A Cosmetic Dentist helps to improve looks of teeth, but not necessarily the function. They have advanced degrees beyond general dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry differs from general dentistry. General dentistry focuses on hygiene, diagnosis of problems, and preventative care. The services provided by a cosmetic dentist are elective and not typically covered by dental insurance. There are several types of procedures a cosmetic dentist offers.
A popular cosmetic dental procedure is teeth whitening. Teeth whitening involves the use of bleaching agents to whiten teeth. Teeth can be whitened with a tray system or laser. A tray-based whitening system requires the dentist to get an impression of the teeth. The mold is designed to make certain the tray fits properly. The tray is filled with the whitening substance and it must be worn according to instructions. Laser whitening can whiten teeth in one hour. A powerful laser activates the whitening substance.
Dental implants can change the shape and color of teeth. They are frequently used to fix broken, missing, and chipped teeth. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots inserted into the jawbone for holding replacement teeth, dentures, or a bridge. Getting dental implants commonly takes several months. The implant needs time to fuse into the jawbone. In some case, a bone graft may be preformed if there is not sufficient jawbone. Statistics reveal dental implants have an 85%-100% success rate.
Dentals boning fixes chips and gaps in teeth. Dental bonds are tooth-colored material made out of composite resin. Dental bonds can commonly be completed in one visit to the cosmetic dentist. They are shaped to fit the teeth, bonded on the teeth with an adhesive, and dried with a powerful light. Tooth contouring is a non-invasive procedure mostly used to repair shallow pits, grooves in enamel, overlaps, and chipped teeth. The dentist must remove some tooth enamel to reshape the tooth. The patient should experience little or no discomfort. Tooth contouring is frequently done with bonding.
A cosmetic dentist like Dr. George Braithwaite DMD can greatly improve the looks of teeth and restore confidence. Getting a cosmetic dental procedure depends on the health of the patient. With the many types of procedures available, there is no reason to deal with a bad smile.
