Cosmetic dentistry is the term used for treatments that improve the appearance of your teeth and smile. These procedures do not affect the health or function of your teeth.
The field of cosmetic dentistry West Columbia includes a wide range of procedures. Here are some of the most common ones: whitening, veneers, dental bonding, and Lumineers.
Teeth Whitening
Tooth whitening (or tooth bleaching) lightens the color of teeth. It is a popular cosmetic procedure that improves the appearance of teeth and is done for esthetic and health reasons.
Teeth whitening is not permanent and the effects will diminish over time. Patients are encouraged to maintain a good oral hygiene regimen and avoid consuming teeth staining foods or drinks such as coffee, red wine, and soda.
Veneers are thin, porcelain shells that can fix several cosmetic issues including damaged enamel, gapped teeth and crooked teeth. They are durable, but require a more extensive maintenance routine than in-office whitening.
Dental Veneers
Using dental veneers, cosmetic dentists can change a person’s tooth color, provide a more natural shape to teeth, and conceal chips and cracks. They can also help fill gaps and correct teeth that are crooked or uneven. Whether they are made of porcelain or resin, these thin shells can enhance a person’s smile and make it more attractive.
During the first visit, dentists take a mold of the person’s teeth and create the veneers to fit them. The dentist trims and polishes the veneers to ensure they look, feel, and fit correctly. They may also adjust the color of the veneers at this point.
Dental Bonding
For patients who need cosmetic changes to the appearance of their smiles but do not have significant issues with tooth decay or gum disease, dental bonding is a safe and quick option. It is also one of the most cost-effective cosmetic procedures available.
Your dentist will use a shade guide to select a composite resin that matches your teeth. Then, they will prepare the tooth by roughening the surface and applying a conditioning liquid to help the composite adhere.
They will apply the composite resin to the tooth and mold it into place, shaping it further if necessary. Once the procedure is complete, they will sculpt and polish the tooth.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are surgically placed into the jaw to replace missing teeth. They can improve your appearance, restore your ability to chew and speak, and may help prevent bone loss in the jaw.
The procedure involves placing a tiny titanium anchor into the bone socket of a missing tooth, where it integrates with the surrounding tissue and becomes a natural part of your smile. Implants can also be used to support dentures and bridges.
Like natural teeth, dental implants need proper care to maintain their health and function. This includes good oral hygiene, routine visits to the dentist, and a diet that is low in sugar and acid.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge fills the gap created by missing teeth, enabling you to eat and speak normally. It also helps distribute the force of chewing evenly to prevent the remaining natural teeth from shifting.
Traditional fixed bridges use crowns on the adjacent natural teeth to support the artificial tooth in the middle. They are usually made of porcelain fused to gold or other non-precious metals. Resin and metal bridges use ‘wings’ to attach the bridge to the backs of your existing teeth with little or no drilling required. An implant-supported bridge has small titanium fixtures surgically placed in your jawbone to hold the bridge.
Dental Crowns
Crowns, also known as caps, help improve the appearance of a damaged tooth or to cover teeth with severe discoloration. They can strengthen the tooth and prevent it from breaking down and can be made of porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, zirconia or gold alloys.
Traditionally, getting a dental crown requires two visits to the dentist – one to prepare (shape) the tooth and take impressions, and another to place the permanent crown. But with our same day crowning technology, you can come in with a broken tooth and walk out with a restored one in the same visit.
Invisalign
Invisalign straightens teeth by using clear “aligners” that move the teeth incrementally over time. First, a dentist takes digital impressions of the patient’s teeth to create a 3D treatment plan. Then, the patient receives a series of custom-made aligners. Each one moves the teeth a little bit, and they are worn for about two weeks each before being replaced by the next in the series.
Most (PPO) dental insurance plans cover Invisalign at up to 50%, but that varies depending on how much the total cost of Invisalign is. Patients can also use a flexible spending account or health savings account to pay for the procedure.
