Conventional dentistry comes into mind when you hear about dental services. This type of dentistry mainly focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and treating oral diseases. But it would help if you also focused on cosmetic dentistry, which aims to improve the overall appearance of your teeth, ensuring you have that dazzling smile. Cosmetic dentistry, in most cases, is usually elective where you choose to undertake the treatment options to achieve a specific desired outcome.

Though cosmetic dentistry is elective to ensure you have your desired look, sometimes it can offer therapeutic benefits. For instance, you can have your teeth filled while treating tooth decay, and you can choose to have teeth fillings that match your teeth’s color, which ensures that all your teeth look natural, giving you a confidence boost. Some of the dental treatment options available in cosmetic dentistry may include and are not limited to:

1.  Cosmetic Dental Bonding 

Cosmetic dental bonding is a procedure that helps restore your damaged teeth or gives an aesthetic change that improves your mouth and smile. One advantage of this procedure is that it is durable and affordable. Dental bonding is ideal for adults and children who wish to have a non-invasive procedure. If you have a broken, chipped, decayed, or even discolored tooth, you can have this procedure, especially if you do not have the time required for procedures like having dental crowns and veneers.

Your dentist applies a colored resin that matches your tooth color during the procedure. Your dentist will then shape the resin into your tooth's shape, contour it, and harden it using a special dental hardening light. This process ensures that the resin material bonds to your teeth resulting in restoration work that blends well with your teeth structure, giving you a natural look that helps you maintain your smile.

When you visit your dentist for restorative treatment like a crown, porcelain veneer, bridge, or to have some inlay/onlay, you may end up having dental bonding done on your mouth. Your dentist can perform a direct or adhesive composite bonding in your mouth.

Direct Bonding

When it comes to direct bonding, your dentist will use a tooth-colored resin that will be natural-looking. Your dentist will use these resin materials to fill in cavities, close teeth gaps between your teeth, or repair any chip or crooked tooth. The resin material will be put on or in your teeth as needed. Your dentist will put the resin where you need the restorative procedure for direct bonding. Direct bonding usually requires a single visit to your dentist, though you will have to make additional visits if you are undergoing a more complicated treatment.

Adhesive Bonding

In adhesive bonding, your dentist uses an agent to do the bonding, a special dental hardening light, and an adhesive to carry out the bonding procedure. This method is usually used while installing metal-free crowns, fillings, inlays/Onlays, porcelain veneers, and bridges or for aesthetic purposes.

Advantages Of Dental Bonding

  • It Is Comfortable

You may be wondering if the procedure is as uncomfortable as most dental procedures are. Dental bonding is a very comfortable restorative procedure since it is non-invasive. Your dentist will roughen your tooth's surface and apply a conditioning substance. Then they will apply the resin material that matches your tooth's color. After using the resin material, they will shape it to your tooth's shape and then harden the substance. You will realize that since the procedure does not tamper with the structure of your teeth, you will not experience any discomfort during the process. You will not even need any pain medication or anesthesia in some cases.

  • Helps In Reshaping Your Teeth

Dental bonding reshapes your teeth, and this is achieved when your dentist lengthens or changes the width of your teeth by applying the resin to the surface of your tooth. Your teeth will be uniform as the process removes any inconsistencies found between your teeth.

  • Helps in Stain Removal

Ideally, you can use teeth whitening to remove stains, but you will realize that some stains are hard to remove intense ones. Your dentist will help in stain removal by placing the resin on the surface of the affected tooth to improve its overall appearance.

The Process of Dental Bonding Is Reversible

Since dental bonding does not involve the removal of your enamel, you can quickly reverse the procedure if you want to restore or change your teeth’s course using a different treatment option.

2.  Indirect Fillings, or Inlays/Onlays

Inlays/onlays are dental restoration procedures that you may opt for instead of having crowns or fillings to fill in your teeth if decayed or damaged. Inlays or onlays are used interchangeably, and the placement determines which one you will have. Inlays or onlays are indirect fillings, and this means that your dentist will place them in a particular place where they fit the specific cavity. In most cases, either inlays or onlays are placed on molars and premolars, which have experienced too much damage for simple fillings, and the damage isn't too much to warrant a crown. An inlay is a well-fitting, longer-lasting, better solution for tooth cavities or decay. It also provides you with a beautiful smile and overall facial appearance.  

Fillings cover teeth fractures, while crowns are generally used to fill cavities. But sometimes, a crown may be too much when covering a tooth decay or cavity, and a filing may prove too small for the same tooth decay. In this instance, your dentist may recommend an inlay or onlay, which may be the right fit for your teeth's cavity. Inlays or onlays are not intrusive like a crown, and they fill more than a filling would be.

