A smile is worth a thousand words. In a society that focuses so much on looks and staying young, cosmetic dentistry is on the rise. In the past, fillings were made with gold and amalgam (silver), leaving its patients with visible dark spots on the teeth. With technology on the rise, dental fillings can be made entirely of porcelain. This makes the tooth look similar to the normal teeth in a patient’s mouth. You can select fillings that closely match the color of your teeth, therefore maintaining the natural appearance of your teeth and smile. Many people have replaced only “silver” fillings with the new composite fillings to enhance their oral appearance.
Traditional dentistry focuses on oral hygiene and preventing, diagnosing, and treating oral diseases. Teeth whitening and veneers are considered to be cosmetic dentistry. We focus on your smile and making you look good! Here are a few things cosmetic dentistry in Salt Lake focuses on:
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is normally done to patients who have stained or discolored teeth. Several patients are opting to use this procedure to brighten their smile.
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Dental Veneers
Veneers are a thin shell made out of porcelain or composite material. They are custom-made for your teeth and cemented to the front side of your tooth. Many general dentists can perform this procedure if you have a cracked, chipped, or broken tooth. Veneers are also recommended for patients who have a gap in their teeth.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is a metal device designed to replace a missing tooth. It is a surgical procedure that places a metal device in your jawbone where the tooth is missing. Unlike a dental bridge, a dental implant is permanent. It is designed to act as a normal tooth and can even anchor a bridge or a crown.
Dental Crowns
If you have ever broken a tooth to a large degree, chances are you have a crown. Crowns are often referred to as caps and are designed to fit over your whole tooth after your dentist has prepared the tooth. If you have a root canal, you must crown the tooth within 6 months to one year to prevent further infection to that tooth. Crowns are usually made of metal and covered with porcelain. Many dentists will use crowns to replace teeth that are poorly shaped, decayed, broken or cracked, or have had large fillings.
Dental Shaping
Shaping, commonly referred to as “enamel shaping”, is when the dentist can reshape your tooth by removing some of the enamel. Typically, this is not a painful procedure since the dentist is not touching the nerve of the tooth, Many patients like it because they experience immediate effects.
Dental Bonding
This is when a dentist applies tooth colored material to the tooth. Typically, a dentist will use bonding on a tooth that is badly stained, broken, or chipped. Patients who have had braces and did not take proper care of their teeth often have bonding done to fix the decay spots on the front of their teeth.
Orthodontic Treatments
Many people use orthodontists to straighten their teeth or large gaps in their teeth. Most orthodontic patients are in elementary, junior high, or high school. With recent trends in society to focus on your appearance, many adults are turning to orthodontic procedures to straighten their crooked teeth as well. Orthodontic treatment has become so advanced that they can now straighten teeth with “clear” braces that are un-noticeable.
Cosmetic dentistry is also used for patients who need full mouth reconstruction. This includes patients who have problems with the bite, muscles, teeth, and bone structure. Full mouth reconstruction involves advanced restorative treatment methods. Many patients will visit the cosmetic dentist several times within a period of time to receive this treatment. Most dentists who perform full mouth reconstruction have specific areas of expertise and additional schooling to keep up with the latest technology.
As you can see, cosmetic dentistry provides many opportunities for people who are unhappy with their smile. At Avenues Dentistry, we use the latest technology to keep up with the growing demands of their patients who want to improve the way they look. Come visit our office today for a free cosmetic consultation. We can assess which dental options are the best for you! You can reach us by calling (801) 328-4173 or you can request an appointment by filling out our online contact form.
