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Cosmetic Dentistry Know Your
Options
by
Linda Moore
Your smile is your welcome
sign to the world, and you want that sign to be the best one on
the block. If you weren’t lucky enough to be born with a
show-stopping smile and perfectly straight, white teeth there is
hope for you yet. The world of cosmetic dentistry can fix any
dental problem from missing teeth to yellow teeth to the most
crooked of smiles.
When you are thinking of
having any type of cosmetic dentistry done, the first step is to
find a qualified dentist, on that is a member of the AACD
(American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) this will help to
ensure that he is well versed in all areas of cosmetic
dentistry.
When interviewing possible
choices for a dentist, ask to see his portfolio of before and
after photos of previous patients, this will give you an idea of
the quality of the work that is being performed. Always ask for
references from these patients, ask them how they feel about the
work that has been done for them. Finally find out about any
education that has been completed since the dentist has been
practicing dentistry. It is important that education is kept up
to date with the advances that are being made in this field.
The most common form of this
type of dentistry is the use of braces. Braces are generally put
on adolescent children beginning at around age 12, by a
qualified orthodontist. The area of orthodontics deals with the
straightening and realigning of teeth. This treatment not only
beautifies the smile, but by realigning the mouth orthodontics
can also eliminated future problems of the jaw. The type of
cosmetic dentistry that is more common with adults includes
teeth whitening, the placement of veneers and bonding. These
procedures are solely for cosmetic reasons and have no health
benefits associated with them; however, the emotional benefits
from these types of procedure can be huge.
Teeth whitening is growing
in popularity due in part to the availability of at home
systems. These systems make it possible to get a whiter,
brighter smile without the cost and inconvenience of visiting a
dentist office. There is also the option of in office bleaching,
this is done under the supervision of the dentist and generally
takes about an hour per each application.
It is wise to consult with
your dentist as to which whitening product is right for your
teeth, as not all teeth take to bleaching in the same manner.
Your dentist will help you decide which type is right for your
teeth as well as for your budget.
Bonding is done to either
repair a chipped or cracked tooth, to cover an exposed root or
for strictly cosmetic reasons. In any of these cases, the tooth
or teeth to be treated are cleaned and then have an etching
solution applied. This solution will help the resin composite to
bond with the tooth. There are several different colors of resin
available to match the color of the teeth. The resin is then
shaped so that the new teeth have the desired shape to them; the
resin will then harden and finally be polished to a shine so
that they match the rest of the teeth in the mouth.
Veneering teeth is becoming
increasingly popular as a way to cover up fillings, chipped
teeth, stained teeth or gaps in the teeth. A veneer is a thin
porcelain shell that fits directly over the tooth in question
and is bonded in place. The veneers can also give the appearance
of straight teeth with out the time that is involved with
braces; however, they are the more expensive of the two options.
Linda Moore writes on a variety of subjects
including family matters, personal enrichment,
cosmetic dentistry,
and breast augmentation/reduction
surgery.
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