Cosmetic Dentistry – Know All of Your Options That Suits You

Surveys report that if you meet with someone for the first time, you notice that their grin more than another feature. This explains the interest in cosmetic dentistry in the previous 10 decades. Major advances in technology and techniques are the other side of the picture. With so much information available, deciphering this complex subject can be daunting, even for the dentist. This article will help to clarify the subject by explaining the pros and cons of each choice so you can make an intelligent and informed decision about.

Cosmetic dentistry is often equated with ceramic veneers, possibly due to the achievement of this extreme makeover shows. Veneers are a great option but are by no means the sole alternative. Cosmetic dentistry includes whitening, orthodontics (braces), dental implants, oral surgery, gum lifts, tooth colored fillings, and a new set of dentures. And depending on which sort of dentist you go to, you may be offered one or two of these choices.

Let us analyze another analogy: suppose you have a sore joint. If you go to an orthopedic surgeon, then an operation that is most likely will be recommended. A chiropractor may suggest alterations, a physical therapist might try physical therapy and exercises, a nutritionist might recommend glucosamine, and a pharmacist would urge Aleve or Advil. Not all would be appropriate for every patient, although all are suitable remedies for sore joints. In fact, the remedy might be a combination of different modalities.

Now suppose you have a smile which needs improvement. A general dentist might recommend whitening and/or bonding, a cosmetic dentist may frequently recommend veneers, an orthodontist would certainly consider braces, along with a surgeon or gum specialist may nevertheless offer more solutions. And the best treatment might be a combination of approaches.

So let us review the alternatives offered within the field of cosmetic dentistry and also for each supply an idea of the risks, benefits, cost, and time involved.

WHITENING

Tooth whitening occasionally known as bleaching’s existed for decades. The active component in most systems is some kind of hydrogen peroxide, which has been demonstrated to be completely safe for teeth and perhaps even beneficial to the gums. The drawbacks to whitening are sensitivity and unpredictability. The major benefit is the low cost. Different”whitening strips” can be bought over the counter for around $40. They work well for mild staining on otherwise normal, healthy teeth. Stock whitening trays bought over the Internet provide about the exact same degree of treatment, but perhaps with more sensitivity. Birchmount Dental Group

Custom bleaching trays supplied by a dentist supply better results if you’re willing to wear them each night for a few weeks. One-hour bleaching in an office or spa does exactly the same or even better job very quickly, but may also result in some sensitivity that is short-lived. The price of in-office whitening ranges from $400-$1,000, but the results continue to be variable. Some individuals undergo amazing results from such methods, while others are disappointed. For people with normal healthy teeth which want predictable benefits, a system known as”Deep Bleaching” developed by dentist Rod Kurthy will provide predictable results, even in deeply stained teeth. This system is a composite of in-office sessions and specialized take-home trays that gives amazing results each time.

The price of teeth-whitening ranges from $1,200-$1,800, and there is very little if any sensitivity with this particular system. But if your teeth have additional difficulties in addition to color, then you’ll probably be looking at”permanent whitening”, also referred to as porcelain veneers.

PORCELAIN VENEERS AND CROWNS

Porcelain veneers are thin facings that are bonded to the front of your teeth to revive your smile. They could completely cover stains, in addition to even out crooked teeth and make chipped teeth look like new. Conventional porcelain veneers require numbing of their teeth, and elimination of the top stained coating to offer space for the brand new white ceramic layer. The results could be dramatic and immediate, and the lashes may last for decades. The downsides are sensitivity lasting for weeks or months, high price, and irreversibility. However, for instances, the advantages far outweigh the downsides. If you prefer not to have your teeth numbed, another choice is Lumineers. invisalign scarborough

Lumineers are extremely thin porcelain veneers which don’t require numbing of their teeth in most scenarios, without any drilling into sensitive regions of the teeth. While they can’t correct everybody’s smile issues, they should at least be considered, especially for the nervous individual. Both conventional and Lumineers veneers are costly, approximately $ 1,500-2,000 per tooth, but they may be completed in only a couple of visits. This makes them perfect for patients wanting”immediate gratification.”

Porcelain crowns are similar to traditional dental crowns but do not include any dark metals onto the inside of the crown. For patients that are tired of this”dark line” around the gums of their crowned teeth, all-porcelain crowns are a wonderful option. The newer crowns are extremely strong and bonded to the tooth to prevent the cement wash-out that used to occur with traditional crowns. Porcelain crowns normally cost a bit more than conventional crowns but are well worth the extra cost in a region where the border of the crown reveals.

ORTHODONTICS (BRACES)

If you don’t mind waiting a few months for your new smile, orthodontics may be a far better option than ceramic veneers. For individuals with nice looking natural teeth, just jagged or gapped, orthodontics is a more natural and cost-effective strategy. Of course, in the area of cosmetic dentistry, most adults don’t want railroad track braces on their teeth, so manufacturers have developed”clear braces” where all you notice is a thin cable on the tooth. Plus, modern orthodontics has embraced the”low-force, low friction” philosophy, which makes braces a whole lot more comfortable than ever before.

If the thought of braces turns off you, then you need to consider Invisalign (www.invisalign.com). Invisalign is a series of clear plastic trays, much like bleaching trays, which gently move your teeth to their brand new, straight position. At an average treatment time of just 11 months, Invisalign is faster and easier than traditional braces, plus there are no diet restrictions without any issues cleaning and flossing. The disadvantage of Invisalign is the time involved, and also the possibility that porcelain veneers might still be needed to attain the patient’s aesthetic objectives. The benefit is that the preservation of natural teeth, and relatively low cost at about $6,000 total.

DENTAL IMPLANTS

If you’re missing some teeth, veneers, whitening, and braces may not fix all your needs. In the past, missing teeth meant full or partial dentures, or sometimes a bridge. With recent improvements in technology, people are now able to replace missing teeth with artificial teeth that look and feel just like normal teeth. And in many clinics, implants have become almost routine with a greater than 95% success rate. The advantages are evident; the disadvantages are high initial cost and the demand for minor surgery to place them. Over the long run, dental implants might actually be less expensive than other choices since they possibly can last the rest of your life.

SURGERY

Many patients would prefer to avoid surgery, but sometimes it is, in fact, the smartest choice. Gum surgery to improve a gummy smile, a chin implant to enhance a receding chin, jaw surgery to correct a disfiguring overbite or cleft – these are situations where the other options just might not be adequate. In some cases, the results are worth the risks, although surgery is regarded as the last option.

THE COMPREHENSIVE Strategy

The extensive approach utilizes each of the above choices. Often this means combining two or more of the aforementioned treatment modalities. It begins with identifying the individual’s desired result, funding, lifestyle issues, and time frame. All these factors can affect a patient’s decision about therapy and should be taken under account by the dentist.