Cosmetic dentistry refers to any dental procedure that improves the appearance of a patient’s teeth, gums, bite, or smile. These services can correct crooked teeth, stained teeth, gaps between teeth, a gummy smile, and more.
Cosmetic dentistry includes treatments that improve the appearance of your teeth. It enhances your smile and can help boost your confidence. The common treatments are:
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments because it’s quick, painless, and relatively inexpensive.
The in-office procedure, which takes about an hour, lightens teeth up to several shades. You’ll get immediate results, though your teeth may be sensitive to hot and cold after the treatment.
For at-home treatments, the whitening process takes about two weeks. Teeth whitening gels and whitening trays can be worn for varying amounts of time each day. Unlike in-office treatments, these won’t lighten teeth as quickly.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of dental ceramic that bond to the front surfaces of your teeth. These shells are custom-made for your teeth, so they’ll blend in seamlessly with your smile. Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant and will give you a natural-looking smile.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is the process of applying a composite resin to the teeth. The resin is matched to the color of the patient’s teeth. Once the resin is molded to the patient’s teeth, the resin is hardened and polished. They can be used to repair minor defects in the teeth.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are used to cap or “crown” a tooth that has been severely compromised by cracks, breaks, decay, or infection. They are also used to restore a tooth to its natural size, shape, and appearance.
Dental crowns are made from a variety of materials, including metals, porcelains, and ceramics. Porcelain crowns are the most commonly recommended type of crown, as they do not irritate the gums, look completely natural, and fit the tooth comfortably.
Dental Implants
Cosmetic dentistry treatments, such as dental implants, help restore the function and aesthetics of your teeth.
Dental implants are false teeth that are designed to look, feel, and function just like natural teeth. They are anchored to the jawbone just like your natural teeth are. The roots are held securely in place so they won’t slip or move.
Dental implants are a great choice for patients who are missing one or more teeth. The false teeth will provide support and stability so you can eat and speak without experiencing any discomfort.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is a fixed (non-removable) dental prosthesis that replaces one or more missing teeth. Your bridge is made up of two or more crowns that are bonded together to form a bridge. These crowns are attached on either side of the gap in your smile with a pontic (artificial tooth) to fill the gap.
Gum Lifts
Gum lifts can improve the look of your smile by exposing more of your teeth. This cosmetic dentistry treatment is also known as crown lengthening. It carefully cuts away some of the gum tissue surrounding your teeth. Gum tissue grows back naturally, so the treatment will need to be repeated every few years.
To know more about cosmetic dentistry, please reach out to the dental office located in San Mateo, CA 94401 at (650) 342-8618, and we’ll be happy to help.