Most people know a lot about the practice of general dentistry, but may not know much about cosmetic dentistry. A cosmetic dentist specializes in changing the look of people’s teeth to improve their overall appearance. An experienced cosmetic dentist has a large collection of techniques that can enhance a patient’s smile. Not surprisingly, having an attractive smile can boost a person’s confidence level. Take a look at just four of the ways that a cosmetic dentist can improve a person’s smile.
1. Putting on Porcelain Veneers. A veneer is simply a covering that goes over a tooth. It is designed to hide a discolored, broken or chipped tooth. Some people get veneers to cover teeth that are misaligned. A cosmetic dentist takes an impression of a patient’s teeth and then orders veneers to fit those dimensions. The dentist makes sure that the veneers fit properly and then permanently attaches them to the person’s teeth. Many people opt for veneers because they have a natural white color and are easy to take care of. With veneers, a person doesn’t have to worry about the condition of his or her smile. Though veneers are made with many types of material, porcelain veneers are the most common.
2. Bonding Work. Bonding is another technique used by cosmetic dentists to improve a person’s smile. A dentist can place composite resin on a person’s chipped tooth to repair it. Or, a dentist might use the bonding technique to fill in the gap between two front teeth. Bonding is an alternative option for someone who has one or two imperfections that they want to fix. A person may go to a cosmetic dentist for bonding work if he or she cracks a tooth on a piece of candy or injures a tooth during a fall.
3. Teeth Whitening. Teeth whitening is a procedure that is done on a daily basis in the offices of many cosmetic dentists. A dentist can whiten a patient’s entire set of teeth or whiten just a few teeth that have become discolored over time. Cosmetic dentists use a special teeth whitening formula that prevents staining and discoloration from coffee, soda and other drinks. People who have this done can enjoy white, sparkling teeth for several months or even a couple of years before returning to the dentist for another appointment.
4. Putting in a Bridge. A bridge is a device that cosmetic dentists use to fill in a large gap between teeth. According to Bonita Del Rey Dental Care, “A person who has lost two or three teeth in one area can get a bridge to fill in that space with natural looking teeth. Bridges are used on people who’ve lost teeth in an accident or perhaps they have missing teeth due to gum disease. A bridge can improve the life of someone who avoids smiling because of missing teeth. A professional cosmetic dentist can put in a bridge that blends perfectly with the rest of a patient’s teeth.”
Finally, cosmetic dentists have many other things that they can do to improve the look of a person’s smile. It may take a few appointments to complete a procedure or just one or two visits. It depends on what sort of procedure a person chooses to receive.
