Cosmetic
Dentistry Know Your Options
Author: Linda Moore
Your
smile is your welcome sign to the world, and you want that sign
to be the best one on the block. If you weren't lucky enough to
be born with a show-stopping smile and perfectly straight, white
teeth there is hope for you yet. The world of cosmetic dentistry
can fix any dental problem from missing teeth to yellow teeth
to the most crooked of smiles.
When
you are thinking of having any type of cosmetic dentistry done,
the first step is to find a qualified dentist, on that is a member
of the AACD (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) this will
help to ensure that he is well versed in all areas of cosmetic
dentistry.
When
interviewing possible choices for a dentist, ask to see his portfolio
of before and after photos of previous patients, this will give
you an idea of the quality of the work that is being performed.
Always ask for references from these patients, ask them how they
feel about the work that has been done for them. Finally find
out about any education that has been completed since the dentist
has been practicing dentistry. It is important that education
is kept up to date with the advances that are being made in this
field.
The
most common form of this type of dentistry is the use of braces.
Braces are generally put on adolescent children beginning at around
age 12, by a qualified orthodontist. The area of orthodontics
deals with the straightening and realigning of teeth. This treatment
not only beautifies the smile, but by realigning the mouth orthodontics
can also eliminated future problems of the jaw. The type of cosmetic
dentistry that is more common with adults includes teeth whitening,
the placement of veneers and bonding. These procedures are solely
for cosmetic reasons and have no health benefits associated with
them; however, the emotional benefits from these types of procedure
can be huge.
Teeth
whitening is growing in popularity due in part to the availability
of at home systems. These systems make it possible to get a whiter,
brighter smile without the cost and inconvenience of visiting
a dentist office. There is also the option of in office bleaching,
this is done under the supervision of the dentist and generally
takes about an hour per each application.
It
is wise to consult with your dentist as to which whitening product
is right for your teeth, as not all teeth take to bleaching in
the same manner. Your dentist will help you decide which type
is right for your teeth as well as for your budget.
Bonding
is done to either repair a chipped or cracked tooth, to cover
an exposed root or for strictly cosmetic reasons. In any of these
cases, the tooth or teeth to be treated are cleaned and then have
an etching solution applied. This solution will help the resin
composite to bond with the tooth. There are several different
colors of resin available to match the color of the teeth. The
resin is then shaped so that the new teeth have the desired shape
to them; the resin will then harden and finally be polished to
a shine so that they match the rest of the teeth in the mouth.
Veneering
teeth is becoming increasingly popular as a way to cover up fillings,
chipped teeth, stained teeth or gaps in the teeth. A veneer is
a thin porcelain shell that fits directly over the tooth in question
and is bonded in place. The veneers can also give the appearance
of straight teeth with out the time that is involved with braces;
however, they are the more expensive of the two options.
About
the author: Linda Moore writes on a variety of subjects including
family matters,personal enrichment. |