Cosmetic Dentistry
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on giving people whiter, straighter, and more uniform smiles. The procedures we offer under cosmetic dentistry do not affect the function of your teeth. However, making your smile more beautiful will improve your confidence and encourage you to flash your smile unashamedly.
What Problems Can Cosmetic Dentistry Address?
The main issues that cosmetic dentistry in Huntsville, AL, can address are non-structural concerns. These include:
- Chips and cracks
- Misaligned teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Stained or discolored teeth
Cosmetic dentistry can’t make teeth stronger or replace completely missing teeth. For these issues, you will need more invasive, restorative procedures.
What Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures Are Available
There are many different types of cosmetic dentistry procedures we offer at Gardner Family Dentistry. Whether you’re concerned with the color of your smile, the shape of your teeth, or how well your teeth line up, our dental professionals can help. Some of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures we offer include these:
Teeth Whitening
Many people have discolored or yellowed teeth. There are many reasons for this. Sometimes, the foods you eat stain your teeth. Other times, genetics plays a role. You can even suffer from yellow teeth if you take certain medications before your adult teeth grow in. You can perform whitening at home using gels or strips, or you can choose a whitening toothpaste. However, the best results will be with professional, in-office teeth whitening.
Using in-office, professional treatments, including prescription-grade whitening gels and laser whitening techniques, we can safely lighten your teeth multiple shades whiter. This is one of the most popular procedures our practice offers for those seeking cosmetic dentistry services.
Dental Bonding
If your teeth are not the right shape for your mouth, have small cracks or lines, or have discoloration that doesn’t respond to teeth whitening, dental bonding might be the right procedure for you.
This procedure uses a tooth-colored composite resin to reshape the tooth and make it more aesthetically pleasing. Your dentist will match the resin to the same shade as your teeth and then shape that resin to your tooth. Once it looks right, your dentist will shine a special light on the dental bonding material to harden it. Once set, the resin functions just like your regular teeth.
Dental bonding is considered a permanent solution to your cosmetic dentistry concern. To make the bonding material stick, this procedure requires the enamel on your teeth to be roughened a little, but there isn’t any damage to the tooth’s actual structure. Dental bonds are nearly as strong as natural teeth, and they don’t require any additional care other than your normal oral health care.
Veneers
Veneers offer another option to address misshapen, chipped, or cracked teeth. This procedure involves permanently attaching a small porcelain shell to the front of the tooth. It remains in place, allowing you to use your teeth as you normally would without the unsightly problems.
Like dental bonding, veneers are permanent. They can wear out over time, but with proper care, you should have full use of your newly covered teeth for up to 20 years. This procedure does require the removal of some of your enamel to help the veneer stick. For this reason, if a veneer does loosen or fall off, you must replace it to continue using your teeth without discomfort.
Gum and Tooth Contouring
Sometimes the problem isn’t the shape of the tooth, but rather the amount of tooth or gum tissue that makes it difficult to embrace your smile. If you have overly large teeth or a smile that’s too “gummy,” your cosmetic dentist in Huntsville, AL, can remove some of that tissue to reshape your teeth or gums. Just a small change can make a huge difference in how your smile looks.
Of the different cosmetic procedures, this one carries the biggest risk. While the dental team at Gardner Family Dentistry takes a conservative approach to gum and tooth contouring, it does remove some of the healthy tissue from your mouth. This can create the risk of infection and pain.
Invisalign Aligners
Another way to improve the look of your smile is to straighten your teeth. Invisalign clear aligners can gently move your teeth into a more appealing position, without metal brackets or the need to visit the orthodontist. Invisalign isn’t right for all people, but many of our patients are able to achieve a straighter smile with this procedure.
Invisalign aligners are easier to care for than traditional braces. They’re also more comfortable to wear, and you can remove them when you want to eat. Finally, the aligners are nearly invisible, which means you can straighten your teeth without hurting your overall look.
Cosmetic Dentistry vs. Restorative Dentistry
Both cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry improve the look of your smile, but the goals of these two types of dentistry are slightly different. Cosmetic dentistry focuses entirely on the aesthetic factors of your smile. Restorative dentistry can improve aesthetics, but the main focus is on improving the structure or function of the teeth. Both have an important role to play in your oral health and your confidence, but the goal is different.
For example, if you have a cracked tooth, it will cause pain and discomfort that makes it difficult to chew normally. A crown can fix this problem. It will make the tooth look better, but your dentist’s primary goal with a crown is to make the tooth functional again and to stop the pain from the cracked tooth. However, if you chip a tooth, but the root is still protected, the tooth will still function properly. In this case, a veneer that covers the chip can help your tooth look more natural. This is a cosmetic procedure.
Whether you need cosmetic or restorative dentistry, Gardner Family Dentistry has the services you need.
Risks of Cosmetic Dentistry
Some cosmetic dentistry procedures, like teeth whitening or Invisalign, carry few risks. There’s always a risk of increased tooth sensitivity with these types of procedures, but serious risks are minimal. Some procedures, like crowns, do permanently change the teeth. Under the hands of a skilled dentist in Huntsville, AL, this will not cause any harm, but there is always a risk of discomfort or injury when you change the teeth.
Schedule a Consultation to Discuss Cosmetic Dentistry with Gardner Family Dentistry Today
If you want your smile to glow, cosmetic dentistry could be the right solution. The dentists at Gardner Family Dentistry can help. Since 1993, we’ve been helping our patients have beautiful smiles that increase their confidence through a wide range of cosmetic dental procedures. Make an appointment with Gardner Family Dentistry today to determine if one of these procedures could be the solution you need to make your smile one you’re proud of.
