Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry

There are several cosmetic dentistry processes that are used to facilitate a full-mouth restoration or reconstruction. These are designed to enhance the health and appearance of your smile.

Who Needs Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is normally recommended to those who possess teeth that have been damaged, are worn down, or are no longer present in the mouth. Teeth that look damaged have a negative impact on your smile and can also have a detrimental effect on your ability to chew effectively and bite correctly.

Choices for Cosmetic Dentistry

There are several choices of dental treatments available if you want to improve the appearance of one or two teeth or you wish for a full mouth makeover. What you select will depend on the extent of your damaged teeth.  Depending on the degree of tooth damage, any of the following dental treatments may be used to correct your teeth:

• veneers
• dental crowns
• dental implants
• tooth bonding
• tooth coloured fillings
• dental bridges.

Steps in a Full Mouth Restoration

Once you have decided that you really need a full mouth restoration, you should make an appointment to see a cosmetic dentist. This will enable a complete evaluation to be done of your mouth.

The dentist will conduct an oral examination, take some X-rays, research into your dental history and check for any oral issues such as neuromuscular problems. After the examination has been completed, treatment recommendations will be made.

Benefits of a Full Mouth Restoration

If your teeth look worn, chipped, or are even absent, it can make your face look worn out, even if you really feel fresh and energetic. Opting to invest in a full-mouth restoration can improve your appearance so that your face looks younger. All of the treatments that are used in a full mouth restoration are designed to be very natural-looking.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Full Mouth Restoration?

If your teeth are badly damaged, or you are experiencing annoying symptoms of temporo-mandibular disorder (TMD), you will make a good candidate for full mouth restoration. Typical TMD symptoms may include jaw pain, popping noises in the jaw or headaches. Other potential reasons for this type of procedure are gum disease and an imbalance in your bite. Even clients who have worn their teeth down through grinding or clenching may make good candidates too.

Cosmetic Dentistry Techniques

New Veneers for Modern Times

Veneers are composed of tooth-coloured porcelain shells that completely cover over your existing teeth. They make the perfect choice for those clients who have imperfections, discoloured teeth, too many teeth, or gaps between their teeth.

Veneers have changed dramatically in recent years. Before, they used to look like bulky, opaque add-ons. Now, they look translucent and shine in a similar way to natural teeth. It is this attraction that has made them attractive when investing in a full mouth construction.

Dental Crowns

A crown is often used as part of a full mouth dental restoration and fully caps that part of a tooth that is situated above or near to the gum line. When it has been fitted into place it becomes the tooth’s newly constructed outer surface. Crowns are often used to strengthen and repair damaged teeth and improve the outer appearance of the teeth. They can be shaped, coloured and aligned to improve the overall facial appearance.

Dental Implants

These are used to replace missing roots and are titanium posts that are screwed into the jawbone. Their properties allow them to fuse with the adjacent bone and a new bridge, crown or denture can be placed securely on top. They are a great way of replacing those unsightly gaps that occur when teeth are lost.

Dental Bonding

Bonding is designed to cover up any natural occurring flaws by applying a plastic material that is thinly coated on the surface of the teeth which can be seen easily. When the teeth have been coated, a bonding material is placed on top of the plastic which is sculpted, coloured and shaped. A light with a particularly high intensity is used to harden the plastic. After it has hardened sufficiently, it is polished.

Tooth Coloured Filings

These are filings that are tooth coloured and replace the metal amalgam fillings that were commonplace. These amalgam fillings still remain in the mouths of many people today. Tooth coloured fillings are either composite or ceramic and can be coloured to match your teeth.

Dental Bridges

A bridge, commonly referred to as a fixed but removable denture, is constructed to take the place of missing teeth. Bridges need to be supported:

• through using natural teeth;
• by using implants
• by using a mix combination of implants and teeth.

A traditional bridge is made by making a crown for the teeth on each side of the gap and putting a false teeth or a single tooth between the crowns. The crowns, also referred to as caps, can be propped up by your natural teeth or by any artificial implants. The artificial tooth or teeth are fixed to the crowns and the empty space is now filled.

With any of the procedures described above, a consultation with your dentist will ensure that the correct procedures are used for your full mouth restoration. If you wish to find a cosmetic dentist in the UK who can offer you a consultation to decide on a treatment programme go to www.anyclinics.co.uk and you will find one in your area that will suit your needs.