Am I a Good Candidate for Cosmetic Dentistry Services?

Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the physical appearance of the teeth and fixing the flaws. It has become a very popular dental practice because the procedures are mostly non-invasive and help improve the patient’s self-confidence.

Who is an ideal candidate for cosmetic dentistry?

The easiest way for someone to determine if they are a good candidate for cosmetic surgery is by taking a look in the mirror to examine their teeth. If their teeth are crooked, yellow, chipped, stained or have any flaw that they do not like, they are an ideal candidate for one of the many cosmetic dentistry procedures.

Some common treatment options to fix flaws in the teeth include:

Veneers

Dental veneers are wafer-thin shells that are usually made from porcelain. The shells are used for several cosmetic dentistry procedures, including fixing chipped teeth, gaps in the teeth, whitening teeth and fixing crowded teeth. The surface of the affected tooth is filed before the veneers are bonded to the surface to cover up the flaws, which restores the appearance of the tooth.

Bonding

This procedure is used to fix flaws like excess space between teeth, chipped, broken or stained teeth. The dentist fixes these flaws by applying an etching solution and tooth-colored materials, usually composite resin, directly to the tooth's surface where needed. The procedure is usually completed in one visit.

Teeth whitening

This procedure is used to restore the teeth to their original whiteness. The dentist uses a concentrated bleaching gel to remove the stains on the teeth and turn them pearly white again. The procedure is usually completed in one visit to the dentist’s office and often takes up to two weeks if the patient opts to whiten the teeth at home using a customized mouthguard the dentist provides.

Dental crowns

These are used to restore the shape and size of the teeth if a patient’s teeth are worn down. They are also used to protect a fractured or cracked tooth and prevent infection if the patient is suffering from tooth decay. For patients who have missing teeth, dental crowns are used to hold artificial teeth in place should they decide to get dental bridges.

Dental crowns usually require two visits to the dentist’s office. The first visit is used to prep the teeth and take impressions, which are sent to a dental laboratory to start making the dental crown. Once the permanent dental crown is ready, the dentist will call the patient in to get it cemented in place. In other cases, if the dentist has a CEREC machine, the dental crown can be made in the dentist’s office during the visit, which means the patient only has to make one trip to the dentist.

Conclusion

Cosmetic dentistry is an important part of dentistry because it helps people fix the flaws in their teeth that they may be conscious of. If you do not like the way your teeth look, schedule an appointment with your dentist to go over your cosmetic treatment options.

Request an appointment here: http://www.dentalcarepasadena.com or call Karrie Chu DDS Dental Care at (626) 472-2189 for an appointment in our Pasadena office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.