Search:
NewArticleDaily your source of new articles posted everyday
Submit Articles | Member Login | Top Authors | Most Popular Articles | Submission Guidelines | Ezine Notifications | Article RSS Feeds

Home | Beauty

Choose Your Cosmetic Dentistry Procedure

By: Jack Landry

There are many different reasons people seek cosmetic dentistry. Some people want to look and feel younger, and others want to reverse the decline of their teeth in general.

People feel self conscious because of the way their smiles look and want to feel better and more confident with having them fixed. People with bad teeth rarely smile and that is just a sad thing as smiling is such a demonstrative thing!

There are many different cosmetic procedures to choose from so a few are listed below with some descriptions to help you decide which works best for you.

PORCELAIN VENEERS

Porcelain laminate veneers are custom-made porcelain wafers that the dentist places over teeth to enhance their appearance and also to repair damage. In the 1920's and 30's, actors, actresses and other performers would often go to the extreme measure of having their teeth extracted and having dentures made to improve their smile.

Fortunately, this radical procedure has given way to veneers, a far more conservative approach. Veneers are what give many Hollywood movie stars that dazzling smile we see on the silver screen.

The procedure usually involves removing only a thin amount of the outermost layer of the tooth, called the enamel. The dentist then takes molds (impressions) of the mouth.

Temporary veneers are then placed for the patient to wear while the permanent veneers are being made. The procedure usually takes between 1.5 to 2 hours.

TOOTH WHITENING

Tooth whitening involves the use of peroxide-based materials to whiten teeth. Most dentists use an in-office or at-home whitening system to achieve the desired results.

Before tooth whitening, the patient must get all cavities filled, and the gums must be healthy. The in-office systems use hydrogen peroxide gels coupled with a high-intensity light to whiten the teeth.

The gums need to be protected with some systems, and then gels are placed on the teeth. A laser or plasma arc light source activates the peroxide to oxidize stains on the tooth surface.

In about an hour, the teeth become four to six shades lighter. At-home systems require the dentist make impressions (molds) of the mouth, and then has soft mouth trays made.

The patient is fitted with the trays, and then is instructed to place a thin ribbon of the gel into the tray and wear while sleeping. Most whitening occurs in one to two weeks.

In difficult cases, trays may need to be worn for up to six weeks. I have found that a combination of in-office and at-home systems works the best, and routinely achieve between 12 to 15 shades of whitening.

The procedure is safe when monitored by a dentist, and does not damage the tooth in any way.

TOOTH SHAPING

Tooth shaping involves removing a small amount of the enamel of the teeth. Tooth shaping can shorten long teeth, round off pointed teeth, and help create a pleasing smile that gently follows the contour of the lower lip.

The procedure is quick and painless and is usually completed in less than 30 minutes. A small minority of patients get slight sensitivity after tooth shaping.

This can be remedied with prescription strength fluoride or in-office desensitizers. The procedure does not appear to cause any long-term damage to the teeth.

BRACES

Orthodontics or braces can improve the appearance of teeth in children and adults who have crooked teeth or teeth with wide gaps. The procedure usually takes about 18 to 24 months.

Having teeth moved with braces is very time consuming, requires multiple visits and can be uncomfortable. It is most useful for children to straighten their teeth.

The procedure can improve the appearance of the face and jaw during growth. I would sometimes recommend braces to my adult patients for cosmetic reasons, but very few are interested.

They would rather use other cosmetic options that get results faster, usually within two weeks, and often for less money.

Article Source: http://www.newarticledaily.com

Jack R. Landry is a former dental assistant and has authored hundreds of articles relating to general and cosmetic dentistry. He recommends (www.BakersfieldSmileDesign.com) as a dentist in Bakersfield, CA.

Please Rate this Article

 

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Beauty Articles Via RSS!
Additional Articles From - Home | Beauty
Sign Up for a free account or learn more.
New Stuff
About Us
Link to Us
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service


© 2008 New Article Daily. All Rights Reserved.
Use of our service is protected by our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service

Powered by Article Dashboard