Best Cosmetic Dentist – Not All Cosmetic Dentistry is the Same

Not all cosmetic dentistry is the same. Not all dentists have the same credentials. If you want to be sure that the care you are getting is on the cutting edge of art, science and technology, you should also be sure to do your research on dentists and the procedures they offer.

That research always pays off. When you find the right dentist, you know that your cosmetic work will be completed with a focus on health, function and beauty. Without the proper combination of those elements, your work won’t be comfortable, won’t last, and may even damage your teeth.

Why should I consider cosmetic dentistry?
If you feel self-conscious about your smile, especially if you cover it or avoid smiling altogether, you are the ideal candidate for cosmetic dentistry. Remember, cosmetic dentistry, despite its name, is not only about the way you look. Cosmetic dentistry can repair and strengthen chipped, cracked, broken or worn-down teeth and can even allow us to replace missing teeth with strong, secure dental implants. Best of all, cosmetic dentistry from the right dentist works to restore teeth and body to symmetry and unity.

What are the most popular procedures offered by cosmetic dentists?
There are hundreds of ways a good cosmetic dentist can improve and enhance your smile, from simple and effective whitening to a full mouth rejuvenation or makeover.

To keep smiles white and bodies healthy a cosmetic dentist should never use silver-mercury amalgam fillings to repair teeth. Cosmetic dentists can replace older, failing amalgam restorations with porcelain inlays and composite resins to create fillings that not only look natural but are also longer lasting than materials of the past.

Strong and beautiful porcelain veneers can be used to dramatically rebuild and perfect front teeth. Porcelain veneers are thin sheets of ceramic that bond directly to the front surfaces of the teeth. They are an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility. When bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers are highly resistant to coffee, tea or other staining agents. For strength and appearance, their resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel is unsurpassed by other restorative options.

Porcelain crowns offer another effective and popular restoration. If your teeth have been badly damaged and need structural integrity and support, dental crowns may be your ideal choice. Make sure the cosmetic dentist uses metal-free crowns which are beautiful, biocompatible and look more like natural teeth to restore strength and eliminate discomfort. These all porcelain materials can also be used for dental bridges for the most natural beauty and comfort.

My smile is really uneven. Are there any simple ways to fix that?
Sometimes an uneven smile needs the perfecting qualities of porcelain veneers to achieve true harmony. Other times, simple procedures such as recontouring or bonding can solve the problem. If your teeth are uneven, a cosmetic dentist can use tooth recontouring to quickly and painlessly create a more harmonious smile by reshaping chipped or misaligned edges. Sometimes a cosmetic dentist will combine tooth recontouring with the art of bonding.

Bonding is a method of restoring decayed teeth or making cosmetic improvements to change the color of teeth or reshape teeth with a composite resin filling. First, the surface of the teeth is prepared for the bonding material. Next, bonding material is applied and sculpted, colored and shaped to provide an attractive, natural-looking result. A high-intensity light hardens the resin. Finally, the surface is polished to a luminous sheen.

Occasionally a patient’s smile appears uneven, not because of the teeth, but because of an uneven or low gum line. When that is the case gum contouring may be recommended. Gum contouring is basically a simple gum lift, but it can lengthen, reshape and even the look of teeth. The use of a laser and a topical anesthetic quickly reshapes the gum line, creating an even, more beautiful smile.

If your teeth are crooked rather than uneven then your cosmetic dentist may recommend straightening your teeth with Invisalign® the invisible way to correct your bite and straighten your smile. Unlike traditional braces, these aligners can be removed for eating and oral care and are made of comfortable, clear materials that won’t chafe, pinch or poke.

How can a cosmetic dentist replace my missing teeth?
Many options are available, including bridges and implants. There is no reason to live with missing teeth. Replacing missing teeth can boost self-confidence and allows remaining teeth to last longer by reducing the stress placed on them.

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your bone to hold a replacement tooth, bridge or denture. Dental implants are an ideal option for anyone in good general health who has lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, injury or decay.

A dental bridge is a sequence of custom-made false teeth that is placed permanently between two healthy teeth, filling in the area left by a missing tooth or teeth. The bridge is held in place by porcelain crowns on the healthy teeth on each side of space to be filled. A bridge created by a good cosmetic dentist should be completely metal-free. As a result, such a bridge absorbs light, creating a natural-looking smile with no dark lines. Cosmetic dental bridges reduce the risk of gum disease, help correct some bite problems and help improve speech.