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.