People with discolored, chipped, worn, broken, misaligned, or stained teeth shy away from giving a good smile; it also affects their confidence while being around in public and this is when cosmetic dentistry is needed for having a better smile. Smile makeover treatment as it is popularly known enhances the beauty of smile with the help of multiple cosmetic procedures. Professional cosmetic dentists guide their patience in developing a treatment plan to regain their beautiful smile. The following section of this article discusses some of the most popular methods and cosmetic dentistry procedures available today.
Different types of cosmetic dentistry
Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening treatment offered by cosmetic dentistry Canberra is the most simple and affordable means of enhancing the beauty of one's teeth. The treatment starts with a bleach wash using the appropriate in-office product at the clinic that costs roughly around $500. Patients can also purchase gels and moulds available with the dentist for bleaching the teeth at home. Numerous over the counter whitening products are also available at retail stores to make teeth whitening a more convenient affair. Products like white strips, rinses, and toothpaste are easily available, and cost ranges between $3-50.
Dental bonding
In this treatment, a putty-like resin with the color of the tooth is used to hide the actual imperfections. The material is a type of durable plastic that is applied on the tooth and hardened using ultraviolet light that activates the bonding material between the material and the tooth. The dentist at cosmetic dentistry Canberra then shapes, trims and polishes to make the tooth look. Dental bonding is suitable for chipped, cracked, or decayed teeth. It is also a perfect alternative for replacing different types of tooth fillings. Dental bonding requires 30-60 minutes to be completed and costs about $100-$300 for a tooth.
Dental veneers
Dental veneers are a type of custom made shell carved out of porcelain or resin. These wafer-thin shells are tooth-coloured and cover the front portion of the teeth. Dentists carefully remove about half millimetres of the original tooth enamel from the surface and then bond these shells on the front part of the teeth. It instantly changes the shape, size, length, and color of the teeth. Dental veneers are popularly known as Hollywood teeth, and the name is justified by the cost of the process ranging anywhere between $500-1200 per tooth.
Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and Onlays are popularly referred to as indirect feelings that are mostly made using porcelain, gold, and other types of composite materials that fill the damaged or decayed portion of teeth. The dentist creates dental fillings using moulds when the patients visit the clinic. But the inlays and outlays are made in special dental laboratories, and then fitted by the dentist. The feeling material is termed as inlay when it is bonded to the centre portion of a tooth. Filling materials comprising of multiple points of the tooth or designed specifically to cover the biting surface is called outlay. Inlays and outlays are perfect for preserving the remaining portion of a healthy tooth and are often used as an alternative to a crown. This procedure of cosmetic dentistry cost about $600 to $1100 per tooth.
Dental crown
Dental crown or cap is like a cover used by cosmetic dentistry Canberra for replacing the entire damaged or decayed tooth present on top of the gum line. It helps in restoring the shape, strength, size, and appearance of the tooth. Weak teeth are covered using a crown to prevent them from breaking or cracking. Crowns are mostly made using porcelain attached to metal, metal, ceramic, or resin. Dental crowns cost about $500 to $900 per piece.
Dental implants
Dental implants refer to replacement tooth roots made from Titanium; the dentist inserts the replacement inside the bone socket of missing tooth. It takes about 3 to 4 days for the jaw bone to heal completely. After the implant the jaw grows around the metal post, it serves as a foundation for the new tooth. Patients need to spend anywhere between $1250 to $3,500 for this treatment
Alternative options
A bridge-like structure is made with crowns for the teeth on both sides of the gap, that contain false teeth within. A removable replacement of teeth, also known as the denture is also used in some cases. Straightening of misaligned or crooked teeth is done using dental braces that apply continuous pressure for a specific period and eventually moves the teeth into the desired position.
Cosmetic dentistry is the most effective means of enhancing the appearance of a person's smile. One can quickly get dramatic results from this treatment that will help in boosting their self-esteem and confidence at the same time. Technological advancements in cosmetic procedures and dentistry have equipped dentist with tools that can perform anything from the color collection to teeth replacement and much more.