Cosmetic dentistry has both simple and complex procedures to fix a person’s smile. The majority of the procedures are corrective which means they are designed to fix teeth that are crooked and damaged, or replace teeth that are lost. It is not just teeth that are prepped to look good, the gums and bite are also corrected. The entire facial appearance of the person improves when oral and dental health is enhanced by cosmetic procedures.
Cosmetic dentistry has complex dental surgeries that require more recovery and healing time. They are performed under anaesthesia just like other dental procedures. Complete mouth reconstruction is also possible using this procedure. All the procedures are planned and decided after dental consultations with cosmetic dentists.
Those who suffer from the following conditions may be good candidates for cosmetic dentistry procedures.
As one ages, teeth change their colour to become dull and yellowish. This also happens due to medication or accidents or trauma to the mouth. If that is the case, then cosmetic dentistry will help by way of its different procedures.
Due to aging, there is also loss of dental enamel. This is the protective covering over the teeth that offers support to the nerve endings in the core of the teeth. With the help of teeth whitening procedures available in cosmetic dentistry, discolouration of teeth can be fixed.
There are different types of stains – intrinsic and extrinsic. After a dental consultation, the dentist will diagnose the type of stain that is present in the teeth and then formulate the treatment plan. Doing the teeth whitening procedures gives better results than compared with in-house whitening procedures as the dentist will be able to take care if there are any issues during the process like irritation of the gum lining due to whitening products.
Dental enamel can also be restored if some loss has happened. This is dependent on the amount of enamel loss. It may be as easy as brushing with toothpaste that provides the required enamel, or it might entail a consultation with your dentist on how to improve dental health.
In extreme cases, enamel abrasion is done to provide perfect white sparkling teeth.
Dental veneers are also used to correct malformed or discoloured teeth. Dental veneers may be applied to teeth that have been misshaped or discoloured to assist them recover their form and ensure they can function properly again. Veneers are created by taking moulds from the natural teeth and shaping them to perfection. The form and colour of the veneers are chosen to match the natural teeth.
Many have the issue of having ‘too many teeth’ or overcrowded teeth. This also happens if the teeth do not occupy the correct position in the jaw line. Teeth become crooked and they overlap and press against each other. In this condition, there are high chances of having tooth decay. Decay in the teeth is caused by bacterial action.
When teeth are crooked or when they overlap against each other, then food particles get trapped between them. If there is no proper cleaning, bacteria get attracted to these particles and they act on them. This will release an acid that will erode the teeth. The teeth lose their structure and functional ability by this bacterial action.
With different procedures available in cosmetic dentistry like braces or Invisalign appliances, the overcrowded/crooked teeth are corrected. These devices will push the teeth to their correct position, this is done by slowly applying pressure to the teeth.
If there are too many teeth then ‘extra teeth’ are extracted as well. Braces are available for children and adults alike to help with this issue. For those who are conscious of wearing braces, there are invisible braces/ Invisalign that will provide the support and correctional features of braces while being invisible to others.
When decay reaches the roots, the whole teeth may fall off. In case of severe damage the tooth may also be manually extracted. Either way, a tooth is lost.
Dental implants can aid in the restoration of a damaged smile when there is tooth loss. In this situation, dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. They are secured to the jawbone with titanium anchors and replacement teeth are attached. Single teeth replacements or many teeth may be treated with these implants. The replacement teeth blend in with the surrounding teeth and are not apparent as a dental prosthesis because the anchoring is in the jaw bone.
Another problem that occurs in individuals is the ‘gummy smile,’ which involves a large quantity of exposed gum when smiling. By employing various cosmetic dentistry techniques, such as laser gum contouring and reshaping, this problem can be alleviated. Replacement teeth can be expensive and require surgical treatment, which makes it a difficult technique. Following the surgery, patients must follow all of the post-op instructions provided by the dentist to ensure a speedy recovery.
Mentioned above are only some of the major ways in which cosmetic dentistry supports people who have different issues. The benefits that cosmetic dentistry provides are just not sparkling white teeth.
Besides this, cosmetic dentistry also offers a wide range of support to oral and dental health by means of several different procedures. Depending on the specific needs of each individual, a dentist who specialises in cosmetic dentistry diagnoses the problem and provides the solution.
The current level of oral and dental health is a key factor that guides the decision about which cosmetic procedure is possible or ideal. It is important that after every procedure, proper care and hygiene measures must be taken to continue to maintain the benefits obtained by cosmetic dentistry. If the person goes back to the earlier methods of poor oral hygiene, then it will increase the chances of tooth decay and damage. Regular brushing and flossing along with regular dental check-ups are important in maintaining oral and dental health.
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