Introduction

It is true that a beautiful, dazzling white smile is desired by everyone  At the same time, it is also true that many people have teeth that are either stained, discolored, worn, chipped, broken, misaligned, misshapen, or have gaps between them.

The good news is that modern cosmetic dentistry has an effective solution for these issues which can act as a ‘Smile Makeover’. 

The term Cosmetic Dentistry implies optional procedures which can quite effectively improve the appearance of your smile through one or more procedures.

Cosmetic dentist working at Morgan Hill Dentistry can work with you to develop a treatment plan best suited for your problems after a detailed discussion with you.

The treatment plan may consist of restoring, reshaping, or restructuring teeth and at the same time enhancing their color to camouflage any discoloration or stains.

In the following article, we will discuss the various types of cosmetic dental procedures available, to help you make an informed decision.

What are the Types of Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic Dentistry involves several procedures but all procedures do not work for everyone. The decision about the best method suited for your needs can only be made after a discussion with the dentist.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening or teeth cleaning is undoubtedly the most popular, simplest, and least expensive way to whiten and brighten discolored or stained teeth.

The dentists use in-office products to bleach the teeth in the dental office. Some over-the-counter whitening products are also available at retail stores for effective at-home whitening. These include whitening toothpaste, rinses, and Whitestrips.

However, it’s interactive to mention that not everyone’s teeth can be bleached, so it is important to check with the dentist first.

Dental Veneers

Dental Veneers are wafer-thin shells, which are custom-made out of tooth-colored porcelain or composite material. 

The dentist gently files down about half a millimeter of enamel from the tooth surface and takes an impression which is sent to a dental lab for customizing the veneers.

The patients are given temporary veneers until the permanent ones get made in the lab. Your dentist then cements these thin shells to the front surface of the teeth.

Veneers are used to treat and correct dental issues like slightly crooked, discolored, chipped teeth, or even to bridge the spaces between the teeth.

Cosmetic Dental Bonding

Dental Bonding or Tooth Enamel bonding is one of the least expensive and simplest techniques used in cosmetic dentistry for people who have deeply stained or chipped teeth and close gaps.

A tooth-colored resin which is the same as used in white dental fillings is bonded or adhered to the tooth using ultraviolet or laser light.

This material being moldable allows the dentist to shape it to fit the ideal, beautiful shape desired by the patient. The tooth is then trimmed, shaped, and polished. Bonding is also a good cosmetic alternative to amalgam or silver fillings.

Dental Crown

Dental crowns or caps are custom-made to fit over and replace the whole tooth which is either decayed, broken, or damaged above the gum line.

It helps to restore its shape, size, strength & appearance. Dental crowns are generally made out of acrylic or porcelain fused to metal to allow them to withstand biting pressure.

They can also help to keep a weak tooth from breaking or to hold a cracked tooth together. In cosmetic dentistry, the crowns can be used to cover teeth that are misshapen, decayed, chipped, badly discolored, or have had large fillings. They can also be used to cover spaces in between teeth.

Also Read: What is Considered a Dental Emergency?

Inlays and Onlays

Also known as indirect fillings, Inlays or Onlays are made from gold, porcelain, or composite material. They allow the dentist to fill decayed or damaged teeth. 

Whereas dental fillings are molded into place during an office visit, Inlays and Onlays are built in a dental laboratory & bonded into place by the dentist.

“Inlay” is the filling where the material is bonded within the center of a tooth whereas “Onlay” is when the filling encompasses one or more points of the tooth or covers the biting surface.

Inlays and Onlays allow the preservation of as much of the healthy tooth as possible and are usually used as an alternative to crowns.

Dental Implants

One of the most effective solutions for the missing tooth or teeth, Titanium replacement tooth roots that are surgically placed into the bone socket of the missing tooth are called dental implants.

The jawbone upon healing after the implant surgery grows around the implanted metal post, securing it into the jaw.

This implant post acts as a tooth root, providing an anchor for a replacement tooth such as a crown, bridge, or denture.

Enamel Shaping

A painless process in which the dentist reshapes the tooth by filling or reducing some of the enamel, the ‘Enamel Shaping’ or ‘Cosmetic Tooth Shaping’ can produce immediate effects.

Dental Bridge

A dental bridge is made of crowns for the teeth on either side of a gap with false teeth in between and can be used to replace one or more missing teeth & to fix a gap where numerous teeth are missing.

It not only helps to improve the smile but also allows the person to talk, eat, and smile in a more natural way.

Cosmetic Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontics is not only for kids, as many people continue to believe. The treatment opportunities from orthodontists for cosmetic purposes are being opted for by more and more adults these days. 

Our Orthodontic specialists at Morgan Hill Dentistry are helping many adults to straighten their buck teeth or crooked teeth. 

What is the Cost of Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is usually not covered by insurance as it is not considered medically essential. 

However, a few dental plans may cover a fraction of the cost of a specific cosmetic dentistry procedure like crowns, especially when used to repair a structural problem that can negatively affect the overall health of the mouth. 

Costs of Cosmetic 

Dentistry is also affected by other factors like:

• Where the person lives
• Type of procedure sought
• The level of difficulty and extensiveness of the procedure

However, the type of benefits you get from these procedures regarding your self-esteem and face aesthetics are worth the cost!

A Word from Morgan Hill Dentistry

Are you looking for viable and cost-effective options to fix your dental problems and restore a dazzling smile? 

Then we are here to help you as our expert dentists can fix almost anyone’s teeth to give them the smile they wish for.

Gone are the days when cosmetic dentistry was limited to just teeth whitening and veneers. We can now help you effectively restore missing teeth and teeth function.

Do not let the shape of your teeth hamper your personality and confidence and consult our expert team to discuss the procedure best suited for your needs.