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What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is all about improving oneâs teeth and mouth for a better appearance and smile. The procedures/services done are elective, or desired by the client.

Restorative procedures such as dental fillings are also done in cosmetic dentistry. It falls under the cosmetic dentistry category since you can choose the type of material to be used for the filling. Today, a lot of people choose to replace their old dental fillings with porcelain to enhance the appearance of their teeth.

Cosmetic Treatments Offered

1. Teeth Whitening: When a person regularly smokes, eats too much sweets, and practices poor oral hygiene, their teeth become stained and discolored. Tooth whitening removes the debris and dirt on the teeth and restores its natural color.

2. Dental Implants: It is an artificial tooth root replacement to compensate for tooth loss. It is done not only to enhance your smile but also to give you a younger look. Missing teeth can make your face collapse, giving you an older appearance.

3. Composite Bonding: A dental composite material is used to repair a discolored, chipped, broken, or decayed tooth. The composite material is applied on the toothâs surface, sculpted and contoured into shape, and hardened using a high-intensity light. The restored tooth will blend naturally with the rest of your teeth, creating a perfect, bright smile.

4. Inlays/Onlays: Also known as indirect fillings, since they are created in the laboratory using porcelain or other composite materials before being fitted and bonded in place with an adhesive. Inlays/Onlays are often used as an alternative to dental fillings and full coverage dental crowns as they offer better fit, better strength, and a longer-lasting solution to tooth decay or similar damage.

5. Dental Veneers: Use composite or porcelain laminates that are bonded using an adhesive to the surface of the tooth to repair cracks, chips and severely discolored teeth that cannot be restored with tooth whitening. Dental veneers also used to remove gaps between teeth, and even out spaces in between them, improving the appearance of your teeth and your smile.

6. Full Mouth Reconstruction: This procedure may involve a number of dental specialists such as a periodontist (for gums), restorative/general dentist (for veneers, bridges, and crowns), oral surgeon (dental surgery), orthodontist (positions of the teeth) and an endodontist (tooth pulp). This procedure is often done for teeth lost because of trauma, decay, injury, fracture, severe wear due to acid erosion, occlusion, or bruxism (grinding or clenching of teeth).

The procedure a cosmetic dentist in Sterling, VA will perform on your teeth depends on the condition of your teeth, and on what you hope to achieve. Cosmetic dentists aim to restore your teeth to give you a healthier mouth and better appearance.