7 Kinds of Cosmetic Dentistry to Restore a Happy Smile

Dentistry can be about much more than filling cavities or pulling teeth. If you've got a smile that you're reluctant to show, a cosmetic dentist offers many treatments to improve its appearance and give you more confidence. Here are seven of the most important and widely used.

1) Bleaching or Teeth Whitening

Most people's teeth become at least a little stained as the years pass. Even if you have an impeccable dental hygiene routine, spicy foods, coffee, red wine, and even some fresh fruits can all lead to duller or yellowing teeth.

A cosmetic dentist can carry out whitening to restore your natural color, using a variety of techniques of different strengths. Some treatments can be carried out at home with your dentist supervising the results over a few weeks, while others such as laser whitening are done in a single session at the surgery.

And don't think that whitening is only about creating a dazzling Hollywood smile. Professional whitening treatments can lift the color of your teeth by a subtle shade or two, or go much further, whichever suits you best.

2) Dental Bonding

It's easy to become self-conscious about a small gap between two of your teeth, particularly if it's at the center of your smile. Dental bonding is a simple procedure that can seamlessly fill the space using tooth-colored resin and adhesives, making a permanent fix for a smoother tooth profile. Dental bonding is usually recommended for a procedure that can be used to repair or improve the appearance of a tooth that has been badly stained, broken front teeth, or chipped teeth and correct misalignments and spaces between your teeth.

3) Dental Veneers

Dental Veneers are thin slivers of porcelain or composite material, fixed onto the front surfaces of your teeth. They're used to correct chips, a crooked tooth line, discolored teeth, small gaps between teeth, and deep staining.

Once they're fitted, they look completely natural and will last for ten years or more, resisting any further damage or staining under everyday conditions. Dental Veneers are the only option to reconstruct your smile without undergoing multiple cosmetic dental procedures.

4) Inlays and Onlays

Modern fillings are unobtrusive and natural-looking, but the same can't be said of many older ones which were made out of gray metal. However, inlays and onlays are two types of replacement filling which can solve this problem.

As well as filling a cavity, they cover a little of the surrounding area with an undetectable material to leave your tooth looking as good as new. What's more, modern inlays and onlays are stronger than traditional fillings, and are much less likely to be damaged or displaced by chewing and biting.

5) Dental Crowns

If you have a poorly shaped, badly damaged tooth, either through an accident or heavy decay, or have had large fillings, or to cover spaces in between teeth. Then fitting a crown can restore it to its former shape and size. Crowns, also referred to as caps, are custom made to fit over your whole tooth after the cosmetic dentist has prepared it. Crowns are made of natural-looking porcelain, shaped to fit perfectly into your smile, and cemented permanently in place.

6) Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are a common tooth restoration option that attaches to healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth. If you have a single tooth missing with a healthy neighbor on each side of the gap, then a bridge can fill the empty space. Bridges work by anchoring a replacement porcelain tooth to the strong natural ones on each side and are completely undetectable once fitted. Dental bridges are highly esthetic and give our patients added confidence in their appearance, and this cosmetic dental restoration helps to repair your smile.

7) Dental Implants

Lastly, dental implants are a permanent solution to one or more missing teeth. An artificial tooth is designed to match your existing dental profile, and then anchored into place with a metal socket implanted into your jawbone.

Dental Implants are a fairly major treatment, requiring two or more trips to the surgery. However, once fitted, implants will last for a lifetime, and will protect your jaw from the bone loss which often affects the area around a missing tooth.

There's no need to put up with a smile that you're not happy to show. Modern cosmetic dentistry can provide fixes for major or minor issues alike, with perfectly natural-looking results and quicker and more comfortable treatments than in the past. If you have an issue with your teeth that's affecting your confidence, speak to your dentist to explore your options.

We are specialized in a variety of dental services, including Cosmetic, Pediatric, and Family Dentistry. A happy smile is a healthy smile, and we care for your smile! Request an appointment here: https://www.mycaredentals.com or Call My Care Dental at (512) 590-6634 for an appointment in our Austin office, and let’s help you take charge of your dental health. We are conveniently located at Near Mopac and W Parmer Ln.