Cosmetic Dentistry

Dentistry is evolving with the usual fillings or tooth removal not being the only services that consumers want. There has been increasing interest in dental procedures that are primarily for aesthetics instead of function. This is called cosmetic dentistry and aims to enhance the appearance of the smile, mouth or teeth. Although it encompasses mainly elective procedures, restorative treatments can also contain elements of cosmetic dentistry.

Cosmetic dentistry benefits include the following:

• Correcting aesthetic flaws such as misshapen or small teeth, cracks or chips and gaps.
• Preventative measures that can prolong your teeth. For example: strengthening cracks or chips for better structural integrity to protect against wear.
• Lightening the shade of your teeth.
• Improved self-confidence as you improve the look of your smile.

The most common cosmetic dentistry procedures include:

Teeth Whitening

This is probably one of the most common cosmetic procedures. Although there are many types available, professional systems provided by a dentist are recommended for the best results. The whitening can be done in office (click here for more information) or with a custom take home kit. Whitening (also known as bleaching) works best after tooth debris including tartar and plaque have been removed from the teeth to give a better finish. Teeth can be naturally darker or can have darkened with age. Teeth can also stain from the foods and drinks that we consume or smoking.

Veneers

Veneers are applied to the entire front surface of the tooth after a thin layer of enamel is removed. Veneers are used to change the colour, shape, angle or spacing of your teeth. Your dentist can fix teeth that are broken, chipped or cracked, that have spaces between them or that are discoloured. Veneers are custom made using porcelain that and covers the front of your natural teeth. Veneers can help resolve issues such as cracked or crooked teeth but also works well when there are several placed together to close gaps and create a stunning smile.

Porcelain veneers take 2-3 appointments to complete and are custom lab fabricated.

Bonding

Bonding, also known as bonded restoration, is a painless way to make minor repairs to teeth. In most cases, several teeth can be bonded in one visit to a dentist. Bonding uses tooth-coloured material, called composite resin. Composite resin is put on the tooth, then shaped and hardened with light. The composite resin can be:

• Matched to your teeth.
• Shaped to look like the missing part of a chipped tooth.
• Used to build up teeth and fill between them.
• Used on a broken tooth to restore it to size.
• Painted over a stained tooth to make it match the colour of your other teeth.

There are also many cases in which restorative or prosthetic (crown/bridge) dentistry is done in combination with cosmetic procedures to yield both functional and aesthetic result.

Due to the elective nature of cosmetic dentistry procedures you are unlikely to be covered entirely (or in some cases partially) by insurance. To set up a consultation and learn more about our cosmetic dentistry treatments that best suit your needs, contact us to arrange a consultation with one of our dentists.