniform, a key feature of an appealing smile.
Patients whose teeth are badly worn, chipped or discolored may opt for a procedure called dental veneers. These are thin shells or laminates made using composite material or porcelain which the dentist bonds to the front of the tooth. This procedure is especially helpful for disguising natural gaps in a smile and for brightening a smile which cannot be adequately helped by tooth bleaching.
A smile that features a missing tooth can make an individual look aged, but cosmetic dentistry can provide solutions in the form of a dental implant, an artificial replacement for the missing tooth that looks and serves as a natural tooth. Dental bridges are another cosmetic dental procedure that can successfully fill in the gaps left by missing teeth. Cosmetic dentistry can also make the teeth look more uniform by providing a gum lift to reshape or even out the gumline.
The benefits provided by cosmetic dentistry not only improve an individual's smile but a sense of self-esteem, because when the person looks in the mirror and smiles, he will really like what he sees reflected back. Many cosmetic dental procedures can be accomplished in just one or two visits, making a permanent improvement to an individual's smile with an investment of just a few hours time. Advances in cosmetic dentistry have also made most procedures pain free or achievable with minimal discomfort, making cosmetic and restorative dentistry more appealing to individuals who want to enjoy a full smile featuring unblemished white teeth.
by: Jonathan Ziegelman
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