Cosmetic Dentistry Seminole, FL
Cosmetic dentistry primarily focuses on the aesthetics of your smile rather than the health and function of your teeth and gums. Cosmetic treatments give patients the smiles they’ve been looking for, from teeth whitening to recontouring to replacing missing teeth. From more conservative treatments to more aggressive procedures, cosmetic dentistry can offer anyone a more attractive smile.
Advancements in dental technology have also created more natural, tooth-like options and materials then ever before, so no one will ever be able to tell that you have received restorative dental work. When you are looking to change the appearance of your smile, whether minor or drastic, then cosmetic dentistry from Jennifer Johnson DMD is the answer!
Why Is Cosmetic Dentistry So Popular?
A smile is a way of telling someone we’re happy, we’re pleased to be in their company, or that we’re having a good time. It’s a greeting and an important social cue. So if you feel like you have to hide your teeth from others, it can affect how you interact with the world. Cosmetic dentistry allows people with even the most discolored or damaged teeth to see a smile improvement, which is why it’s so popular in dentist offices across the country.
Cosmetic Treatments
Here are some of the most common treatments that cosmetic dentists offer:
- Clear Aligners (straighten your smile using clear removable trays).
- Veneers (cover the front of the teeth to make them look whiter, straighter, and smoother).
- Crowns (cover the whole outer enamel of an imperfect tooth).
- Professional Teeth Whitening (bleaches the teeth so they look shades whiter).
- Dental Implants (permanent tooth replacements).
- Cosmetic fillings (fixes cavities with tooth-colored matter).
- Cosmetic bonding and contouring (for minor cracks and chips in the teeth).
Bonding
Bonding is a conservative way to repair slightly chipped, discolored, or crooked teeth. During dental bonding, a white filling is placed onto your tooth to improve its appearance. The filling “bonds” with your teeth, and because it comes in a variety of tooth-colored shades, it closely matches the appearance of your natural teeth. Bonding is less expensive than other cosmetic treatments and usually can be completed in one visit to our office.
Crowns
Crowns are a cosmetic restoration used to strengthen a tooth or improve its shape. Crowns are most often used for teeth that are broken, worn, or partially destroyed by tooth decay.
Crowns are "cemented" onto an existing tooth and fully cover the portion of your tooth above the gum line. In effect, the crown becomes your tooth's new outer surface. Crowns can be made of porcelain, metal, or both. Porcelain crowns are most often preferred because they mimic the translucency of natural teeth and are very strong.
Dental Implants
If you've lost a tooth (or a few teeth) due to injury or disease, dental implants can rejuvenate both your smile and your oral health. A dental implant is essentially a synthetic tooth root in the form of a titanium post that is surgically embedded into the jawbone. An abutment, also known as a connector, is built and placed on the top of the implant and connects to the replacement tooth. The replacement tooth is a crown that is created to uniquely match your natural teeth. Dental implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss and offer the best stability and durability.
Teeth Whitening
There are many products and techniques available for patients who want to achieve a brighter smile, and with so many options available, it can be difficult to choose the teeth whitening method that is right for you. The first professional option is commonly referred to as in-office whitening. This procedure is performed in a dental office. During an appointment, your dental professional will apply a whitening gel to the surface of your teeth. The entire office visit generally takes about 90 minutes and you will be able to see results immediately.
Tray bleaching is a type of professional whitening that uses custom-made trays and whitening gel only available through your dentist. The whitening gel is placed in custom-fitted trays that fit perfectly over your teeth. Unlike strips, this process whitens all your natural teeth and may contain ingredients intended to provide maximum comfort. At-home professional tray whitening generally takes 10-14 days, although you may notice results in as little as 3-5 days.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
Tooth-colored fillings, also called cosmetic or composite fillings, can help restore your damaged teeth and provide cosmetic beauty. This type of filling uses composite resins which make for a more natural-looking appearance and blends right in with your natural tooth. This type of filling is an excellent choice for repairing teeth that are chipped, cracked, decayed, damaged, stained, or discolored.
Cosmetic fillings can also replace metal fillings. Large metal fillings can actually weaken a tooth, structurally cutting the tooth in half. When you bite hard on a large metal filling, there is a good chance the filling can fracture, taking part of your precious tooth structure with it. On the other hand, cosmetic tooth-colored fillings can strengthen damaged teeth because the material used actually bonds your tooth structure together.
Veneers
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells made from tooth-colored materials such as porcelain. They are designed to cover the front side of your teeth. Veneers are natural in appearance and are a perfect option for patients wanting to make minor adjustments to the look and feel of their smile.
With veneers, you can easily correct your teeth’s imperfections to help you have a more confident, beautiful smile. You no longer need to hide your smile because of gaps, chips, stains, or misshapen teeth.
Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry
You never know just how much of an impact a beautiful smile can have on your life until you have one. People look at you differently and your self-confidence increases significantly.
Here are a few other benefits of cosmetic dentistry:
- It reacquaints you with your Seminole, FL dentist and encourages you to take better care of your teeth.
- Modern cosmetic solutions last for many years—sometimes decades.
- Cosmetic procedures can shave years off your appearance, making you look and feel younger.