Cosmetic, or restorative, dentistry is the area of dental
practice that focuses specifically on improving your quality of life by giving
you the smile you’ve always dreamed of. Cosmetic dentists, like Doctors Jan
Linhart and Zachary Linhart, specialize in procedures that
correct discoloration, misalignment, and other imperfections that prevent you
from having your perfect smile. At Linhart Dentistry, the team of restorative
dentists work alongside a team of other dental specialists to provide patients
with a full range of dental services.
A happy smile is a healthy smile, and for many patients,
cosmetic dentistry plays an important role in the overall betterment of their
self esteem, oral health, and well being. How can cosmetic dentistry give you a
new smile? Check out these five procedures to get an idea of what a cosmetic
dentist can do for you!
1.) Tooth Whitening
Tooth whitening is one of the most
common cosmetic dental procedures. There are a wide array of different ways to
whiten your teeth, and many of these methods can be done at home. However, for
best results, getting your teeth whitened by a cosmetic dentist can help your
teeth stay whiter longer, and can ensure that the materials used are safe on
your teeth.
Bleaching and laser tooth whitening are two widely practiced procedures. Laser tooth whitening involves the use of
lasers to stimulate a hydrogen-peroxide based gel on your teeth to remove
stains. Laser tooth whitening usually entails multiple visits, although Dr.
Linhart’s revolutionary PearlInBrite Laser Tooth Whitening system
speeds up the process, giving patients a 9-10 shade whiter smile in just one
visit.
2.)
Porcelain
Veneers
Porcelain veneers can be a
life-changing cosmetic solution for people who have misshapen, mildly
misaligned, or discolored teeth. The procedure involves the placement of
porcelain “laminates” over your natural teeth to create a perfectly straight,
uniform smile. The laminates are crafted by a lab technician to be shaped like
natural teeth, and the porcelain is then bonded to your enamel. While this may
not be an option for people with serious orthodontic or periodontal issues, it
can be an ideal fix if you have permanently stained or slightly misaligned
teeth.
3.) Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is an alternative to
porcelain veneers, and involves your dentist coating your teeth in a
naturally-colored resin material. The resin fills in any gaps or chips in your
teeth, and your dentist will shape the material to give it a natural look.
Teeth with jagged edges appear smooth, and any mottling or bumps on your enamel
is also smoothed over. A special light is then used to permanently harden the
resin, which is just as strong as porcelain veneers or your natural teeth.
4.) iBraces
Since braces are worn to correct
moderate to severe misalignment of your teeth, they fall more into the realm of
orthodontics than cosmetic dentistry. However, there are a number of
alternatives to traditional metal braces that are aesthetically discreet and
help you maintain a beautiful smile during
this corrective treatment.
You may have heard of Invisalign,
which uses a series of clear trays that fit over your teeth to align them as
opposed to metal brackets. iBraces are another cosmetic alternative.
iBraces work like traditional braces, but they are not visible on the front
side of your teeth. The brackets used to straighten the teeth are custom-made
for each tooth, and are contoured to hug the backside of your teeth for
increased comfort and minimal visibility.
5.) Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are important to the
treatment of broken or fractured teeth, but are also used in cosmetic
dentistry to improve the appearance of misshapen or otherwise imperfect teeth.
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over the tooth to
strengthen it or prevent further damage. A damaged tooth can impede the health
and radiance of your smile, so a natural looking dental crown is a solution for
not only saving the tooth, but preserving your smile as well.
If there is any reason whatsoever that you feel your smile can
be improved upon, you should talk to your dentist about what cosmetic
opportunities are available to you. Cosmetic
dentistry is an important part of the full range of dental services
that go into maintaining your oral health and overall well being.