When your smile has cosmetic flaws, your self-esteem can suffer. Fortunately, several cosmetic dentistry interventions can be used to correct a variety of defects, ranging from stains to chips to missing teeth.
In planning the treatments needed to improve your smile’s appearance, Dr. Dennis will complete a comprehensive evaluation of your case and have an extensive discussion with you about what results you expect to achieve through cosmetic dentistry.
If you are dissatisfied with some aspect of the way your smile looks, we encourage you to schedule a cosmetic dentistry evaluation at Smile Naples. Learn about the improvements that may be possible in your case.
Components Of A Beautiful Smile
A beautiful smile is comprised of bright white teeth that are proportionate to each other, in good condition and the correct positions. Such a smile is also framed by healthy gum tissue that covers up just the right amount of tooth material.
Any number of issues can compromise the smile’s appearance, including damage to teeth, such as chips and cracks; discoloration that can be caused by the foods and beverages you consume or medications that you may take; and congenital and developmental issues that affect the size and alignment of the teeth.
Fortunately, Dr. Dennis can correct many aesthetic flaws with treatments frequently used in cosmetic dentistry.
Cosmetic Dentistry Interventions
After evaluating your case, Dr. Dennis might recommend many cosmetic dentistry interventions, such as the following:
Bonding
A small amount of tooth-colored resin material is placed on the tooth atop the damaged area. The resin is then solidified using a special curing light. Bonding can be completed in a single office visit and requires no anesthesia.
Teeth Whitening
Prescription-strength bleaching gels are applied to the teeth via custom-designed trays that ensure the gels cover all surfaces of the teeth. The patient wears the gel-filled trays as directed by Dr. Dennis.
Porcelain Ceramic Crowns
Crowns are tooth-shaped caps that are bonded on top of natural teeth that are severely damaged by decay or injury, or to protect a tooth following root canal therapy. Crowns can be made of different materials, but zirconia is quite strong and can be combined with other materials, such as porcelain, for optimal appearance.
Zirconia Bridges
Dental bridges are used to replace a missing tooth. They consist of a pontic (prosthetic crown) that is anchored by dental crowns placed on abutment teeth. As is the case with dental crowns, dental bridges can be made of zirconia.
Depending on the patient’s desires, a single intervention may suffice or multiple interventions may need to be combined.
Planning For Cosmetic Dentistry Treatment
The cosmetic dentistry treatment process begins at your initial evaluation with Dr. Dennis, who will gather all of the pertinent data needed to plan and prepare for whatever interventions are indicated. Dr. Dennis will also discuss what results can reasonably be expected in your case.
At this point, Dr. Dennis will begin planning for the treatment timeline, which can range from a single appointment to several weeks, or longer. Dr. Dennis will educate you about the expected treatment timeframe so that you know what to expect.
For patients who are getting multiple interventions, certain sequencing may be needed. For example, teeth whitening must be completed before restorations are placed to make sure that the restorations blend in with the biological teeth.
FAQs:
What is cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is a dental specialty that focuses primarily on enhancing the smile’s appearance. That is, the goal of cosmetic dentistry treatments is generally to improve aesthetics rather than address structural or functional issues with the smile, although there is some overlap between restorations and some cosmetic dentistry treatments.
Cosmetic dentistry encompasses various interventions that can be provided individually or in combination, depending on the results desired by the patient and the particular defects present in the smile. The treatment timeline may range from a few hours to several weeks, depending on the treatments involved.
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is bonded or cemented on top of a biological tooth. Dental crowns typically are used when a patient has a cavity that is too large to restore with a conventional filling or if some other extensive damage must be corrected.
I have sensitive teeth, can I still whiten my teeth?
Tooth sensitivity can be a side effect of teeth whitening, so patients who are already susceptible to that condition may have some concerns that whitening their teeth will exacerbate the symptoms. Fortunately, patients with sensitive teeth still can have their teeth whitened, but it’s important to make Dr. Dennis aware that you have this issue so that you can plan to minimize the likelihood that teeth whitening will make your teeth even more sensitive.
What is a smile makeover?
Some patients may need multiple cosmetic dentistry treatments to achieve their smile goals. In such cases, those interventions are combined into a smile makeover that completely overhauls the smile’s appearance. Patients typically find that a smile makeover is transformational for both their smiles and their self-esteem!
