Losing the freedom to smile the way you want to all because of a missing or chipped tooth is not the best way to go through life. Fortunately, cosmetic dentists can rescue you from a lifetime of being self-conscious with your smile.
Compared to the dark old days of accepting teeth loss (disease, fights, accidents) as inevitable, todays men and women already have several options of getting back their winsome smiles and be their old selves again.
There are several ways in restoring damaged or missing teeth in a person. Some are downright good and natural-looking you cannot tell the difference. Todays technology has made it so that there are now individual ways to fix, repair, mend and restore teeth, with each one tailor-fitted to the damage.
Crowns and tooth cracks
Dental crowns are the latest ways of fixing teeth cracks. Cracked teeth are usually caused by tooth decay, teeth grinding, and sometimes by accidents.
These crowns are fitted right on top of each damaged tooth to cover the crack and hold the tooth together. Crowns can be used on almost any tooth. They are custom-designed and are seldom noticed.
Inlays and tooth decay
Inlays are very stable restorative treatments on delicate and decaying teeth. They are usually used to repair decayed front teeth which are very visible when people smile or simply talk.
Inlays are bonded to the affected tooth (or teeth) to fill out the decayed areas and reduce any other structural damage in the tooth caused by the decay.
Bonding and stained teeth
Sometimes, stains on teeth do not respond well to teeth whitening treatments and brushing. The next alternative is bonding treatment that can brighten up the smile.
Dental bonding is a natural tooth-colored composite used to fill over the damaged natural tooth to make it appear naturally smooth again.
Bonding is also used to fill out teeth cracks, stains and hide chipped teeth. It is sculpted to fit the tooth perfectly while covering up the flaw.
Direct bonding is regularly used as an alternative to more extensive smile makeover procedures like veneers and crowns.
Veneers and uneven teeth
As a rule, dental veneers are usually used in unevenly spaced teeth or those with large gaps between their teeth. They are made with porcelain or composite resin and designed to cover the whole tooth.
They help in covering up cracks, discolorations, and fill out any big gaps between teeth. Veneers protect the surface of the damaged tooth and make dental surgery unnecessary. Presently, veneers are typically more costly than dental bonding but they can give you a complete smile makeover.
Dental implants and missing teeth
A dental implant is a replacement for your lost natural tooth. This is directly inserted into the gum structure, and is sometimes used as a dental bridge support.
Implants are selected and designed to look like your own natural teeth. They also have the extra benefit of reducing jawbone loss.
The technology and techniques used in cosmetic dentistry are still evolving, making the procedures less invasive, less painful, and less costly. The other good news is that cosmetic dentists are getting more and more aesthetically adept as well.