Aesthetic and Cosmetic Dentistry
Aesthetic and Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry refers to dental treatments that are designed to enhance the smile and correct chipped, cracked, discolored, and unevenly spaced teeth. From porcelain veneers to tooth-colored fillings, patients can choose from a variety of dental solutions to restore the health and vitality of their smile.
Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
Aesthetic dental treatments can be performed to correct everything from minor flaws in the smile to severe tooth discoloration, missing teeth, and uneven spacing between teeth. The following is a list of common aesthetic dentistry options:
View Teeth Bonding Before & After Photos
Types of Dental Fillings
- Dental amalgam: Amalgam, also known as silver fillings, are the least expensive type of filling.
- Tooth-colored composite resin: Composite resin fillings are more pleasing to the eye but are more expensive than dental amalgam fillings.
- Glass ionomers: This type of filling is primarily used in fillings below the gum line and in small children; the cost is comparable to composite resin.
- Gold fillings: These fillings are well tolerated by sensitive patients and are resistant to corrosion, tarnishing, and wear and tear but are among the most expensive filling materials.
- Ceramic or porcelain: Ceramic and porcelain fillings most closely mimic natural tooth color and can be as expensive as gold fillings.
Learn about composite and silver dental fillings, including the benefits and side effects associated with each material, before you decide to have your smile restored with this cosmetic dentistry treatment.
- A single implant can be used to secure a dental crown
- Multiple implants can be used to secure multiple crowns or a dental bridge
- Several strategically placed implants can be used to secure dentureson the upper arch, lower arch, or both.
Dental inlays and onlays are restorations used to repair rear teeth that have a mild to moderate amount of decay. They can also be used to restore teeth that are cracked or fractured if the damage is not severe enough to require a dental crown.
Inlays and onlays are usually made from porcelain, composite resin, and sometimes even from gold. Because they can be created from tooth-colored materials, inlays and onlays are often used to replace metal dental fillings for patients who desire a more natural looking smile. Read on to find out about how inlays and onlays may be able to enhance your smile’s health and appearance.
Dental inlays are used to treat teeth that have decay or damage lying within their indented top surfaces, between the cusps of the teeth. They can also be used to replace old or damaged metal fillings. Inlay placement is usually carried out over two appointments. During your first visit to the dentist, an impression of your tooth will be taken, and a temporary inlay will be placed over the tooth. The dentist will send the impression off to a dental lab, which will create the inlay to match your tooth’s specifications. When you return to the dentist’s office, the temporary inlay will be removed and the permanent one will be placed carefully over your tooth. There is no downtime after receiving a dental inlay, only a mild level of tenderness in the treated area, so you can return to work or other activities as soon as you leave the office.
Since dental inlays and onlays can be made from durable, tooth-colored porcelain, they offer much more enduring and natural-looking results than metal fillings. In addition, their customized nature allows dentists to securely bond them to the tooth surface, adding structural integrity and preventing bacteria from entering and forming cavities.
The Procedure
Inlays and onlays can be used to restore teeth that are affected by decay and cavities. The tooth-colored restorations can be used to fill in areas of inner or outer tooth surfaces; inlays refer to treatment in the center of the tooth, while onlays refer to treatment on tooth cusps or biting surfaces. Inlays and onlays are an excellent alternative to dental crownsand fillings. Like crowns, inlays and onlays are custom fabricated to fill in or fit your teeth, whereas dental fillings involve use of materials that can be molded into place during one visit.
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