Teeth Whitening

The smile of a person greets others and the way someone smiles can share a lot of visual information about the self-esteem and self-image of that person. A warm and open smile shows that someone is comfortable with their appearance and generally has a good self-image. A person with a smile that is closed and not very inviting might not be confident in the appearance of their teeth due to dental issues or damage to the teeth. The teeth might be cracked or chipped or there could be issues with the teeth because of poor dental care on the part of the person. They could have an unnatural shape because of trauma or an accident to the teeth. Cosmetic dentistry improves the appearance of the teeth and can also be performed to improve the smile of a person.

Cosmetic Dentistry Techniques that Enhance the Smile of a Patient

Here are some of the most popular cosmetic dentistry methods that improve the smile of a person:

• Dental crowns, which are often made of porcelain, are placed on a tooth to protect it as well as restore the shape of the tooth. In addition, dental crowns improve the look and functionality of a tooth that has been chipped or cracked. The cosmetic dentist works to provide a natural appearance to the crown by shaving and reshaping the original tooth so it better fits the dental crown.
• Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that is performed to lighten the teeth by a shade or two so the teeth look whiter and brighter than in the past. Unlike other cosmetic dentistry treatments, teeth whitening can be performed in the office of a doctor or it can be performed at home. Teeth whitening performed at home can consist of materials that are bought over the counter in a store or the patient can use materials sent home by the dentist in order to be used by the patient. Teeth that have a look that is whiter and brighter after a teeth whitening treatment can improve the self-image of a person
• A dental implant is a dental solution designed for teeth that have suffered so much damage that they cannot be saved. Some of the damage that the teeth can suffer includes being decayed or broken or the teeth could suffer damage because of a traumatic event that impacted their look or functionality. Dental implants are placed in the mouth of a patient in order to fill-in a space left by a missing tooth. Dental implants also restore the appearance and functionality of the teeth in areas being treated by the dentist as well as prevent the remaining teeth from shifting out of place in the jaw.
• Invisalign is an ideal option for patients that do not want metal braces due to their appearance as well as their inability to be removed from the mouth by the patient. Invisalign, which are also referred to as invisible braces, are clear and thin plastic aligners that straighten the teeth without the need to wear traditional metal braces. Patients also enjoy the benefit of being able to remove the Invisalign aligners from the mouth when eating or brushing their teeth. In order to enjoy the maximum benefits that can be gained from wearing Invisalign, patients need to keep the aligners in the mouth for around 22-23 hours per day. The aligners are worn in a series of trays and they will apply a constant, yet gentle, pressure to the teeth so they are shifted into a more aligned position. The Invisalign aligners are worn for about two weeks before they are eventually replaced with the next aligners in the treatment series.
• A dental bridge is used to fill-in any areas in the mouth that suffer from a gap of any size between the teeth or they can be used to replace teeth that are missing.
• Dental veneers are thin shells that cover the front of decayed or damaged teeth. Veneers, which are often made of porcelain, are made to resemble the natural look of the tooth that they are covering on the mouth. They cover the damage to the tooth while also correcting issues such as discoloration or chips in the tooth.

Cosmetic Dentistry to Improve Functionality of the Teeth

Cosmetic dentistry is able to improve the appearance of the teeth and gums and also improve the functionality of teeth and gums. Patients that want to improve the functionality and the aesthetics of damaged or missing teeth should meet with a board-certified cosmetic dentist in order to have their current teeth examined by the dentist. The cosmetic dentist can determine the extent of the current damage to the mouth as well as let the patient know about the amount of functional changes that can be made with their teeth and gums. Once the patient knows the options available for their teeth, an appointment can made to create the desired changes and improvements to the function and appearance of the teeth.

MA