The Ultimate Guide to Esthetic Dental Treatments – Everything You Need to Know
Whether you have a single imperfection you want to fix or an entire smile you want to overhaul, there are several ways to achieve the desired results. Before you get started, make sure to discuss your cosmetic goals with a dentist. They’ll be able to evaluate your requirements and provide a detailed treatment plan.
Veneers
Veneers are a popular cosmetic treatment that can correct many cosmetically unappealing features of your smile. They can hide chipped, broken, discolored, or significantly worn teeth and fix any gaps or irregularly shaped teeth. According to professionals in esthetic dental treatments Happy Valley, OR, these shells of synthetic material are crafted to your exact specifications and are bonded to the front surface of your teeth to improve their appearance. This procedure can give you the smile you’ve always wanted! They can be made of porcelain or composite resin and customized to match your other natural teeth. When maintained properly, porcelain veneers are highly durable, have a more natural appearance, and can endure for several years.
Crowns
Crowns are the most common dental restoration used to repair teeth damaged by decay or other factors. They can be made from various materials, including porcelain and ceramic. Porcelain crowns are typically color-matched to natural teeth. They also have high transparency, making them attractive to patients. These crowns can be custom-layered over the natural tooth to create a beautiful aesthetic. They can also be bonded directly to the tooth, which transmits the underlying tooth color through the porcelain.
Inlays & Onlays
If a tooth needs treatment but is not damaged enough to require a crown, your dentist may recommend an inlay or onlay. Both types of treatments are effective in treating tooth decay and damage.
Inlays are similar to fillings but are molded and fitted inside the chewing surface of a tooth damaged by injury or decay. They are made using an imprint of the affected areas and sent to a lab for fabrication.
These restorations are generally stronger and longer-lasting than traditional fillings but may be more expensive. Porcelain inlays and onlays can be matched to the color of your teeth, making them more attractive.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic treatment that removes surface and deep stains from the teeth. It can be done at the dentist’s office or home with whitening products. Dentists and hygienists use a variety of techniques to get a whiter smile. These include in-office bleaching, whitening products, and over-the-counter whitening systems. Most whitening treatments use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to break down and minimize staining, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). Intrinsic stains are difficult to whiten, but some products can tackle them. In-office whitening often produces faster results than over-the-counter whitening because dentists can deliver much higher concentrations of peroxide than you can buy at the drugstore. But if you offer to whiten in-office, protect your patients’ tender gums before administering the peroxide.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a natural-looking and permanent solution to missing teeth. They are a conservative, long-term alternative to removable dentures or bridges and have a high success rate.
Implants are made of titanium, a biocompatible metal compatible with the human body. After placement, the bone heals around the implant through osseointegration. During this process, the jawbone grows around the titanium anchors and fuses with them. This allows abutment posts to be placed on top of the implant anchors and allow replacement teeth to be attached to them.