subject: Cosmetic Dentistry- What You Need To Know [print this page] If you are one of the millions of people in America that are unhappy or unsatisfied with the shape or appearance of your teeth, cosmetic dentistry might be the solution you have been looking for. As dental technology has become more and more advanced over the years, cosmetic procedures have gotten more and more effective at improving the appearance of your smile. Today, there are a number of different treatments that are able to improve the appearance of your smile.
Dental Veneers
One way your dentist may be able to improve the look of your smile is through the use of dental veneers. Veneers are thin custom-fitted shells of tooth-colored material that are directly attached to the front of your teeth to improve their appearance. To put veneers in, your dentist will begin by removing about millimeter from the enamel on the front of your teeth. After an impression is taken and sent to a dental lab, you will generally need to wait between two and three weeks for your permanent veneers to be created. When they are ready, your dentist will do a final check for coloring and fit. If everything is correct, he or she will then use cement to permanently attach them to your teeth. Once put in, veneers will improve the coloring of your teeth and cover any small gaps in your teeth.
Teeth Whitening
Another popular method to improve the appearance of your teeth is teeth whitening. The quickest and most effective way to do this is to have your dentist perform the procedure in a single appointment in his or her office. Using a combination of whitening gel and a special light or laser, your dentist will be able to significantly whiten your teeth. If you do not want to spend the money on an in-office procedure, your dentist can also provide you with a customized take-home whitening kit. He or she will take a detailed impression of your teeth and create a set of whitening trays that will fit perfectly to your teeth. You will fill them with whitening gel and wear them on your teeth every night for about an hour for approximately two weeks. After this, your teeth will be much whiter.
Dental Crowns
If you have a single tooth that is chipped, broken or otherwise disfigured, your dentist may be able to repair your smile with a dental crown. A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is directly installed on top of your tooth to improve its size, strength, shape and/or appearance. To put a crown in, your dentist will need to reduce the size of your tooth in order to make enough room for a crown to fit in your mouth. An impression will be taken of the area in order to create a crown that will fit perfectly to your bite. Once it is ready, your dentist will permanently cement the crown into place, where it will both function and look like any of your natural teeth.
To learn more about cosmetic dentistry or to schedule an appointment, contact your dentist in Roseburg today.
