According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), cosmetic dentistry designs create and deliver an ideal smile. The difference between the AACD’s definition and those provided by other sources is that many people think of it as a simple teeth whitening procedure that involves bleaching or a dental veneer. Cosmetic dentistry goes beyond that, and it is a whole area of specialization within the cosmetic field. In this article, we look at some of the standard procedures you can get from a specialist in cosmetic dentistry in Torrance.
1. Whitening
One of the most popular procedures in cosmetic dentistry is teeth whitening. Teeth become stained and discolored for several reasons, such as smoking, drinking coffee and tea, and eating foods that are colored. A specialist in cosmetic dentistry can use various methods to whiten teeth, including bleaching agents, laser treatments, and the use of a dental bleaching tray.
2. Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and Onlays are a procedure that focuses on restoring teeth that have been damaged as a result of tooth decay or wear. In this procedure, part of the specialist’s job is to remove the decayed portions of the teeth and replace them with materials such as porcelain, metal, or composite resin.
3. Composite Bonding
Composite bonding is a procedure used to repair teeth that are chipped, cracked, or have gaps between them. In this procedure, the specialist will apply a composite resin to the damaged area and then use a special light to harden it. Composite bonding is an inexpensive procedure, but it is used only on small areas of damage.
4. Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are one of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures. In this procedure, the specialist will apply a veneer to the front part of a patient’s teeth to change their appearance and correct any cosmetic flaws. A dental veneer is a thin piece of porcelain attached to either the front or back surface of a tooth. The specialist will prepare the tooth by removing a small amount of enamel before attaching the veneer.
5. Dental Implants
Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. Dental implants are made of titanium, and they provide support for artificial teeth that look just like natural ones. Once you have your implants fitted, you can eat and drink whatever you like, and you will be able to brush and floss them as you would your natural teeth.
6. Smile Makeover
Many different procedures make up a smile makeover, and there is no one definition. According to WebMD, this term can refer to teeth whitening or dental implants. It is often used as an umbrella term for any cosmetic dentistry procedure that aims to make your smile look its best.
7. Full Mouth Reconstruction
In some cases, a full mouth reconstruction is considered a smile makeover. In this procedure, the specialist will repair any decayed or damaged teeth before carrying out several cosmetic dentistry procedures such as veneers and implants. The aim is to prepare your teeth for replacement by artificial ones.
To summarize, cosmetic dentistry is a field of dentistry that focuses on correcting dental problems to improve your smile. Some standard cosmetic dentistry procedures include teeth whitening, dental veneers, implants, inlays, and onlays. A smile makeover, full mouth reconstruction, and composite bonding also fall under cosmetic dentistry.
