5 Ways Cosmetic Dental Surgery Can Transform Your Smile

Do you hide your smile or cover your mouth when you laugh? You’re not alone. In fact, more than half of American adults feel insecure about their teeth.

Meanwhile, about 70% feel self-conscious. Another 61% of Americans wish they could change their teeth as a result. With cosmetic dental surgery, you can!

What types of dental treatments are available? Keep reading to find out!

With this guide, you can review your options before choosing the service that’s right for you.

Don’t live life feeling insecure about your teeth. Keep reading to discover how to enhance your smile today!

1. Implants

Implants are ideal if you need to replace a damaged or lost tooth. This form of cosmetic dental surgery can repair any gaps in your smile.

During this procedure, your dentist will insert a small, titanium screw into your jaw. The screw will act as a support for your implant. Your implant will look almost indistinguishable from your natural teeth.

You’ll need to wait for the bone and support tissue to fuse to your new implant. Then, it’s secured into place permanently.

Once you have your implant in place, you’ll need to remain diligent with your oral hygiene routine. Otherwise, plaque and bacteria could affect your implant. 

You can schedule a FREE dental implant assessment to learn more.

2. Crowns

Crowns act as a cap for damaged teeth. They’re made from many different materials, including:

• Ceramic
• Metal
• Porcelain
• Composite resin
• Zirconia

Your dentist might use a mix of these materials, too. For example, they could fuse a porcelain crown to metal. To choose from these materials, your dentist will consider the:

• The function of the tooth you’re treating
• Position of your gum tissue
• Tooth’s location
• Amount of natural tooth remaining
• Color of your surrounding teeth
• Amount of tooth that will show when you smile

Then, your dentist will determine what type of crown you need.

For example, they might give you a temporary crown, which they can remove easily. You might receive a temporary crown if you’re waiting for a stronger, more permanent one.

One-day crowns are created using computer-aided design. It’s designed and milled from ceramic right at the dentist’s office.

Otherwise, your dentist might suggest an onlay or 3/4 crown. These crowns only cover a portion of your tooth.

You might need a crown if your tooth is cracked, weak, or severely worn down. 

3. Dental Veneers

Veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells. Your dentist can attach these shells to the front of your teeth. Veneers are made using resin or porcelain composite materials.

The material is then permanently bonded to your teeth.

Veneers are ideal if you have cosmetic concerns such as:

• Broken teeth
• Chipped teeth
• Smaller-than-average teeth
• Discolored teeth

Veneers can help your teeth look even and symmetrical. They can also help close any gaps between your teeth.

First, your dentist will create a mold for your veneers in a lab. Once they’re ready, you can schedule an appointment to have your veneers placed. Your dentist will consider the shape, fit, and color of your veneers to ensure they suit your needs.

After cleaning your teeth, the dentist will use dental cement to bond the veneer to your tooth. They’ll use a high-intensity light to ensure the cement hardens quickly. 

Once your veneers are in place, ask your cosmetic dentist about teeth whitening services.

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular types of cosmetic dentistry available. You can get your teeth whitened in a single visit. If your natural teeth don’t match the color of your veneers, teeth whitening is a great option.

In fact, the global cosmetic tooth whitening industry has already reached $3.2 billion.

Over time, food, drinks, and medications can cause your teeth to appear stained. Your cosmetic dentist can use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to whiten your teeth. They’ll use a curing or light laser to activate the peroxide.

Then, you can smile ear to ear with your stunning, white teeth!

4. Dental Bonding

As you review your dental surgery options, consider a bonding procedure as well. 

Composite bonding can repair a damaged, discolored, or decayed tooth. Your dentist will use a composite material that resembles your enamel’s natural color.

First, they’ll need to drill the tooth decay out. Then, they’ll apply a composite onto the tooth’s surface. Your dentist can then sculpt the composite into the necessary shape.

Once they get the shape right, they can cure the composite using high-intensity light.

The composite will cover the tooth’s damage. It can also make it appear like a healthy tooth is still in place.

Bonding is one of the most cost-effective forms of cosmetic dentistry available. It’s ideal if you have a chipped or cracked tooth. It can also help with worn-down edges or tooth decay. 

5. Inlays and Onlays

If you’re suffering from mild or moderate decay, speak to your dentist about inlays and onlays. This type of cosmetic dental surgery is ideal if you have insufficient tooth structure to support a filling, too. 

If there’s no damage to the tooth cusps, your cosmetic dentist can place the inlay directly onto the tooth structure.

If a significant portion of your tooth is damaged, however, they’ll use an onlay to cover the entire tooth’s surface.

Inlays and onlays were previously made of gold. Now, they’re made in a dental laboratory using a composite of ceramic or porcelain. Then, they’re attached to the surface of your tooth using adhesive dental cement.

Your inlays and onlays will provide support. They can restore the shape of a tooth, strengthen a tooth, and help you avoid further deterioration.

Enhance Your Smile: 5 Types of Stunning Cosmetic Dental Surgery

Consider these five types of cosmetic dental surgery. By discovering your options, you can find the right procedure for your distinct needs.

Then, you can improve the appearance of your smile and feel more confident than before. 

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