Aesthetic Dentistry: Treatment involved and why is it in these days
Aesthetic Dentistry
While traditional dentistry focuses on oral hygiene and preventing, diagnosing and treating oral disease, cosmetic dentistry or aesthetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of a ones teeth, mouth and smile. In other words restorative, general and/or family dental practices address dental problems that require necessary treatment, whereas cosmetic dentistry provides elective – or desired – treatments or services.
Today, dental fillings may fall into the category of cosmetic dentistry, because you can select fillings made of porcelain or composite materials that closely match the color of your teeth, thus maintaining the natural appearance of your teeth and smile. Many people may choose to have their older fillings replaced with newer, tooth-colored fillings to enhance their oral appearance.
What involves Aesthetic Dentistry
There are many procedures which are being used to perform this procedure. These procedures and practices are mentioned below and will give you a clear insight of what method is applied for which kind of treatment.
1. Bleaching
One of the most common procedures and is used for teeth whitening. Most of us undergo this treatment to remove yellow stains (caused due to smoking, drink soda and chewing tobacco). Tooth discoloration happens to the enamel and it can be hereditary or as we grow older. You can chose to undergo this treatment at the dental clinic or even at home using the home bleaching kit.
2. Bonding
This procedure is implemented to fill the gaps. But at the same time it is also used to change the color of your teeth. When our teeth are chipped or decayed then our dentist will be using composite resin to cover up the gap.
3. Crowns
These are often called as caps because they fit over the tooth by covering it. The purpose of this treatment is to restore the tooth to its normal shape and appearance. This is one of the most time consuming procedures but still it is very effective.
4. Veneers
These are thin pieces of porcelain or plastic which placed infront of teeth. The whole idea of placing them on the front of the teeth is to change the color and also the shape of the teeth. Veneers are used in Cosmetic Dentistry to fix the uneven teeth. This is considered as an alternative to crown procedure and is also slightly costlier than the latter. This procedure requires more than one visit. The advantage of veneers is that it has a longer life expectancy and more stability with regards to color.
What should you ask your dentist when undergoing Aesthetic Dentistry?
When you meet your dentist for the first time he will be able to tell you which sort of treatment is best suited for you. However you can ask these questions to your dentist:
- How will the changes look like?
- What is the ideal duration of the treatment?
- Any particular maintenance that i need to be careful of?
Let your dentist decide what procedure needs to be done on your teeth. Let his word be the final one.