Do you wish you could get rid of the gap between your teeth or that you could make your teeth whiter? Many people have a few things about their smile that they would change if they could. Luckily, cosmetic dentistry allows you to change those minor imperfections to improve the look of your smile.
Cosmetic dentistry is dentistry that focuses on improving the look of your smile in addition to its function. With this, all cosmetic dental treatments are intended to make your smile look naturally beautiful. This is accomplished through fixing aesthetic issues such as stained teeth, unevenly sized teeth, oddly shaped teeth, crooked or overlapping teeth, and teeth with gaps between them.
In fact, there are different types of cosmetic dental treatments available depending on what you want to fix about your smile. Some treatments focus on one single aesthetic issue, while others can address multiple issues. To help you decide which treatment may be right for you, let’s take a look at the top 5 cosmetic dental treatments:
Top Cosmetic Dental Treatment for Versatility
Dental veneers is the top cosmetic dental treatment among those who are looking for versatility. This is because veneers can address a number of cosmetic issues all at the same time. Veneers are thin shells, usually made from porcelain, that are adhered to the front side of the teeth. By having veneers placed, you can easily conceal cosmetic imperfections such as discolorations, unevenly sized teeth, oddly shaped teeth, cracked or chipped teeth, overlapping or crooked teeth, and teeth with gaps in between them.
Top Cosmetic Dental Treatment for Missing Teeth
Dental implants are the top cosmetic dental treatment among those who are looking to replace one or more missing teeth. Dental implants are tiny titanium screws that are implanted into the jawbone. Once they fuse with the surrounding bone, they are used as artificial tooth roots that can anchor a dental prosthetic like a crown, bridge, or denture. Because of their structure, dental implants can restore almost all of the tooth’s natural function, while also providing a restoration that looks like a natural tooth.
Top Minimally-Invasive Cosmetic Dental Treatment
Teeth whitening is the top cosmetic dental treatment among those who are looking for an easy and minimally-invasive way to improve the look of their smile. During a teeth whitening procedure, a whitening gel is applied to the surface of the teeth and left in place for around an hour. In this time, the whitening gel is absorbed into the tooth where it works to break apart the discolored molecules responsible for stains. In as little as one dental appointment, teeth whitening treatments can lighten your teeth by around 5-10 shades.
Top Cosmetic Dental Treatment for Minor Imperfections
Composite fillings and composite bonding are the top cosmetic dental treatment for addressing minor imperfections, such as small to medium areas of decay or damage. In the case of decay, the decayed tissue is first removed before the remaining cavity is filled in with composite resin. In the case of damage, such as chips or cracks, composite resin is bonded to the natural tooth structure to repair this damage. Composite resin is a dental material that can be customized to the color and shape of your tooth. This means that the restoration will blend in with the rest of your teeth.
Top Cosmetic Dental Treatment for Larger Imperfections
Dental crowns are the top cosmetic dental treatment for addressing larger imperfections, such as damage or decay that affects more than half of the natural tooth structure. Dental crowns can also be used to change the size, shape, or color of a single tooth. A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that encapsulates the entire visible portion of the tooth. This protects and preserves the natural tooth structure, while restoring the function and appearance of the tooth. In some cases, multiple dental crowns can be fused together with one or more fake teeth in order to create a dental bridge capable of replacing missing teeth.
