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Can my dentist improve my smile?
From subtle changes to major repairs, your dentist can perform a
variety of procedures to improve your smile. There are many techniques
and options to treat teeth that are discolored, chipped, misshapen
or missing. Your dentist can reshape your teeth, close spaces, restore
worn or short teeth or alter the length of your teeth. Common procedures
include bleaching, bonding, caps, crowns, veneers, and reshaping
and contouring. These improvements are not always cosmetic. Many
of these treatments can improve oral problems, such as your bite.
Bleaching
Bleaching is a common and popular chemical process used to whiten
teeth. Some people get their teeth bleached to make stains disappear,
while other just want a whiter shade. Discoloration occurs in the
enamel and can be caused by medication, coffee, tea and cigarettes.
Discoloration also can be caused by your genetic make-up or simply
getting older.
Bleaching can be performed by your dentist in
the office or, under dental supervision, at home. Many patients
enjoy bleaching at home because it is more convenient. Treatment
begins when your dentist creates a custom mouthpiece to ensure the
correct amount of whitening solution - 10 percent to 20 percent
carbamide peroxide - is used and that your teeth are properly exposed.
Typically, whitening at home takes two or three weeks, depending
on the desired shade you wish to achieve. Whitening in the office
may call for two to six 45-minute visits to your dentist's office. See Compare Whitening Methods on face page.
Bonding
Bonding is tooth-colored material used to fill in gaps or change
the color of teeth.
Requiring a single office visit, bonding lasts several years. Bonding
is more susceptible to staining or chipping than other forms of
restoration. When teeth are chipped or slightly decayed, bonded
composite resins may be the material of choice. Bonding also is
used as a tooth-colored filling for small cavities and broken or
chipped surfaces. Additionally, it can be used to close spaces between
teeth or cover the entire outside surface of a tooth to change its
color and shape.
Crowns
Crowns, also known as caps, are used in cases where
other procedures will not be effective. Crowns have the longest
life expectancy of all cosmetic restorations, but are the most time
consuming.
Veneers
Veneers are placed over the front teeth to change color or shape
of your teeth. Veneers are used on teeth with uneven surfaces or
are chipped, discolored, oddly shaped, unevenly spaced or crooked.
Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain or plastic cemented over the
front of your teeth. Little or no anesthesia is needed. Veneers
are used to treat some of the same problems as bonding. This treatment
is an alternative to crowns if the situation allows for it, as veneers are less invasive to tooth structure. The procedure
requires your dentist to take an impression of your tooth. Before
the custom-made veneer is glued directly onto the tooth, your dentist
will lightly buff the tooth to compensate for the added thickness
of the veneer. Once the cement is between the veneer and your tooth,
a light beam is used to harden it. Porcelain veneers require more
than one visit because they are fabricated in a laboratory. Veneers
have a longer life expectancy and color stability than bonding.
Contouring and reshaping
Tooth reshaping and contouring, is a procedure to correct crooked
teeth, chipped teeth, cracked teeth or even overlapping teeth in
a single session. Tooth reshaping and dental contouring, is commonly
used to alter the length, shape or position of your teeth. Contouring
teeth may also help correct small problems with bite. It is common
for bonding to be combined with tooth reshaping. This procedure
is ideal for candidates with normal healthy teeth, but who want
subtle changes to their smile.
Which procedure is right for me?
Your dentist can answer many of the questions
you may have about techniques used to improve your smile. The condition
of your teeth and desired result you want often dictates the best
procedure. If you are considering a treatment, there are a few questions
you can ask your dentist before deciding if a particular procedure
is right for you:
• What will the changes look
like?
• What should I expect through the course of treatment?
• What type of maintenance will be required?
Your dentist will answer questions you may have about the procedure,
maintenance and price to help you choose the treatment that best
suits you.
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