Cosmetic dentistry is the process of carrying out small procedures with the aim of improving the overall aesthetic appearance of your smile, teeth and mouth. It can involve single procedures or be part of a wider plan to transform the teeth called a smile makeover. A beautiful and healthy looking smile can have enormous benefits for a person in terms of self confidence and esteem and can have positive effects on all their relationships.
There are many problems patients can have to create problems that reduce the appearance of their smile. Some of the most common issues are chipped or broken teeth, unevenly spaced or overcrowded teeth or discoloured and worn teeth. For all these problems and many other others, recent advances in dental technology has created treatments for all of them.
Patients with chipped, cracked or broken teeth can have repairs carried out to restore their smile in only one appointment using the versatile and inexpensive dental bonding. Dental bonding is a tooth-coloured resin that can be used to fill cavities and cracks or built up to restore the appearance of a chipped tooth. It is sculpted by the dentist to the desired shape and size, before being set hard with the heat of a dental laser and polished to closely resemble enamel. Bonding can also be thinly applied to cover discolouration and teeth worn down over the years by enamel erosion.
Worn or discoloured teeth can also be treated using the very latest in ceramic dental veneers and crowns. Veneers are tooth shaped and coloured caps that sit over the top of existing teeth. They are incredibly thin and lifelike and a whole dental arc of veneers can create the impression of completely new teeth. Using the latest in computer-aided design and manufacture, veneers can be made and installed in only one visit.
There are many other cosmetic dentistry procedures such as gum contouring, dental implants and braces that can all be used to enhance the cosmetic appearance of your teeth. There really is no problem too big or too small to be treated with cosmetic dentistry. If you are considering having your smile improved, make an appointment with a Central Leeds dentist to discuss which of the cosmetic procedures would be most suitable for your teeth. The dentist will also be able to give you a clear idea of how much the procedures may cost.
If you have ever suffered from a knocked out, chipped or cracked tooth you will know exactly how painful it can be. Not only is the pain immediate, but it may require months or even years of painful and costly dental surgery to repair the damage. Knocked out teeth cannot always be replaced and you may require a dental implant or bridge to artificially replace it. Chipped and cracked teeth can usually be repaired with dental bonding, but if the structural damage is too severe, it may require a crown or a veneer to prevent any further damage. All of these artificial dental substitutes will require replacing at various intervals throughout your life.