Cosmetic dentistry is the art and science of designing a smile and aims at improving the aesthetics of a natural smile.
Your smile is the first thing someone notices about you. An attractive smile will always leave a positive and pleasing impression.
Cosmetic dental treatment can improve your personal and professional life. A pleasing and attractive smile can go a long way in improving your self esteem and self confidence.
Some of the most common treatment modalities in cosmetic dentistry are as follows:
Bleaching:
- Almost everyone wants white and bright teeth. Bleaching is a procedure performed to remove stains and to lighten the colour of the teeth.
- Bleaching can be done to erase the stains that come from coffee,tea,wine,cigarette smoke and chewing tobacco.
- Bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide ,in varying concentrations, are used by dentists.
- There are various types of bleaching procedures like home-bleaching,office-bleaching and power bleaching.
- Home bleaching can be performed at home under your dentist’s guidance.
- Office and Power beaching is performed by a dentist. The bleaching agents used here are stronger than those used for home bleaching. Office bleach would give faster and better results as compared to home bleaching.
- The effects generally last for many years,depending on personal habits and hygiene.
- The process is simple and effective.
- However, bleaching cannot be performed on all individuals. You must visit your dentist to see if you are a candidate for bleaching.
- Over the counter bleaching products are generally not very effective and could also damage your teeth and gums.
Bonding:
- Bonding is a simple,painless,cost-effective,and long lasting dental procedure .
- Tooth coloured composite resins are bonded onto the tooth, with the help of dental adhesives. These resins can be used to correct a variety of defects like gaps between teeth,chipped tooth, discoloured tooth and decayed teeth
- These resins can also be used for cavity filling ,instead of silver amalgam.
- Bonded resins are not very strong and are prone to get chipped. These resins also get stained over time and hence need to be polished regularly.
Ceramic Veneers:
- Veneers are thin shells of ceramic that are bonded onto the front surface of teeth and can be used effectively to create wonderful smiles.
- Veneers can be used to correct various dental problems like broken teeth,discoloured teeth,gaps between teeth,smile designing and enhancement.
- Ceramic veneers are highly resistant to staining and generally are long lasting.
Ceramic Crowns:
- Metal free ceramic crowns have all but replaced the use of metal in preparing crowns.
- The end result is very aesthetic and the crowns can be made to appear like natural teeth.
Orthodontics:
- Braces can be used to reposition and correct malocclusion. Crowded teeth and gaps between teeth can be corrected using braces.
- Treatment involving braces requires much more time .Duration of treatment could range from 1-3 yrs. However,as compared to other treatment modalities, orthodontics is non-invasive and does not involve grinding of teeth.
- Invisible braces have redefined orthodontics and is very widely used.
Periodontics:
- The appearance of the gums could also be modified to improve a smile.
- Conditions like gingivitis and periodontitis can affect the overall appearance .
- The position of the gums can be repositioned to present a more pleasing smile.
Dental Jewellery:
- For those who desire a sparkling smile, the use of dental jewellery could be a wonderful option. Highly polished jewels like diamonds can be bonded on to the front surface of a tooth.
- Dental jewellery can be used as a style statement. It is a very simple procedure and the end result could be extremely pleasing.
If you are too self-conscious of the colour, shape and position of your teeth and if your teeth are too dark,crooked,overcrowded or chipped,then cosmetic dental treatment could be a helpful solution.
A pleasing smile is not just for film stars. Everyone can have a beautiful smile. If you do not have a pleasing smile,your dentist can help you by improving your smile.
The best way to begin is by visiting your dentist.
