Cosmetic Dentistry (written for Los Angeles Cosmetic Dentist)
The words "cosmetic dentistry" seems to come up more and more these days, and it's very likely that most of us don't know what that phrase entails. Cosmetic dentistry is a specialized branch of dentistry that focuses on beautification of the teeth and mouth instead of their maintenance. As such, a cosmetic dentist can offer things like teeth whitening, installing veneers to even up slightly crooked teeth, fixing gaps in teeth, and installing crowns and caps. Patients are going this route instead of orthodontia because it is slightly cheaper, quicker, and much less painful than the techniques used by an orthodontist. Keep in mind however, that cosmetic dentistry is about making aesthetic changes, not structural changes.
Two of the more common treatments sought by patients today are veneering and bonding. Veneers are used to align very slightly misaligned teeth and make them appear even and straight. A substantial layer of porcelain is affixed to the surface of the recessed tooth, which adds depth and makes the tooth appear to be the same depth as the others, evening out the smile. Bonding, another common process, is used to fix gaps in teeth (usually front teeth). The process of bonding entails the dentist making a clay-like substance that has been tinted to match the color of the other teeth. That clay is then spread onto the two adjacent teeth, filling in the gap in the process. The dentist then prepares a rough shaping to get the contour, bite, and depth correct, then quickly hardens the clay. He then goes back and does the final artistry, ensuring the teeth appear perfectly natural without a gap, then polishes them.
Bridges are also becoming standard, and favored over the older style dentures they replace. Bridges entail molding porcelain teeth to fill in the gap where a tooth or teeth are missing, and then hooking the new teeth to the neighboring teeth with metal hooks to hold them in place. Once done, they are a permanent fixture, and do not necessitate that they be removed and scrubbed daily like dentures or affixed with gooey adhesive.