Dental inlays or onlays are made from ceramic, gold, resin, or porcelain material which helps in improving your appearance. Your dentist will fit in the inlay on the center of your damaged molar or premolar, only on your teeth' biting surface or the cusp. Your dentist will have the inlay or onlay already fabricated at their laboratory before fitting and bonding them in your mouth. For an inlay or onlay procedure to be complete, you will need to visit your dentist twice. When you visit your dentist, they will prepare the damaged teeth and then take an impression of your teeth which they will use in their lab to fabricate the restoration.

During your first visit, your dentist may prepare a fitted temporary restoration. You can use this temporary restoration to protect your teeth while waiting for the lab to fabricate your final restoration. Your dentist will use this visit to discuss the material to use while making your inlay. For instance, you can go for gold if you have the inlays or onlays on your molars where appearance doesn't matter. However, if you are prone to grinding your teeth, you may opt for a resin material. You can have them use porcelain if the inlay or onlays are used in areas where your smile matters.

When you go for your second visit, your dentist will remove the temporary restoration and place your inlay/onlay. Your dentist will ensure that you have a smooth fit that aligns well with your other teeth during this visit. Th during this visit will also check your bite to ensure that you do not suffer occlusion-related issues later on. Once they are sure of the inlay/onlay, they will bond and polish it.

Advantages of Inlays/Onlays

  • Fits Well. Inlays/onlays are an excellent choice when you suffer small to moderate tooth decay, preferable to having crowns. 

  • They Safeguard Your Teeth Structure. An inlay or onlay preserves your teeth' structure while at the same time helping to restore teeth decay, and this will give your teeth a long lifespan.

  • Does Not  DisColor. Most inlays/onlays boast longevity, and they do not discolor easily as most resin-based fillings.

  • Easy To Clean. Since it is a perfect fit, resembling your tooth, it makes it easier to clean your teeth than other treatment options like crowns. Also, most fillings shrink when the ongoing process, which is not the case with inlays/onlays, ensures you enjoy a perfect fit. A perfect fit makes cleaning easy and natural.

  • Offer Protection To Weak Tooth. Inlays/onlays offer protection to other weak teeth as the procedure doesn’t require complete or total reshaping of your teeth.

  • Offer Teeth Stability. Inlays/onlays offer stability to your teeth as they are one of the most stable treatment options for tooth decay. Their perfect fit and durable material make them perfect and strengthen any weak or damaged tooth.

  • Offer Teeth Space Sealing. If you are suffering from cavities between your teeth, you can opt to have an onlay instead of direct filling. Only the best when sealing spaces between your teeth will minimize bacteria and go a long way in tooth decay prevention.

3.  Teeth Whitening

This dental service is a non-invasive, affordable, and quickest way of achieving that perfect smile. You can obtain teeth whitening substances from your dentist or at the drugstore. You can go for professional teeth whitening at your dentist or spa or go home to use a kit. Teeth whitening offers substantial improvement to the brightness of your smile with the perfect white teeth. You should note that teeth whitening is not a permanent solution to your teeth's discoloration, and you will need to maintain them for that perfect smile.

4.  Dental Implants

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root used to prevent jaw bone loss and support any restoration work done on a missing tooth. Dental implantation will help you regain that dazzling smile you may lose if you are self-conscious after losing a tooth. Additionally, it will help with your bite, leading to other health issues if left unchecked. When your dentist places a tooth root in your jaw, they strengthen the jaw and offer stability to your teeth, making it easy to eat all sorts of food that you would struggle with without them in place. You will also enjoy having a strong jaw bone as an implant will help stimulate your jawbone and, at the same time, prevent bone loss.

5.  Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are ultra-thin porcelain shells cemented over your tooth’s surface to correct worn-out enamel, teeth spacing, uneven teeth, cracks, or chips. Dental veneers fall under cosmetic dentistry as they help you have a brighter smile and boost your confidence. They also help in the protection of your teeth. Dental veneers ensure that you have perfectly aligned teeth and reduce the need to have complicated dental treatments. Additionally, they are durable and help protect your teeth’s structure as there is no need to tamper with them, as in the case of crowns.

6.  Dental Crowns

Dental crowns refer to your dentist's caps on top of your damaged tooth. Crows are used to cover, protect, and help restore your tooth's shape when tooth fillings don't offer much-needed help. Dental crowns come in the form of your tooth and are placed on the damaged tooth. Once your dentist places the cap on your damaged tooth, they then cement it, which helps in covering the visible part of your tooth. 

