Types of Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures You Need to Know About

They’ll Transform Your Smile Into One You’ll Feel Confident About

Nearly every celebrity has it: a perfectly white, perfectly straight, beautiful smile. But don’t think for one second that they’re born with it!

Instead, they rely on cosmetic dentistry to achieve that gorgeous grin. And today, many Americans are following suit, requesting treatments from a list of popular procedures that are minimally invasive or surgical.

Clear Aligners or Traditional Braces

One common cosmetic dental procedure you’re familiar with, but may not know is cosmetic is orthodontia!

Clear aligners or traditional braces are cosmetic treatments that work to straighten teeth and correct bite abnormalities, such as an open bite, overbite or overjet, underbite, or misalignment. They also even out the spacing between your teeth and fix crowding. Some people claim their orthodontia relieved their bruxism and TMJ, and has helped remedy uneven tooth wear.

Orthodontia is available for almost any age, and your dentist or orthodontist will come up with a plan to straighten your teeth over the course of as little as six months to a couple of years.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers cover the fronts of your teeth to give you a straight smile and fix gaps and chips in as little as one dental visit. Using digital imaging, your dentist will take detailed photos of your teeth and order porcelain veneers to be created especially for your mouth. Each veneer is as thin as a contact lens and fits over your tooth like a shell.

Veneers can be used to simply repair your smile, or you can get veneers for all your teeth to achieve that perfect Hollywood grin.

Bonding and Contouring

If porcelain veneers are out of your budget, a skilled cosmetic dentist can bond and contour your teeth to hide blemishes like chips or gaps. Bonding and contouring also corrects staining.

This composite resin is applied to the healthy structure of your teeth and is about as non-invasive as cosmetic dentistry gets.

Teeth Whitening
Over-the-counter whitening strips and whitening toothpaste don’t get nearly the same level of results as professional tooth whitening in your dentist’s office. These teeth treatments get results quickly, brightening your smile by several shades.

Your dentist can even prescribe at-home treatments that will deliver results in just a few days, if you prefer the do-it-yourself approach to teeth whitening.

Tooth Jewelry

If you like bling, you can add some to your teeth with one visit to your cosmetic dentist. Using a strong dental adhesive, your dentist will bond decorative gems to your teeth – as many as you’d like. There is no drilling required, and the procedure takes only minutes.

Tooth jewelry isn’t permanent. Eventually, your gems will fall off and need to be reapplied. You can expect them to last about six months, but results will vary; some people find they last longer.

Gingival Contouring
If, when you smile, excessive gum tissue shows above your teeth, you may have what is called a “gummy smile.” This is also known as excessive gingival display. There’s nothing inherently wrong with a gummy smile, but many people opt for a process called gingival contouring to improve the look of their gums.

Gingival contouring is done in a variety of ways, including the most invasive surgical lip repositioning or maxillofacial surgery; via orthodontics; or through laser treatment.

Dental Implants
Dental implants are the ultimate in smile restoration. Implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss and consist of a titanium screw being surgically implanted into the jaw, where it eventually fuses to the bone. A crown is then attached to the implanted screw, ultimately replacing the tooth with an all-natural look.

Total recovery time before the crown can be placed is about six months, so choosing dental implants is a big decision. Implants are also rather expensive, but the results are so incredible, people can’t help but want to get the procedure to replace their missing teeth.

Botox
Yes, you can get Botox for dental-related issues! Some people swear by Botox for its off-label use of relieving TMJ-related jaw pain. Some cosmetic dentists also inject Botox to correct fine lines around the mouth.

Which Procedure Is Right For You?
Cosmetic dentistry procedures are not for everyone. To find out which you’re eligible for – if any – you’ll need to make a consultation appointment with a cosmetic dentist.

The cosmetic dentist will check your overall oral health and ask you about your dental hygiene and whether you receive regular dental cleanings. Then, they’ll consider the condition of your teeth and talk to you about your goals.

Based on these conversations, the dentist will be able to provide you with a plan and cost estimate for improving the look of your smile.

Post Author: Angel Ethan