Top 5 Cosmetic Dental Treatments to Consider in 2023
1. Professional Teeth Whitening
2. Dental Veneers
3. Crowns
4. Implants
5. Invisible braces
What is Professional Teeth Whitening?
There are two main systems that dentist use for in-office whitening. One is a peroxide gel that is used with or without a light application. The light speeds up and enhances the whitening ability of the peroxide gel. A different process is called “power bleaching” which is a peroxide and water-based product that can be left on for up to 30 minutes. The peroxide penetrates the enamel and oxidizes darkly pigmented molecules within the complex tooth structure. By breaking down darkly colored molecules, it bleaches the underlying tooth color to a whiter shade.
What are Veneers?
Veneers are a thin layer of custom-made porcelain of resin material that can be used to cosmetically or restoratively enhance the appearance of a tooth. Veneers are less invasive than crowns, as they only cover the surface of the tooth, rather than the entire tooth. Veneers are an instant smile changer for teeth that have been damaged or discolored. Veneers are also resistant to tooth stains and have a 7-15 year lifespan, so there isn’t much maintenance to your new smile. As your natural tooth color changes with age, veneers will need to be redone to match your new tooth color.
What are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are simply a cover over an already existing tooth or implant. Dental crowns are used, primarily, when you have a broken tooth or a cavity that is too large to fill. The crown or space under it is filled, then the crown is sealed on top of the tooth. Crowns are made to match the natural color of your teeth and can withstand the powerful forces of your jaw.
Our same-day dental crowns are produced through the CEREC system, which allows our dentists to produce ceramic dental restorations using computer-assisted technology. With this system, your teeth can be restored in a single visit and multiple ceramic materials can be chosen to allow us to prepare crowns, veneers, onlays, and inlays without waiting.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are by far the most involved process of those on our list. When you are missing a tooth or several teeth you can have them replaced with dentures or a denture bridge. Dental implants remove the need for dentures or bridges. Denture implants are made of titanium and other products that work well in the body. The titanium posts are set directly into the upper or lower jaw.
A dental crown will then be placed over the post that will not only match your tooth color but also align with your other teeth. Implants are a multi-visit procedure as the post needs time to fuse with your jawbone to create a permanent bond. Once healed, the implant will feel just as secure as your natural teeth.
What are Invisible Braces?
Invisible braces such as ClearCorrect, are an alternative to traditional metal braces. By taking a scan of your teeth, computer software can determine your teeth-straightening journey in minutes. Using the scans, you will receive progressive aligners every two weeks that slowly shift your teeth into your ideal smile.
These invisible braces are more convenient than traditional braces because you don’t have to change your diet. You simply remove the aligners for eating once you are done eating brush your teeth and put the aligners back on. You should have the aligner on about 20-22 hours a day and maintain twice-yearly dental visits to be sure that you are not harboring cavities or breakdowns in your gums.
These 5 cosmetic treatments can take your 2022 frown to 2023 smile town! Whether you need help with a tooth or two or you need something more serious like a dental implant your self-confidence can skyrocket with the right adjustments.
Contact Dr. Dan or Dr. Tracy’s office today for a consultation as to which of these treatments would be most beneficial to your smile goals. Contact Sedation Dental Care at the Raleigh Smile center at 919-783-9686 to schedule your appointment today.