Dental crowns are metals, resin, ceramic, porcelain, and porcelain fused with metal. You will have to visit your dentist twice to have a dental crown. The first visit involves the examination of the tooth, which will have the crown. This examination includes x-rays of the tooth and the bone surrounding the tooth. Sometimes you will have to take a root canal treatment before the crown procedure. Your dentist will recommend a root canal treatment option when they find evidence of tooth decay if your tooth's pulp has been injured or when you risk infection.

You can have dental crowns when you want to:

  • Hold a dental bridge in place.
  • Cover a dental implant.
  • Cover, or support a tooth with a large filling, and less of it remains.
  • Protect weak teeth.
  • Restore a chipped or cracked tooth.

Dental Crown Procedure

Your dentist will file the tooth that will receive a crown, which helps make enough space for the crown. Your dentist will file your tooth depending on your type of crown and the material that makes your crown. For instance, if you are going for a metallic crown, your dentist will not file too much of your tooth away as metallic crowns are usually thin. After filing your tooth, your dentist will then apply a paste that will help them make an impression on your tooth. This impression helps in ensuring you retain a perfect bite even after the dental crown treatment procedure.

Your dentist then sends the impression to their lab, making the crown, which takes two to three weeks. You will have a temporary crown to cover and protect your tooth before the final crown is ready. During the second visit, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and check if the permanent crown fits your tooth and has the correct color. They will then place the permanent crown on your tooth.

7.  Orthodontics

Orthodontics is the procedure of straightening your teeth, and this process helps to manage abnormally placed teeth or jaw. Besides improving your appearance, orthodontics can help improve your chewing abilities and self-esteem and reduce the risk of having dental caries due to leftover food particles in your teeth. 

The orthodontic procedure aims to:

  • Offer you a healthy bite.
  • Improve your appearance.
  • Prevent oral diseases.
  • Correct crowded teeth. In this case, you may have misaligned teeth that could be too large for your mouth. 

8.  Laser Dentistry

When using lasers in dentistry, A laser beam acts as a vaporizer on the tissue it comes into contact with and as a cutting instrument during dental procedures. It is also used in teeth whitening, where it provides heat and acts as an enhancer to the teeth whitening agents.

Laser dentistry involves the use of the laser to:

  • Remove tooth decay and prepare the surrounding area for filings.
  • Teeth whitening.
  • Biopsy removal.
  • Reshape gum during some treatment options like a root canal.

9.  Smile Make-Over

A smile makeover is a procedure that helps alter your smile to fit the one you desire. In most cases, a smile makeover includes porcelain veneers and other cosmetic procedures. This procedure allows you if you have misaligned teeth, misshapen teeth, stained teeth, chipped teeth, and an uninspiring smile. You will enjoy having a dazzling smile without feeling embarrassed by your stained or crooked teeth. You will not have to cover your mouth while laughing or smiling and wondering if your crooked tooth sticks out.

10.  Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are false teeth held together by the abutment teeth on either side. Dental bridges are made from gold or porcelain. Gold is long-lasting, while porcelain gives you natural-looking teeth. Dental bridges are categorized into four groups, namely:

Cantilever

A cantilever bridge is held together by a dental crown which is usually cemented to the abutment tooth. You will only require one tooth next to the missing tooth for a cantilever bridge.

Implant-Supported Bridge

Your dentist will use a dental implant rather than a framework or crown. Usually, your dentist will surgically place one implant for every tooth gap. The work of the implant is to hold the bridge in place.

Maryland Bridge

This bridge employs two abutment teeth, and the missing tooth gap is usually between these two natural abutments. A Maryland bridge utilizes either metal or porcelain frameworks bonded into the back of the abutment teeth.

Traditional Bridge

A traditional bridge has a false tooth held together by dental crowns cemented on abutment teeth. A traditional bridge involves two natural teeth on each side of the missing tooth.

Contact A Hawthorne Dentist Near Me

Cosmetic dentistry procedures at Ganji Dental, a well-known cosmetic dental service provider, are available to patients seeking services in Hawthorne, CA.. Our dentists have many years of experience in dentistry, primarily cosmetic dental treatment. With our help, you will realize your dream of that dazzling smile. Whichever treatment option you are after, be it teeth whitening, dental bridges, or a smile makeover, our dedicated team will examine and determine which treatment option meets your expectations.

We combine modern cosmetic procedures with new and advanced technology to ensure you receive the best service. If you have any questions or wish to learn more about cosmetic dentistry, contact us at 310-643-8045 and schedule your consultation.