Your smile is your welcome sign to the world, and you want that
sign to be the best one on the block. If you weren't lucky
enough to be born with a show-stopping smile and perfectly
straight, white teeth there is hope for you yet. The world of
cosmetic dentistry can fix any dental problem from missing teeth
to yellow teeth to the most crooked of smiles.
When you are thinking of having any type of cosmetic dentistry
done, the first step is to find a qualified dentist, on that is
a member of the AACD (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry)
this will help to ensure that he is well versed in all areas of
cosmetic dentistry.
When interviewing possible choices for a dentist, ask to see his
portfolio of before and after photos of previous patients, this
will give you an idea of the quality of the work that is being
performed. Always ask for references from these patients, ask
them how they feel about the work that has been done for them.
Finally find out about any education that has been completed
since the dentist has been practicing dentistry. It is important
that education is kept up to date with the advances that are
being made in this field.
The most common form of this type of dentistry is the use of
braces. Braces are generally put on adolescent children
beginning at around age 12, by a qualified orthodontist. The
area of orthodontics deals with the straightening and realigning
of teeth. This treatment not only beautifies the smile, but by
realigning the mouth orthodontics can also eliminated future
problems of the jaw. The type of cosmetic dentistry that is more
common with adults includes teeth whitening, the placement of
veneers and bonding. These procedures are solely for cosmetic
reasons and have no health benefits associated with them;
however, the emotional benefits from these types of procedure
can be huge.
Teeth whitening is growing in popularity due in part to the
availability of at home systems. These systems make it possible
to get a whiter, brighter smile without the cost and
inconvenience of visiting a dentist office. There is also the
option of in office bleaching, this is done under the
supervision of the dentist and generally takes about an hour per
each application.
It is wise to consult with your dentist as to which whitening
product is right for your teeth, as not all teeth take to
bleaching in the same manner. Your dentist will help you decide
which type is right for your teeth as well as for your budget.
Bonding is done to either repair a chipped or cracked tooth, to
cover an exposed root or for strictly cosmetic reasons. In any
of these cases, the tooth or teeth to be treated are cleaned and
then have an etching solution applied. This solution will help
the resin composite to bond with the tooth. There are several
different colors of resin available to match the color of the
teeth. The resin is then shaped so that the new teeth have the
desired shape to them; the resin will then harden and finally be
polished to a shine so that they match the rest of the teeth in
the mouth.
Veneering teeth is becoming increasingly popular as a way to
cover up fillings, chipped teeth, stained teeth or gaps in the
teeth. A veneer is a thin porcelain shell that fits directly
over the tooth in question and is bonded in place. The veneers
can also give the appearance of straight teeth with out the time
that is involved with braces; however, they are the more
expensive of the two options.
About the author:
Linda Moore writes on a variety of subjects including family
matters,personal enrichment,
cosme
tic dentistry and
breast augmentation/reduction surgery
