Cosmetic dentistry has been around since dentists first began improving patients’ appearance through dental work, but in the 21st century it has become a specialty. Practitioners can now get extra training in various cosmetic dentistry procedures to help you get—and maintain—the smile you want.
Analyzing Your Smile
The process of enhancing your smile begins with a thorough analysis, to discover where improvements can take place. To do this, the dentist evaluates:
- the shape, size and colour of your teeth,
- your gum line and condition,
- tooth alignment and spacing,
- your bite closure and the position of the upper and lower jaws
- the shape and condition of your face, lips and skin.
From this examination, we can figure out how cosmetic enhancements will affect your overall appearance, because changing one aspect can alter your entire look.
Cosmetic Procedures to Choose From
In addition to simple improvements you can make such as regular cleaning, polishing, home and professional whitening, there are a host of other cosmetic dentistry procedures you can consider.
#1: Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a common procedure for anyone with a chipped or discoloured front tooth. Your dentist applies a composite material to the tooth, which bonds as it hardens. It fills any small surface cavities, chips and cracks, and covers stains or areas where the tooth root is visible. The bonding material is carefully matched against the colour of your tooth, and once it’s trimmed and polished, it’s practically invisible. It’s an affordable and quick cosmetic dentistry procedure and the results can last for several years.
Click here to learn more about the dental bonding procedure.
#2: Cosmetic Crowns
Dental crowns are porcelain tooth covers custom-made to fit and blend in with the colour and shape of your natural teeth. We fit these to repair damage from decay or trauma or to improve the appearance of teeth that were odd-shaped or wrongly sized from the outset. A crown will support and protect the tooth beneath it, while restoring the appearance of the tooth invisibly and effectively. The process is quick and pain-free, and we do it right in our Scarborough dental office.
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#3: Porcelain Veneers
A typical dental veneer is an ultra-thin layer of porcelain-based material applied to your teeth to replace the tooth enamel. If your teeth are mostly in the right position in your jaw and in a healthy condition, adding veneers can enhance your smile, hide stains, and fix minor spacing problems like tooth gaps. Veneers can also be made from composite resin, for a faster and more inexpensive restoration that lasts from 5 to 7 years on average.
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#4: Dental Implants
The ultimate in cosmetic dentistry procedures is tooth restoration through dental implants. These are artificial teeth mounted on posts and inserted surgically into your jawbone. They behave exactly like natural teeth, which means you can brush and floss them, eat any food you like, and never need to take them out. Implants are also the most natural-looking artificial teeth you can get. Getting them installed takes longer, but once you have them, you’re set for life unless you have an injury to your mouth area.
Click here to learn more about the dental veneers.
Cosmetic dentistry procedures don’t need to be frightening, and all the options mentioned here will result in better outcomes than if you do nothing.
Schedule an appointment today with our dentists in Scarborough to find out how we can enhance your smile and confidence.