A person’s smile plays a significant part in making a first impression. If that smile is unattractive, it can affect personal, social and professional relationships. Weston Dental Design Group is a team of specialists in cosmetic dentistry who can make a dramatic change in a person’s appearance.
Procedures range from simple teeth whitening to extensive gum surgery. Here is a look at some of our most popular options for improving your smile:
Teeth whitening
There are a number of techniques used to improve the brightness of the teeth. Theoretically, teeth can be whitened as much as nine shades, but in general, it only takes a change of two to three shades to make a significant difference in the appearance.
Porcelain Veneers
Very thin pieces of individually shaped porcelain are glued to the front surface of the teeth. Sometimes, no anesthetic is needed. Veneers are highly esthetic and do not stain easily.
Bonding
Bonding applies a thin coating of plastic to the front surface of the teeth. Once attached, the bonding is sculpted to the desired shape. A high-intensity light is used to harden the plastic. Lastly, the surface is polished.
Crowns
If a tooth has been damaged or badly worn, a crown can provide strength as well as improve appearance. In the past, many crowns were made of gold. Currently, most are made of porcelain or porcelain fused to metal. This gives the crown a more natural appearance.
Tooth Contouring and Reshaping
In some cases, a skilled cosmetic dentist can reshape or contour crooked, chipped or overlapping teeth to create a more attractive smile. There are limits to how much tooth enamel can be removed without damaging the teeth. However, when feasible, this can be a less costly alternative to braces.
Orthodontic Braces
When the teeth are crooked, the solution is typically orthodontic braces. In the past, traditional braces could take one to three years to align the teeth. Today’s accelerated braces are able to do the work in just three to eight months, in some cases.
Dentures
When the teeth are so damaged that they cannot be saved by other methods, dentures can restore both functionality and appearance. Dentures can range from partial bridges to full mouth appliances.
Gum Surgery
There are two common forms of gum surgery used for cosmetic purposes. Gum sculpting is performed when the teeth appear to be too short and a significant portion of the gums is exposed when smiling. A laser is used to remove the excess gum tissue and exposes more of the teeth. Periodontal plastic surgery is used to correct deformity or gingival problems.
Cosmetic Dentistry can turn a smile from sad to brilliant. Simply improving the appearance of the smile can increase self-esteem and make a person more confident.