Some people think that cosmetic dentistry is only about teeth whitening. Although making your teeth appear whiter through cosmetic dentistry is certainly possible, this is certainly not the only form of this type of dentistry. In fact, your dentist should be able to give you advice on the best way to make your teeth look whiter during any one of your usual dental check-ups. There are several products on the market which you can use at home that will help to make your teeth have a whiter and more sparkling appearance.
Other than teeth whitening, what are the common ways in which Australian dental practitioners carry out cosmetic dentistry these days?
Dental Bonding
A cosmetic dentist may well recommend a procedure such as dental bonding to you. This is usually carried out to repair a decayed tooth, but it is equally viable as an option if you had chipped or cracked your incisors. In fact, in some cases, dental bonding is used to sort out misshapen teeth at the back of the mouth too. A bonding procedure can take up to an hour. Essentially what your dentist does is to apply a resin that is the same colour as your natural teeth and stick it onto the affected area. When the resin is exposed to ultraviolet light, it goes extremely hard and turns into a highly durable plastic that will protect the affected area. In order for it to have a cosmetic value, your dentist will need to shape the resin in your mouth before it goes hard.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are a form of cosmetic dentistry that you will find on offer in most dental practices these days. Veneers can have a teeth whitening effect, but they are often not recommended for that reason alone. This is because dental veneers can even up the appearance of overlapping teeth or those which look crooked in some way, perhaps from an overcrowded mouth. A dental veneer is simply glued onto your front teeth with a special adhesive. Once fitted, you can still bite and chew in just the same way as you are used to.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is another form of cosmetic dentistry which is used if you have a tooth that is missing or one that is beyond saving and needs to be pulled out. Typically, a dental implant will be anchored on a titanium screw that has been worked into the jawbone below the gum. From this anchor point, an implant can put in place that will often look better than the tooth that it has replaced.
For many years, I hated the way my teeth looked. They always looked discoloured so I would do everything I could to hide my smile. On family photos, my mom would always complain that I never gave a grin like my brothers and sisters. When I graduated college, I decided I needed to take action. I contacted my local dental surgery and asked them about tooth whitening treatments. The dentist was great and gave me all of the info I needed. After the treatment, my smile was like a million dollars. I decided to start this blog to educate others about the benefits of teeth whitening and other dental treatments.