A smile can be the most eye-catching feature of a face. With dentistry's
many
advances, you no lnger have to settle for stained, chipped or misshapen teeth.
You now have choises that can help you smile with confidence.
Talk with your dentist about the option for improving your smile.
Veneers
Veneers are thin custom-made shells that are designed to cover the front of the teeth.
Made of tooth-colored materials, veneers sre used to treat spaces between teeth
and teeth that are permanently stained, poorly shaped or slightly crooked. They may
also cover teeth that are chipped or worn.
A custom-made solution
Veneers are made from composite resins, acrylic materials, or porcelain. Placing
veneers is often an irreversible process because a small amount of enamel is usually
removed to accommodate the thickness of the shell. Anesthetic may be required
depending upon the way the tooth is being prepared. The procedure requres just a
few appointments.
Like any restoration, it is possible, overtime, for the veneer to come off or for decay
to develop. In that case, a new veneer may be required.
Tooth whitening
Tooth Whitening – also called bleaching – is a procedure that brightens teeth that are
discolored, stained, or have been darkened because of injury. It can be performed on
living teeth or teeth that have had root canal treatment.
Two ways to brighten your smile
Bleaching may be done completely in the dental office (known as chairside bleaching)
or the dentist may dispense a system for you to use at home (home-use bleaching).
Chairside bleaching takes from 30 minutes to one hour per visit. A chemical solution,
the oxidizing agent, is applied to the teeth. A special light may be used at
intervals to
help activate the bleaching agent. To complete the process, two or more sessions
one
week apart may be required. It is not uncommon for the teeth to become slightly
sensitive following bleaching treatments.
With home-use bleaching, your dentist fabricates a custom-fitted mouthguard that
holds a bleaching gel. The mouthguard is worn daily or at night for about two weeks.
The amount of time the nightguard is worn and the treatment duration may vary
according to your needs and your dentist’s recommendations. Although the effects of
bleaching may last for several years, teeth can become stained again by beverages
and foods such as coffee, tea and berries. Consequently, periodic touch-up treatments
may be needed.
Bonding
Bonding is a cosmetic procedure that can improve the appearance of teeth that are
chipped, broken, cracked, stained, or have spaces between them. With bonding,
tooth-colored materials are attached, or bonded, to a tooth surface. The process can
improve unsightly stains from coffee, tea, tobacco or certain childhood medications;
front-tooth spaces; and accident-induced cracks or chips. Bonding is also used to
protect exposed tooth roots that result from gum recession and to fill small cavities.
Bonding usually lasts from three to five years.
A quick and comfortable procedure
The bonding process involves preparing the tooth surface with an etching
solution
that allows the bonding material (composite resins) to adhere. Composite resins
are
plastic materials made of glass-like substances and resin. Various color resins are
carefully blended to match the existing tooth and look completely natural. The resin
is applied, contoured into the proper shape and hardened using a special light or
chemical process. It is then smoothed and polished to appear natural. Bonding may
not require the use of anesthesia or drilling and can usually be completed in one visit.
Enamel shaping
Enamel shaping is a process of shaping, or contouring natural teeth to improve their
overall appearance. When teeth are slightly crowded or uneven, or when eye teeth
appear too long, enamel shaping may be used to correct the flaw.
Refining your smile
Enamel shaping involves modifying teeth by removing or contouring enamel to create
harmony and balance in the mouth. The process, which is often combined with
bonding, is usually quick and comfortable. No anesthesia is necessary when shaping
the enamel, and the results can be seen immediately. Enamel shaping should be
approached with caution, however, because enamel cannot be replaced.
Keep in mind that this more conservative process cannot solve all problems.
Crowded teeth may need braces. If so, your dentist may provide treatment or refer
you to a specialist in orthodontics.
Even subtle changes in your smile can make a dramatic difference in the way you
look and feel about yourself. Discuss with your dentist not only the options most
suitable for you, but also what your expectations are and the dental fees involved.
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