The Different Types of Affordable Cosmetic Dentistry

If you could change one thing about your smile, what would that one thing be? Perhaps, it is a crooked or misshaped tooth, or maybe it’s a chip in your tooth or the color of your teeth. Thanks to cosmetic dentistry, these less-than-ideal teeth can be treated so that you can reclaim your confidence when you smile!

Generally speaking, cosmetic dentistry refers to any dentistry that improves the appearance of your teeth. This could include treatments such as inlays, onlays, composite bonding, dental veneers, teeth whitening, crowns, and implants.

Depending on your cosmetic needs, you could be a candidate for one or several of these treatments.

Composite Bonding

Composite bonding is a type of procedure in which composite resin material is shaped and cured to your tooth. This type of bonding can help fix a chipped tooth. But it can also reshape teeth and help improve the look of a stained tooth. Bonding is usually a simple process in that it can usually be done in one appointment and typically requires less of a financial investment than other cosmetic treatments.

Teeth Whitening

Are you happy with the color of your teeth? Giving your teeth a whitening treatment can help brighten your smile and make you look years younger!

Studies show that tea, soda, red wine, and dark foods can lead to your teeth staining or yellowing over time.

Aging can also lead to yellowing and darkening of your teeth.

Teeth whitening might sound a bit scary but it is actually a straightforward and safe process. Most patients like that much of it can be done at home through the use of custom trays.

Dental Veneers

Some cosmetic dental procedures can be a little more invasive and costly than others. Dental veneers, crowns, and dental implants fit into that category, but they also allow your dentist to do amazing things with your smile! The other beautiful thing is that they tend to be longer lasting than other options like composite bonding.

A dental veneer is a thin piece of porcelain custom-made to fit over your tooth’s front surface. Your dentist will shave off a thin layer of your natural tooth, and then custom make a veneer that can change the look of your tooth in any of these ways:

• Shape
• Length
• Color
• Size

The best part of veneers is that they look unbelievably realistic and they still allow you to keep most of your natural tooth!

Crowns

Dental crowns, also often called dental caps, are placed over teeth that no longer have enough natural tooth structure to support the tooth and function as they should.

A natural tooth is prepped for a crown by removing the outermost layers of the tooth. This allows for enough space for the custom crown to be cemented onto the tooth. Dental insurance will often pay for a large portion of a crown.

Crowns can be used in many different situations such as:

• Covering a tooth that has lots of wear or is chipped
• Covering a tooth that is misshapen or discolored
• Correct a tooth that is misaligned
• Protect a cracked tooth from fracturing further
• Bring back function to a tooth that had large amounts of decay

Dental Implants

Dental Implants are used to replace missing or damaged teeth.

Getting a dental implant is a more extensive process because it takes several months from start to completion. First, a titanium post is surgically placed into your jaw bone. Then it takes about 3-4 months for this area to heal and for the bone to integrate with the titanium post. One the sight has healed and the bone is supporting the implant, your crown will be placed on the implant. Once the crown is placed, your tooth can be used in full function again.

As you can see, there are many options when it comes to cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next appointment with your dentist at Riverside Dental. They can help you determine which cosmetic procedure fits your needs best! You are unique in what your mouth needs, and we care about you getting the best care for you.