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What Are Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures?
Cosmetic dentistry procedures are dental treatments aimed at improving the appearance of your smile. The procedures are focused on the aesthetic enhancement of a person’s teeth, gums, and bite.
The dentists who perform cosmetic dentistry procedures call themselves “cosmetic dentists”. Since cosmetic dentistry isn’t a recognized field by the American Dental Association, the expert offering these services undergo training separate from the usual dental education.
A cosmetic dentist is usually a general dentist with skills and experience in the cosmetic department.
What Are Common Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures?
Many procedures are frequently requested or performed in a dentist’s chair. Find the details of the most popular ones below.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is also known as “teeth bleaching”. It is the easiest way to spruce up your pearly whites. While there are many drugstore options for whitening available, nothing beats in-office results. In-office teeth whitening is six times more effective than other whitening options.
Your dentist can also give you “take-home” kits. These are custom whitening kits that you can use at home over an extended period.
Teeth Reshaping
Teeth Reshaping involves removing specific parts of the natural enamel to improve tooth appearance. The procedure is done to alter the shape, position, or length of teeth, as well as correct a chip in a tooth. Reshaping also helps fix crooked teeth.
The treatment is also known as odontoplasty, enameloplasty, contouring, slenderizing, etc. It offers faster results and can also be used instead of braces in certain conditions.
Tooth Bonding
Tooth bonding, or dental bonding, is advised when a tooth is decayed, damaged, or has gaps. It involves the use of tooth-colored composite material. The shade is color-matched, applied on the tooth surface, sculpted, set with UV light, and finally polished.
The reason why tooth bonding is popular is that it is an outpatient procedure that is completed within an hour. No anesthesia is required unless a cavity has to be filled, and the patient can go back to normal life immediately after. Furthermore, the tooth-colored aspect makes it a fantastic aesthetic option.
Dental Bridging
Dental bridges are a great option to replace one tooth or multiple missing teeth. A bridge has 2 main parts –
- The abutment – involves the natural teeth present on adjacent sides of the space. These teeth are prepped to be fitted with dental crowns.
- The pontic – the false teeth attached between the dental crowns. This replaces the missing tooth or teeth.
Dental bridges usually consist of 3 or more teeth, including crowns. Contrary to dentures, the other tooth-replacement option, dental bridges are fixed. Meaning, they can’t be removed by the patient. This is because the prosthesis is cemented into place.
Porcelain Veneers
Dental veneers are super thin, custom-made porcelain shells that are bonded to the front teeth. Veneers are great for correcting numerous issues with a person’s teeth –
- Misshapen teeth
- Severely discolored teeth
- Extra spaces between teeth
- Teeth of differing lengths
- Misaligned teeth
The teeth in question are reduced to make space for the veneers. Your dentist at Anoka Dental will fabricate a diagnostic mock-up that will act as a tooth preparation guide. This helps the dentist to visualize the changes that need to be made to the patient’s teeth. This includes changing the shape, size, and proportion.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a dentist’s go-to option for teeth replacement. The reason why this prosthetic replacement has a glowing reputation is that it is incredibly stable and lasts a lifetime.
The International Congress of Oral Implantologists states that an implant has 3 distinct parts –
- The titanium implant post that is inserted within the bone socket of the missing tooth
- The abutment that is responsible for connecting the implant with the false tooth/teeth
- The false tooth fills the missing space. It can be a crown, a bridge, or a denture
It must be noted that not everyone can be fitted with a dental implant. Anyone who is recommended a dental implant has to undergo a rigorous physical and digital examination – this helps assess whether or not a candidate is ideal enough to receive an implant.
Gum Lifts
Gum lifts are a cosmetic dentistry procedure that is done to raise and sculpt the gum line. Your dentist at Anoka Dental will reshape the gum tissue along with the underlying bone to create the appearance of symmetrical teeth.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are a fantastic cosmetic alternative to traditional braces. They bring about the alignment of teeth by applying normal forces over an extended period. The reason why they’re so popular is that they aren’t as obvious as traditional metallic braces.
Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays are indirect fillings that are made by dental laboratories. When a tooth has mild to moderate decay or not enough structure to support a filling, these are used.
An inlay is placed in the center of the tooth, provided none of the tooth cusps are damaged by decay. On the other hand, if a cusp or larger portion of the tooth has decayed, an onlay may be used on the entire surface.
Earlier, inlays and onlays used to be made of gold. Now, they are made of porcelain or ceramic material by a lab and cemented on the tooth with dental cement. Inlays and onlays strengthen teeth, avoid further decay, and restore their shape.
What Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures Are Available At Anoka Dental?
Anoka Dental is committed to the highest level of dental care. Our in-house dental experts, Doctors Capp and DeKrey have numerous years of experience that make them highly qualified to impart cosmetic care.
In terms of cosmetic dentistry, Anoka Dental offers a wide range of procedures aimed at improving your smile. Some of them are –
- Teeth whitening
- Dental implants
- Porcelain crowns
- Dental bridges
- Reveal teeth aligners (invisible orthodontics)
To find out more about our services and what is right for you, come down to Anoka Dental today. Give us a call at (763) 421-4002 to schedule an appointment and achieve the smile of your dreams.
Our address:
Anoka Dental
12 Bridge Square, #106 Anoka, Minnesota, 55303, United States
Phone no: (763) 421-4002
