When visiting a cosmetic dentist, most are looking for a smile makeover. Many procedures can help improve the appearance and function of your smile, and most only take one or two visits. Here are five of our practice’s most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments.
Many patients seek a cosmetic dentist when their at-home whitening treatments deliver less-than-desirable results in brightness and duration. There are different types of whitening methods, but all involve teeth bleaching. In some cases, the dentist may apply a gel directly to the patient’s teeth. Other times, the dentist will use an ultraviolet light system after applying a bleaching solution to accelerate the process.
Professional teeth whitening offers patients the benefit of brightening their teeth up to six shades and long-lasting results. Our team will provide you with a set of instructions to help prolong the results. If patients follow the instructions, they can expect their results to last between one and three years.
Inlays and onlays are dental restorations that our cosmetic dentist will use to repair damaged (usually caused by decay) teeth. They consist of porcelain or composite materials bonded to the surface of the patient’s natural tooth. Though they sound like the same procedure, they are performed differently.
Inlays are less visible than onlays because they fit inside the cavity instead of overtopping it. While this is beneficial, it also means inlay repairs will require more time during appointments than an equivalent-sized onlay. Onlays, on the other hand, fit overtop the patient’s damaged tooth, often covering the entire tooth, not just the damaged portion. However, the material the dentist uses is tooth-colored, making it hard to be noticed by the naked eye.
Cosmetic dentists often recommend dental implants for those missing teeth due to gum disease or a traumatic injury. This can be for patients missing one tooth or an entire arch of teeth. A dental implant is made from titanium and fits into the patient’s jawbone, acting as an anchor for the replacement tooth or teeth. A dental implant can help restore stability in the patient’s jawbone and prevent bone loss around the existing natural teeth.
The dental implant process will take multiple appointments. This is because it involves a multi-step process including:
It is worth noting that these appointments (stages) will take place between 3 to 6 months due to the healing time between each stage.
Dental veneers are thin shells of porcelain that the cosmetic dentist will bond to the front surface of the patient’s teeth. They can help improve the appearance of teeth, including changing their size and shape. Dental veneers are made from a mold of the patient’s existing teeth and then shaped into the patient’s desired shape using special tools like high-speed air abrasion machines (which remove excess tooth material) or lasers (which smooth out irregularities). The final result is a natural and brighter-looking aesthetic.
Composite bonding is an alternative to traditional dental fillings. It is a tooth-colored filling material that can also repair chips and cracks in teeth, close gaps between teeth, and build up worn-down areas of the patient’s mouth. In addition, undergoing composite bonding requires less time than receiving dental veneers or implants.
Additionally, when undergoing composite bonding, patients receive two services in one treatment session: repairing damage and replacing old fillings with a new style and material. Composite bonding lasts around ten years or so, as long as other types of restorations.
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If you are looking for a cosmetic dentist, we encourage you to contact our Encino office today by calling 818-926-4983. We can answer any questions you have about the procedures listed above and then some to determine which one is right for your needs.
Request an appointment or call Mark D. Exler, D.D.S., F.A.C.P. at 818-926-4983 for an appointment in our Encino office.
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