Cosmetic Dentists Revamp Your Style

One of the most common procedures performed by these doctors of dentistry is whitening teeth, also referred to as tooth bleaching. Using a bleaching gel that consists of hydrogen or carbamide peroxide, the dentists apply the gel to the patient’s teeth, then use a laser or light to force the peroxide contained in the gel to break down into oxygen particles, which are able to work their way inside the porous enamel covering the teeth, where it breaks down the stains that are causing the discoloration. As a result, the teeth look whiter once the stains have been removed and additional light is able to penetrate the teeth. For stains caused by tobacco, coffee or other discoloring foods, a bleaching gel or paste is frequently used in an office procedure that takes anywhere from 1 to 2 hours. However, for more severe stains, such as those caused by the use of certain medicines, a longer course of treatment may be needed. In some cases, whitening treatments may last up to six months or longer. For situations where whitening treatments are less successful or for patients who do not respond well to the treatments, wafer-thin porcelain laminates called veneers can be custom made to cover the discolored teeth. These can also be used to fill gaps between teeth.

Another procedure that many cosmetic dentists perform involves the reshaping of damaged teeth. During a reshaping procedure, the practitioner removes a part of the enamel in order to correct the appearance of the tooth. This is commonly done to repair a small problem, such as a chipped tooth, but it can also improve the shape and length, or the position of a tooth, as well. Since this can quickly correct issues such as crooked or unusually long teeth, reshaping may offer an alternative to braces for some patients. A cracked or broken tooth would be fixed by bonding a composite material that resembles the tooth’s natural enamel is applied to the area, sculpted into shape and allowed to harden. The newly repaired tooth is then polished.

Finally, these practitioners can help to improve the appearance of a patient’s teeth through the use of gum lifts and bite reclamations. During a gum lift, the practitioner will reshape the tissues, and if necessary, the bones underneath. This helps to make the teeth appear longer, or more symmetrical. For people who have experienced severe and excessive wear on their teeth, those who suffer from acid reflux or habitual teeth grinders, for example, the actual dimensions of the teeth have been altered, which could make their face appear to be closed. Undergoing a bite reclamation procedure enables the dentists to restore the teeth to as close to their original dimensions as possible, give the patient a younger and more open appearance. In some cases, this could even eliminate the need for wrinkle reducing treatments such as injections or plastic surgery.