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Cosmetic procedures are performed to correct yellow, crooked, stained, injured, misshapen, missing or deformed teeth, improving the patient's smile as well as his or her self-confidence. Cosmetic dental procedures include whitening, porcelain veneers, tooth-colored fillings, dental implants and dentures.
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Orthodontics is the term for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of dental and facial irregularities. Common orthodontic problems, or malocclusions, that require treatment include crooked teeth, crowding, spacing, protruding upper teeth, overbite, underbite, open bite and crossbite. Appliances such as braces are used to correct malocclusions by moving the teeth and jaw into proper alignment. Treatment is designed to help the patient both aesthetically (by improving the smile) and functionally (by improving the bite). Patients who undergo orthodontic treatment often enjoy greater self-confidence with their new smile.
Orthodontic treatment can help patients of all ages, although treatment is most effective as soon as a problem is detected. Children should have an orthodontic exam before they turn 7 to detect and treat any problems early and to ensure optimal results. It is important to treat malocclusions before problems worsen or cause tooth decay, gum disease, surface wearing, stress on the gum and bone, jaw misalignment, headaches or face and neck pain. |
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Bleaching products brighten teeth that have been stained or darkened by food, tobacco use, age or injury. There are a variety of in-office and take-home whitening products to reduce or eliminate such stains. In-office bleaching takes place over a series of one-hour appointments at the office. First, your teeth will be examined and cleaned to make sure there are no cavities, loose fillings, gum problems or other issues that may be exacerbated by the bleaching process. A custom-fit mouthtray will be made for your teeth. Then the bleaching gel is applied to your teeth in the tray.
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Composite bonding can work wonders for your smile. Using materials that match the shade, translucency and the texture of your teeth, gaps between teeth can be closed, spots and discolorations can be eliminated, and your self-confidence can be enhanced through the improved appearance of your smile. Composite bonding is excellent for small defects in the teeth - spots, chips, or gaps between teeth. For smile alterations involving an entire tooth or multiple teeth, however, porcelain is the material of choice.
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Dental inlays and onlays are solid fillings used to restore damaged or decayed teeth. They are often needed when there is not enough healthy tissue left in the tooth to support a regular filling. (If a tooth is severely damaged, a crown may be necessary to cover the entire surface instead of an inlay or onlay.) Unlike regular fillings, they strengthen rather than weaken teeth. Inlays lie within the cusps, or bumps, on the surface of a tooth, while onlays cover one or more cusps. They are often placed over two visits: one in which the tooth is prepared, a temporary filling is placed and an impression is made, and one in which the specially constructed inlay or onlay is cemented onto the tooth. Inlays and onlays made of composite resin or porcelain are tooth-colored, while those made of gold alloy offer increased strength and durability.
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Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin shells of porcelain that can be bonded onto the front side of teeth to make a cosmetic improvement in the teeth's appearance. Porcelain veneers are routinely used to idealize teeth that are stained or discolored, worn, chipped or misaligned.
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The back teeth are noticeable when we talk and especially when we laugh. Seeing dark, unsightly areas of metal can detract from what otherwise might be a perfect set of teeth. Now there are fillings available that are specially designed to match the natural color of the tooth. These directly placed, bonded resin fillings can make a tooth look like new, whether they are used for small areas of decay or to replace current fillings.
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Crowns are used to strengthen and improve the shape, size or color of teeth. They can support broken or weak teeth or those with large fillings; provide a smooth, strong, attractively contoured surface for stained, misshapen or otherwise abnormal teeth; and aid in the implantation of bridges and other implants.
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The healthiest thing to do when you lose a tooth is have it replaced. Otherwise, you risk problems with biting, chewing and speaking, headaches, muscle pain and an unattractive appearance. Fortunately, there are many comfortable, secure, natural-looking types of dental implants for tooth replacement.
Dental implants serve as the base for many tooth-replacement options, including bridges, dentures and individual artificial teeth. Implants are surgically implanted in the jaw to provide a comfortable, secure fit and a natural look.
In the first one or two appointments, the post or anchor is implanted in the jaw. The replacement tooth, bridge or denture is fitted and installed when the bone and gums have healed. Surgery may be performed in an office or hospital with local or general anesthesia. |
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