back Can
my dentist improve my smile?
From subtle changes to major repairs, your dentist can perform a variety
of procedures to improve your smile. There are many techniques and options
to treat teeth that are discolored, chipped, misshapen or missing. Your
dentist can reshape your teeth, close spaces, restore worn or short teeth
or alter the length or your teeth. Common procedures include bleaching,
bonding, caps, crowns, veneers, and reshaping and contouring. These improvements
are not always cosmetic. Many of these treatments can improve oral problems,
such as your bite.
Bleaching
Bleaching is a common and popular chemical process used to whiten teeth.
Some people get their teeth bleached to make stains disappear, while other
just want a whiter shade. Discoloration occurs in the enamel and can be
caused by medication, coffee, tea and cigarettes. Discoloration also can
be caused by your genetic make up or simply getting older. Bleaching can
be performed by your dentist in the office, or under dental supervision,
at home. Many patients enjoy bleaching at home because it is more convenient.
Treatment begins when your dentist creates a custom mouthpiece to ensure
the correct amount of whitening solution 10 percent to 20 percent carbamide
peroxide – is used and that your teeth are properly exposed. Typically,
whitening at home takes two or three weeks, depending on the desired shade
you wish to achieve. Whitening in the office may call for two to six 45-minute
visits to your dentist’s office.
Bonding
Bonding is tooth-colored material used to fill in gaps or change the color
of teeth. Requiring a single office visit, bonding lasts several years.
Bonding is more susceptible to staining or chipping than other forms of
restoration. When teeth are chipped or slightly decayed, bonded composite
resins may be the material of choice. Bonding also is used as a tooth-colored
filling for small cavities and broken or chipped surfaces. Additionally,
it can be used to close spaces between teeth or cover the entire outside
surface of a tooth to change its color and shape.
Crowns, also known
as caps, are used in cases where other procedures will not be effective.
Crowns, have the longest life expectancy of all cosmetic restorations,
but are the most time consuming.
Veneers
Veneers are placed over the front teeth to change color or shaped of your
teeth. Veneers are used on teeth with uneven surfaces or are chipped,
discolored, oddly shaped, unevenly spaced or crooked. Veneers are thin
pieces of porcelain or plastic cemented over the front of your teeth.
Little or no anesthesia is needed. Veneers are used treat some of the
same problems as bonding.
This treatment is
an alternative to crowns, which are more expensive. The procedure requires
your dentist to take an impression of your tooth. Before the custom-make
veneer is glued directly onto the tooth, your dentist will lightly buff
the tooth to compensate for the added thickness of the veneer. Once the
cement is between the veneer and your tooth, a light beam is used to harden
it. Porcelain veneers require more than one visit because they are fabricated
in a laboratory. Veneers have a longer life expectancy and color stability
than bonding.
Contouring
and reshaping
Tooth reshaping and contouring, is a procedure to correct crooked teeth,
chipped teeth, cracked teeth or even overlapping teeth in a single session.
Tooth reshaping and dental contouring, is commonly used to alter the length,
shape or position of your teeth. Contouring teeth may also help correct
small problems with bite. It is common for bonding to be combined with
tooth reshaping.
This procedure is
ideal for candidates with normal healthy teeth, but who want subtle changes
to their smile. Your dentist will take X-rays to evaluate the size and
location of the pulp of each tooth to ensure that there’s enough bone
between the teeth to support them.
Which
procedure is right for me?
Your dentist can answer many of the questions you may have about techniques
used to improved your smile. The condition of your teeth and desired result
you want often dictates the best procedure. If you are considering a treatment,
there are a few questions you can ask your dentist before deciding if
a particular procedure is right for you.
>What will the changes look like?
>What should I expect through the course of treatment?
>What type of maintenance will be required?
Your dentist will
answer questions you may have about the procedure, maintenance and price
to help you choose the treatment that best suits you. back
