While the traditional dentistry procedures are related to maintaining of proper oral hygiene and prevention of major oral diseases, cosmetic dentistry is concerned with the improvement in the appearance of one’s teeth. Dental issues such as crooked or misshapen teeth, discoloration of the tooth surface and missing tooth can be solved with the help of various cosmetic dentistry procedures available.

Different Types of Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

With the rapid advancement in the field of dentistry, it has become possible to come up with a variety of different treatment options. Cosmetic dentistry is a vast field, with varied treatments available, according to the dental problems faced by a particular patient. The different types of cosmetic dentistry treatments available include-

Reclamation Of The Bite

This is the treatment suggested to patients who have undergone years of wear in their teeth as a result of too much grinding and reflux of acid. The bite reclamation treatment can help to change the vertical dimension of one’s face. Patients have seen an improvement in the appearance of their smile and their face overall.

Dental Braces

This method of cosmetic dentistry treatment is very popular among patients. One needs to wear braces in order to fix crooked or misshapen teeth as well as to correct their bite or the positioning of their jaw. The braces work to apply regular pressure on the teeth and push it into alignment ultimately. Normally, it takes about 1-3 years for the teeth to become fully aligned.

Nowadays, there are a variety of dental braces available-metal, ceramic and porcelain. While earlier, the treatment was only possible with the metal braces, with the introduction of the ceramic and porcelain braces which are less visible from afar, people are able to wear the braces with confidence.

Bridges And Crowns

The dental bridges are referred to as fixed partial dentures, and these are useful in replacing missing tooth or in closing a gap between two teeth. One can have the dentures made of a material of their choice- gold, porcelain or alloys. It usually takes 1-2 sittings to get the procedure completed. After the treatment has been completed, the dentures can last for a really long time, but it entirely depends on the quality of oral hygiene followed by you afterwards.

When you have a damaged tooth, a dental crown or cap can be an effective treatment method. It can help to restore the shape, size and appearance of the original tooth. The crowns or caps can be made from ceramic, metal, porcelain that is fused with metal. Cosmetic dentistry has allowed for the improvement of teeth that has been damaged beyond repair or that is stained and discolored.

Given that dental crowns are quite expensive, these are only recommended by dentists, when there is no hope with the other treatment methods. If looked after well enough, crowns can last for more than 10 years. However, it is important to maintain appropriate hygiene and also get regular check-ups from time to time.

Dental Implants

If one is looking for a permanent solution to missing teeth, a dental implant can be an appropriate plan of action. In this treatment method, dentists help to integrate a titanium screw inside the jaw and insert a dental crown on top of it. Even though, a dental implant procedure is considered to be very expensive, it is one of the best alternatives to dental bridges and dentures.

The procedure can take up to 3-4 sittings for it to be completed. After the dental implant has been inserted inside the jaw, dentists allow for the implant to be integrated with the jawbone. This process takes some time to be completed. Once this is done, the dental crown is then attached with the implant screw. After the treatment, the implant works just like a normal tooth. Patients can reap the benefits of the implant for a long time, with proper oral care and hygiene.

Teeth Whitening

This treatment has become very common these days. It involves bleaching of the teeth to get rid of any discoloration of the teeth or remove any stains from our teeth. Undergoing a teeth whitening treatment can help us to gain confidence in speaking or smiling. Given that this treatment hardly costs a lot, this sort of a treatment has become quite popular among a large number of people.

There are two ways in which patients can get a teeth whitening treatment- in-house or a take-home kit. In-house teeth whitening treatment involves undertaking the treatment at a dentist’s chamber. In such a treatment, you are guided by the dentist and you can be sure to get the desired result from the treatment. A take-home kit involves undertaking the treatment at home, with the help of the kit provided.

Veneers

If you are looking to change the appearance of your teeth, such as the color or the shape of your teeth, a veneer can be a good option. Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain sheaths that are tooth-colored and placed over the tooth surface. This can be an inexpensive method of cosmetic dentistry and help to make our teeth appear more appealing.

In order to get a veneer, you would have to take at least 2 sittings for the procedure to be completed. Once a veneer has been placed over your teeth, it can last for 10-15 years, depending on the oral care that you follow after the procedure.

Benefits Of Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

Given the vast number of people who undergo cosmetic dentistry procedures, and the positive reviews given by them, we can safely say that there are numerous benefits of undergoing such a treatment. Some of them include-

• One of the greatest advantages of the cosmetic dentistry procedures is that one is sure to see definite results from the treatment. With the help of proper treatment, chipped tooth, cracked tooth as well as misshapen tooth can easily be fixed with the help of the cosmetic dentistry procedures.
• Cosmetic dentistry can help to improve one’s physical appearance very easily. The way our teeth are shaped can have a huge effect on how we look. With the help of proper treatment, we can become more confident in our physical appearance.
• Cosmetic dentistry treatments last for a really long time. This helps to reap the benefits of the treatment, once it has been completed.
• Even though the cosmetic dentistry procedures cannot be considered cheap as such, but the costs are gradually coming down and more and more people are able to reap the benefits of the treatment procedures. Many dental insurance plans now also cover the cosmetic dentistry procedures. Patients, who are interested in undertaking a cosmetics dentistry procedure can check with their insurance provider to see if their procedure is covered by the insurance plan.

If you are thinking about undergoing a cosmetic dentistry treatment, you need to book an appointment with a cosmetic dentist near you and talk about the best treatment option for you. There are a variety of factors to consider, such as your age, the condition of your teeth as well as your overall health condition. Apart from this, treatment plan needs to be decided based on the procedure that will help you in the best possible way.

Many people stay away from the cosmetic dentistry procedures, given their fear of the cost of undergoing such a procedure. While a cosmetic dentistry procedure can be very expensive, there are dental insurance plans that help to cover the expensive of undergoing such a procedure. If you would like, you can enquire about the costs and about the dental insurance plans before undertaking any particular dental treatment.