Everyone seems to be going to the dentist’s for a smile makeover. You do not have to hide your discolored, crowded, or crooked teeth anymore. A visit to a cosmetic dentist in Crestwood, IL will be able to fix your issues and in return, you won’t have to be overly-conscious.
Because everyone’s needs are unique, there is a wide range of options to choose from for a smile makeover. It should, however, be noted that not every option will work for you. It is for this reason that you should consult your dentist first to find out the one that best suits you.
Let us have a look at each of the procedures:
Teeth Whitening
Also known as teeth bleaching, the tooth whitening process involves lightening the human teeth’s color. Teeth may get discolored or stained for several reasons. You can safely brighten and whiten them by using whitening treatments or trying some home remedies. While teeth whitening is associated with several side effects, most of the treatments are safe given you follow the directions.
Causes of Teeth Discoloration
Teeth discoloration can be attributed to different factors.
- Extrinsic Discoloration: This is when smoking habits, beverages, or foods stain the teeth. Tea, coffee, red wine, and tobacco are the major contributors to this staining. Your tooth exterior is affected by these stains. To treat extrinsic discoloration, use whitening toothpaste targeting the exterior stains.
- Intrinsic Discoloration: This originates from the inside of the tooth. Childhood illness, tooth trauma, medication use, aging, or infections heavily contribute to this discoloration. Treatment involves professional bleaching.
Dental Veneers
These are thin shells in the color of natural teeth attached to your teeth’s front surface to improve their look. Mainly made from resin-composite or porcelain, these shells are usually bonded permanently to the teeth surfaces.
Flaws that can be corrected by veneers include broken, discolored, very small, and chipped teeth. If your tooth is chipped or broken, you may be fitted with one veneer. However, If there is need to create an even symmetrical smile, around six to eight veneers may be fitted. The eight front teeth on your upper jaw are the ones on which veneers are commonly applied.
Dental Implants
These are metal devices that serve to replace lost teeth. Commonly, the devices are made of titanium. They are surgically inserted inside the jawbone at the position of the missing teeth. Besides acting as the tooth root, a dental implant is tailored to provide anchorage to artificial teeth e.g. dentures, crowns, or bridges.
Dental Crowns
Crowns are also known as caps. They are designed to fit over the whole of your tooth after preparation by the cosmetic dentist. For them to withstand pressure for biting down, porcelain or acrylic fused to metal is used to make them.
Crowns correct flaws such as broken, chipped, badly decayed, and poorly shaped teeth. Also if you have large fillings or wish to cover teeth gaps, crowns might help.
Inlays and Onlays
Also known as indirect fillings, inlays and onlays are manufactures in a dental laboratory. They are used under two conditions; one, when your tooth has mildly or moderately decayed, and two, when there is insufficient tooth structure for anchoring a filling.
Your dentist will directly place the inlay onto your tooth surface provided there won’t be damage to the cusps. However, in the situation where there is damage to the cusp or a large fraction of your tooth, the entire surface of your tooth will be covered with an onlay.
In summary, inlays and onlays are designed in a laboratory at the dentist’s office. They are made from composite resin material. Adhesive dental cement is used to attach them to your teeth. Their function is to provide support to strengthen your teeth, restore shape, and prevent further decay or damage.
Composite Bonding
This refers to the process of repairing teeth that have been damaged, discolored, or decayed using materials with a similar color to that of the tooth enamel. During this procedure, the dentist will first drill out the decay. Later, they will apply the composite to the tooth surface then mold it into the right shape. Your dentist will then use a high-intensity light to cure the tooth. The process is simply referred to as “bonding” and it effectively covers any tooth damage giving your tooth a healthy appearance. Patients with chipped, cracked, or decayed teeth can opt for this procedure.
Looking forward to having a teeth makeover? Visit us at Family Dental Care in South Chicago today.
