Cosmetic dentistry is a type of professional dental care that focuses on repairing and improving the patient’s smile, teeth, and mouth esthetic. Even though most cosmetic procedures are not essential, various treatments can provide restorative benefits to the patient.
Like other dental practices, some procedures are relatively easy, while others are more challenging and require precise and specialized care.
Inlays and Onlays
Also known as indirect fillings, inlays and onlays are made by a dental laboratory using composite resin material. They are then attached to the tooth using adhesive dental cement. These are used when a tooth has any form of decay or too small of a structure to allow the dentist to use a filling. If there is no damage made to the tooth cusps, the dentist places the inlay directly on the tooth’s surface. However, if the cusp or a bigger section of the tooth is damaged, the dentist will use an onlay to cover the tooth’s entire surface. In the end, these support the tooth so that they can become stronger, restore their shape, and prevent any additional decay and deterioration.
Composite Bonding
Composite bonding is the practice using tooth-colored material to repair damaged, discolored, or decayed teeth. To do so, your dental professional will drill out the tooth decay and apply the composite material onto the tooth’s surface. They will then form the material to shape the tooth before using a high-intensity light to cure the material into place. Performing composite bonding, or “bonding” for short, creates the allusion of a healthy tooth by covering the damaged one underneath. Fortunately for patients seeking this treatment, it is one of the least expensive cosmetic procedures performed to treat worn-down edges and chipped, decayed, and cracked teeth.
Dental Veneers
Usually created using a medical-grade ceramic material, each patient’s dental veneers are individualized to resemble their natural teeth. This cosmetic treatment looks incredibly realistic because of the material used. It is an excellent option for patients with crooked or damaged enamel or apparent gaps between teeth. This procedure is performed using dental adhesive to apply the veneer onto the front of each of the patient’s teeth.
Teeth Whitening
This cosmetic dental procedure is one of the most common and basic procedures offered to cosmetic treatment patients. Once the dentist cleans the tartar, plaque, and other remnants off the tooth’s surface, they are then able to whiten the tooth and restore its natural appearance. If the patient is seeking an even lighter appearance, the dental professional can also bleach the tooth to whiten it further.
Implants
After tooth loss, patients can seek dental implants to replace the missing, original teeth. To perform this cosmetic procedure, the dentist must fill the missing tooth’s site by inserting a small titanium screw into its vacancy in the jaw. These implants become permanently secured in their place as soon as the surrounding tissue and bone fuse onto the implant itself. In addition, patients often seek this type of cosmetic treatment because of the indistinguishable differences between the implants and surrounding teeth. The most important factor to remember, however, is that patients with dental implants must practice careful and consistent oral hygiene during the implant placement period to keep the area clean.
If you seek any of the above cosmetic procedures, Schedule an Appointment with a Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentist Today!
Located at 10630 North Scottsdale Road, Douglas Family Dentistry serves families in Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Glendale, and surrounding Arizona communities. To schedule an appointment to discuss the dental procedures and services we offer, call our office today at 480-948-3680.
