Cosmetic Dentistry

Tips for Getting a Beautiful Smile.

by Donna Corwin

A beautiful, bright smile is your best calling card, an effective and powerful way to communicate your feelings. One of the first things a child responds to is a mother's smile. In a world where technology offers the average person almost Venus/Adonis possibilities, cosmetic dentistry should be your first step to gorgeous teeth. You can whiten, reshape or even replace your teeth.

There are pros and cons to every procedure, so we have tried to explain and demystify cosmetic dental work. Procedures can be costly and time-consuming, but most of the work is long-term, and patients are usually so happy with the results, they rarely complain.

Porcelain Veneers - Can be thought of as a false front. The dentist grinds down the front of the tooth surface and then the porcelain is bonded to the tooth. The technique is similar to putting on false nails. The results are the teeth become lighter, spaces between them can be closed, and the shape of the teeth can be changed. The procedure can be done for one or all of your front teeth, but is not usually used for the posterior teeth.

Porcelain Crowns (caps) - Crowns can be done on any tooth, both top and bottom, but if there are large fillings on the front teeth, you will need crowns as opposed to a veneer. The process is similar to that of veneers, except you have to grind down the entire tooth, and then a cover or cap is made to cover each tooth. The procedure can be more expensive and time-consuming, but the overall effect is excellent.

Direct Bonding - With this method, the dentist does not grind the teeth. A white material is directly applied (bonded) to an existing tooth. This procedure affords an improvement in cosmetics, but is not as aesthetic as porcelain. Over a period of time, approximately five years, the bonding will change color. But this is a less expensive procedure than veneers or crowns.

Bleaching - Bleaching your teeth can change the color to several shades lighter. There are a number of techniques used. The take-home method uses custom-made trays. The procedure takes about two weeks. You place the bleach in the trays each night, slip the trays on your teeth and sleep with them. In-office bleaching is another procedure but it can be more expensive. In-office bleaching involves a light-activated bleach that is put on the teeth. It takes approximately three hours.

Before you make a decision to do any dental procedure, it is important to have healthy gum tissue. This involves regular check-ups, cleaning every three to six months and full-mouth x-rays approximately every five years. Most importantly, always remember to smile!