5 Common Types of Cosmetic Dental Procedure

A smile is one of the most important ways to show confidence and to make people feel at ease with you. When you meet someone comfortable with smiling, you are more likely to be attracted to them. Many people would like to smile as widely and brightly as possible, but they may have dental issues that make this hard for them. It is now possible to correct most dental issues affecting the smile.

Correcting dental issues for aesthetics is a branch of dentistry called cosmetic dentistry. You can get various procedures that give you that Ben Affleck million-dollar smile. It will significantly boost how attractive you are to the people you meet.

 

So, what common cosmetic dental procedures can you get from a dentist?

 

Teeth Whitening

One of the most common cosmetic dental procedures is teeth whitening. It is also the least invasive of the available cosmetic dental procedures. You may have a good dental care routine, but your teeth may still discolor over time. It comes from some foods and medications or lifestyle habits.

Whitening treatments are available for almost any staining on teeth. You can get a home treatment package from your dentist or have it done in-office.

 

Inlays and Onlays

These are also known as indirect fillings. Dentists use these when teeth have mild or moderate decay. They also use them if a tooth lacks enough structure to support a filling. The only condition is that the tooth cusps are intact.

If the cusp is intact, the dentist will place the inlay directly on the tooth. If a significant part of the tooth is damaged or the cusps are insufficient, the dentist will use an onlay. Onlays cover the entire tooth’s surface.

 

Bonding

Dentists use this procedure, commonly known as composite bonding, to repair damaged, discolored, or decayed teeth. The material they use closely resembles natural tooth enamel. The dentist will drill out and excavate the decay in the tooth. They will then apply the bonding material to the surface of the tooth.

 

Then, they will shape and sculpt the composite to look like a natural tooth. The newly shaped tooth is then exposed to high-intensity light to harden the composite material. Bonding completely covers the tooth to make it look like a completely healthy tooth.

 

Dental Veneers

These are also cosmetic dental options that are growing in popularity. Dental technicians make these dental caps from medical-grade ceramic. The dentist uses them to cover your natural teeth and change your smile's appearance. They are versatile as they can correct several issues like:

 

• Crooked teeth

• Cracked teeth

• Damage to the enamel

• Gaps between teeth
  
   

The veneer is attached to the front of the teeth with a special adhesive.

 

Implants

Implants are the last procedure on this list because it is one of the most intense dental procedures. Dentists use implants to replace damaged and missing teeth. The implant is a replacement root with an artificial tooth attached.

The procedure requires several sessions to complete and can span over a few months. The time frame is this wide because the titanium screw inserted in your jawbone needs to integrate into the bone.

For more information on the common types of cosmetic dental procedures, contact Rudell Gary S. Jacinto, DMD, at our office in Los Angeles, California. Call (323) 405-9428 to book an appointment today.