What Type of Cosmetic Dentistry is Right for You?

Have you ever looked in the mirror and wished your teeth were a little whiter? Maybe you have always had a gap in your teeth or something just was not right that you wanted to fix.

Cosmetic dentistry offers a number of oral care procedures to improve the position, shape, size and color of your teeth. These procedures can range from relatively subtle to very complex.

There are many different cosmetic dentistry options available

These are the six most common cosmetic dentistry treatments according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry:

Crowns

Crowns cover a tooth, restoring it to its normal shape and appearance. They are a great choice when most of the original tooth decays or is gone, either by tooth decay, enamel erosion or a life event. Dental crowns have the longest life expectancy of all cosmetic dentistry options.

Bonding

Bonding is a cosmetic dentistry procedure in which a tooth-colored material is applied to a tooth and sculpted into place. This will give the appearance of a healthy tooth. Bonding can repair teeth that are decayed, damaged or stained.

Teeth whitening

Teeth whitening, also often called teeth bleaching, is a very common and popular cosmetic dentistry procedure designed to whiten teeth that have become stained or worn over the years. Your teeth may have discoloration due to food, drinks, or habits like smoking. This is a great option for those whose teeth are not as white as they would like.

Veneers

Veneers are a thin piece of porcelain that a dental lab can customize for each patient. We place them over your teeth with a dental adhesive to resolve a number of cosmetic issues. Veneers look very realistic and work on discolored, chipped, crooked teeth. They even work on teeth with a noticeable gap.

Bridges

A bridge replaces missing or damaged teeth. By hiding the gaps of missing teeth, they serve as a "bridge" to improve the appearance of your teeth and prevent other dental issues caused by missing teeth.

Dental Implants

Dental implants replace teeth after tooth loss. We insert a small titanium screw into the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth where we will then mount a replacement tooth. These implants are impossible to differentiate from surrounding natural teeth and, unlike a denture, are permanently secured into place.

Benefits of cosmetic dentistry

There are many reasons to choose cosmetic dentistry. For many, it gives you the confidence to live a happier and fuller life. After all, your smile is the first thing most will notice about you when you are in public.

A report from the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics found that those with an ideal smile were considered more intelligent and had a greater chance of being hired. So cosmetic dentistry may even help you land your next job.

In addition, cosmetic dentistry may also provide a number of health benefits, including a better bite, improved oral health and even improved health overall. If you are looking to have a smile you love, there are many options at different price points available.

Call (650) 835-4426 to schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation with Millennium Dental, Beatriz Parra, DDS in our Redwood City office.