2 Cosmetic Dental Applications That Can Transform Your Teeth

Dentist Blog

Even if your teeth are relatively healthy, their appearance may make you uncomfortable. When a person is uncomfortable with an aspect of his or her appearance, the individual may be less likely to feel confident or interact socially. Cosmetic dentistry can be helpful in fixing these issues.

A cosmetic dentist is trained to improve the appearance of the teeth. The dentist uses a wide variety of applications that target the shape, color, and placement of the teeth. Here are a couple of cosmetic dental treatments that are used to help teeth look more attractive.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are currently used to correct numerous dental flaws. Each veneer is placed over the front portion of a tooth.  As a result, observers only see the veneer instead of the underlying blemished tooth.

Veneers can be used in a number of restorative corrections. Here are several instances in which porcelain veneers are commonly applied:

  • Fractured teeth
  • Widely spaced teeth
  • Discolored teeth
  • Mildly crooked teeth

A veneer is a thin tooth-shaped shell made of porcelain that is bonded to a tooth. Before the veneer is cemented into place, the tooth to which the veneer is to be applied must be prepared for the application. A bit of material must be removed from the front of the tooth to ensure that the tooth can accommodate the veneer and still maintain a natural appearance. 

A veneer can be applied to a single tooth or to multiple teeth in the mouth. A full-mouth transformation can be completed by covering all of the teeth that are visible when a person smiles with porcelain veneers.

Dental Bleaches

Dental bleaches can be used to correct dental stains that are not permanent, such as food-based stains. Discoloration from food and drinks is considered removable. It results as the tooth enamel absorbs pigments and colorants from the beverages and foods that are ingested. 

Dental bleaches contain whitening agents, such as hydrogen peroxide, to help remove the stains. The products are available over the counter as well as through dental offices.

Over-the-counter whitening kits include instructions for self-application to ensure that the whitening process is as safe as possible. Abuse of whitening kits can cause uncomfortable dental sensitivity. In-office dental bleaching is performed by a dental professional and is the fastest and safest bleaching option. Results are often immediately visible after the first in-office session.

For more information about cosmetic dental applications that may be able to transform your teeth, schedule a consultation with a cosmetic dentist in your local area.

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19 October 2017

Improving My Dental Appointments

After dealing with a few root canals, I realized that it was time to take my dental hygiene a more seriously. I talked with my dentist about what I could do differently, and he was full of great suggestions that would help. He walked me through different ways to brush, floss, and take care of tartar buildup, and it was really amazing to see the difference that it made. I also started taking a fluoride supplement to strengthen my enamel. When I made it to my next appointment, my dentist was blown away with the improvement. This blog is all about improving your dental appointments by keeping your teeth healthier.