Cosmetic Dentistry

How can you achieve the perfect smile? A visit to a cosmetic dentist is one of the best ways to ensure that you attain a sparkling and beautiful smile. You may choose from various cosmetic dentistry procedures when you visit an Edgewater dentist or a cosmetic dentist's office. These aesthetic procedures can help people correct common dental problems such as misaligned teeth or jaws.

Cosmetic dentistry is any dental work that enhances the appearance of gums or teeth. Primarily, it focuses on dental aesthetics rather than necessarily on functionality. That’s why whenever someone must improve their teeth' position, color, size, or alignment, they turn to cosmetic dentistry. In this guide, we will focus on different types of cosmetic dentistry procedures and how they improve our dental appearance.

Cosmetic Dentistry: An Overview

Generally, cosmetic dentistry involves:

  • Removing gums or tooth structure and adding dental material to gums/teeth. For instance, gum grafts, crowns, porcelain veneers, and bonding.
  • Straightening of teeth to improve smile.
  • Bleaching or teeth whitening, gum depigmentation, or laser whitening.

Symmetry and harmony are common themes in cosmetic dentistry. Most people want their teeth to be brighter and free of cigarette or coffee stains. We all want to look and feel confident, but most of us have specific issues which prevent us from flaunting a dazzling smile. Problems like tooth discoloration, gaps, missing teeth, or uneven gums may need cosmetic dentistry.

Why Do You Need Cosmetic Dentistry?

Although beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, many people think that attractive people are smarter and more reliable. However, research also reveals that people with engaging personalities are likely to be more confident and booming in their personal and professional lives. As a result, many people want to invest in cosmetic dental procedures, especially before a big event. For example, their wedding or a major corporate event. Cosmetic dentistry in the Western world follows the Greek view of beauty and is about the same heights (harmony) and lines (symmetry).

While some medical procedures have beneficial therapeutic effects, most dental procedures are more optional than necessary. Insurance often pays for surgeries that are necessary for medical reasons. That’s why insurance does not cover elective situations. Most cosmetic dentistry procedures are relatively simple. Other surgical procedures, however, may require more specialized and advanced care. Contact a professional Orange City dentist who can guide you more about cosmetic dentistry. Let’s now explore the different types of cosmetic dentistry.

Types of Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are custom-made and thin shells made from porcelain and resin. Veneers are cemented to the front of the teeth to change their shape, size, color, or length. Most people refer to them as ‘Hollywood Teeth,’ which can cost as much as $500 to $1,300.

Teeth Whitening

One of the simplest and least expensive methods to brighten your smile is by getting a teeth whitening procedure. For $500 or less, your Edgewater dentist can bleach your teeth using in-office equipment. Some people also use bleaching gels at home for whitening their teeth. However, they may deliver different results than in-house teeth whitening. In addition, rinses, whitening toothpaste, and white strips are also available in local stores. Each of these items costs between $3 and $50.

Dental Bonding

You can contact a professional dentist in Orange City to ask about dental bonding procedures. This procedure involves using a putty-like resin. The dentist will apply this tooth-colored and durable plastic material to the tooth and use a laser or ultraviolet light to harden it so it can bond with the tooth. The dentist will then shape, trim, and polish it. Dental bonding is famous for repairing cracked, chipped, misshapen, and decayed teeth. The process takes around half an hour to one hour and costs anywhere from $100 to $400 per tooth.

Dental Crown

A dental crown or a cap is effective if you want to restore a tooth's size and shape and improve its aesthetics. This cap can cover and replace the entire broken or decayed tooth above the gum line. Crowns are a popular cosmetic procedure for covering badly discolored or deformed teeth. Most cosmetic dentists also recommend dental crowns to prevent damaged or weak teeth from cracking or breaking. Each crown costs between $500 and $900 and is composed of resin, metal, ceramic, or porcelain-fused-to-metal.

Onlays and Inlays

Also called indirect fillings, inlays and onlays are made from porcelain, gold, or composite materials. They are best for filling damaged and decayed teeth. When you visit a professional dentist in Orange City, the dentist will take impressions of your damaged teeth for making these partial crowns. The dentist will then cement them into place. This method is a more durable solution than fillings.

When the material is bonded within the tooth’s center, we call the filling an ‘inlay.’ When the filling covers the biting surface and includes one or more points of the tooth, we call it an ‘onlay.' Indirect fillings are a popular crown alternative, costing from $600 to $1200 per tooth.

Dental Implants

Dental Implants are known as artificial tooth roots and are made of titanium which are put into the bone socket where a tooth was once present. The jawbone grows around the implanted metal post as it heals and anchors it securely in the jaw. That sets a solid foundation for a replacement tooth. The procedure can cost anywhere from $1,250 to $3,000.

Other Common Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

Dental Bridge: A bridge can help people with one or multiple missing teeth. A bridge restores your smile, bite, and oral health.

Dental Braces: One of the best remedies for straightening misaligned or crooked teeth. Braces work by applying consistent pressure on the affected teeth so they can move in a specific direction.

Composite Bonding: This process repairs damaged, decayed, and discolored teeth using material that resembles the tooth enamel’s color. After removing all the decay, the dentist applies the composite onto the tooth's surface. He later sculpts it into an appropriate shape and uses high-intensity light to curl it.

What are the Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry can improve an individual’s dental health and the appearance of their smile. First, however, you must choose an experienced and professional Deland dentist who can guide you properly. Here are some of the benefits you can accomplish with cosmetic dentistry.

Better Dental Health

Cosmetic dentistry enhances your appearance and helps prevent future dental problems. For instance, dental crowns and dental implants can prevent gum/bone deterioration and tooth decay. In addition, cosmetic dentistry, proper oral hygiene, and regular dental check-ups will enhance your dental health.

Better Diet

A missing or damaged tooth may hamper your ability to bite and chew food. Getting a cosmetic dental procedure will enhance your chewing capabilities, making it easier for you to add healthier food options, such as crunchy and raw vegetables.

Cost-Effective Dental Procedures

Taking care of your teeth early on can help you avoid possible dental health complications. Unfortunately, most of these complications involve costly and detailed dental work.

Contact the Best Dentist in Orange City

A beautiful smile will strongly impact your personal and professional life. Contact Universal Smiles Dentistry today if you are looking for an experienced and seasoned dentist in Edgewater. Our team boasts top-rated and qualified cosmetic dentists who will recommend the best procedure for boosting your self-confidence.