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As one of Gwinnett's leading cosmetic dentists, Dr. Heil was invited to write an article for Accent Gwinnett Magazine about Cosmetic Dentistry.
Setting the Record Straight about Cosmetic Dentistry
So what is cosmetic dentistry? Most people think of television shows like ABC’s Extreme Makeover, but cosmetic dentistry does not have to be “extreme”. From my perspective, any procedure that is meant to restore or improve the appearance of a patient’s smile qualifies as cosmetic dentistry. This can be anything from a full set of porcelain veneers to repairing a chipped front tooth on a first grader. And the self confidence boost that comes from having a nice smile is important, whether the changes the changes are major or minor.
Cosmetic procedures include whitening, composite fillings, contouring, bonding, veneers and crowns. Each person is unique, so it is critical to ask your dentist which procedure or combination of procedures is right for you. Before you talk to your dentist about cosmetic dentistry, spend some time looking in the mirror to determine what you like about your smile and what you would like to change. "Are your teeth too long or too short? Are they too dark? Do they have crowing or spaces? Knowing what you like and what you don’t like about your smile will help you and your dentist determine what is best for you.
Whitening, commonly known as bleaching, is often the easiest and lowest cost option to improve the appearance of your smile. Most whitening agents contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Your dentist can provide products at a higher concentration than what you can buy over the counter, as well as providing a custom tray to keep the whitening agent from harming your gums. Tooth colored fillings, crowns or veneers do not change color with whitening, so it is very important to consult your dentist to be sure you will not have restorations that do not match and have to be replaced after whitening.
Composite resin is a tooth colored material used for most of the fillings done today, both for new cavities and for replacing older fillings that are worn out. It is as durable as the silver amalgam that dentists have used for years, and has the advantage of matching the color of your tooth. If you have to have a filling done anyway, you can choose cosmetic dentistry by choosing a composite resin filling.
Bonding and contouring are quick and relatively inexpensive ways to change the shape of a tooth. Many patients are impressed with the changes made by contouring rough edges and making the length of the front teeth even. Bonding is another single visit procedure that can add to the length of teeth and even change the tooth color. Your dentist applies a resin material to the surface of the tooth and cures it in place with a light. However, because the material is simply bonded to the surface of the tooth, chewing forces are always trying to displace it, and having the bonding come off is an occasional problem. Bonding can chip or stain over time and will have to be replaced several times over the course of a lifetime.
Veneers, crowns and bridges can also be used to change the shape, size or color of teeth, and can accomplish more dramatic and permanent changes than bonding. They are also more expensive than bonding because of the time involved and because the restorations are made by a dental laboratory technician. These restorations are made of porcelain and are more natural looking, stronger and more durable than bonding. However, placement of veneers, crowns or bridges does require the dentist to make permanent changes to the tooth, so they may not be appropriate for patients who only want to make minor changes to their smile.
The most important factor in making decisions about cosmetic dentistry is a conversation with your dentist. He or she can explain how all of these options work with your teeth and the look you are trying to achieve.
Dr. Tina Heil
Suwanee Family Dentistry
www.suwaneefamilydentistry.com
