Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry

Here you will find a listing of some more popular cosmetic dentistry procedures:

Dental Implants: Dental implants are offered to patients who want to regain tooth functionality in areas where their teeth have either fallen victim to decay or have simply outlived their time. Dental implants are not actual teeth, but rather artificail tooth roots. The roots are inserted into a patient's jawbone to mimic a real tooth root. The patient's jawbone is first drilled (not before the patient is administered anesthesia) to make room for the dental implant. However, prior to any drilling, the patient's jawbone is checked first to ensure that it is healthy and capable of supporting the implant. Once the drilling is complete, the implant is screwed into the place. The patient must then wait six or more months to allow the implant to fuse with the jawbone. Once the fusion is complete, a prosthetic tooth is placed atop the implant, and the patient is free to once again enjoy their teeth.

Dental Veneers: Dental veneers have a long history in cosmetic dentistry and for a good reason - they have transformed numerous people smiles. Dental veneers are thin sheets of procelain bonded to a patient's teeth. They can hide tooth discoloration, gaps, and other dental deformities. The cost of implants tends to exceed one thousand per tooth. Implants require lifestyle changes, including eating habit modifications. Certain foods should not be consumed by those with veneers. Dental veneers require committment, as during the procedure, the dentist will grind a substantial amount of the patient's tooth enamel off. The teeth will need to be covered to prevent decay once this enamel is removed. Most veneers last between ten and fifteen years. Thereafter, they must be replaced.

Teeth Whitening: Teeth whitening is a procedure quickly growing in popularity that can help those with severe tooth discoloration. It involves the application of a special gel to the teeth which can penetrate the tooth surface and remove discoloration. The treatment requires 1 hour for completion and the results can be seen immediately. However, the results of tooth whitening are not permanent. Patients will have to recieve followup treatments to maintain the whitening effect. Teeth whitening cost tends to start at $500 and can go onwards.