Countless dental surveys have found that Americans place a very high value on the appearance of their teeth. A nice smile tops the list of the most important features to have along with clear skin, bright eyes and beautiful hair. Thanks to innovations in cosmetic dentistry, you can get a perfect smile in just a few appointments at Padonia Dental Associates in Cockeysville, MD.
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Any treatment that is performed to improve the look of your teeth falls under the category of cosmetic dentistry. Dental professionals have been administering cosmetic procedures for decades, and in ancient times people used shells, stones and animal bones to create makeshift dental restorations. Today, cosmetic dentistry is a $2.75 billion industry.
Top Cosmetic Treatments
Though patients most often go to the dentist’s office because there’s an urgent problem, some go specifically for a cosmetic solution. Here are some of the top cosmetic treatments used in dental offices across the country:
- Braces
- Invisalign clear aligners
- Crowns and veneers
- Porcelain inlays, onlays and tooth-colored fillings
- Cosmetic bonding and contouring
- Dental implants
- Professional whitening
Bonding
Bonding is a conservative way to repair slightly chipped, discolored, or crooked teeth. During dental bonding, a white filling is placed onto your tooth to improve its appearance. The filling “bonds” with your teeth, and because it comes in a variety of tooth-colored shades, it closely matches the appearance of your natural teeth. Bonding can usually be completed in one visit to our office.
Crowns
Dental crowns are a cosmetic restoration used to strengthen a tooth or improve its shape. Crowns are most often used for teeth that are broken, worn, or partially destroyed by tooth decay. Crowns are "cemented" onto an existing tooth and fully cover the portion of your tooth above the gum line. In effect, the crown becomes your tooth's new outer surface. Crowns can be made of porcelain, metal, or both. Porcelain crowns are most often preferred because they mimic the translucency of natural teeth and are very strong.
Dental Implants
If you've lost a tooth (or a few teeth) due to injury or disease, dental implants can rejuvenate both your smile and your oral health. A dental implant is essentially a synthetic tooth root in the form of a titanium post that is surgically embedded into the jawbone. An abutment, also known as a connector, is built and placed on the top of the implant and connects to the replacement tooth. The replacement tooth is a crown that is created to uniquely match your natural teeth. Dental implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss and offer the best stability and durability.
Veneers
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells made from tooth-colored materials such as porcelain. They are designed to cover the front side of your teeth. Veneers are natural in appearance and are a perfect option for patients wanting to make minor adjustments to the look and feel of their smile. With veneers, you can easily correct your teeth’s imperfections to help you have a more confident, beautiful smile. You no longer need to hide your smile because of gaps, chips, stains, or misshapen teeth.
Getting Your Perfect Smile
In some cases, your Cockeysville dentist will recommend a combination of cosmetic treatments to help you get your perfect smile. For example, your treatment plan may include Invisalign clear aligners to reposition your teeth and professional whitening to make them look brighter. In some cases your dentist might need to use both veneers and crowns to recreate your smile.
