Choices for Cosmetic Dentistry

Modern dentistry has devised a number of ways to provide treatment options for people looking for teeth enhancement procedures. Methods may range from simple teeth whitening up to bracing and bridging. Some of these methods are discussed in the following sections of this article.

Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening basically employ peroxide-based materials to make the teeth appear whiter and cleaner. To achieve the desired enhancement of the teeth, the majority of dentists apply in-office or home-based teeth whitening methods.

Before the formal process of whitening, dentist will have to take out all the cavities from the teeth. It is important to note that the gums must be in considerable health before anything is started. Then the gums will be protected by some means of dental systems then gels will be applied on the teeth. To continue the process, many in-office-setting systems use high intensity lights coupled with 35% of peroxide to whiten teeth. The laser light will activate the peroxide by means of oxidization of stains on the surface of the teeth. After an hour, the teeth will become several shades lighter.

At-home setting system however makes use of 20% peroxide. This process is longer and may take up to two weeks.

Both work well in whitening the stains yet the ideal method is to use the combination of the two processes. By this, the shade of the teeth may improve up to 12 to 15 lighter shades.

Tooth-shaping
This process seems to be the most basic and will last only for half an hour. This works by reshaping the undesirable form of the teeth. The process can make pointed tooth rounded, long tooth short and to reshape the whole teeth in general to follow the shape of the lower teeth. The removal of a small amount of teeth enamel has no long term damage effect.

Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers or betterly known as veneers are porcelain wafers created to enhance the appearance of the front surface of the teeth and to hide damage. Veneers are much more conservative yet yield the same effects as that of dentures or false teeth.

Resin (Tooth Colored Fillings)
Resins are placed on the teeth to enhance its appearance for a short duration of time. This procedure helps repair chips and small cavities by inserting white fillings on places that require them. However, unlike with porcelain veneers, resins may discolor over time and may not render as much natural look.

Bonded-Bridge
Bonded-bridge is used to replace a missing tooth. It may be a porcelain or resin tooth that has metal or resin wings on each side. The process involves the removal of a small portion of the enamel on the teeth on each side of the one missing in order to "clip" the bonded-bridge in its place.

Gum-lifts
Gum-lifting or gingivectomy is a process that entails the removal of some portions of the gums to make them appear more even and to create an appearance of longer teeth. In effect, this is the cure for gummy smiles.

Braces
Braces or orthodontics help children and even young adults to correct the gaps between the teeth and to make them more even. This procedure covers two whole years and may require around twenty dental visits.

Cosmetic surgery requires more art than science because after all, it aims to beautify. For best results, dentists often recommend the use of two or more procedures in correcting the teeth.

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