Despite what the name may imply, cosmetic dentistry has more than just aesthetic benefits. Cosmetic dentistry is a broad field that can involve improving the alignment, color, position, shape, and size of the gums and teeth. These aesthetic enhancements often cross over with functional improvements. These include correcting a misaligned bite, improving dental and overall health, and increasing focus on oral hygiene.
Additionally, a 2018 study published in the International Journal of Medical and Surgical Sciences found that malocclusion may negatively affect patients' self-image. Correcting these functional irregularities may lead to feelings of increased self-esteem while also improving one's ability to speak and eat.
Other cosmetic dental procedures like bonding, crowns, inlays, onlays, and veneers can help repair cracked or broken teeth. By providing additional support, these treatments protect the teeth from further damage and can maintain the remaining tooth. All cosmetic dental procedures also encourage an increased focus on dental hygiene as part of upkeep. The result is improved dental health, directly correlated with improved overall health.
Clear aligners, such as Invisalign®, have been growing in popularity over recent years. For many patients, these "invisible braces'' are an appealing alternative to traditional options, as they are more unobtrusive aesthetically. While conventional braces move teeth through brackets connected by wires, invisible aligners use a series of custom-made mouthpieces consisting of clear plastic or acrylic material.
Clear aligners are also removable, making it easier for patients to brush and floss well. Thus, it may be easier to maintain a thorough dental hygiene routine than with traditional braces. Treatment time with clear aligners depends on a case-by-case basis. On average, however, patients usually complete treatment within 10 to 24 months. Consequently, it is best to schedule a consultation well in advance of any senior photos.
Clear aligners are best-suited for teens and adults with mild or moderate orthodontic issues. Those with more severe conditions, however, may require more involved treatment with traditional braces. Our qualified team works closely with our patients to determine an individualized treatment plan for their needs.
Dental veneers, also known as dental porcelain laminates, are thin, tooth-colored shells that cover the front surface of the teeth. They may consist of porcelain or resin composite materials, and they can enhance teeth's color, shape, size, or length. Veneers may be able to help patients whose teeth are chipped or broken, discolored, irregularly shaped, misaligned, worn down, uneven, or have gaps between them. Patients may be able to get veneers for one or more teeth.
Veneers are a natural-looking tooth enhancement option that do not require any prior, extensive shaping. Porcelain veneers, in particular, are stain-resistant and well-tolerated by gum tissue. By effectively replacing the outer layer of the teeth (or enamel), veneers can give the appearance of a more symmetrical smile without actually moving your teeth.
It typically takes about three dental appointments to get veneers. During the initial consultation, the patient will tell Bellevue Dental about the results they want, and Bellevue Dental will conduct a thorough examination to determine if veneers are right for them. The second appointment consists of preparation, where the teeth have their surfaces reshaped and Bellevue Dental makes a model or impression of the teeth. In the third appointment, the veneers are finally bonded to the teeth. This entire process generally takes a few weeks, as does aftercare. Our team recommends booking the procedure a few months in advance of any senior photos.
In a dental bonding procedure, patients have a tooth-colored resin material applied and hardened onto their teeth to restore or improve their smile. Dental bonding may address several different cosmetic concerns, including chipped or cracked teeth, decayed teeth, discolored teeth, misshapen teeth, and receding gums. Additionally, dental bonding may help close spaces between teeth or make teeth look longer. Some patients also opt for dental bonding as an alternative to amalgam fillings.
Dental bonding is one of the simplest, quickest, most affordable, and least invasive cosmetic dental procedures available. It necessitates removing very little enamel and generally only requires anesthesia when performed to fill a cavity, to reshape the tooth through drilling, or to fix a chip near the nerve. Any preparation is minimal. Bellevue Dental works closely with each patient to make sure they know what to expect. The entire process takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth and can be completed in one appointment.
Composite fillings, or resins, are tooth-colored fillings that protect small- to midsize fillings against moderate pressure from the constant stress of chewing. Composites may be used both on front or back teeth, in part because they look so natural. They are also arguably safer than amalgam fillings, which consist of metal alloys that may include mercury. However, both types function in the same way.
Composite fillings are a relatively quick and easy cosmetic dental procedure, with the process taking about less than 30 minutes per tooth. Their ability to bond to the tooth structure allows them to provide even further support. Additionally, they may be used to repair broken, chipped, or worn teeth.
